Line #139 Recap/Batwoman2019S1E9CrisisOnInfiniteEarthsHourTwo


1	In the aftermath of the last battle, the heroes travel across the Multiverse in search of the Seven Paragons.
2	----
3	!!Tropes:
4	* AdaptationalAngstUpgrade: {{Inverted\|Trope}}; Earth-96 Superman--based on ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' Superman with regards to his physical appearance and backstory--is much more well-adjusted compared to his comic counterpart who sequestered himself from the world after losing his friends and family to the Joker. It helps that, unlike the comic, this Superman wasn't rejected by the world in favor of more brutal anti-heroes.
5	* AdaptationalVillainy:
6	** ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' Batman, from whom Earth-99 Bruce takes inspiration, had his darker tendencies (such as turning Gotham into a borderline police state and pretending to ally with the villains) but was still a hero. Earth-99 Bruce is ''at best'' a KnightTemplar and at worst no different from the killers he once fought against. As for his other inspirations, the Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse [[Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice incarnation]] stopped at the last minute due to a HeelRealization and became a staunch ally of Superman.
7	** Earth-18 Jonah Hex is more villainous than his Earth-1 counterpart, since he tries to waylay Sara and Mia. Sara gives him his scar in return.
8	* AmbiguouslyGay: Given how the history of the {{Franchise/Batman}} franchise has been [[MediaNotes/TheComicsCode connected with this trope for decades]], combined with how the Arrowverse has no trouble whatsoever introducing LGBT characters, it can't be an accident that Earth-99 Luke Fox's appearance at Wayne Manor comes across like something out of a SlashFic.
9	* AmbiguousSituation: Regarding the [[DePower depowering]] of Earth-167 Clark Kent. On the one hand, '' {{Series/Smallville}}'' demonstrated multiple methods of depowering that were voluntary and temporary, and the series finale introduced a permanent option that he was against. On the other hand, his syntax in this episode is ambiguous enough to suggest that it may be permanent. It seems the writers have left it ambiguous, so that the fans can choose their preferred outcome: Clark can either be permanently retired as a mortal man, or this is a temporary situation and he will don the cape again someday.
10	* AmbiguousTimePeriod: The ''Smallville'' portion of the episode, with regards to the original series. The GrandFinale of that series contains a 7-year TimeSkip from 2011 (the year the episode aired, and in turn, that the majority of it takes place in) to 2018, where we learn that Lois and Clark have made their final wedding preparations. Upon their cameo in ''Crisis On Infinite Earths'', dialogue reveals that roughly ten years have passed, the two have visibly aged and are now parents; and as mentioned above, Clark has chosen to give up his powers in order to live as a mortal man and raise his children. If we assume that Clark's depowering was a relatively recent occurrence, this would mean he was Superman for nearly 20 years before retiring. However, contrasting this is his reference to President Lex Luthor, which would set the time period somewhere between Lex's election in 2018 and the end of his final presidential term in 2026. The fact that, in the United States, [[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/forms-of-address-how-to-a_b_2390778 it is customary]] to continue to refer to all living former presidents as "Mr. President" or "President [last name]" only muddies the waters further.
11	* ArbitrarySkepticism: Despite the wide variety of insanity they experienced over the course of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', Earth-167 Lois writes off Clark's words about an alternate Lex and the impending end of the multiverse as a joke.
12	* BabiesEverAfter: Clark and Lois from ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' are revealed to be parents to at least two daughters.
13	* BackFromTheDead:
14	** Kara learns the Monitor revived Lex Luthor and is understandably furious. Adding to her disgust is that he can't do the same for Oliver now that the Crisis is underway.
15	** Oliver is resurrected by an Earth-18 Lazarus Pit, but as of the end of the episode, his soul has yet to be restored.
16	* BadassBoast: The owner of the mysterious voice that summoned Harbinger introduces himself this way:
17	-->"Universe after universe has fallen before my power. World after world, consumed. With every death, I steal my mirror's strength, and mine grows ever stronger. Who am I? [[BigBad I am the Anti-Monitor]]."
18	* BatmanGambit: The Monitor recruited Lex knowing he'd try to use the Book of Destiny to kill the various Supermen of the multiverse, and intended for Lex to lead the others to the Paragon of Truth: Clark Kent/Superman of Earth-96.
19	* TheBerserker: Courtesy of a Lazarus Pit, [[CameBackWrong Oliver]] revives as a soulless monster that attacks both Constantine and Mia on sight. What's worse, with Constantine's magic affected by the Crisis, he seems likely to ''stay'' that way.
20	* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Lex briefly uses the Book of Destiny to make Earth-96 Superman fight his Earth-38 counterpart. Even after Lex is taken care of, it takes an IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight from Earth-38 Lois to snap him out of it.
21	* BrokenPedestal: Kate's attitude toward her cousin upon learning Earth-99 Bruce Wayne is a murderer.
