History Recap / TheFlash2014S3E8Invasion

* MaleGaze: Well, if Mick insists on calling Kara "Skirt," it's not a hard guess where [[ShesGotLegs he's been looking]]...

* ConflictBall: Cisco is the only one who really has reason to be pissed off enough with Barry that he'd refuse to work with him. Everyone else overreacts spectacularly (although maybe Team Legend is just super tired of dealing with Thawne's anomalies). On another front, Joe and Iris' ''stated'' reasons for not wanting Wally to use his powers are kind of crap. Good reasons would include having gotten said powers from an evil god.

* AvengersAssemble: [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters To a ridiculous degree.]] This episode includes all of the regulars of ''The Flash'', Team Arrow minus the new recruits and Quentin, Supergirl, and the Legends minus Amaya and Nate for some reason.[[labelnote:*]]Left behind on the Waverider because they were "rookies" (which should only apply to Nate) according to Sara. [[WatsonianVersusDoylist Doylist]] explanation, actors cost money; this crossover must have cost a small fortune.[[/labelnote]] All are teaming up to fight the Dominators.

* OddNameOut: To date, this is the only episode of ''The Flash'' where the episode's title contains an exclamation point. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], in that the title is directly taken from the [[Comicbook/{{Invasion}} comic book series it's based on]].

* OddFriendship: Wally and H.R. form one, due to [[NotSoDifferent both feeling like the outcasts of Team Flash]]. Wally asks H.R. to train him in secret, and while H.R. is initially reluctant to this idea, he eventually agrees following the episode's climax.

** Averted. RealityEnsues as Cisco is still justifiably angry at Barry for his indirect role in Dante's death and he makes it abundantly clear that he's not going to be calling Barry friend again anytime soon. And things at S.T.A.R. Labs are incredibly awkward as a result.

* PunctuatedForEmphasis: Felicity early on; "Best! Team-up! Ever!"
* RealityEnsues: This episode avoids the PowerCreepPowerSeep that many crossovers fall prey to.

* UnskilledButStrong: Wally is incredibly fast, but he doesn't have Barry's control over his speed. [[RealityEnsues This becomes a legitimate concern]], as he is unprepared for an actual fight and ends up getting injured by Supergirl after managing to knock out some of the weaker heroes, rendering him a liability to Oliver.

* AvengersAssemble: [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters To a ridiculous degree.]] This episode includes all of the regulars of ''The Flash'', Team Arrow minus the new recruits and Quentin, Supergirl, and the Legends minus Amaya and Nate for some reason.[[labelnote:*]]Left behind on the Waverider because they were "rookies" according to Sara. [[WatsonianVersusDoylist Doylist]] explanation, actors cost money; this crossover must have cost a small fortune.[[/labelnote]] All are teaming up to fight the Dominators.

*** Barry's first foray into Star City sees him use his SuperSpeed [[BigDamnHeroes to save the heroes]] from either the VillainOfTheWeek or that season's ArcVillain.

*** As in the crossover from December 2015, the crossover launches a plot whereby a protagonist learns about the existence of a child of theirs (last year it was Oliver, this time Prof. Stein).
*** Iris' crush on Oliver that was shown in the first Arrow/Flash crossover returns, as she finds out he's the Green Arrow and states that this makes him even hotter, much to Barry's chagrin.
* TheCameo: Vigilante makes a brief appearance as the VillainOfTheWeek Oliver and Diggle are fighting when Barry saves them.

** Barry mentions how he owns S.T.A.R. Labs.

** Instead of shouting to his friends to save themselves from the Dominators' beaming device, Barry could have just speeded them inside much more quickly (which he only tries with Oliver once it's too late).

** This episode officially confirms that the only change Flashpoint made to ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' is Sara Diggle being RetGone'd, replaced by a boy named John.

** In an subdued example, Mick learns that Barry is the Flash, something he presumably didn't know before this episode because Snart kept his word to Barry about keeping his identity a secret.

* ItsTheBestWhateverEver: When the heroes assemble and Barry introduces Supergirl, Felicity announces, [[PunctuatedForEmphasis "Best! Team-up! Ever!"]]

* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: Thea's entire reason for deciding to suit up as Speedy again is that she has the chance to fight aliens.

** Barry becoming TheLeader is a nod to how he led the first Justice League team up in the comics.

* TheNicknamer: Mick dubs Supergirl "Skirt," saying, "I'm not calling you 'Supergirl.' It's stupid." (Though when the chips are down he still ends up calling out for Supergirl's help by her proper name.)

* NoodleIncident: It isn't explained just ''how'' Felicity is able to contact a timeship that may be anywhere and any time in history. However, "time beacons" have been mentioned before in this universe, and there was a time in the first season finale of ''Legends of Tomorrow'' that could have been the right time.

* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Ray has apparently rebuilt his A.T.O.M. suit since [[Recap/LegendsOfTomorrowS2E6OutlawCountry obtaining more dwarf star alloy]]. It is later revealed that the Waverider has a replicating program, which was probably used.

* RuleOfCool: InUniverse, Thea only comes out of retirement to join the fight against the Dominators because the thought of fighting aliens is so cool.

* StoryBreakerTeamUp: Naturally, in a franchise where half the characters are {{Badass Normal}}s. Once most of the heroes are {{brainwashed|AndCrazy}} by the Dominators, the dynamic devolves into "Barry vs Ray, Firestorm, and Supergirl" and "Oliver vs everyone else". The only characters who play any real role in ultimately stopping the aliens are also the two most powerful--Barry and (indirectly) Kara.

* SupermanStaysOutOfGotham: SubvertedTrope, as Barry rescues Spartan and Green Arrow from Vigilante's bullets during a fight. However, Oliver's reaction to being saved, meaning Barry is in the city, is very similar to that of the TropeNamer [[Franchise/{{Batman}} himself]].

* TwoferTokenMinority: Of the superheroes, Supergirl is the only one who's both from another dimension ''and'' from another planet within that dimension.[[note]]While H.R. is ''also'' from another dimension, he's not one of the outright superheroes, instead serving as part of MissionControl.[[/note]]

* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: The Dominators are not connected at all to ''any'' of the four participating series' overall plots.

* AmazonChaser: Downplayed. When someone comments on how powerful Kara is, Sara responds that it's "kinda hot."

* JerkassHasAPoint: Iris is right to worry about Wally's safety due to his lack of training or experience. But it becomes a subversion when she forbids Team Flash from even training Wally to be a hero.

* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Both Cisco and H.R. [[StatingTheObvious state the obvious]] fact that ''Dominators'' is not a trustworthy name. And it's a name ''they gave themselves''. Also turns out to be a clue regarding their MindControl.

* ItsTheBestWhateverEver: When the heroes assemble and Barry introduces Supergirl, Felicity announces, [[PuncuatedForEmphasis "Best! Team-up! Ever!"]]

* BrokenPedestal: The revelation that Barry created Flashpoint is not something the other heroes take well. Supergirl's fine with it, but then it's not something that has any effect on her. Oliver also doesn't get angry at Barry because he could understand the desire to want to bring your parents back from the dead and admits he would have made the same decision if he was in Barry's shoes. Stein and Jackson aren't angered either because [[SecretKeeper they've known about it for awhile]].

** Considering the stakes, it's odd that Barry and Cisco would only return with Supergirl and not also Superman, Martian Manhunter and Mon-El. Especially given the necessity to train the team before going after the Dominators, J'onn J'onzz's experience and leadership would have been handy (or even Alex Danvers'). It's possible that neither J'onn or Mon-El had been medically cleared after being affected by their respective illnesses, while Kara tends to avoid calling Clark for assistance unless it's something ''really'' big, and she also tries to protect Alex as much as possible. [[note]]Of course as has been pointed out, this crossover meant a ''lot'' of money from having the respective stars of all the shows on the same payroll, and since barely any of it takes place on Earth-38, it made no sense financially to bring David Harewood, Tyler Hoechlin or Chyler Leigh into the picture.[[\note]]

** Considering the stakes, it's odd that Barry and Cisco would only return with Supergirl and not also Superman, Martian Manhunter and Mon-El. Especially given the necessity to train the team before going after the Dominators, J'onn J'onzz's experience and leadership would have been handy (or even Alex Danvers').

** The Dominators exist in Kara's reality as well, having attacked Krypton in the past.
** This episode officially confirms that the only change Flashpoint made to ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' is Sara Diggle being RetGone'd.

* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Sara thinks that Supergirl is hot.

* CurbStompBattle: Supergirl wipes the floor with everybody except Barry, Wally and Firestorm in their training session. Later, Barry, Oliver, and Wally stand no chance against her when she gets mind controlled and Barry can only outrun her.

*** Iris's fan girl crush on Oliver that was shown in the first Arrow/Flash crossover returns, as she finds out he's the Green Arrow and states that this makes him even hotter, much to Barry's chagrin.

* ConflictBall: Cisco is the only one who really has reason to be pissed off enough with Barry that he'd refuse to work with him. Everyone else overreacts spectacularly (although maybe Team Legend is just super tired of dealing with Thawne's anomalies). On another front, Joe and Iris's ''stated'' reasons for not wanting Wally to use his powers are kind of crap. Good reasons would include having gotten said powers from an evil god.

* CruelToBeKind: Joe and Iris's reason for not wanting Wally to jump into action (and being quite jerky about it) is simple worry for his safety.

* TheWorfEffect: This episode highlights the experience/power gap between Green Arrow and Flash, and... well, everyone else.

