Jessie Robertson reviews the fifth episode of The Flash season 2…
If there’s one constant in the Multiverse, its coffee….
Dopplegangers Unite! The appearance of Dr. Harrison Wells (Earth-2 version) last week was a cleverly crafted debut for a character that through last season’s acting and writing of said character, demanded he return; but we get him in a different flavor. Tom Kavanaugh gives us enough of Wells to know that we think he’s on the side of our heroes, while still keeping with his long glares that give us no details. It’s a flavor missing from the show and I’m glad to see him back. As Jay puts it, he may not be the same man as the Earth-1 counterpart, but he has just as many secrets. Let’s hope so! On other doppleganger fronts, Linda Park shows up again and it turns out her Earth-2 counterpart is a character a lot of Justice League comic book fans will know as Dr. Light. I have to say, appearance and special effects are awesome for this incarnation of Light. Her characterization coming from multiple source was a bit muffled and it’s hard to say whether her motivations were in the right place or even made much sense; killing the normal version of herself just so she can blend into a world she doesn’t understand or live in is clouded thinking and with Jay so adamant she doesn’t kill, she didn’t hesitate or seem too remorseful about actually committing the act. I’m of two minds about this new character; I think she’s just an avenue to keep featuring Linda (who’s a relevant character in Flash history) while using her as a bait for Zoom to actually show up (and as I edit this, the preview for next week proves me right.) But, the character isn’t that beloved where it feels like a gimmick. Could Linda be killed off as a sacrifice of Zoom’s power and fortitude next week, to raise the stakes? It’s possible, considering we now have 2 Linda Parks’ on Earth 1. Food for thought.
– It’s Cisco’s World, we Just Live in it to see What Tee he’s wearing This was a Cisco episode to me. From his interactions with Wells (sorry, Harry) to the untimely reveal of his powers, to his running commentary on Barry & Patty’s first date, he was batting .1000 all episode long. Cisco, when the show started, immediately gives you that sense of “background character” or “punchline guy”; but through Barry’s meaningful friendship with him, through his guilt in Ronnie’s transformation, to being Joe’s science cop when he needs one, Cisco is anything but a joke character and tonight really made strides to show that and balance him within the rest of the series. I’m all for Cisco becoming an even more integral part in the hero process as well, which clearly he will become after tonight’s episode. Now, if only I can figure out what Caitlin’s doing…..
As far as 1st dates go….. Sequences like this one are what set The Flash apart from Arrow (well, not as much this season). These scenes still need to happen and more frequently; Grant Gustin is perfect for goofy, sweetness and that’s all the energy he and Patty exude when on-screen together. The date scene (which felt more CW-ish than most stuff on The Flash lately) is one of the great differentials that can lure normal CW viewers into the “comic book block” here on Tuesday nights. Gustin doesn’t really do slapstick; but innocent humor like the date and his asking out of Patty and roaming around Star Labs blind is pure 100% the tone of the show Barry Allen , not The Flash, bring and it just works. Only thing: did Patty really use filling out a police report as a means to hanging out with Barry?
9/10 – Wells is back, Cisco was firing on all cylinders, and we gain a foothold as we climb the Multiverse mountain with more pieces in place on Earth-1
Other Notes:
– I forgot to mention the whole sub-plot of Jay Garrick being a scaredy pants! It’s a really intriguing idea that quite frankly isn’t something really explored in superhero mediums; I look forward to seeing where that goes. But, so far, I can kind of take him or leave him; especially with so many great performances tonight, Jay Garrick isn’t really adding anything except for Caitlin’s rebound
– When the gang was figuring out Cisco’s code name, Barry should have trolled and called him “Crisco”
– Hawkgirl is here- and she’s currently serving #27- mocha frapucchino with light foam!
– How far does Big Belly Burger’s rep reach? Apparently across Singularities
– Single Greatest Line from Cisco: “Still here, just creeping and beeping” while watching the date.
– So, one of Jay’s best friends lives in Atlantis? Can you maybe invite him over to this Earth? (Huge Aquaman fan)
– Newspaper Editors in Central City are dying off like Mayors in Star City
– I’ve been waiting for the show’s version of “speed mirages” did not disappoint
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=_SyT3SfEj2Q
Originally published November 4, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