22	* BroughtDownToBadass: Earth-167 Clark Kent might no longer have his powers, but he still has the broad and brawny physique one would expect of a Superman [[CallToAgriculture that has been maintained through years of farmwork]], and is noticeably taller than Earth-38 Lex. After making it clear that he couldn't care less for what Lex has to say, he proceeds to catch a punch from Lex before decking him.
23	* CallForward: Sort of. Sara mentions Jonah Hex's scar, which he has on Earth-1 but has yet to get on Earth-18.
24	* CameBackWrong: Barry, Mia, Sara, and Constantine try to revive Oliver using a Lazarus Pit. As to be expected, he's revived without his soul, but thanks to the Crisis, Constantine can't bring it back.
25	* TheCameo: Creator/WentworthMiller voices the Earth-74 Waverider's AI, Leonard.
26	* CanonWelding:
27	** In the Arrowverse, ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' is set on Earth-167.
28	** Earth-96 Superman is indeed the same character portrayed by Creator/BrandonRouth in ''Film/SupermanReturns'' and thus, as intended by the filmmakers, Creator/ChristopherReeve in the previous ''Film/{{Superman\|FilmSeries}}'' films.
29	* CassandraTruth: After driving away Lex, Earth-167 Clark tells Earth-167 Lois everything he learned. She laughs him off, believing he's joking.
30	* ChekhovsGunman: The Paragons were first referenced by the Monitor in the Season 8 premiere of ''Series/{{Arrow}}''.
31	* TheChosenMany: The Seven Paragons.
32	* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Earth-96 Superman's heat vision is red, as opposed to the blue heat vision of his Earth-38 counterpart.
33	* CompositeCharacter: Earth-96 Superman. He's the Superman from the 1978-1987 ''Superman'' films and ''Superman Returns'', having gone through the trauma of ''Kingdom Come'' (i.e. Lois and his friends dying from the Joker's poison gas) and wearing the ''Kingdom Come'' suit with the black-and-red Kryptonian crest as a result.
34	* ConflictingLoyalty: Kate ends the episode torn between her friendship with Kara and the potentially horrific consequences if she tries to use the Book of Destiny to restore Earth-38.
35	* ContinuityNod:
36	** When Earth-38 Clark, Lois, and Iris mention their Lex, Earth-167 Clark asks if the president is in town. The epilogue to ''Smallville'''s GrandFinale revealed that Lex won the U.S. presidency.
37	** When their Lex gets his chance to talk to Earth-167 Clark, he offhandedly mentions that their rivalry is "written in the stars". Clark and Lex being cosmically-destined enemies (and their discovery of the same) was a major plot point roughly halfway through Smallville.
38	** Earth-96 Clark meets baby Jonathan and mentions his own son Jason from ''Film/SupermanReturns'', commenting on the resemblance between the two.
39	* TheCorrupter: The Anti-Monitor recruits Harbinger to his side in the episode's climax.
40	* CostumeEvolution: Earth-96 Superman has changed his costume from the one he wore in ''Superman Returns''. His new suit is taken from ''ComicBook/KingdomCome''.
41	* DarkIsEvil:
42	** Earth-99 Batman is revealed to have become a ruthless killer who not only wiped out his RoguesGallery, but also [[HeroKiller murdered his world's Superman]].
43	** The Anti-Monitor reveals himself as a hideous and corrupted version of the Monitor clad in dark armor.
44	* DePower: Earth-167 Clark gave up his powers so he could have a family.
45	* DentedIron: Earth-99 Bruce requires a robotic full-body brace to move around. He tells Kate that it's the culmination of his career as Batman. Shortly afterward, however, Kara learns the truth.
46	-->'''Kara:''' Bruce killed this Earth's Superman?\
47	'''Luke:''' Who do you think put him in that exoskeleton?
48	* DespairEventHorizon: The Bruce Wayne of Earth-99 is long past it, having lost any notions of being a hero or hope for a better future, describing himself as an old man held together by wires and metal. Upon being told that the multiverse is doomed to die, he bitterly replies that it ''should'', and with his dying breath, tells Kate that there is no hope.
49	-->'''Bruce:''' Yes...let it end, let it all end. This world's not worth saving in ''any'' universe. [...] Kate, listen to me. There is no hope.
50	* DoppelgangerCrossover: [[ComicBook/TheAtom Brandon Routh]], meet [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Brandon Routh]].
51	* DownerEnding: For fans of the Reeve ''Superman'' films (and ''Superman Returns''). As the characters from the Reeve films are the same as those in ''Returns'', then the Creator/MargotKidder[=/=]Creator/KateBosworth Lois Lane, the Marc [=McClure=]/Sam Huntington Jimmy Olsen, and the Jackie Cooper/Creator/FrankLangella Perry White are all dead thanks to the Joker gassing the ''Daily Planet''.