* MaleGaze: Well, if Mick insists on calling Kara "Skirt", it's not a hard guess where [[ShesGotLegs he's been looking]]...
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Not by the victim, though. The President responds appropriately to being vaporized; he falls to pieces. No, it's everyone else who under-reacts. ''The President was just vaporized''. Okay, the aliens immediately start mind-controlling them; but they're way too casual once that goes away.
* TheMentor: H.R. agrees to train Wally as a speedster since STAR Labs' hands are tied by Iris and Joe.

** Supergirl is from Earth-38 a reference 1938, the year Superman first appeared in ''ComicBook/ActionComics'' #1.

* MookChivalry: Oliver and (an unconscious) Wally are cornered in STAR Labs' basement, but only the brainwashed Sara trades blows with him, with brainwashed Diggle and Thea merely standing by.

* TheNicknamer: Mick dubs Supergirl "Skirt" (though when the chips are down he still ends up calling out for Supergirl's help by her proper name).

* NoSell: Supergirl is all but totally immune to everything the other heroes throw at her, and none so much as come close to possessing her level of power. She doesn't react beyond a smile when hit with Diggle's gunshots, HardLight blasts from the Atom, or Heat Wave's FireBreathingWeapon, not even bothering to move. She does however get briefly stunned by Barry's lightning if only for a moment.

* RealityEnsues: This episode avoids the PowerCreepPowerSeep that many crossovers fall prey to by:

** Kara is essentially totally invincible to the other heroes, and (as the only other person with actual SuperSpeed) almost proves a match for Barry; he has to use his superior reflexes, trickery and take advantage of her [[BrainwashedAndCrazy lessened mental abilities]] to defeat her.
* RememberTheNewGuy: Justified. Prof. Stein has a daughter now due to the Time Aberration he created in 1987. Team Flash (specifically Caitlin) knows who she is, but Stein himself (and the Legends) doesn't.

* ShoutOut: References to ''Literature/WorldWarZ'' and ''{{Franchise/Alien}}'' are made.

--> '''H.R.:''' I'd be out of here faster than humor in a Creator/LiamNeeson film.

* SpecialEditionTitle: All three parts of the "Invasion!" crossover arc (excluding Supergirl) had special title cards. This and the third part combines all four series' logos, but this being a Flash episode, ends on its own title.
* StoryBreakerTeamUp: Naturally, in a franchise where half the characters are {{Badass Normal}}s. Once most of the heroes are {{brainwashed|AndCrazy}} by the Dominators, the dynamic devolves into "Barry vs Ray, Firestorm, and Supergirl" and "Oliver vs everyone else". The only characters who play any real role in ultimately stopping the aliens are also the two most powerful -- Barry and (indirectly) Kara.

* VomitDiscretionShot: Diggle after Barry rescues him and Oliver from Vigilante.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Nate and Amaya, despite being part of the Legends, are not seen but are mentioned to be holding the fort on the Waverider because they were the "newbies" (Amaya ''really'' doesn't count on that score). They play an important part in the ''Legends'' episode of the [[Recap/LegendsOfTomorrowS2E7Invasion crossover]].

* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Upon landing on Earth the Dominators had one of its champions at their mercy (not to mention frozen in fear and surprised at the mere sight of them) but they choose not to kill him right then and there. They also opt not to actually attack, despite clearly being able to track down both the heroes and Earth leaders, in favor of {{brainwash|edAndCrazy}}ing and kidnapping.
* TheWorfEffect: This episode highlights the experience/power gap between Green Arrow and Flash, and...well, everyone else.

* YouAreInCommandNow: Barry has some obvious problems with being TheLeader, he even relies on Oliver spelling out his RousingSpeech for him. This [[LampshadeHanging draws skepticism]] from Sara.

-->'''Barry:''' Aw, come on. ALIENS?!

* AmazonChaser: Downplayed. When someone comments on how powerful Kara is, Sara responds that it's "kinda hot".

* AvengersAssemble: [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters To a ridiculous degree]]. This episode includes all of the regulars of ''The Flash'', Team Arrow minus the new recruits and Quentin, Supergirl, and the Legends minus Amaya and Nate for some reason[[labelnote:*]]Left behind on the Waverider because they were "rookies" according to Sara. Doylian explanation, actors cost money; this crossover must have cost a small fortune.[[/labelnote]]. All are teaming up to fight the Dominators.

* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Played for laughs. Oliver tells Kara not to hold back during training, as they need to go up against someone much more powerful than them as preparation for fighting the Dominators. Cut to Kara tossing around the team like ragdolls, (Barry excluded) not even the slightest bit affected by their powers or weapons.

* BrainwashedAndCrazy: The whole team gets mind controlled by the Dominators putting them against Oliver and Barry.

