There has been a spell of 9 shows on The CW. Spanning from 2012 and is still ongoing now. There are 6 shows within the Arrowverse and 3 that are not part of the same universe. I have decided to rank them from worst to best.
Please be aware, that this is my own opinion.
I have ranked these based on impact and also memorability. Which shows had the best seasons overall, the best moments, and shows that I believe will always stick with me even if the end result of the show isn’t brilliant.
9. Naomi
It was canceled after the first season. I wasn’t surprised in the slightest. I still today feel robbed of my time with this show. It had terrible direction with very poor executive decisions when it came to the main character. It did not perform well. It immediately fell the moment we were told the show wouldn’t be part of the biggest TV superhero universe in the Arrowverse. A terrible show that isn’t worth any form of time invested, even more now that it’s been canceled.
8. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
This is controversial as I know Legends carries a very dedicated fanbase. I really wanted to rank this higher because I absolutely adored the first 2 seasons, but boy did it change. It went stupidly silly and I just lost any interest I had. I preferred it when it was a serious show focused on time travel. The moment a Fairy Godmother showed up I knew my time was limited with this show. I know people prefer the show’s direction, and that’s fine, but for me, it was just cringing moment after the next.
7. Black Lightning
The issue I have with Black Lightning is the time it’s set. It’s set after Jefferson is already an adult with two teenage daughters, Principle of a High School, etc. He’s still a hero but more of a retired-not-retired hero. The show wasn’t necessarily bad, it just wasn’t great. If Black Lightning had been set in the Arrowverse and in his prime, this could have been completely different. Cress Williams is a perfect Jefferson Pierce but it should’ve been set much earlier. The show unfortunately just wasn’t memorable.
6. Supergirl
Supergirl had a very strong opening season followed by 2 decent seasons then it fell off. This only ranks high because of how great the first season was, and weirdly, this wasn’t even done by The CW, it was done by CBS. Melissa Benoist was perfectly cast as Kara and she nailed the role. After an exceptional start, it fell way too much for me. Once the show began going political in season 4, it never recovered. The final season started off super strong with Kara going into the Phantom Zone, but then the show went on hiatus and came back to perhaps the worst season I have ever watched. I only rank it higher than shows such as Legends because the first 3 seasons were memorable, and I absolutely loved everything they created until they ruined it.
5. Batwoman
I do feel sorry for Batwoman, it never had any luck whatsoever. Ruby Rose infamously exited her role as Kate Kane forcing the Directors to replace her with a new character in Ryan Wilder, played by Javicia Leslie. Season 2 did suffer with this as the story tried to focus on Kate’s exit too hard. However, once it got over that, season 3 was fantastic. That season really did blow me away and I was expecting it to be poor. Before season 3, I called for the show to be binned but after season 3, I really wanted them to renew it. They finally got the footing right and I truly believe the show could have only gone on a positive run from there. What a shame. It also teased a Batman Beyond villain, sad times.
4. Stargirl
Weirdly, Stargirl is a show that I just often forget about. Despite Stargirl’s opening 2 seasons being very strong, and one of the few shows to receive a perfect 10/10 rating across a season – it’s forgettable. The third season is out on the 31st of August 2022, and we’re very excited about it, but we can’t help but have an inkling that the show may be canceled due to the poor performing live TV numbers compared to the other shows. Stargirl is STILL a show that is definitely worth the time invested.
3. Arrow
Arrow for me has a special place in my heart. This show got me through a very rough time in 2014/2015 when I was struggling with my mental health. I know that sounds ridiculous but it’s true. Arrow’s opening 3 seasons were impeccable. Season 3 is up for debate but I loved them. The show began to take a turn with season 4 and the overall consensus of the show became more of a drama. The difference with Arrow is that it still had strong seasons after suffering. Season 5 with Prometheus was amazing, the final season was brilliant and it had great spells throughout. That’s why I rank it high on this list. I’d implore anybody to give the 3 seasons a chance, even if you left it there. I rank it third due to the fan service side, they should have kept it Oliver+Laurel from season 1 and built on that.
2. The Flash
Very similar to Arrow, The Flash has lost a lot of its touch, especially lately when it feels like a chore to watch. Again though, the opening 3 seasons were perfect. The first season is some of the best superhero content that exists out there on the TV spectrum. The entire story surrounding Barry, Harrison, and STAR Labs was brilliantly done. The show is ending with season 9 in 2023, and it’ll see the final end to the Arrowverse, but this is a show that will always live with me. A fantastic show with an amazing cast. I just hope the final season brings in a rogue gallery villain such as Red Death to cap off a beautiful journey. For me, it beats Arrow just based on the fact it stuck with Barry and Iris. Despite how annoying Iris can be and the whole “we’re the Flash” crap, it still gives the comic fans the service they wanted.
1. Superman & Lois
When people ask me what show they should watch, even casual fans, I always direct them to this. Superman and Lois is an absolute masterpiece. Granted, we’ve only had 2 seasons of this but it’s just been perfect since the beginning. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch make the perfect on-screen couple in Clark and Lois. It’s no surprise that the show has been renewed for a third season amidst all of the cancelations that went on within The CW in 2022. Superman and Lois for me isn’t just my favorite show within DC, it’s at the top for me, including Marvel. It’s obvious this is The CW’s flagship now and it deserves it.