52	* DueToTheDead: Sara, Kate, and Kara raise a glass for Oliver at the beginning, though only Sara seems to be accepting his death.
53	* EatingTheEyeCandy:
54	** Both Kate and especially Kara are impressed with Earth-99 Luke Fox's physique.
55	** Lois compliments Earth-167 Clark's body, to her husband's irritation. Iris also checks him out.
56	** Kara is impressed with Earth-96 Clark's physique.
57	* EntertaininglyWrong: Lex thinks Clark is only Superman on Earth-167, because it would be ridiculous if it also applied to his own Clark who "can't see past his glasses".
58	* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Despite how far gone he is, Earth-99 Bruce is genuinely happy to see Kate again, accepting her even though he knows she's not the Kate from his universe who is long dead. He also keeps a picture of his beloved adult cousins Kate and Beth Kane posing together happily (saddening Kate who wishes she'd had the same relationship with her twin sister in her world).
59	* EvilAllAlong: Bruce from Earth-99 is not the Paragon of Courage; he killed his world's Superman out of paranoia and is willing to let the entire multiverse die, convinced it's beyond saving.
60	* EvilCannotComprehendGood:
61	** Earth-38 Lex cannot believe Earth-167 Clark would give up his powers for a family.
62	** Earth-99 Bruce is confused and angry to see Kate defending Kara, saying his Kate would never have trusted a Kryptonian. He also doesn't seem to understand that it ''is'' possible to stick to a [[ThouShaltNotKill moral code]].
63	* EvilIsPetty:
64	** The Joker of Earth-96 killed most of the staff of the ''Daily Planet'' -- Lois, Perry, and Jimmy included -- because he didn't like the fact that they didn't cover him enough.
65	** Lex Luthor steals the Book of Destiny with intent to wipe out all the Supermen across the multiverse, so that none can oppose him once the Crisis ends. Eventually he gets bored and [[BrainwashedAndCrazy tries to force one Superman to kill the other]].
66	** To further compound this issue, Lex has rather infamously been TheResenter towards Superman, viewing the hero's godly abilities as an indictment upon the human race. When he encounters the Superman of Earth-167 who willingly gave up his powers to live a normal life, that resentment becomes disdain over the idea that someone as powerful as Superman has now chosen what Lex calls "a little slice of mediocrity".
67	** Earth-99 Bruce Wayne didn't just kill Superman; he kept his broken glasses in a trophy case alongside mementos from his other slain enemies.
68	* ExactWords:
69	** The Monitor revives Lex Luthor, stating that he has "a role to play". It turns out he was betting on Lex's duplicity and factored it into his plans. The previews also imply that Lex has some larger role to play, likely involving an EnemyMine situation, later in the crossover.
70	** The Monitor tells Kate that going to Earth-99 will lead her to the Paragon of Courage, whom he describes as "The Bat of the Future". Turns out Kate was not meant to ''find'' the Paragon, but to ''become'' it.
71	* FacialHorror: Sara gives Jonah Hex of Earth-18 his trademark scar. She even hangs a lampshade on it in the process.
72	* FallenHero: Earth-99 Bruce has completely abandoned his moral code.
73	* FantasticRacism: Racism against Kryptonians is on full display from Lex and Earth-99 Bruce in this episode.
74	* FiveSecondForeshadowing:
75	** Earth-167 Clark is introduced chopping wood with an axe and wiping sweat off his forehead. Earth-38 Clark notes that he can do the same task with one bare hand. Earth-167 Clark also doesn't notice the group approaching him until they speak up, and is wearing gloves to protect his hands from splinters. Just a while later, it is revealed that Earth-167 Clark no longer has his powers.
76	** Kate worries she might turn out like Earth-99 Bruce shortly before its revealed that she kept some of his kryptonite.
77	* FiveStagesOfGrief:
78	** Everyone is in different stages of grief following Oliver's death. Sara is quick to accept his death; as a result, she is already in the Acceptance stage. Kara tries to accept but becomes furious upon learning that Lex has been resurrected by the Monitor when the latter could have saved Oliver, so she's somewhere between the Anger and Bargaining stages. Barry and Mia, on the other hand, are stuck in the Denial phase; they vehemently refuse to accept Oliver's death and plan to resurrect him using the Lazarus Pit.
79	** Meanwhile, Kara is ''firmly'' in Denial over the destruction of Earth-38.
