Two episodes in, and The Flash has satisfied supremely. This week, we get an episode that keeps shedding new versions of itself, eventually growing to be bigger than just a Barry Allen vs. Danton Black battle.
1. Ripped from more than just the pages of “The Flash”
It is only week 2, and The Flash is already establishing itself as fertile ground for just about every non-Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman piece of DC Comics lore. This week we saw Multiplex (a Firestorm villain), Simon Stagg and Java (Metamorpho advisaries), and got a better taste of Cisco Ramon (the future Vibe) and Caitlin Snow (the future Killer Frost). This show is doubling down on the sci-fi, and allowing just about anything to work in Central City. That is refreshing for so many reasons.
2. Grant Gustin’s Sincerity Shines
There were some cheesy lines tonight (“We were all struck by that lightning”), but damn it, Gustin is just too likable and sincere to not sell these lines. In fact, his sincerity is a 180 from just about everything we’ve seen on superhero television thus far (even on Arrow, a fine show, everyone has a secret agenda). This helps to make his character instantly the guy we all want to pal around with, and will share our deepest, darkest secrets with, just a week into our friendship.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, they found a kid actor who exudes the same thing, but with added cuteness. While this isn’t exactly the Barry Allen from the comics, this is a character that I am enjoying watching on television, and that is more important than a perfectly true adaptation.
3. Odd Parallels Between this and The Flash(1990)
Aside from John Wesley Shipp everymanning it all over the place, there are a few other interesting parallels between these two shows, filmed 24 years apart. The most major one this week is actually something that was in the comics – but for Wally, not for Barry – which is that his metabolism needs to be fed like the Big Show. In fact, there are a few scenes in the 1990 pilot that were, essentially, slightly re-written here, although there was no Cisco to make (and foil wrap) protein bars for him.
But that’s not the only similarity – both shows rely on S.T.A.R. Labs, a primarily Superman concern for their science. Both shows establish a tone that allows for both serious character work and Rogues walking around, talking of unionizing and stealing garish objects. The difference, however, is that this show doesn’t want Barry’s condition to be a secret to most of his life – in fact, aside from Iris, just about everyone important to him knows who he is. This is a technique stolen from the second season of Arrow, and it is working like a charm here.
4. Joe West and Detective Lance would be besties
Both are dads of love interests created for television, and both are among the most sympathetic father figures to ever grace the medium. Joe’s affection for Barry is palpable, and while he is not a perfect man, his example, both in terms of actually raising Barry, and his ability to support him now, despite not understanding or agreeing with his motives, is the one that Barry has modeled his life after. The show does a nice job reminding us that, even though Barry longs for his father’s freedom, he has a man who acts as that for him, and is willing to do anything for him. Sadly, I would be genuinely shocked if Joe makes it through the first season alive. I’m already dreading seeing those doe-eyes close for the final time, while Barry screams.
5. The enigma that is Wells
Wells is, more or less, a total mystery right now. Is he Professor Zoom, and Thawne is just a red herring? Is he truly evil? Does he believing he is serving the greater good (THE GREATER GOOD)? Is he from the 31st century? Is he Bart Allen? Is he just trying to get back to Stuckeybowl? I am dying to find out.
