SPOILERS!
THE SHOW: The Flash
THE PAIRING: Barry Allen/Flash (Grant Gustin) and Iris West (Candice Patton) & Kara Danvers/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) and Mon-El (Chris Wood)
THE EPISODE: Season 3, Episode 17, “Duet”
THE MOMENT: Even superheroes need saving!
“Love is about letting yourself be saved. It’s not just about saving other people.”
The Flash/Supergirl Musical crossover, “Duet,” may not have been the cheeky equivalent of the Buffy musical episode, however, it was a real treat for those of us who adore (much like Barry and Kara) a good old-fashioned musical. Indeed, Singin’ in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz just happen to be these two superheroes’ favorites.
So, when the two end up in a dream world, it plays out like a 1940s musical just because they are such huge fans. And they need to finish this jazz story if they want to escape. It’s a good thing both of them can sing! Not to mention, that how these two escape the clutches of the Music Meister’s dream world offers up a wonderful romantic moment (or two).
The Lead In – Barry and Iris/Kara and Mon-El
Too often modern day characters (particularly of the superhero variety) get overly consumed with saving others. Unfortunately, by attempting perfection, these characters rarely allow themselves to be saved in return. I believe this to be an error of epic proportions because it is killing romance on several shows. Gone are the good old days of the 90’s to pre writer’s strike 2007 when characters could save each other so as to build the love story. Think Scully and Mulder. If these two weren’t constantly trying to save each other would The X-Files have been nearly as interesting?
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Furthermore, it often seems as if writers fear their female characters will become the dreaded damsel in distress so they take the characterization to an extreme opposite. But always being “strong” lessens the characterization and the dynamics of an entertaining love story. There needs to be a good medium.
Partly why I adored “Duet” was because it focused on the importance of allowing vulnerability. In order to be saved sometimes, one must allow themselves to be saved. Basically, “Duet” used the crossover as a unique opportunity to focus on the romance. Barry and Iris and Kara and Mon-El needed to focus on their love problems. And these two couples had a lot…
For starters, Kara just found out that Mon-El had been lying to her from the start, his identity actually the spoiled Prince of a planet she despised. She also has a forgiveness problem. As for Barry, he broke up with Iris after confessing he had mainly proposed to her in order to change the future and save her life.
But as these two sing out and contemplate their problems, they both realize that everything can still work out. Kara understands Mon-El’s perspective about why he lied while Barry recognizes the importance of his love for Iris. All that matters is his time with her. The breakup was pointless.
The Romantic Moment – Iris and Barry/ Kara and Mon-El
Trapped in comas by the hands of the ‘supposedly’ wicked Music Meister, Kara and Barry need only play out the musical movie to the end. But things go very wrong when they assume the ending is about being peacemakers to a star-crossed love story with warring gang families (all played out Wizard of Oz style with familiar faces).
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When the gangsters start a shootout, the two superheroes with no superpowers have no chance. In this jazz club reality, they just couldn’t escape on their own. In fact, if they die in this dream world, they die for real. And after both get shot in this West Side like Story, time is running out…
Thankfully, Iris and Mon-El take the matter into their own hands when Kara and Barry start crashing. With a hint from the Music Meister, Cisco vibes Iris and Mon-El into the dream with the hopes that love will save these two heroes.
Iris and Mon-El rush into the dream world and find Kara and Barry both shot on the ground. As she is dying, Kara tells Mon-El she forgives him.
Meanwhile, Barry tells Iris he loves her.
And in true fairy tale fashion, this old-fashioned musical ends with a kiss. Or two.
When Mon-El kisses Kara and Barry kisses Iris, they awake from the dream world safe and sound. Romance had saved the day!
In fact, this was the Music Meister’s whole ‘evil’ plan. The story was always a love story and the Music Meister our Cupid. As he says: “Love is about letting yourself be saved. It’s not just about saving other people.”
Barry and Iris Proposal
To top the whole swoon-worthy episode off with a bang, “Duet” closes with a romantic musical proposal between Barry and Iris.
With an original song from La La Land songwriters, Barry sings “Runnin’ Home to You,” and asks Iris to marry him. Both the song and moment are absolutely beautiful!
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What did you think about “Duet?” Did you love the old-fashioned musical romances between Barry and Iris and Kara and Mon-El? Sound off below…
Photos: The CW
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