What a fun and entertaining episode!
The metahuman villain, a shape-shifter, proved to be quite an effective baddie, especially when he disguised himself as a little girl trapped in Iris and Caitlin’s car (more on this fun pairing later). But the good parts came when he started taking the shapes of Eddie as well as Iris and Caitlin, which resulted in a great fight sequence between The Flash and his loved ones. It made for one hell of a scene that I’ve already watched a couple of times, and one that still manages to put a giddy smile on my face every single time.
Another reason this episode worked was because, for once, Iris was not the most clueless, meaningless character that’s ever lived. Her involvement and evidence that Eddie was not really the one who shot those cops (a scene that I have been waiting for since that PaleyFest trailer came out) made her a valuable asset to the show. It was amusing to watch her and Caitlin bond and try to figure the whole thing out, and I wish the writers would keep involving her in this manner. There’s still no excuse to why she isn’t allowed to know the truth about The Flash, but I’m trying to let this one slide just this once.
Most of all, I loved the Arrow crossover. It was much more entertaining than last week (with Felicity and Ray Palmer) because the Joe/Lance interactions were just too good to be missed. To be fair, Joe can make his scenes with anyone look good, and his presence in Starling City is certainly something I want to see more of. And how hilariously adorable were Cisco and Laurel? Despite common opinion, I still love Laurel on Arrow and the way she breaks the Black Canary news to Cisco is incredible. The smile on her face and then the shocked grin on his were spot-on fantastic!
If there’s anything that felt less than fantastic about this episode, it’s the reveals and twists. Sure, I loved seeing Joe and Cisco investigating Wells in Starling City, but everything they found out is old news to us. There’s something slightly underwhelming about sitting and watching our characters discover things we already know. While the end sequence with Barry, Caitlin and Cisco finally discovering Wells’ secret room was intense and pulse-pounding, we already knew what they’d find it there. This has been the case with this show for the past few episodes actually; first it was Cisco and Caitlin discovering the truth about Wells, then it was Eddie finding out about Barry’s identity and now this big time-traveling reveal that will probably rock Barry’s world.
Now that everything is finally out in the open, the show can bring out the big guns and start being all sorts of crazy again.
Speedy Bits
– Loved the final Joe/Harrison scene. Harrison Wells is truly a perfectly lovable villain, he makes you love and hate him at the same time.
– The shape-shifter Harry kissing Caitlin while disguised as Barry was hilarious! Even better was the look on Caitlin’s face.
– Kudos to Grant Gustin for playing non-Barry in a way that truly felt different than the Barry we’re used to. The different tone in his voice was absolutely riveting, I’m kind of shocked Caitlin didn’t notice.
– In fact, I like to think that if I live in a world where there’s a shape-shifter on the loose, I would start to doubt the people around me more. Barry immediately falling for the non-Eddie who showed up at his house felt a bit contrived and gullible.
– The villain’s name (Hannibal Bates) indeed comes from Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates, two people you do not want to come across in your life.
– Hilarious visual of Eddie and Barry sitting on the couch at that old woman’s house. Barry seemed so uncomfortable and Gustin knows how to sell this portrayal of geekiness in a way that’s delightful to watch.
– Cisco makes the Canary Cry for Laurel! ‘Tis gonna be awesome.
– For those Green Lantern fans out there, did you catch the Ferris Airlines sign when the Flash visits Coast City? Sweet.
– I still want Barry and Caitlin to get together. Please, make it happen, show!
– Is it okay to be jealous of Cisco picture with the Black Canary?
Red Blurs & Quotes
Laurel: Cisco, I know Barry’s The Flash and Oliver’s the Arrow.
Cisco (laughs): How do you know that?!
Laurel (smiles): Because…I’m the Black Canary.
(Cisco laughs)
Cisco: Stop!
Laurel: It’s true.
Cisco: You stop it right now… No! (laughs)
Laurel: Calm down.
Cisco: I…love you! I mean, I love the way that you beat up criminals and…wait, why are you telling me this?
Caitlin: If Dr. Wells is who you say he is, then everything I’ve done since I’ve set foot in STAR labs has been a lie.
Barry: For real?? Why did you slap me?
Caitlin: Because you were unconscious.
Barry: Smelling salts work just as well.
Cisco: What…the…frak?
Conclusion
It could have been more powerful, but this installment was nevertheless consistently entertaining.
Chris Rating
B+