Wow...please tell me I wasn't the only one left breathless by this episode? You really have to praise a show that keeps upping its game week in - week out and in my opinion, this week The Flash went above and BEYOND anything else this season. Playing to the casts strengths, we had an emotionally packed season final that played up and echoed many of the relationships established throughout this season. So much happened in this episode that I know I'm going to miss something, but I'll try and touch on as much as I can!
Lets start with one of the most fascinating characters introduced in the 2014-2015 season, Harrison Wells. Or as we now know him as, Eobard Thawne. His relationship with Barry and Cisco was played up to the extreme this week and despite being this seasons villain, I could almost feel bad for him. Every interaction pulled at a heart string as our speedy manipulator pulled the strings once again, this time from his cell in S.T.A.R. Labs.
In fact, I'm sure many of us have pondered Barry's situation at some point in life. "If I could change just one thing, would it be worth the risk?". It's this humanising aspect that really pulls us into Barry's situation. We've all been there, we've all at some point been Barry. So watching him go through the motions is fascinating to see.
But enough about Barry, every actor pushed far beyond what they've previously shown in this episode. Every single actor put their heart and soul into this. Carlos Valdes in particular had many strong moments as he dealt with the continued trauma of his death along with the revelations that he too was affected by the particle accelerator.
Rick Cosnett was a bundle of surprise this week. Eddie has always been a bit of a sour note, just being there waiting for a bigger purpose. That has been completed and utterly changed these past few episodes and it took me by surprise. With Eobard manipulating Eddie and bringing him down he was on the cusp of spiraling into a darkness that would have truly left him as a nobody. However with the aid of Martin Stein he chose to step up and truly be the hero, someone that will be remembered.
Eddie was truly the one that could choose his future, make his own story. Despite beginning to carve his own path with Iris, he made a gamechanging move. He defied the future to save those he cares for most. Potentially an amazing and powerful exit for the character, but as always with time travel and the multiverse...anything is possible.
On the topic of Killer Frost though, WOW did my comic book reading heart stop at multiple points during this episode.
Jay Garrick's Helmet - Check
Killer Frost - Check
Cisco's first hints at Vibe - Check
Hawkgirl in human form - Check
And so much more...in fact did the singularity seem a bit...Cobalt colored anyone? Perhaps a little...Cobalt Blue? Could Eddie...nah it couldn't be.
But out of everything what really tore my heart open was Barry witnessing his mothers murder. No one should have to go through that and every cry of agony, every teardrop was chilling to the bone. Barry stopping himself from acting was a powerful moment which led to his talk with Nora. It was understated and unexpected, and capitalized on a recurring important theme during this episode. Relationships. Whether its a parent-child dynamic or a friendship dynamic, it was all pulled together into one heart pounding moment after another.
In the end though, this was a father episode focused on Barry. We had Barry's 3 father figures each giving him advice in very powerful scenes that put everything into question. Leading to Barry's ultimate decision. I just hope that decision pays off next season. When toying with time travel, the potential for plot holes is very high. Surprise me Flash writers, make it all work!
Overall Thoughts:
I don't even know where to begin...but WOW. Everyone brought their A game, we had multiple heart wrenching moments and a dilemma for Barry to face that we've all at some point pondered about in our time. If only we all had such a power to make that change (although considering how the season ended, perhaps that's a good thing!). A potentially powerful exit for Eddie along the doors to the multiverse blown wide open.
Oh and...I'm not the only one who misses Eddie already am I?
Eddie :(
ReplyDeleteSeems like we need a new timeline next season to make everything fit, especially as they said Wells is not going anywhere. But I assume just his original self.
ReplyDeleteThe Flash has been one of the most consistently good shows this year. It started off strong and ended strong. The writers seemed to have listened to the audience and what we wanted to see. Thanks for the review. Looking forward to season 2, especially with Cisco's storyline.
ReplyDeleteYep it was a wild but enjoyable ride. I can't wait to see whats in store for Cisco now that he knows he was affected. I'm hoping he'll suit up eventually and join Barry in the field.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say whats going to happen with the timeline next season and with the return of Wells. Hopefully it'll be worth the wait though :)
ReplyDeletemaybe his superpower isnt so ... well tangible. It could of just hightened his already existing tech abilties without him knowing it had. id prefer if the show kept its core of non metahuman main characters.
ReplyDeleteIt was a heck of an episode, so many happened so many good things, so many questionable choices and so many questons rose.
ReplyDeleteI loved Barry and his 3 dads. Every relationship was so profound and deep, changing his character and shapping him into the human he is today. Him choosing to protect what he had with Joe and Iris was such a praise to the characters and I loved it.
Barry saying goodbye to Nora was heartbreaking. I love the way they cut the story together.
Cisco was on top of his game. I loved every scene with him. Eobard insinuating that Cisco is the Flash's helper Vibe was such a nice touch.
I agree the wedding was pulled out of their nose and Danielle could've done so much more.
Eddie dying was really heroic and the way they used his death was brilliant. The only issue it looked to much like Tommy's demise 2 years ago. I like he and Iris choose to fight the future and try to write their own story. Lets see how that will effect WestAllen in the future!