80	* {{Foil}}: Clark Kent of Earth-96 and Bruce Wayne of Earth-99. Both are alternate versions of well-known heroes, based in part off how they were depicted in ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'', both older than they are normally portrayed, and both [[Creator/BrandonRouth portrayed]] [[Creator/KevinConroy by actors]] who are famously connected to the characters. They've also both suffered terrible losses, but they handle those losses very differently; Clark managed to live with what he'd lost and go on living, even becoming editor-in-chief of the ''Daily Planet'', but Bruce became a broken and insane old man haunting Wayne Manor with only Luke for company. Clark remained the beloved and kind-hearted hero he was while Bruce descended into a bloodthirsty KnightTemplar who grew to be feared and despised by the people he once protected. Clark embraces the mission to save the multiverse, rising to greater heights of heroism, whereas Bruce writes off not only his Earth but ''every'' Earth as not worth saving and dies in despair after one last act of villainy.
81	* {{Foreshadowing}}:
82	** As the Monitor discusses the Paragons, Earth-38 Clark volunteers to find the Paragon of Truth who turns out to be another Superman. More subtly, after details about the Paragon of Courage are provided, the camera lingers on Kate for the last minute of the scene.
83	** The voices Harbinger hears demand that she stop Lex Luthor from stealing the Book of Destiny, which is later revealed to be part of the Monitor's plan, foreshadowing TheReveal that the voice belongs to someone who doesn't want the Monitor's plans to succeed: the Anti-Monitor.
84	* ForTheGreaterGood: The Monitor revived Lex Luthor in order to find Paragon Superman, knowing Lex would try to kill him. Kara feels that it wasn't worth the loss of the parallel Supermen Luthor offed along the way.
85	* ForWantOfANail: On Earth-99, Beth was either rescued from the imprisonment that befell her Earth-1 counterpart or was never imprisoned at all. Whatever the case may be, she never became Alice in this reality and had a good relationship with Kate well into their adulthood.
86	* FullyAbsorbedFinale: Downplayed, as ''Smallville'' had already ended its run on its own terms 7 years earlier. However, Tom Welling and Erica Durance's extended cameos act as a final coda to ''Smallville'', exploring what became of their iterations of Clark and Lois.
87	* FriendToAllChildren: Earth-74 Mick has a way with Jonathan, being the only one to successfully calm him down, and reads him his book like it's a bedtime story.
88	* GoThroughMe: Kate protects Kara from Earth-99 Bruce this way.
89	* GottaCatchThemAll: The Monitor tells the heroes of seven Paragons that need to be gathered to save TheMultiverse.
90	* GottaKillThemAll: Lex steals the Book of Destiny and goes on a killing spree of alternate Supermen.
91	* HappilyEverAfter: The fate of Earth-167 Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Fans of ''Smallville'' will tell you after everything that Clark went through, [[EarnYourHappyEnding this was well earned]].
92	* HeroicWillpower: Earth-96 Superman lost pretty much everyone close to him due to the Joker's gas attack, yet he still remains TheParagon to his world.
93	* HeWhoFightsMonsters: Earth-99 Bruce confesses to having become homicidal, to the point of killing the Superman of his Earth [[FantasticRacism for being a hidden alien]].
94	* HighVoltageDeath: Earth-99 Batman is fried by his own exoskeleton when Kate, acting to protect Kara, accidentally kicks him into the Batcomputer. Kara restrains Kate in turn, pointing out she would die from the shock if she got too close.
95	* HopeBringer: Kara is revealed to be the Paragon of Hope.
96	* HopeCrusher: Earth-99 Bruce spends a decent chunk of his screentime despairing about the state of his Earth to Kate, bitterly expressing the belief that the entire multiverse should just end. With his final breath, he tells Kate there is no hope, words that clearly affect her by the end of the episode.
97	* IdenticalStranger: Earth-96 Superman's similarity to Ray Palmer doesn't go unnoticed by Iris, Kara, and Lex.
98	-->'''Lex:''' Congratulations. You're a ringer for [[FantasticRacism a filthy Kryptonian]]. Mom must be so proud.
99	* HopeSpot: Four of the seven Paragons have been found (Kara, Sara, Earth-96 Clark, and Kate), the heroes have the means to find the rest of them, and Oliver has been resurrected. However, Oliver's resurrection has left him a soulless animal, Constantine can't restore his soul because of the Crisis, Lex Luthor killed several Supermen, and Kara plans to risk her sanity to use the Book of Destiny to restore Earth-38. Kate, shaken from her horrific encounter with Earth-99 Bruce, is left wondering if she should use kryptonite to stop Kara. And possibly worst of all, the Anti-Monitor has revealed himself and swayed Harbinger into helping him end the multiverse.
100	* IncompatibleOrientation: Kara finds Luke attractive; Kate, not so much.
101	* InnocentlyInsensitive: Mia telling Sara to basically shut up about trying to talk her out of resurrecting Oliver, since he's not her father. [[DramaticIrony Little does she know that Sara also lost her father not long ago.]]
102	* InSpiteOfANail:
103	** Despite all the other differences in their lives, all three of the Supermen are parents. And as Earth-38 Lex points out, they're all destined to fight a Luthor.
104	** It may not have come from a denizen of his own universe, but Jonah Hex still gets his facial scar. Sara even [[LampshadeHanging hangs a lampshade on it]] when she gives the mark herself with his own knife.
