Let me kick off this week's Tuesday TV Touchbase with a note of congratulations to Sam Buttrey for winning Jeopardy's first ever Professors Tournament.
Who I insisted on calling "Sam Buttery".
Also kudos to Mayam Bialik who was back behind the host podium who is really good in this role. Jeopardy hedged it's bets for the rest of the season, announcing Bialik and Ken Jennings will continue to share hosting duties for the rest of the season through summer 2022.
I do not envy whoever has to make a final decision because both Ken and Mayam are more than qualified to get the solo hosting gig on the regular.
The Flash started off it's 8th season with a 5 episode arc called "Armageddon". It's an Arrowverse crossover but instead of being spread over different episodes of different series, it's self contained to the Flash.
In the year 2031, the Flash destroys the Earth.
In the year 2021, someone has come back in time to make sure that Barry Allen pays for that and prevent that future from happening.
That someone is Despero. Which is problematic.
Us comic book readers know Despero as this guy:
A big honking crimson hued alien with a fin in his skull and a third eye in his forehead. With his super strength and his mind burning mental powers, Despero is a formidable threat to the DC universe, challenging the collective power of the Justice League.
In the Flash/Armageddon, Despero looks like Vincent Van Gogh from Doctor Who.
Whenever the producers can spring for a few extra bucks for the special effects department, occasionally actor Tony Curran is transformed for a few fleeting moments into a big honking crimson hued alien with a fin in his skull and a third eye in his forehead.
But why Despero?
This Flash/Armageddon project is inspired by the 1991 DC crossover event Armageddon 2001. Ten years into the future, a super hero will become a super villain known as Monarch who is marching the world towards total ruin.
A time traveller named Waverider journeys back to 1991 to figure out which super hero will become Monarch and stop him before he does.
So the Flash/Armageddon event follows a similar path. Hero goes bad in the future and a time traveller comes back in time to stop him.
But why make that time traveller Despero?
The actual crossovers with other characters are doled out over the course of the 5 episodes.
Formerly from Legends of Tomorrow, Ray Palmer (The Atom) pops in for episode one.
From Supergirl, all we get is a zoom call from Alex Danvers (Sentinel) in episode 2.
Episode 3 gives us Jefferson Pierce (Black Lightning).
Episode 4 gives us more guest stars in the form of Ryan Wilder (Batwoman), Alex Danvers (in person this time), Ryan Choi (the other Atom) and the big reveal that the Flash who destroys the world in the future is not Barry Allen but Eobard Thawne, the Reverse Flash who's mucking about with time.
In episode 5, we get Mia Queen (the new Green Arrow) from Arrow looking for her brother William while Team Flash is figuring out what to do with Thawne short of killing him to save the world in the future. Despero still looking to save the future is all for just killing the bastard and...
Seriously? Despero?!?!
Of all the characters in the DC universe the producers of the Flash could've picked, why is Despero in this role?
They couldn't use Waverider since they gave his name to the goddam ship in Legends of Tomorrow.
Well, it turns out Despero has been lying and is really the villain for our little arc and well DUH!!!
Which lands with a thud because of course anyone with any knowledge from the comics knows this is coming.
And besides, he's really a big honking crimson hued alien with a fin in his skull and a third eye in his forehead.
I know I shouldn't make judgements based on appearances but let's face it, when you're a big honking crimson hued alien with a fin in your skull and a third eye in your forehead, membership in the Legion of Doom is probably in your future.
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Coming up on Thursday is a bonus TV post I call the Tannebaum TV Touchbase as I touch on holiday themed stuff watched by me and my family.
Next week's Tuesday TV Touchbase will be a look at what I watched over the past year as I review what I really liked (such as The Flight Attendant) and what really irked me (Supergirl).
Until next time, remember to be good to one another and try to keep it down in there, would ya? I'm trying to watch TV over here.
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