AND HOW THE HECK DIDN'T I KNOW THAT MALCOLM THAWNE WAS A THING!? Thx for the clue Chris!!!! Barry's twin brother? O.o How no one mentioned it here? Just wow. Cobalt Blue nice! So will Malcolm arrive in S02 searching for Eddie? Who will they cast? Everytime a blonde actor needs to get cast I say Chad Michael Murray, so let me say it again. Chris Zylka? Chord Overstreet? Alexander Ludwig? William Moseley?
We don't know if he actually is meant to be a version of Malcolm Thawne (they could have changed his name because theirs already another Malcolm). However I've seen some pretty compelling theories that he could potentially return as Cobalt Blue. Of course, we don't know if they ever actually plan to introduce Cobalt Blue either.
ReplyDeleteWith the timestream being screwed up an 'Eddie' from another Earth could show up as Cobalt Blue. Although I've seen some suggest that the Eddie we know potentially didn't 'die' but what killed Eobard was Eddie's new change in destiny (going wherever his body went which meant that Eobard still wouldn't be born, or if he was it'd be on another Earth). Which could lead to Eddie getting corrupted somewhere along the way.
So I can see how Barry is still the Flash since Eobard must have figured out that the real Dr Wells created him by causing the explosion and that's why he took his place and fulfilled that future/past, But if Eobard was never born he wouldn't be around to kill Barry's mother so Barry would have grown up with his parents after all and anything to with Eobard, including the attempt to travel back in time would not have happened. Of course if Eobard was never born than Eddie would have no reason to die...oh what tangled webs we weave when we mess with destiny
ReplyDeleteI know that Malcolm is a big "?" at this point but still I like the idea so much. I can't believe I didn't knew about Malcolm. That could cause so much turmoil.
ReplyDeleteI doubt Eddie could be Cobalt Blue and I prefer him not to be. Eddie changing his fate probably erased Eobard from this timeline, and I don't think that mention of Kelly Rogers during Iris and Eddie's talk was that random. She probably is pregnant already and delivered the little Thawne making it still possible for Eobard to excist.
I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie was transfered to a future where he got saved by someone and will return at one point.
Overall I can't wait to see how the writers will develop the story further along. Really excited.
Yep. I love the idea of Malcolm Thawne, I hope they do delve into it eventually in some form. Theirs so many ways they could do it and whether it is or isn't Eddie, I feel like it'll refer back to him. Making his sacrifice hurt that much more.
ReplyDeleteNo, for sure you were not the only one. I loved this episode and i am truly in awe of what an amazing series the flash has become.
ReplyDeleteOne thint i feel hasnt been praised enough is Grant Gustin. All season long, he has been incredible in the way he has humanized the barru character and made him feel like the guy next door. And then the finale fame and he upped his gave even more in that crazy emotional scene in which barry is forced to watch his mother die in his arms. That was really incredible, major kuddos to him and a shame he doesnt get more recognitiom, i think he should be in the big leagues
GG did an amazing job and I really hope his work will be recognized and he will get the critical accaim and award nominees he deserves. I liked him in this episode but his ultimate performance for me was in the ms finale. When he broke down during his scene with Henry.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved superhero movies, but The Flash and Arrow have really made me a fan of the characters and I really, really, really want to start reading the comics and get into the stories. I never get the references in the shows until the interest explodes with the meaning behind it after the episodes air. So, for all you comic book readers out there... where do I start? I saw where Marvel has a subscription thing where you pay a monthly fee, kind of like a Netflix for comics. Does DC have anything like this? I love Marvel, but DC has its hooks in me. I'm more drawn to the DC heroes.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. Cisco is pretty much the voice of the audience. He's practical, but remains loyal to his friends. Even though he's becoming Vibe, I hope he retains the human side to him and gradually transitions into the hero he's supposed to become.
ReplyDeleteWhat I dont want is for the show to become 'Superfriends' or 'Smallville Season last' where every other character is ALSO with powers. No thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe shows works best when Barry is aided by humans he trusts (who may or may not have serious tech abilities or medical skills or who are just smarter than him.
Look at it from a different way. What was the biggest issue with Arrow Season 3? To me its they decided to go a bit too much into the fantastical. Their crossover eps and esp the Deathbolt character just felt more Flash than Arrow and all these 'new' costumed types with the new Black Canary, Arsenal and co really destabilised the show in the sense it wasnt the Arrow vs Crime/danger anymore it was the whole team. Some people liked it, I just felt it pulled too far in the superteam direction.
Hey everybody, I plan to watch Arrow S3 & The Flash during the summer but with the crossovers and the stories happening in the same universe, I'm a bit confused. So I would like to know which episode after which episode I should watch.
ReplyDeleteLike I should watch first, Arrow 3x01 and then The Flash 1x01 and Arrow 3x02 etc. or if there are some changes during the season.
Thank you & I hope I was clear :).
It doesnt get confusing until you get to the crossover episodes because they dont reference the other city events outside of the crossover episodes and the next episode so when you get to the crossover episodes watch the flash first then arrow but anything between is ur preference :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. :)
ReplyDeleteCan't even believe how good this show is. Seriously not a single bad episode in my opinion. Can't wait to buy the Blu-Ray set day one. Can't wait for season 2! :D
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm glad Eddie is gone!
ReplyDelete