Arrow/The Flash Crossover: Barry-Oliver Tension, Life-or-Death Danger and... a Shirtless Felicity? 

has it all: epic fight sequences, big secrets, not one but two worthy villains and Felicity Smoak in a PG-13 situation.

Yes, we’ll explain the 911-level emergency plaguing everyone’s favorite IT girl in just a moment. But first, the cast and executive producers preview the strange and delightful interactions between the shows’ crimefighting teams, the dangerous enemy putting someone’s beloved in jeopardy and the worst-named villain ever.

Oh, and star Stephen Amell and the creators also weigh in on a not-so-little

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 camps helping each other out – and at times, conflicting over their differing tactics – makes way for some unexpected exchanges. “I have a really interesting interaction with Dr. Wells,” Amell teases. “And it’s not so much interesting for what we talk about. It’s more interesting for what I take away from it.” Even “Felicity’s

hairs stick up a little bit” during a scene with the mysterious scientist, Emily Bett Rickards says. “But it’s taken away so quickly by another urgent matter that it almost gets pushed under the rug.”

On the other end of the spectrum, there are plenty of laughs courtesy of deadpan reactions from Diggle when he meets The Flash. “When Barry arrives for the first time in his suit, and Diggle sees that, honestly, it’s just like my favorite moment in both episodes,” Grant Gustin says. His co-star Carlos Valdes also singles out his scenes with David Ramsey and Colton Haynes as being among his standouts – for their inability to keep a straight face. But who can blame him when there’s so much for Cisco to get excited about upon meeting Team Arrow and then seeing the lair? “He spends so much time geeking out about Barry being a part of his life and becoming The Flash and getting to be a part of Team Flash,” Valdes shares. “And now you’re adding another component to the mix, which is, ‘Now we get to work with Arrow?!’ He might explode. He might spontaneously combust.” And does he have a signature Cisco reaction when he finds out Oliver is the masked vigilante? “Yes, he does. I’m not going to give that away,” Valdes replies with a laugh.

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Meanwhile, Caitlin is, at least initially, less welcoming of Oliver & Co. “She’s a little skeptical at first, that first moment where there’s so many people at S.T.A.R. Labs,” Danielle Panabaker describes. “Caitlin’s worked very hard to protect Barry and make sure nothing happens to him… That’s definitely a challenge for her. She’s skeptical, but happy.”

BAD GUY #1 | “What I liked is we picked villains that reflect the tone and sensibility of both shows and then used those villains to put our heroes through their paces,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim shares. The action kicks off in Central City with The Rainbow Raider (played by Paul Anthony), “which is actually one of the worst names of a comic book villain ever,” executive producer Andrew Kreisberg says with a laugh. “Usually, Cisco coins the names for the bad guys, and this episode, it’s actually Caitlin, because somebody who’s not quite so nerd-cool would come up with a silly name like that.” But don’t let the moniker fool you – The Rainbow Raider is a worthy foe who “has the ability to engender anger and hatred in somebody.” And thanks to his special powers, he manages to turn The Flash against the Arrow, leading to an huge blowout fight. However, “the tension doesn’t really carry over” into Wednesday night’s

The bad vibes could be revisited “down the road,” he speculates, “because some things are said that were clearly real things. For now – guys kind of move past stuff like that. But who knows?”

Nick Tarabay), a well-known foe of the speedster. “It makes a lot of sense because he’s not a metahuman character even though he fights The Flash,” Guggenheim says. “Having one of the Flash’s only non-metahuman villains appear on

first, it’s pretty cool.” But some of the Starling City crew might disagree, given the character’s troubled history with a certain loved one. “He’s a former member of the Suicide Squad who’s out for revenge,” Kreisberg explains. “He’s targeting Dig’s [ex-wife] Lyla, so it’s up to The Flash and Arrow to keep her safe.” Adds Amell: “Conveniently, [Boomerang] sets up a scenario that if it was just Flash or if it was just Arrow, we couldn’t solve it. But the fact that we are this big team together gives us an opportunity to hopefully thwart [him].” That’s good news for Diggle, who’s not handling the life-threatening situation well and “may end up having to depend on Flash a lot quicker than he thought,” David Ramsey says.

