Season 1 of "The Flash" is now in the books. The Spinoff from Arrow, The Flash focuses on Barry Allen as the fastest man alive, and his journey towards becoming a hero, and finding out who, or what killed his mother when he was a boy. He made it his mission to find out the truth, and to find justice for his father, who was incarcerated for murdering his wife. It was a great season overall, but there were definitely some highs, and some lows to this season. I'll go through what I think they were, along with some predictions/hopes for next season. (Possible spoilers ahead)
After a freak accident involving a particle accelerator, and a bolt of lightning, Barry Allen wakes up a changed man. Not only does he have the power of super speed, he has a team of people to help him discover and control his new powers. Caitlyn Snow, Cisco Ramon, and Dr. Harrison Wells, all of whom work at STAR labs and were responsible for the accident that gave him his powers, are there for him right at the start. Lifelong friend and crush Iris West and her father Joe are also there for him (the former does not know that Barry has powers). Barry then decides to stop other metahumans who were given powers from committing crimes, and killing others as well as using his newfound abilities to find the person who truly killed his mother.
After a few metahuman criminals are locked up, Barry gets his first real challenge from Leonard Snart, who doesn't have any superpowers, but stole a subzero cold gun that really gives Barry a challenge. After almost killing him, Snart gets away and vows to come back for more in the future. When Iris then starts a blog dedicated to "The Streak" as he is then known as, Barry tries to stop her in order to protect her. In trying to stop her, he only makes her more dedicated to writing about him, dubbing him "The Flash" in her blog.
Meanwhile, Harrison Wells isn't all he seems to be. We learn that the particle accelerator accident that left him wheelchair bound, did less to him that everyone else thought. He still has the use of his legs, and we learn that he is from the future. Even more surprising is that he is the one who killed Barry's mother as his alter ego "The Reverse Flash". After another visit from Captain Cold, his new pal Heatwave, and Caitlyn's deceased fiancé, now a hero known as Firestorm, Barry is faced with a new challenge. While attempting to stop a villain, Barry accidentally travels in time, negating everything that happened the previous day, thus forcing him to repeat certain events over again, while changing others. Events including Iris confessing feelings for him and finding out that he is the Flash, and Wells killing Cisco for discovering his secret.
Now that Barry went back in time, events play out similarly to how they previously happened, but with some minor differences. Barry confesses his love to Iris, only to be shot down by her. That, along with Captain Cold finding out his secret identity leave Barry in a pickle. At this point of the season, The search for the Reverse Flash (The man in yellow) takes center stage.
Barry starts to suspect Wells is the man in yellow, but isn't sure of it until Cisco tells him of a dream/memory of Wells killing him (before traveling back in time). Caitlyn still doubts all of their claims, but when the remains of the real Harrison Wells are found, she can not deny what is in front of her. After foiling the group's trap to capture him, Wells admits to being the man in yellow, and that he killed Barry's mother. His name is really Eobard Thawne, and he is from the future. Once escaped, he sends the telepathic Gorilla Grodd after the team, who stop him after some time. When Wells/Thawne tries to walk into STAR labs, he is met by Barry, Oliver Queen (Arrow) and Firestorm (Caitlyn's Fiancé). After a lengthy battle, he is brought down by Queen using special nanites to disable his speed.
The finale starts off with Barry talking to Thawne while he is trapped in his cell. As they are discussing, we know that Thawne wants to go back to the future, and he will help Barry save his mother if he will help him. Barry then goes back to the main room where Dr. Stein (half of Firestorm) is teaching the group about the multiverse theory, and how they are living in one of the many possible timelines in existence. Joe thinks Barry should attempt to save his mother, but Barry isn't sure what he should do, especially when his own father doesn't think he should do it. After a quick chat with Iris, Barry goes to Thawne to see how the plan would work, and He then learns that it is a life or death operation. While Cisco is talking to Thawne, Thawne shares the knowledge that Cisco was affected by the particle accelerator as well, as demonstrated by his ability to see the alternate timeline. Dr. Stein then informs the group of another problem with the plan that involves creating a black hole/ "an extinction level event". After some more discussions about if Barry should go forward with the plan, it is time for a wedding. Ronnie and Caitlyn decide to finally get married, with Dr. Stein officiating.