105	--->'''Sara:''' Guess you were gonna get this scar eventually, Hex.
106	** Despite Bruce not disappearing and Beth not becoming Alice, Earth-99 Kate Kane still ended up becoming Batwoman.
107	* InternalReveal:
108	** Lex's survival is revealed to the heroes.
109	** Everyone learns that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
110	** Lex learns that Earth-167 Superman is actually Clark Kent, but it verges into ComicallyMissingThePoint when he decides this cannot be true of his own version, nor does he think to check all the others he killed for a repeating pattern.
111	* ItGetsEasier: Earth-99 Bruce lampshades it gets a lot easier to kill after the first time.
112	-->'''Bruce:''' You start with a code, you hang onto it with every self-righteous breath. But then you take one life, then another, then another, then another. [[EvilCannotComprehendGood You'll see]].
113	* ItWasWithYouAllAlong: In the end, the Monitor reveals the Paragon of Courage wasn't Earth-99 Bruce; it was Kate.
114	* KarmicDeath: Not long after Earth-99 Batman is revealed to be an unhinged KnightTemplar who murdered that world's Superman out of racist paranoia, he decides to murder Kara as well. Kate's attempt to protect Kara leads to AccidentalMurder.
115	* KickTheDog:
116	** Although she's clearly grieving, Mia takes shots at Sara's past relationship with Nyssa and (possibly unintentionally) Quentin's death.
117	** Lex sinks to ever deeper levels of petty cruelty, using the Book of Destiny to force Earth-96 Superman to kill Earth-38 Superman, as well as Iris and Lois.
118	* KilledOffscreen: On each Earth the characters visit, a number of people have already been killed.
119	** Earth-75 Superman is killed by Earth-38 Lex before Earth-38 Lois and Clark get the chance to reach him, and all they can do is to see that Earth's Lois hold the dead Superman (played by the same actors) in the news.
120	** On Earth-99, Bruce killed the Joker, the Riddler, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Clayface, and even Superman himself during his murderous rampage. That world's version of Kate Kane also died five years prior to the events of this episode, after donning the cape and cowl to try and redeem Batman's legacy.
121	** Lois, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, and numerous ''Daily Planet'' employees were gassed to death by the Joker on Earth-96.
122	* KnightTemplar: Earth-99's Batman fell off the deep end and began killing his enemies, moving on to killing even Superman for the supposed "threat" he posed. By the time he was finally stopped, he was feared and despised, and Gotham celebrated Batman's downfall.
123	* KungFuSonicBoom: When the two Supermen collide in mid-air, the shockwave blows out the windows of at least two skyscrapers.
124	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: When talking about how they needed the Waverider, Sara comments she and Ray promised their crew they wouldn't be involved in anymore crossover events.
125	* {{Leitmotif}}: Earth-96 Superman is accompanied by pieces inspired by Music/JohnWilliams' score from [[Film/SupermanTheMovie the original Superman film]]. In addition to the iconic theme song, a variation of "Can You Read My Mind?" plays following his CrashIntoHello with Earth-38 Lois Lane.
126	-->'''Earth-96 Clark:''' I'm sorry, you seem so familiar. Have we met before?
127	* LetsSplitUpGang: Once again, so many heroes, yet most of them were left to their own devices.
128	** Kate and Kara go to Earth-99 to recruit that universe's Batman.
129	** Iris, Lois, and Clark go universe-hopping to find another Superman and stop Lex's schemes.
130	** Barry, Mia, Sara, and Constantine look for a functioning Lazarus Pit to revive Oliver.
131	** Ray stays aboard the Waverider to program its computer into finding the rest of the Paragons.
132	** [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Mick's on babysitting duty.]]
133	* LetsYouAndHimFight: Lex mind-controls Earth-96 Superman to fight his Earth-38 counterpart.
134	* LikeParentLikeChild: This time, it's Sara who points out how similar Mia and Oliver are.
135	* MaskOfSanity: Earth-99 Bruce Wayne seems rational at first, albeit broken and more cynical than ever, seeming to just be a logical conclusion to [[DentedIron his lifetime of fighting crime in Gotham]]. The mask starts to slip when he admits to Kate he's killed too many people to count, and it's gone completely by the time Kara confronts him in the Batcave, revealing the [[DespairEventHorizon embittered]], [[FantasticRacism racist]], [[StrawNihilist nihilistic]] monster he's become.
136	* MetaTwist: Earth-99 seems to be built up as the universe of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' given the designation '99' (1999 being the premiere year of the series) and the fact that it supposedly houses the "Bat of the Future". This is gradually revealed to not be the case, given numerous factors: The age difference (Bruce is in his 80s in ''Beyond'' but 60s here), the presence of Luke here but not in ''Beyond'', the complete absence of Terry here, and most importantly, the fact this Bruce has become a FallenHero. This universe was ultimately [[CanonForeigner invented for this episode alone]], though with some elements subtly adapted from other sources.
