This week, The Flash returns with yet another action packed episode, managing to leave me worried and anxious, but also eliciting chuckles from me due to the humorous dialogue between certain characters. As usual by this Flash episode leaves you one the edge of the seat.
Since Barry had given up his speed to save Wally, Team Flash have come up with a temporary but creative way to stop criminals running amok in Central City. The team creates a hologram of The Flash, with the intention of tricking any aspiring criminals to surrender. Harry points out that they can’t keep this up forever and once again proposes that they recreate the particle accelerator, claiming that he will be able to contain the explosion. Harry believes that he is the more intelligent out of the two Harrison Wells’ that Team Flash has encountered, and tries to convince the team that he can succeed with his rather nerve-wracking plan.
Barry decides to turn to his father for advice and so we see the return of John Wesley Shipp as Henry Allen. I personally, have been waiting to see Henry return to guide Barry and I was thrilled to see him again. That’s not to say that Barry hasn’t had a father figure to turn to – he’s had Joe, and sometimes even Harry, helping him every step of the way, filling in for Henry. Barry confides in Henry and, in turn, Henry returns with him to Central City. Unsurprisingly, Henry and Harry clash. Henry doesn’t believe that Barry should risk his life by creating another particle accelerator explosion, while Harry believes that Barry will be safe, along with the rest of Central City. Barry ultimately decides that this is his decision, and not even his father could make it for him.
Zoom arrives back on Earth-1, threatening to kill the entire CCPD and Wally, but Caitlin talks him out of it. Hunter still clearly cares for Caitlin, to the point that he’s even willing to spare the lives of others just because she asked him to. Although Hunter proves time and time again that he really is a sociopath who loves to kill for the heck of it, the show still manages to show us that there is a human side to him, and there is a hint of good in even the worst villains. And sometimes, you just need a little bit of Snow to bring that side out.
Zoom declares Central City as his own, and keeps the woman he “loves” as prisoner. But Zoom has also brought in a new villain – Rupture. Rupture, who just happens to be Dante Ramon’s doppelganger, goes after Cisco, in a revenge plot for killing Reverb. Earth-1’s Dante is understandably confused at seeing himself trying to kill his brother, and eventually finds out about Cisco’s powers and his new adventures. Ultimately, this brings the two closer together, as Cisco realises he couldn’t bear to lose his own brother. I truly do enjoy when we have arcs revolving around Cisco and/or Caitlin. The two are loved characters for sure, but this just adds to their characters, making them more relatable and human.
Rupture is eventually sent out to kill the CCPD, even after Caitlin was promised that they wouldn’t be hurt. Barry and the police force manage to stop Rupture, as Caitlin sends them a text warning them of the attack. But their glory is soon interrupted by Zoom, who swiftly arrives and starts to killing those who are around. Zoom decides to spare Barry, Joe and Captain Singh, but only because of Caitlin, who still means dearly to him, even after she “betrayed” him. This is what forces Barry to snap. Watching a police officer die right in front of his eyes – a police officer who had a son the same age as Barry was when he lost his mother and didn’t have a father around. Barry decides that he needs to get his speed back and tells Well to go ahead with the particle accelerator. Good guy, Barry Allen. Always sacrificing himself for the greater good. That’s one of the many things I love about The Flash. He’s always willing to give up his happiness for not just his loved ones, but for an entire city. What a dude.
Harry sends Cisco on to the roof to create lightning, as to recreate every aspect of the night Barry was affected by the explosion. That included a lightning strike, as well as different chemicals from Barry’s lab being injected into his system. Harry begins the process and the lightning strikes, and you’re thinking “This could actually work! We could get our speedster back!”. But alas, it’s too good to be true. Barry is seemingly vaporized during the process, and the blast spreads around STAR Labs, eventually knocking out Jesse and Wally.
What does this mean for The Flash?
Well, now that we’ve seen Jesse and Wally being caught in a particle accelerator explosion, could one of them become the new speedster? Or maybe both? The possibilities are endless on this show, but I really would love to see Wally in action. We do need another member of the West clan helping to save the day.
As for Zoom, he really is proving to be a terrifying villain, that actually gives me chills. Teddy Sears undeniably destroys every performance, and makes you love a villain that you know you shouldn’t love or empathize with.
The Flash returns next week with a special episode directed by Kevin Smith!