* BrutalHonesty: When Supergirl asks Mick how he got the name Heat Wave, he casually explains that [[TooMuchInformation he burned his house down with his parents still inside and that he likes to burn things.]] Keep in mind that they've only known each for ''less than a day.''
* TheBusCameBack: In a sense. This is Heat Wave's first proper appearance on his home show since Season 1's [[Recap/TheFlash2014S1E16RogueTime Rogue Time]] (not counting the ImagineSpot in the second season premiere). Dr. Stein and Jax also make their first appearances since the spin-off began.

*** Iris' fan girl crush on Oliver that was shown in the first Arrow/Flash crossover returns, as she finds out he's the Green Arrow and states that this makes him even hotter, much to Barry's chagrin.

* ConcealmentEqualsCover: Averted -- Kara's heat vision bores straight through Barry and Oliver's cover, much to Oliver's alarm.
* ConflictBall: Cisco is the only one who really has reason to be pissed off enough with Barry that he'd refuse to work with him. Everyone else overreacts spectacularly (although maybe team Legend is just super tired of dealing with Thawn's anomalies). On another front, Joe and Iris's ''stated'' reasons for not wanting Wally to use his powers are kind of crap. Good reasons would include having gotten said powers from an evil god.

** When Oliver encouraged Supergirl to not hold back, he also commented that he shot Barry during their first training session. Supergirl reacted with cringe as Barry sheepishly admitted it as truth.

* CruelToBeKind: Joe's and Iris' reason for not wanting Wally to jump into action (and being quite jerky about it) is simple worry for his safety.

* DeadlyDodging: Or in this case, deadly phasing -- Barry tricks Kara into charging right through him and into the Dominators' mind control device.

** All of the other heroes aside from Oliver[[note]]Who admits he would've done the same thing if he was in Barry's position.[[/note]], Kara[[note]]Who is from a different universe and thus, wasn't affected by Barry's actions.[[/note]], and Stein and Jackson [[note]]Having known about it for awhile[[/note]], are angry with Barry for messing with the timeline and have no problem with leaving him behind while they go to fight the Dominators. However Barry saving them all from the Dominator's brainwashing gets them to change their tune.
** Justified by them being focused on the reveal of Flashpoint, but the Legends don't chew out Stein and Jackson for keeping the message secret from them in the first place causing Barry to have to reveal Flashpoint because they told him and Oliver about it first.

** Instead of shouting to his friends to save themselves from the Dominators' beaming device, Barry could have just speeded them inside much faster (which he only tries with Oliver once it's too late).
** Considering the stakes, it's odd that Barry and Cisco would only return with Supergirl and not also Superman, Martian Manhunter and Mon-el. Especially given the necessity to train the team before going after the Dominators, J'onn J'onzz's experience and leadership would have been handy (or even Alex Danvers').

* GovernmentConspiracy: It turns out the Dominators have been known to the American government (including Lyla, as head of ARGUS) since the 50's when [[AllohistoricalAllusion they really did invade in Redmond, Oregon]] but withdrew for unknown reasons.
* HumanAliens: Barry said that he and Cisco took a quick side trip to get help from an alien, Supergirl. To everyone's surprise, the alien they brought in was nothing out of the ordinary...until she flies and burns her symbol into the concrete floor with heat vision.
-->'''Diggle''': Well, I'm convinced.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Sara chews Barry out for changing history even though she was trying to do the same thing by constantly trying to kill Darhk in her own show, until her teammates talked some sense into her. In fact most of the Legends count, since they're anything but subtle when they save time. However, while Sara mentions wanting to get revenge on Darhk and prevent her sister's death, she acknowledges that if she succeeded it would have had grave consequences and she recently made the final decision to spare his life. Overall, the Legends' issue is that Flashpoint may be partly responsible for the aberrations they've been finding, and they know full well the consequences of changing history while Barry doesn't fully understand as the changes he makes only affected people close to him and he doesn't have to deal with something like the Nazis winning World War 2 or other things like that. Though they still should have been more understanding with Barry as they did originally serve under Rip who was trying to prevent his family's death.

* IdiotBall: Barry meeting with the Legends without his costume on...since MICK RORY, the pyromaniac criminal he doesn't really know at all and once tried to kill him, is in attendance. Of course, he probably assumes that Snart told Rory who the Flash is. It's not as if Snart is known for keeping his word.

* InterplayOfSexAndViolence: Sara is turned on by Kara curb stomping most of the heroes with her powers.

** Oliver manages to easily fend off both Thea and Diggle. The only "normal" opponent that manages to keep up with him is Sara, which is unsurprising considering that they are the two most experienced combatants in the fight, and the only ones with League of Assassins training.

* Facepalm: Sara does one after Mick [[BrutalHonesty answers]] Supergirl's question about how he got the name [[Pyromaniac Heat Wave]]. Keep in mind that they've known Supergirl for ''less than a day.''