Jessie Robertson reviews episode four of The Flash season three, ‘The New Rogues’…
Please tell me #Hell’sWells is now trending…
Not all the story stuff is back in line, but tone-wise, this episode re-captured the vibrance and silly fun of The Flash; I found myself laughing out loud several times. And Mirror Master! It’s a crime this famous Rogue hasn’t been utilized yet and although he didn’t have much color to him (I’d argue our female Top had more charisma) it was still cool to see him in action. I liked that they brought back the particle accelerator explosion to give these two their powers; it’s a nice origin call back to season one. Even with two big Flash villains debuting tonight, this episode was about a whole bunch of stuff that wasn’t supervillains and while you could even call them “throwaway” even if you know they won’t be, The Flash had bigger fish to fry.
Jesse Quick was in full-fledged superhero mode and while she may not have the instincts, she is a “quick” learner; I hope they don’t have puns on Earth-2. It’s a shame she isn’t sticking around but the Flash team is a bit bloated; regardless, she adds that Barry enthusiasm into the heroic side and it’s a good ingredient to the recipe; her budding romance with Wally isn’t, on the other hand. I feel there’s a jealousy brewing but no hints were given yet so the way these two acted makes no sense; Wally knows she’s leaving then two hours later, in place of a pep talk, he decides they should get together, or as much as you can with Father Harry watching. Another driveling plot line for Wally. There was a great scene where Cisco is excited to “train” Jesse and I thought, yes, another season one callback but her training is limited and it’s just presented that she’s ready by episode’s end. Okay.
Oh I love superhero banter!
The other big idea tonight is Barry and Iris’ continuing in their relationship; the next big hurdle, figuring out the weird thing where Barry’s part of their family and kind of a brother but not really to Iris and definitely a son to Joe and seeing them making out is weird to him; sorry, way too steam of consciousness for a proper article. But, even the most forgiving viewer has to admit, based on the guidelines and supporting evidence the show has laid out, it’s a bit weird; but, they got a little bit of their cute mojo back at the end when they had that family meeting with Joe and Barry said he needed to move out, which was wholeheartedly agreed upon by both present Wests’. It was a good next step for this couple, sidestepping the road to implosion. Can’t wait to see how young Allen decorates (who are we kidding, Iris is doing that s***, and honey, even if those pants make your butt look big, we don’t care!)
And even in flashbacks and holograms, the presence of Captain Cold is greatly appreciated and missed; So much went on tonight, Wells has been replaced by… himself in a weird turn of events. Did anyone else feel weird about just taking someone from another world? While I jump at the chance of Tom Cavanagh getting to portray multiple versions of Wells in a great bit, to just pull one from another world seems really odd. Oh well, it gives Cavanagh a chance to put another hat on and deliver another terrific but vastly different performance.
10/10- some story elements may not be fully realized here (such as the mirror universe) but this was so much fun and captures the spirit this show breeds and cultivates
Other Notes:
– Barry tells Jesse he’s become Oliver while training – not quite – Oliver shoots his trainees with arrows
– Ooooh Joe – do I smell a love connection with pretty cop?
– Cisco and Wells’ playing the name game was why those two are pure gold together
– 3 cheers for the Droste effect (whatever that is)
– Mirror Master was trapped famously here just as he has been in the past in comic lore – AND, there have been two very famous Mirror Masters in comic lore and I’m glad Wells mentioned the other one caused chaos on E-2: Evan McCullough, and used the Mirror Gun
– Caitlin is slowly turning into Frost! The Blue lips!
Jessie Robertson
Originally published October 26, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
