We asked AI what the best Arrowverse show is (and no, it’s not Arrow)

For many, Arrow is regarded as the best of the Arrowverse shows; however, we asked AI to select the best Arrowverse series and it did not pick Arrow.

The year was 2012. One year after the network said farewell to what remains the longest-running superhero series with the final season of Smallville, The CW decided to take a chance on a new DC property with the debut of its new superhero series Arrow. 

In the series, fans were once again introduced to Oliver Queen with Stephen Amell stepping in to play the iconic hero as the lead of the series which explored the character’s origin story and transformation from billionaire playboy to masked vigilante.

The series became an instant success upon its release and it wasn’t long after the show received its first spinoff with more following quickly as The CW developed what would come to be known as the Arrowverse.

In the years that followed, a total of six new shows would be launched directly as a result of the Arrowverse including The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, Black Lightning, and Superman and Lois. Each of these series enjoyed varying levels of success and helped to build an expansive universe of shows, unlike anything fans had seen before.

What is the best Arrowverse show? (According to AI)

To many, naming the best Arrowverse show is a difficult question as each of the seven shows set within the shared universe each have its own unique strengths. However, when we posed the question to ChatGPT’s AI, it had no issue in selecting the best show from the franchise which it, surprisingly, did not believe to be the show that started it all.

Instead, the show AI feels is the best Arrowverse show is the first official spinoff of Arrow: The Flash! Here’s what AI had to say about The Flash: 

"If I had to select one show from the Arrowverse, The Flash stands out as a highly acclaimed and popular series. It follows the story of Barry Allen, a forensic scientist who gains superhuman speed after a lab accident. Barry becomes the hero known as The Flash and uses his newfound abilities to protect Central City from various threats, including metahumans, time-traveling villains, and otherworldly entities.The Flash has garnered a large and dedicated fan base due to its compelling storytelling, well-developed characters, and thrilling action sequences. The show skillfully balances elements of humor, drama, and superhero adventures, creating an engaging viewing experience. Grant Gustin’s portrayal of Barry Allen/The Flash has been widely praised, along with the ensemble cast, including Candice Patton as Iris West-Allen, Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, and Tom Cavanagh in various roles.The series has also successfully executed crossover events with other Arrowverse shows, further expanding its narrative scope and offering exciting interactions between beloved characters from the DC universe. The Flash has had a significant impact on the Arrowverse, paving the way for the introduction of numerous spin-offs and contributing to the overall success and popularity of the shared television universe.While other shows in the Arrowverse have their own strengths, The Flash stands as a standout entry with its engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and a blend of thrilling superhero action and heartfelt moments."

It’s hard to argue with AI’s selection as The Flash did have some truly incredible moments over the course of its nine seasons. Sure the final seasons got a bit muddled and the show’s farewell season left a lot to be desired; however, when you look at the show as a whole there is no denying it’s among the best the Arrowverse had to offer.

As AI points out, the show did find a way of skillfully balancing elements of humor, drama, and superhero adventures, particularly during its early seasons. This made it a nice departure from Arrow which often was darker in tone allowing The Flash to stand out as the more light-hearted sister series to Arrow.