Even after all of the warnings, Barry decides to go through with it, and he is reminded that he has less than 2 minutes after he opens the wormhole to save his mother, and return safely. While Barry is running, he sees many different possible timelines, including the past, present and possible futures. Once he collides with the particle, Barry is returned to the past, at the time where his mother dies. He is then warned by his future self not to intervene. As she is dying, Barry talks to his mother for one last time before she is gone.
As Thawne is about to leave back to the future, Barry bursts through the wormhole, and breaks the time machine that the Reverse Flash was depending on. A fight ensues and as the Reverse Flash is about to defeat Barry, Eddie kills himself by shooting himself in the chest. As his descendant, the Reverse Flash is then erased from existence. But then, the wormhole reopens, and the city is sent into chaos. The season ends as Barry runs into the wormhole, in an attempt to save everyone.
The finale starts off with Barry talking to Thawne while he is trapped in his cell. As they are discussing, we know that Thawne wants to go back to the future, and he will help Barry save his mother if he will help him. Barry then goes back to the main room where Dr. Stein (half of Firestorm) is teaching the group about the multiverse theory, and how they are living in one of the many possible timelines in existence. Joe thinks Barry should attempt to save his mother, but Barry isn't sure what he should do, especially when his own father doesn't think he should do it. After a quick chat with Iris, Barry goes to Thawne to see how the plan would work, and He then learns that it is a life or death operation. While Cisco is talking to Thawne, Thawne shares the knowledge that Cisco was affected by the particle accelerator as well, as demonstrated by his ability to see the alternate timeline. Dr. Stein then informs the group of another problem with the plan that involves creating a black hole/ "an extinction level event". After some more discussions about if Barry should go forward with the plan, it is time for a wedding. Ronnie and Caitlyn decide to finally get married, with Dr. Stein officiating.
Even after all of the warnings, Barry decides to go through with it, and he is reminded that he has less than 2 minutes after he opens the wormhole to save his mother, and return safely. While Barry is running, he sees many different possible timelines, including the past, present and possible futures. Once he collides with the particle, Barry is returned to the past, at the time where his mother dies. He is then warned by his future self not to intervene. As she is dying, Barry talks to his mother for one last time before she is gone.
As Thawne is about to leave back to the future, Barry bursts through the wormhole, and breaks the time machine that the Reverse Flash was depending on. A fight ensues and as the Reverse Flash is about to defeat Barry, Eddie kills himself by shooting himself in the chest. As his descendant, the Reverse Flash is then erased from existence. But then, the wormhole reopens, and the city is sent into chaos. The season ends as Barry runs into the wormhole, in an attempt to save everyone.
Now that that is done, time for some highs, lows and predictions/hopes.
Highs:
Comic Book References: These will always be a high for me (as a big comic book fan). I think my favorite comic book reference was that the show used the Flash: Rebirth comic book storyline for the death of Barry's mother. The lightning storm inside the Allen house at the beginning is taken straight from the comics. There were many other references to the comics in this season (Both versions of Firestorm, The Rogues, Ferris Air) and I hope that there will be more in the future seasons.
Jay Garrick's Helmet: As Thawne is about to enter his time machine (Time Bubble) to travel back to the future, a helmet comes out of the wormhole. The helmet that comes through is that of the original flash from the comics, Jay Garrick. Does this mean we will see him in a future season, or in the spinoff "Legends of Tomorrow"? I hope so!
Captain Cold: I can write a whole post about why I think Captain Cold was such a high of this season. Oh wait, I have, and you can check it out here.
Lighter Tone: I wrote above that this show is a spinoff from Arrow. While Arrow has an overall dark tone to it, The Flash has the opposite. The show is less serious than Arrow, with the characters making many jokes (Cisco naming all of the metahumans), and even when fighting or tracking down a villain, although they are serious, you can see such a difference between the two shows.
Lows:
Not enough Grodd: I love Gorilla Grodd. He is one of the Flash's main adversaries, and after being teased for most of the season, he was only featured in one episode. He is telepathic, and has a genius level intellect, but he was defeated far too easily for my liking. Another disappointing thing was that he was pretty much portrayed as The Reverse Flash's goon. Grodd in the comics would never take orders from anyone, or let anyone influence him. I hope in the future, he comes more into his own.
