Exploring the Multiverse: How Flash’s Death in Legends of Tomorrow Initializes a New Timeline

In the vast and complex universe of the Arrowverse, Legends of Tomorrow and The Flash both explore the rich tapestry of alternate realities and timelines. However, when a major event such as Flash’s death occurs in one series, it doesn’t necessarily cross over and affect the other. This raises the intriguing question: How can Flash be dead in Legends of Tomorrow but alive in The Flash? The answer lies in the intricate web of alternate timelines, time travel, and narrative choices made by the show's creators.

Alternate Timelines in the Arrowverse

The Arrowverse is a universe filled with numerous alternate realities and timelines. Each show in the Arrowverse explores a different facet of the Arrowverse universe, and events in one show do not always impact the main timeline of another. This is particularly relevant when discussing Barry Allen’s death in Legends of Tomorrow. The death of Flash in this series might be part of a specific alternate timeline that doesn't affect the ongoing narrative in The Flash.

Time Travel and Multiverse Dynamics

The Legends of Tomorrow team frequently travels through time, encountering different versions of events and sometimes leading to changes in those events. The fact that Event W (Barry Allen's death) in one timeline doesn't necessarily change the present-day reality of The Flash underscores the multiverse concept in the Arrowverse. Time travel allows for the exploration of different outcomes, but these outcomes may not always bleed into the main timeline.

Narrative Choices and Creative Storytelling

Writers of each show in the Arrowverse have the creative freedom to explore different aspects of the characters and storylines without needing to align every plot point across the series. This narrative flexibility allows for a richer, more diverse storytelling experience. For instance, in The Flash, the writers can choose to depict events that occur before or after a specific timeline alteration, such as Flashpoint. Similarly, in Legends of Tomorrow, events can reflect a different reality where Flash's death is an integral part of the narrative.

How Reality is Altered in the Arrowverse

In the Arrowverse, reality can be altered in various ways, and these changes may take place before or after a specific plot point. The idea that Doomworld won’t remain and that it will eventually be undone—questioning how it will be undone—offers a compelling narrative framework. In Legends of Tomorrow, events occur in one timeline, while in The Flash, characters operate in a reality that is restored or altered.

Examples of Timeline Manipulation

A notable example of this concept is the Flashpoint arc in The Flash. In the current season, Barry creates a new timeline, leading to significant changes and consequences. However, in Arrow, Oliver operates in the normal timeline, not the Flashpoint timeline. This illustrates how events in one series can be experienced in a different context than the other, maintaining a coherent and compelling story in each show.

In conclusion, the Arrowverse's complex multiverse, time travel dynamics, and narrative choices allow for rich storytelling that can accommodate significant events like Flash's death in one series without conflicting with the main narrative in another. This unique structure not only provides a depth to the storytelling but also enhances the audience's experience by introducing new and intriguing storylines in each show.