Between Arrow, The Flash, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The CW has built a roster of superheroes worthy of a League of their own. The shows have steadily built their fan base over multiple seasons, with elder sibling Arrow in its fourth and The Flash in its second, having being joined this year by the first season of Legends.

The pressure is on to keep fans engaged with the shows, by addressing occasional issues like some not-so-stellar flashback sequences, and to reach new viewers by bridging the gap with other notable DC-based shows. So, what’s in store for the trio of shows in the weeks to come?

CBM offers a look into the near-future by providing synopses of the three shows for the week of May 9. The week will kick off big with notable Bat-fan Kevin Smith taking over the director’s chair for an episode of The Flash featuring the return of a past villain:

KEVIN SMITH DIRECTS – With Barry (Grant Gustin) gone, the team must figure out a way to handle the return of an old enemy – Girder (guest star Greg Finley). Realizing Girder is retracing his steps from his last attack, Iris (Candice Patton) volunteers to act as bait to trap him in S.T.A.R. Labs. Meanwhile, Barry fights to return to his old life. Kevin Smith directed the episode written by Zack Stentz.

While the upcoming episode of Arrow may not have as big-name a director as its speedier cousin, it is co-written by Speed Weed, which is at the very least an unusual and interesting name:

Meanwhile, the new kid on the block continues the trend of returning characters by bringing back none other than Hawkman himself, Carter Hall:

TOM AMANDES RETURNS AS NOAH KUTTLER – When Team Arrow learns what Damien Darhk’s (guest star Neal McDonough) next move is Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) realizes she needs to ask her father, Noah Kuttler (guest star Tom Amandes), for help. Noah and Oliver (Stephen Amell) have a heart to heart talk that leaves Oliver rattled. Kevin Tancharoen directed the episode written by Speed Weed & Jenny Lynn. 

Between Kevin Smith lending his name and comic book expertise to The Flash and the return of such a major character to Legends of Tomorrow, it looks like the week of May 9 will be a big one for The CW’s corner of the ever-expanding lineup of DC-based TV shows. With all three shows having been renewed for another season, there is also much more to come.

CAPTURED – Being in the vicinity of the Time Masters leaves Rip (Arthur Darvill) and Rory (Dominic Purcell) incredibly disturbed for very different reasons. Meanwhile, Sara (Caity Lotz) takes over the Waverider, Kendra (Ciara Renée) is reunited with Carter (guest star Falk Hentschel) and Snart (Wentworth Miller) decides he might be a hero after all. Olatunde Osunsanmi directed the episode with story by Marc Guggenheim and teleplay by Phil Klemmer & Chris Fedak. 

The Flash returns with ‘Back to Normal’ on Tuesday, April 26 at 8pm on The CW. Arrow returns Wednesday, April 27 with ‘Canary Cry’ at 8pm on The CW. Legends of Tomorrow continues with ‘Leviathan’‘ on Thursday, April 28 at 8pm on The CW.

Source: CBM