Eddie Thawne: I didn't see much of a point to having him on the show. Besides being a love interest for Iris, and the ancestor of the Reverse Flash, he didn't do much. He may have saved the day in the finale, but that was one moment as compared to an entire season.
Predictions/ Hopes:
Green Lantern: When the show made constant references to Ferris Air throughout the season, I thought that it was very cool. But in the second to last episode, Barry made a reference to the Green Lantern himself, Hal Jordan. When a comment was made about why Ferris Air was shut down, Barry said it was because one of their test pilots disappeared. Thats what happened when Hal Jordan was transported to the dying Green Lantern Abin Sur, who gave him the power ring, and made Hal Jordan the first Green Lantern from Earth. Will we see him next season? I hope so. In the comics, Barry and Hal are best friends, so it would be great to see that dynamic on the show.
Cisco and Caitlyn get their comic book powers: In the comics, Cisco is the hero Vibe. His powers mostly consist of controlling sonic vibrations, and the ability to see and interact with different realities. We see him meddle with his powers in the show when he remembers Thawne killing him. Caitlyn in the comics is known as the villain Killer Frost. When Barry is running in the particle accelerator, we see a quick glimpse of her using her ice powers, so maybe we will see them next season.
Bart Allen and Wally West: The writers and producers have said that they are trying to get these two characters involved in season 2. Wally being Iris' nephew, and the Flash after Barry dies in the comics. Bart being Barry's grandson from the future, who becomes Kid Flash, and the Flash for a time in the comics. It would be very cool to see either or both of these amazing characters in the future.
Crossovers: More crossovers will always be a good thing.
Jay Garrick's Helmet: As Thawne is about to enter his time machine (Time Bubble) to travel back to the future, a helmet comes out of the wormhole. The helmet that comes through is that of the original flash from the comics, Jay Garrick. Does this mean we will see him in a future season, or in the spinoff "Legends of Tomorrow"? I hope so!
Captain Cold: I can write a whole post about why I think Captain Cold was such a high of this season. Oh wait, I have, and you can check it out here.
Lighter Tone: I wrote above that this show is a spinoff from Arrow. While Arrow has an overall dark tone to it, The Flash has the opposite. The show is less serious than Arrow, with the characters making many jokes (Cisco naming all of the metahumans), and even when fighting or tracking down a villain, although they are serious, you can see such a difference between the two shows.
Lows:
Not enough Grodd: I love Gorilla Grodd. He is one of the Flash's main adversaries, and after being teased for most of the season, he was only featured in one episode. He is telepathic, and has a genius level intellect, but he was defeated far too easily for my liking. Another disappointing thing was that he was pretty much portrayed as The Reverse Flash's goon. Grodd in the comics would never take orders from anyone, or let anyone influence him. I hope in the future, he comes more into his own.
Eddie Thawne: I didn't see much of a point to having him on the show. Besides being a love interest for Iris, and the ancestor of the Reverse Flash, he didn't do much. He may have saved the day in the finale, but that was one moment as compared to an entire season.
Predictions/ Hopes:
Green Lantern: When the show made constant references to Ferris Air throughout the season, I thought that it was very cool. But in the second to last episode, Barry made a reference to the Green Lantern himself, Hal Jordan. When a comment was made about why Ferris Air was shut down, Barry said it was because one of their test pilots disappeared. Thats what happened when Hal Jordan was transported to the dying Green Lantern Abin Sur, who gave him the power ring, and made Hal Jordan the first Green Lantern from Earth. Will we see him next season? I hope so. In the comics, Barry and Hal are best friends, so it would be great to see that dynamic on the show.
Cisco and Caitlyn get their comic book powers: In the comics, Cisco is the hero Vibe. His powers mostly consist of controlling sonic vibrations, and the ability to see and interact with different realities. We see him meddle with his powers in the show when he remembers Thawne killing him. Caitlyn in the comics is known as the villain Killer Frost. When Barry is running in the particle accelerator, we see a quick glimpse of her using her ice powers, so maybe we will see them next season.
Bart Allen and Wally West: The writers and producers have said that they are trying to get these two characters involved in season 2. Wally being Iris' nephew, and the Flash after Barry dies in the comics. Bart being Barry's grandson from the future, who becomes Kid Flash, and the Flash for a time in the comics. It would be very cool to see either or both of these amazing characters in the future.
Crossovers: More crossovers will always be a good thing.
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