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WHAT THE SHIRT? | If you saw a foreign promo for the crossover online, you may have spotted Felicity with Barry in S.T.A.R. Labs — and missing something very crucial: her blouse! “Yes, there is an emergency and I have to take my shirt off,” Rickards explains, noting there’s a moment where her quippy character is put in genuine danger.

A QUEEN SECRET | Much has been said about the big

hour of the crossover. But since viewers will be privy to the information before Oliver himself, the fallout will have to wait for another day. “Obviously, the ripples will really hit when Oliver learns what the audience learns,” Guggenheim explains, while Amell assures, “It’s not the type of thing that we’re going to tease and then not deliver on.”

crossover? Which character interactions are you most excited about? Sound off below and check out a brand new trailer for the event, plus a sneak peek of Captain Cold and Heat Wave!

The Flash or Arrow…I cant choose..leaning slightly more towards the new kid on the block maybe (The Flash). Love them both though.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I think I’ve guessed the big secret. And it means an introduction of at least a reoccurring character on the Flash. I believe we meet, in the present, Sandra Hawke and, if nothing else, she puts up a picture on her desk (I’m imagining her either a) working in the police station or b) working at a news outlet where Iris gets an internship) of a certain say ten year old boy who has far too steely a stare for a kid his age. And those of us who watched Arrow’s episode where they killed his mother (I think) will know who that kid is and only know her name if you read the comics or saw interviews afterward because Moira never said the girl’s name.

I’m thinking it’s definitely something along those lines. That’s the only reveal I could think of that would be as earth-shattering as the EPs are making it out to be.

Especially, since Oliver doesn’t know about it yet. The reveal that is. I think who all sees this happen, the Flash team and/or Arrow team won’t understand its significance. Wow, if this IS what happens it’s gonna be good. Now, how can Oliver be so closed minded after he finds out? You know what I mean? Love these shows. The Flash is more easy going while The Arrow without Felićity and Diggle can be rather dry and serious. They compliment each other.

Great scoop about crossover episodes. Can’t wait to watch the episodes tomorrow night & Wednesday night!

Taking her shirt off? Can the salmon ladder be far behind? lol

Shirtless Felicity? I nearly spit taked my soda!

Looking forward to this crossover a lot. Mostly it just sounds like fun, but I’m craving some good Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity “team Arrow” action above everything, so a good double-dose of this is just what I needed.

I’m looking forward to something lighter with Team Arrow. It’s been so depressing this season.

Hmm, seems that Barry is getting a little bit cocky there. He forgot how scared he was last week without his powers. Oliver doesn’t need super powers to catch the bad guys. #TeamArrow all the way.

I’m interested to see the interactions between Wells and Oliver and Felicity. I mean, if he’s really from the future, or just knows it, anything he has to say to either of them is bound to be intriguing.

I want to know what *viewer* has been able to keep a straight face when Cisco opens his mouth. Just because he’s that adorable. Oh, and Oliver dealing with another fanboy is going to be fun to watch. Did he learn anything last time?

All eyes on Caitlin. I can’t really blame her. I mean, S.T.A.R Labs is like a second home, for her. Not wanting them in initially makes perfect sense.

Boomerang sounds fun. Can’t wait to see what happens, there.

And once again, Oliver may walk in on Felicity in a compromising position. Poor Felicity, she may actually notice this time.

Ooo, Oliver’s child. I give it to the end of the season before he finds out. It’s much too big to keep under wraps for long, it looks like.

This “big reveal” has been teased, spoiled and theorized so much that if it is about Oliver’s kid or baby momma, I’m gonna kind of be disappointed. I would prefer it to be something else now because I’ve been hearing about it for so long that if that’s what it is I won’t even care. BOOM -Oliver’s kid revelation!!! ME- I know, next!

Given that it’s the only thing I can think of that we know but Oliver doesn’t that’s connected to Central City, I’d say we watch how it’s executed, then pass judgement. It’s not like Oliver even knows what’s up when it happens. Chances are, he’ll still be clueless for a while.

So can not wait! Really enjoy both of these shows.

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