The Flash - Power Outage - Review

So I had some some concerns with this episode, color me surprised however when this episode of The Flash balanced the villains and put some focus on Barry while showing off his own issues.

To me, this episode felt like one big test for Barry. An exam if you would. How does Barry react under pressure, without his powers (and with multiple instances of danger). While I do feel it was a bit early to use the 'hero lost his powers' plot, I thoroughly enjoyed the episode and the fact that it actually managed to surprise me at one point.

Lets start with Blackout who has an endless need for energy. I liked the fact that we saw part of his life before the incident that turned him into a metahuman. It adds a humanizing quality to the episode that at times made me feel something for the character.

The second villain in the episode was the Clock King who first appeared in Arrow. In theory a regular human foe shouldn't pose a big threat to Barry, however with his powers taken the situation is magnified greatly.

Barry's loss of powers I felt was handled well but at times the same as any other show that has used it as a plot point. It aims to show that heroism is deeper then just 'having powers' or 'having cool toys'. When it came to Barry, we saw just how deep that heroism was. Barry was willing to put his life on the line for his friends in order to keep them safe. The end result, that it was all psychological was a letdown though. Harrison's comments at the end however could hint otherwise (but we'll get to that later).

One part of the episode that really stood out to me was the very beginning. Barry uses his powers as any human in our world would. In his daily life he's using his abilities while not being down or angry. He's just straight up having fun, which in general is one of my favorite parts of the show.

Too many superhero movies and TV shows seem to force us into the brooding superhero. But Barry is what I always picture a superhero to be like. Someone that straight up has fun and enjoys these gifts. In the end, powers are not what make a hero. This is something that Barry has now found out.

We also got a small dose of Girder again this week. I wasn't too interested in the character last week since he felt very much like a steretypical TV bully. Seeing him play a bit of role reversal (however forced it was) was fun to see and it gave added depth to the character that was really needed. Alas however Girder was killed off. I was beginning to really want more from him. In turn I guess that saves Barry who last week revealed his identity to his childhood bully, but it raises yet another issue.

With so many villains killed off already, it begs the question...are they really dead? Some of these characters have importance to the comic mythos and while this is an entirely different medium, it feels like a waste if they are truly gone. With how much The Flash has embraced the comic book style, I'm hoping we get some elaborate (yet fun) ways for these characters to return.

Good old Harrison once again raises even further questions through his actions. I'm really finding his character one of the most fascinating points of the show. Much of the time he feels like such a mentor to Barry, guiding him to become one of the most important heroes in the world. But then as always, his motives become much more murky and that much more interesting.

Harrison appears to have a need to save a specific point in time. Why I have to wonder? Is he trying to get a more positive outcome to The Flash's future disappearance? Or is he trying to perhaps... make something else happen that day?

Iris surprisingly took an important role in this episode too. Using her own skills to form a resolution to her conflict, she's shown that she really isn't the damsel in distress I initially feared she may become. While Barry is moving towards his destiny, Iris is making strides of her own. Eddie also made some strides in this episode, but not to the extent that Iris did.

Overall Feelings:
An overly enjoyable episode. While the plot at times was cliche it was handled really well which made it an enjoyable watch. Harrison continues to raise further questions and Iris is beginning to become a whole lot more likable then she was a month ago. Now if they could just stop killing off the villains (or give us some sign that they might not be dead), that'd be great.

About the Author - Christopher DeBono

Australian Student. Addicted to TV, novels, comics and all things video games.

Watches everything on The CW and many Australian shows.

Recent Reviews (All Reviews)