137	%%* MoeGreeneSpecial: Implied to be the means by which Earth-99 Superman met his end, given the damage to the glasses.%%Speculative
138	* MoodDissonance: Mar Novu tries to make a dramatic RousingSpeech, only for baby Jonathan to constantly interrupt him by crying.
139	* MythologyGag:
140	** In the comics, Earth-18 is the universe designated for Wild West versions of the Justice League, the Justice Riders. In the Earth-18 of the Arrowverse, a version of Jonah Hex appears. Ironically, Hex is absent from the ''ComicBook/JusticeRiders'' comic.
141	** Earth-99 Bruce's reasons for killing Earth-99 Superman are similar to Batman's motivations in ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice''. He even borrows a couple of that Batman's quotes which were ultimately derived from ''ComicBook/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''.
142	** Earth-96 Superman mentions that this isn't the first time [[Film/SupermanIII he's gone nuts and fought himself]] (despite ''Superman Returns'' treating the film where that happened as CanonDiscontinuity). He also lost his loved ones to "a reject from Gotham", which calls to mind ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' and more loosely ''VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs''. The picture showing the infamous attack directly uses an Alex Ross panel from ''Kingdom Come''. In addition, his fight with the Earth-38 Superman has shades of Kal-El vs. Kal-L from ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis''.
143	** Both the appearances of Earth-96 Clark and Earth-99 Bruce are taken from ''Kingdom Come''[[note]]1996 was the year the miniseries came out, explaining the designation of the former Earth[[/note]], though both of their personalities are significantly different.
144	** Quintessential Batman voice actor Creator/KevinConroy portraying a never-before-seen live-action version of Batman is itself this, as well as a CastingGag.
145	** The ''Smallville'' version of Clark has voluntarily given up his powers after a successful career as Superman to retire to the Kent Farm with Lois and start a family. This is almost identical to the ending of ''ComicBook/WhateverHappenedToTheManOfTomorrow''. Thankfully, this version of Clark is missing the pencil mustache. He also has daughters instead of a son like the mainline Clark, which brings to mind ''ComicBook/SupermanSecretIdentity''.
146	** When Lois, Clark, and Iris mention to Earth-167 Clark that Lex Luthor is coming to kill him, he wonders why the President would bother. During the TimeSkip finale of ''Series/{{Smallville}}'', Lex was elected President.
147	** Earth-Clark [[PunchCatch catches Earth-38 Lex's punch]] and socks him in the face in a reversal of what happened [[Recap/SmallvilleS05E02Mortal the last time a depowered Clark fought his Lex]].
148	** Earth-75, one of the Earths that loses its Superman to Lex, is very likely a reference to the infamous Issue #75 of Superman where the title character was killed by Doomsday, reinforced by the image on TV.
149	** Following on from Earths 16, 38, 66, and 89, Earth-99 would appear to draw its designation from the original air date of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'', which was the first time Creator/KevinConroy played an older Bruce Wayne forced into retirement due to his physical limitations, although that is really the only similarity between the two former Batmen.
150	*** The Monitor saying that the "Bat of the Future" would seem to further the connection, as ''Batman Beyond'' had the MarketBasedTitle of ''Batman of the Future'' in some regions.
151	*** The "Bat of the Future" destined to be the Paragon of Courage is actually Kate, whose Batwoman costume has the same color scheme (mostly black with a red bat-logo on the chest) of the new Batman of ''Batman Beyond'', Terry [=McGinnis=].
152	** Earth-99 Bruce [[Film/TheDarkKnight lived to see himself become the villain]].
153	** While Earth-38 Clark and Earth-96 Clark fight, Lois and Iris lean out the window of the ''Daily Planet'' to watch, in much the same way that Creator/MargotKidder's Lois Lane and another female ''Daily Planet'' employee watched Superman and Non fight in ''Film/SupermanII'' (Earth-38 Lois doesn't have to angrily shove Iris for making an insensitive comment during the fight, however).
154	* NeedleInAStackOfNeedles: Constantine looking for a surviving alternate Earth that still has a functioning Lazarus Pit.
155	* NoodleIncident:
156	** Earth-96 Superman says this is the second time he's fought another version of himself.
157	** Felicity has somehow earned the wisdom of a magic book called the Tome of the Guardians, comparable to the Book of Destiny.
158	* NoSell: Kryptonite doesn't work on Earth-167 Clark because he's given up his powers. When Luthor brandishes a piece in front of him, he simply takes it and chucks it into the nearby field.
159	* NotHimself: Lex brainwashes Earth-96 Superman to kill Earth-38 Superman by switching all the love in his heart to hate. Iris and Lois manage to bring him back by using the Book of Destiny, as Lois reminds him of [[ThePowerOfLove feelings of love]].
