Jessie Robertson reviews the fifth episode of The Flash season 4…
It’s Bachelor & Bachelorette Party Time! Right from the get, you know this episode is going to be fun and light-hearted; and it was, but in the middle of it all, I feel like we finally get the definitive Caitlin episode. I liked that her backstory didn’t drag out too long; we immediately find out she’s mixed in with some bad people (and for once, the exposition of Killer Frost fills in needed gaps about how her transformation works.) Her evil boss, a meta herself, Amunet, is played by sci-fi queen Katee Sackhoff and is quite the vicious delight. She survives the episode (sorry, spoiler alert) and it’s a good thing, because she’s one of the few Flash villains in many seasons to bring a fun spin to her death-dealing ways.
Caitlin’s connections to Amunet ruin the girls night out (where Felicity is the fun one) and the ladies decide to team up (in causation to not being able to reach the guys) and save the day. It’s a poignant and timely episode, as girl power is everywhere these days and Flash wants to make sure we know their chicks are part of that mix, hence Felicity, which Arrow has done a tremendous job making sure everyone knows she is just as important part of any version of that team as any of the dudes. She’s a great bridge character to be involved but still give Iris the spotlight; and it’s not that Iris is out to prove she’s this bad-ass; she’s mostly concerned for her friend, Caitlin, who questions how close of friends they are, even if they’ve known each other for a few years. I’d love a female perspective on these issues, but they feel very real to me and even the situation they find themselves in is preposterous, they come up with a plan and do it together.
Meanwhile, the boys are simply having a good time, sort of; Ralph uses his expert detective skills and walks into the West household uninvited – and changes Cisco’s sophisticated low-key evening to a night of debauchery in a low rent strip club called the Golden Booty, complete with bar fights, stealing, lap dances and getting arrested. Barry spends the evening in a funny one liner role (much like Mick from Legends) after taking a special formula from Cisco designed to get him buzzed – it gets him blitzed though. Ralph is completely sleazy and is a nice addition to the team; but this is really Caitlin’s episode. Ever since seeing that cameo in the speed tunnel of Caitlin being Killer Frost, she’s been an intriguing character and I have loved all her appearances. Now, it feels like we fully understand this version and Iris’ explanation of how they co-exist was a great piece of dialogue that sums up that whole internal business going on.
We get some Joe stuff too, about being a 50-year-old father and while it’s not as heavy and tear-worthy, it’s still great moments from a great actor. With DeVoe and new baby West looming, Flash seems to be gaining momentum.
SEE ALSO: Trailer, promo and images for The Flash Season 4 Episode 6 – ‘When Harry Met Harry’
Rating: 9/10
Jessie Robertson
