This was a well-plotted, tightly-written episode where seemingly unrelated plot threads all came together. Team Citizen’s investigation into Joseph Carver and McCulloch Technologies, the disappearance of Eva McColluch, Iris in the mirrorverse, Ralph’s investigation into Sue Dearbon, Ultraviolet and Black Hole. Great interplay between Ralph and Sue, plus a totally gratuitous but awesome catfight in catsuits.
The only plot theads that haven’t been connected yet are Nash’s visions of Harry and his connection to Allegra. Also, they seem to have totally forgotten about Godspeed.
I believe this is the first episode of the show without an appearance by Caitlin/Frost. Danielle Panabaker is (was) pregnant, so we might be seeing a lot less of Frost in coming episodes. Cisco, on the other hand, has no excuse.
You think they’re going to do that? Identity Crisis isn’t particularly well regarded. They also, I thought, subtly addressed it by naming Sue’s antagonist John Loring. She said he was trying to kill her when she was really trying to steal a diamond from him. The event that kicked off the Identity Crisiswas the murder of Sue Dibny née Dearbon by Jean Loring.
No (especially after seeing this episode). I don’t think I even read Identity Crisis, but apparently I heard enough about it for my brain to go “Ding! Mention of Sue Dibney means multi-hero mayhem!”
I’m interested in Mirror-Iris - not exactly like real-Iris, but not an evil-Iris, either (so far). [Seinfeld]"What’s her deal?[/Seinfeld]
It was multi-hero mayhem, but not in a good way. Thankfully, some Googling has revealed that the new showrunner, Eric Wallace, has said that Identity Crisis is not in the cards.
Might be due to his having been Pariah during Crisis.
GRODD RETURNS - Feeling overwhelmed with all the changes since Crisis, Barry conducts an experiment that goes awry and puts him directly in Gorilla Grodd’s (voiced by David Sobolov) path. Expecting the worst, Barry is surprised when Grodd asks for his help. Unfortunately for both The Flash and Grodd, things get worse when another villain appears - Solovar (voiced by Keith David). Meanwhile, Iris works with Eva (guest star Efrat Dor) to escape the Mirrorverse.
After seeing tonight’s episode, maybe that was OG-Harrison Wells. Nash saw Sherloque tonight, who somehow manifested red glowing eyes and helicopter noises, like Reverse Flash.
I liked the battle between mind-Solovar and speedster-Grodd. The latter had all the strengths of Grodd and all the weaknesses of Barry, like not seeing a punch coming. Barry said that he was initially defeated by mind-Solovar because he tried to fight him the same way he fought Solovar three years ago. He already forgot that the first time the gorilla army appeared in Central City, he ran straight into Solovar’s shield.
Cisco was still MIA. I can understand the contrivance of having the Cortex manned by Kamilla and Chester. Barry is feeling lost in the new post-Crisis world where so much is different; even the voices in his comms are different. But that just underlined the fact that Cisco is absent.
Caitlin and Frost, on the other hand, were present despite the actress’s pregnancy. I see they’re handling it in the time-honored tradition of having Danielle wear baggy clothing, wear a long coat, and/or shooting her from the waist up.
WALLY WEST SPEEDS BACK INTO CENTRAL CITY - Kid Flash (guest star Keiynan Lonsdale) returns to Central City with a Zen attitude and new tricks up his sleeve. While thrilled to see his family again, Wally confides to Barry that he returned because he thinks there is something wrong with the speed force. Meanwhile, Cisco returns from his fact-finding mission across Earth-Prime.
Wally West returns from Tibet, just in time for the death of the Speed Force. And it’s all Barry’s fault. Meanwhile Cisco returns from wherever it was he went (Atlantis?), just in time for Eobard Thawne to inhabit Nash Wells. Which is also Barry’s fault. The meta-of-the-week was Turtle 2.0, and I’m sure her emergence was also Barry’s fault.
The only thing that isn’t Barry’s fault is Mirror Master, but why hasn’t he noticed that there’s something wrong with Iris? Wally certainly did. Kamilla is also beginning to suspect.
Over on Supergirl, I’ve been complaining about how overstuffed with plot threads their season has been. There’s about the same number of threads here on The Flash but it doesn’t seem to be overstuffed. Maybe because none of the story lines appear to be forced, like that wretched William+Kara romance.
Wally, who met Iris for the first time as a near-adult notices that she’s off, while Barry and Joe who have known her her whole life don’t. I guess that can make sense (Wally sees the change as sudden because he’s been away - or something) - but damnit show, try to notice these things and make an effort to justify them.
I’m also confused how the reporter didn’t question “we don’t take pictures of ourselves.” There is no level on which that instruction makes any sense at all.
A DANGEROUS NEW META HITS CENTRAL CITY - The Flash takes on a dangerous new meta named Sunshine (guest star Natalie Sharp). Cisco sets out to help Nash.
The Flash and all the other Arrowverse shows have shut down production due to Covid-19 concerns. There are only a few days left in the shooting schedule, so I don’t how this will impact the airing of the show.
I’m enjoying the theme of light-based metas. Sunshine, Ultraviolet, Dr. Light, Mirror Master, Allegra, even the organization name “Black Hole”. It forms this cohesive motif that ties this half season together, something that Supergirl has yet to find so far in their back half.
A bit disappointed that Reverse Flash was so easily defeated. Without his powers, he’s nothing more than a mouthy bully. But just the threat of his re-emergence gave this episode some real stakes. He’ll be back, of course.
Mirror Master is also turning out to be a worthy adversary. Now she’s got Kamilla ensared. All she needs now is Allegra and she’ll have the whole of Team Citizen. Team Flash still doesn’t have a clue.
Glad to see Commissioner Singh team up with Captain West to take down the mole in CCPD. Was Sunshine really her, though? Seems too convenient.