160	* NotSoDifferentRemark: Kate fears this is the case between herself and Earth-99 Bruce. Despite Kara's reassurance, it's revealed that Kate kept some of Bruce's kryptonite, adding some weight to her fears.
161	* NotSoOmniscientAfterAll: The Monitor's powers are waning as a result of the Crisis, and as such, he can't simply identify the Paragons. The vague descriptions Felicity got from the Tome of the Guardians are all he has to go on, meaning Novu is nearly as lost as the heroes.
162	* NotWorthKilling: Luthor decides killing a depowered Superman wouldn't be any fun, especially when his universe is likely to be erased soon anyway.
163	* OhCrap: Lex, when the depowered Earth-167 Clark just calmly holds a piece of kryptonite with no effect. This is also why Lex has to have other Supermen battle each other. Earth-167 Clark casually tossed it into a field on the Kent Farm.
164	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Once she's over the shock of seeing him alive, [[AllLovingHero Kara]] fires up her heat vision, clearly ready to incinerate Lex. This isn't necessarily surprising when you consider Lex is all but solely responsible for Lena's FaceHeelTurn, on top of the many other atrocities to his name, but it's still a shocking moment from someone as kind and merciful as Kara.
165	* PoweredArmor: Earth-99 Batman is in an exoskeleton due to "[[DentedIron a lifetime of injuries]]".
166	* PretenderDiss: Earth-167 Clark is completely unimpressed by Luthor and flatly tells him, "You're not Lex."
167	* ProperlyParanoid: Kate comes off as this as it's shown she pocketed a chunk of Kryptonite from Earth-99's Bruce, around the same time Kara decides they could use the Book of Destiny to restore everything.
168	* PsychopathicManchild: Lex writes off killing a powerless Superman as "no fun" and shifts to forcing Supermen to kill each other because he finds it more entertaining than doing it himself. His departure from Earth-167 also comes off as very childish, as he runs off after Earth-167 Clark proves he wasn't intimidated by Lex and could still easily kick his ass.
169	* PunchCatch: Even without his powers, Earth-167 Clark is still strong enough to catch Luthor's punch and send him stumbling with a single swing.
170	* RapidFireInterrupting: While the Monitor is telling the assembled heroes about the Seven Paragons, [[MoodWhiplash he keeps getting interrupted by Jonathan's crying]]. Unlike other cases, he patiently waits until the baby is settled down before resuming his speech.
171	* RedSkiesCrossover: The crossover with ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' is mostly irrelevant. [[Series/TheFlash2014 Iris West]], [[Series/Supergirl2015 Clark Kent, and Lois Lane]] try to recruit that world's Clark (who is ultimately revealed to be powerless and thus unable to help), only to be teleported away by Lex Luthor.
172	* RedemptionRejection: After hearing of Earth-99 Bruce JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope, Kate offers him a chance to become a hero again by joining the fight to stop the Anti-Monitor. He turns it down, bitterly claiming the multiverse doesn't deserve to be saved.
173	* {{Retcon}}: Creator/BrandonRouth's Superman, presented as an older version of the character originated by the late Creator/ChristopherReeve, casually references the events of ''Film/SupermanIII'' at one point. The problem is that everyone involved in ''Film/SupermanReturns'' claimed the movie was just a continuation of the first two films that completely ignored the events of ''Superman III'' and ''IV''. It's likely [[BroadStrokes a similar event took place regardless]].
174	* RetiredBadass: All the Legends on Earth-74 and Earth-167 Clark are retired.
175	* TheReveal:
176	** Eight real-time years after their GrandFinale, we learn what happened to the ''Smallville'' versions of Lois Lane and Clark Kent: Clark depowered himself permanently, and now he and Lois [[CallToAgriculture tend to the Kent Farm]].
177	** Earth-99 Bruce is a severely misguided (at best) FallenHero. His need for an exoskeleton isn't because of years fighting his RoguesGallery, just ''one'': Earth-99 Superman.
178	* ScrewDestiny: Iris mentions that since Oliver's fate was different than what the Monitor expected, it's possible that he's also wrong about Barry's.
179	* SeenItAll:
180	** Earth-167 Clark reacts to the sight an alternate Lex wielding a magic book with slight annoyance at worst. It's mostly a sign of CharacterDevelopment, as this Clark spent 10 years getting over his insecurities and general anxiety.
181	** Earth-96 Clark takes the revelations of the Multiverse and him being a paragon in stride, saying it's actually one of the least insane things he's ever heard.
182	* SelfDisposingVillain: Earth-99 Bruce is accidentally electrocuted during his scuffle with Kara and Kate, both of whom [[ThouShaltNotKill obviously had no intention of killing him]] despite being beyond disgusted with the bastard at this point.
