Jessie Robertson reviews the second episode of The Flash season 2…
If you think we crossed the thresh-hold last year for sci-fi elements, you haven’t seen nothing yet!
Yes, they actually said “Multi-verse” – Ever since last spring’s finale when that winged kettle helmet skidded across Star Labs floor, we’ve been anxiously awaiting Jay Garrick, in comic terms, the original Flash. We knew it would open the doors to another world, one just like ours in almost everyway, or as Prof. Stein put it, “Let’s call it Earth-2.” The whole concept of the Multi-verse in comic lore was built on the principal of taking well-known and loved characters and angling them in a fresh way, opening up other paths for them to take and delve deeper and into unexplored ways. Earth-2 still exists in the comics today; instead of Caucasian Superman, you have African-American Superman, instead of straight Alan Scott, you have gay Alan Scott. This is that differential and it sets The Flash even further apart in terms of television, because as we found out last week, and this week, the same person is on both Earths; just slightly different versions. It’s hard to imagine the possibilities that can occur from this but I fully expect the writers of this show to extend the concept beyond any of our imaginations. 2 points to make as we explore this new region: 1) We already saw maybe the best example so far: the Harrison Wells of Earth-2. It’s certainly a relief that Tom Kavanaugh is still with the show and Wells seemed to put off that extra creepy vibe from just one shot and one line of dialogue; what will we get form him? And also, did anyone bother to ask Garrick what their other self is like??? I guess we can assume since he had to follow them for 6 months to learn who they were he didn’t know them in Earth-2 but you’re telling me not 1 person, even the reporter, didn’t ask?
Shouldn’t this episode really be titled “Flashes of Two Worlds?”- Because there are 2 Flashes from 2 different worlds, not 1 Flash representing 2 worlds- unless you are counting Jay even if he doesn’t have his Speed Force abilities on Earth-1. It’s a fun intro because it plays off so nicely into so many ideals – Being yet another father figure for Barry, highlighting Barry’s mistrust of seemingly everyone around him, but in a very Barry way, and further pushing Barry’s Speed skills, as Jay teaches him how to throw the lightning (which features a classic annoying trope- Barry literally says “I’ve been at this an hour” and yet when he needs to pull for “the Zeus” as Cisco calls it, he does it first try with no problems.) Jay’s a standup guy; they put him through all those test to prove it and he doesn’t get pissy about being locked away in a meta-human vault. It’s a great establishment for a hero who has no powers anymore and it’s a credit to the writers that he still has that heroic-ness about him and the understated and stoic way he’s played here. But, I think what we all want to know is was Caitlin’s full-body scan useful?
Turn on the Spivot- It’s new character time! – yeah, that was completely awful introduction. But, Patty Spivot (Meta-human task force hopeful played by Shantel VanSanten) is a bright, perky addition to the show and fits in like a glove with the cast, especially Grant Gustin in their few scenes they’ve had so far. She’s a great young cop to partner with Joe and should provide some more broad comedic moments than his and Eddie’s. I’m not all that familiar with her from the comics (I know, take back my geek card) but doing a quick search, she’s a long-standing character who has dated Barry Allen at one point or another. I already liked her upon meeting her but when we get her motivations for her actions in this episode, I was even more invested in this new character right away.
9.5/10- Super fun way to put a huge Flash presence into the show (Jay Garrick), while keeping Barry’s mistrust and guilt front and center, while all the other characters rotate around him in their own dilemmas; a wonderful mix with a ton of Flash-like easter eggs and teasers to come.
Other Notes:
– The image above was a teaser for this episode; a back to back display of the famous, nigh, iconic moment when these two met (Flash #123) to the actors playing them; best thing here- this scene actually happens as they cross in between a brick wall to help young Spivot up from her near death experience.
– We got our first look at Zoom- and it’s creepy as all get out. This is going to be great. Speaking of villains- Sand Demon- hard fail on the baddie of the week.
– Barry is loving that arm tornado move- and now he’s throwing lightning- which also brings up how awesome the special effects are on this show- I say it every single week but the highlight was Garrick being sucked into the Singularity after his Keystone City chase with Zoom
– Cisco-ism of the week: “I get a “Vibe”” talking about his newly developing powers coming in…
– …..to which when questioned by Stein, he says Wells gave him these powers and he only ever did evil- Did he miss the release of Henry Allen from prison just a week ago?
– Sand Demon was hiding out in an unused botanist lab- which happened to be named Woodrue- which if you’re a massive Swamp Thing fan like me- you know they are referring to Jason Woodrue- the Floronic Man.
– Wish we could have seen Jay’s outfit in better light
– Joe had a mystery caller- we didn’t wait long to find out it was his wife. This should be good.
See ya next week, Crimson Comets!
Jessie Robertson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=Bk0vOUI3iFU
Originally published October 14, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
