Jessie Robertson reviews the seventh episode of The Flash season 4…
I’ve realized this week (and I could be wrong) but for my own personal tastes, the early in-depth look and reveal of the big bads of the season make the season feel long and drawn out. So, by episode seven, The Flash and Thinker now know it’s on between them; it’s all out in the open – how do you elongate that into so many more episodes? You know half of them will be distractions; Thinker won’t really be involved at all – so begs the question, what exactly is he doing? Am I thinking about this way too deeply?
Cliff DeVoe is the Thinker. That much we know. His true villain origins are basically just like every other villain in Central City; he gained his powers (ultra-intelligence) from the Particle Accelerator explosion. His doting wife even asked Wells a question during his press conference that was very odd and out of place. Other than those weird machinations, their story has shades of the brilliant “Heart of Ice” from Batman: The Animated Series all those years ago. I’m not comparing them as equals; there are remnants where you have a husband and wife who give each other undying support in the face of backlash from their profession (in this case, a rather limp excuse of students aren’t listening.)
Once he gains super intelligence via his design that his wife built (a head piece similar to the one Ed Nygma wears in Batman Forever except without all the neon lights), it starts destroying his body. But, her handi-work isn’t done yet; she builds him a floating chair that will sustain his life. Now, at first, the look of this character I thought was pretty incredible. Their lab they work in, coolly futuristic. Now knowing they lead a normal life, go to work and eat triple cheese Macaroni for dinner, none of that makes any sense. Why does his wife put on a giant lab coat and slick her hair back to go down there, or where ever it is? We see the cords from the chair connect to him in his civvies yet when he turns around, he’s in a leather one piece? Am I too concerned with fashion?
Onto Team Flash. Barry picks up the scent this guy is off, yet none of his team believe him, trust him and some even pretend he’s going nuts. This show is up and down; remember how no secrets, they were trying to rebuild trust? That’s out the window immediately and once he’s glorified in his theory, everyone just quietly says you’re right. And Wally randomly returns with yet another hair style after apparently fighting Starro? What? Where’s that episode?? And we get it, Barry & Iris’ wedding is the backdrop of our big crossover episodes next week, we don’t need you both to mention you’re getting married next week over and over again.
I get we needed significant time dedicated to give our villain his backstory but this episode was severely lacking in anything Flash-related that makes this show what it is.
Rating: 7/10
Jessie Robertson