183	* SensoryOverload: Harbinger is plagued by visions throughout the episode. The climax reveals that the Anti-Monitor is responsible for them, and trying to sway her to his side.
184	* SkewedPriorities: Faced with a multiverse-ending Crisis, Lex decides to go on a Superman killing spree instead of helping to end the Crisis. It's implied he doesn't even ''care'' that the multiverse is ending; he just wants to kill as many Supermen as possible and seems to consider living through the Crisis to be an afterthought.
185	* SubvertedCatchphrase: On being told by his wife that their children have made a mess, Earth-167 Clark jokes that, "This sounds like a job for...us." and they walk off hand-in-hand to deal with it.
186	* SuicideByCop: Bruce-99 doesn't care if the multiverse ends, as he wants his miserable existence to just end. It's later also implied he is glad that Kate (accidentally) finishes him off.
187	* {{Superdickery}}: One of the earlier leaks show Earth-96 Superman giving Earth-38 Superman a NeckLift. It is revealed in this episode that he was being controlled by Luthor with the Book of Destiny.
188	* SurpriseIncest: Almost. When Kara and Kate rejoin the group aboard the Waverider, Kara sees who she thinks is Ray Palmer and mentions how much buffer he is since the last time they met. Earth-38 Clark informs her that "Ray" is really [[AlternateSelf "her cousin, sort of."]] It's immediately awkward for everyone; even ''Kate'' looks away in embarrassment.
189	* TakingTheBullet: Earth-38 Superman shields Lois and Iris from the brainwashed Earth-96 Superman's heat vision.
190	* TapOnTheHead: Iris and Lois knock out Lex from behind.
191	* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Lex Luthor quickly makes his usual impression upon the Monitor's champions; Kara has to be talked out of incinerating him on sight, Kate takes an instant disliking to him, and even the Monitor seems like [[NecessaryEvil he'd rather that Lex's presence wasn't necessary]].
192	* TimeForPlanB: After the unexpected loss of Oliver, the Monitor traveled back to the [[Series/Elseworlds2018 Elseworlds Incident]] to recover the Book of Destiny before it was destroyed, in order to learn how to stop the Anti-Monitor. Barry even says "So, Plan B".
193	* WalkInChimeIn: Lois assures Earth-96 Superman they won't let Lex kill him.
194	-->'''Lex:''' ''[walks through the door]'' Oh, I've moved on from that.
195	* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: The Monitor warns that using the Book of Destiny to restore an entire world from destruction could almost certainly drive the user insane. Despite this, Kara is willing to try to restore Earth-38.
196	* WhamLine:
197	** The revelation of Earth-99 Bruce Wayne's real [[KnightTemplar state]].
198	--->'''Bruce Wayne:''' [[EvilAllAlong I've lost track of how many people I've killed.]]
199	** The owner of the voice summoning Harbinger is revealed at the end of the episode:
200	--->"I am the Anti-Monitor. Come, Harbinger. There is work to be done."
201	* WhamShot:
202	** Among Earth-99 Bruce's "trophies", Kara spots Clark's glasses.
203	** Just as Earth-99 Bruce reveals his true murderous self, his exosuit starts glowing green, revealing it's powered by kryptonite.
204	** At the end of the episode, Kate reveals she has Earth-99 Bruce's kryptonite.
205	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse:
206	** Following Earth-99 Bruce being inadvertently killed by Kate, we don't learn what became of Earth-99 Luke, as he isn't seen again after Kara discovers Clark's glasses.
207	** Earth-96 Clark mentions his wife, presumably Lois, his son, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen. No mention of Richard, who ended their movie still in a relationship with Lois.
208	* WhatTheHellHero: Mar Novu gets repeatedly called out on his bullshit, like resurrecting Lex or sending Kate and Kara to an Earth with a murderous Batman.
209	* WorfHadTheFlu:
210	** The growing power of the Anti-Monitor weakens the Monitor, limiting Novu's powers; his omniscience is increasingly limited, and he can't simply resurrect Oliver the way he did with Lex Luthor.
211	** The anti-matter is affecting Constantine's magic; he can't enter limbo to recover Oliver's soul the way he did with Sara.
212	* YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre:
213	** After the collective blows of Oliver's death, the loss of Earth-38, and the reveal of Lex's resurrection, Kate reassures Kara and encourages the newly-revealed Paragon of Hope to ''have'' hope.
214	** Despite his broken body and spirit and tarnished morals, Kate assures Earth-99 Bruce he can still be a hero. Unfortunately, she's very, ''very'' wrong about him; he's not as bad as he seems, because he's ''worse''.
215	** Returning the favor from the start of the episode, Kara reassures Kate she won't turn out like Earth-99 Bruce, and that she's more than capable of being a hero and of living up to her role as the Paragon of Courage.

Context Recap / Batwoman2019S1E9CrisisOnInfiniteEarthsHourTwo