Warning: Spoiler Alert
Welcome back into the fold. It has been 42 days or roughly 5 weeks since a new Flash episode. In that time, we at NJATVS have been doing a little digging and discovered some interesting tidbits that we will see on The Flash in the immediate to near future. Exciting stuff. If you are a diehard comic book tv/movie fan, chances are you do the same thing and are anticipating some of these plot points as we are. The short version is for those not actively looking or trying to avoid spoilers (despite the warning), our story should begin to pick up speed (pun intended) and the story you know now should begin to create and peel back some new layers. Now, it’s time to we were formally introduced to “the Rogues”.
On the familiar runway (used for training purposes) Barry attempts to improve his agility by dodging bullets that Cisco is firing remotely from a remote-controlled drone. The Amazon.com kind not the U.S. Military kind. Eventually even firing a missile in his direction. Cisco fires the missile but Barry isn’t running. As it gets closer, Wells comes dangerously close to outing himself almost standing up, as he gets lost in the excitement of the moment. At the last possible moment, Barry jumps and spins catching the missile and redirecting its trajectory making the drone the missiles new target.
‘The Rogues’ make their entrance tonight right through the garage door of a very nice garage. For anyone not familiar with the rogues or missed their first appearance on this show, they are played by Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell. If those names sound familiar, they should. These two played the leading brother in Prison Break. The garage break in was an attempt lure the Flash, but the Flash didn’t come in a timely fashion so the rogues left.
At the crime scene, it takes Barry less than a minute to figure out that the steel garage door was frozen before it broke and that Snart (Wentworth Miller) was back in town.
At the precinct, Iris and Eddie casually discuss the big ‘move in’. Barry enters and attempts to ignore them before asking where Joe might be. At this point in the journey, I have a significant problem with Iris, especially now. Barry opened up to her as he should have done years ago. Her response was to sit in Eddie’s lap during a Christmas party at the West residence where Iris knew Barry would attend. Now she’ sitting on Eddie’s desk and making out like the back stairwell at a middle school.
Barry runs up to his lab where Joe is going over the Snart file. Barry informs him that he won’t be actively helping on the Snart case. Barry wants to focus as much attention as he can afford on getting faster for the next encounter with the Reverse Flash. Star Labs will assist the police but Barry will be training. Barry essentially puts his foot down, which was almost cute.
Iris and Joe share a moment as she prepares to move and Joe has difficulty preparing for a home without his little girl. Barry shows up. Joe thinks he’s there to help pack. He’s there because Iris has something for him. A backpack from his past. Which predictably or ironically is about 90% varsity red and 10% yellow gold, because that in no way reflects the comic book color breakdown of the Flash’s suit. Inside is what Iris calls his ‘nerd kit’. Inside he pulls out a Space Ghost comic. Yes, I paused it in slow mo. I don’t think Space Ghost is particularly relevant, but the fact that it was a comic book is. Iris leaves for work but the awkwardness between them is tangible. The second, she’s gone Joe asks for a little clarity on the matter.
Barry: I told Iris.
Joe: You told Iris you’re The Flash?!
Barry: I told her how I felt about her…
Joe (pauses): …Oh God…
Upon Iris’ departure for work, she claimed she would clean up all the boxes later, when she got back. After Barry and Joe considered the aftermath of ‘telling her how I felt’, Joe looks to Barry and says, “now you know she isn’t going to clean up this mess anytime soon”. Barry agreed and paused. Joe tilted his head and Barry got the hint. 10 seconds or so later, there was a nice and neat pile of boxes by the door.
At the precinct, Cisco gives a resounding (as much as could be expected from Cisco) speech about what they have designed for the PD and graciously responds to the group of cops who question why they should trust anything from Star Labs. Afterwards, Joe speaks to Wells. Joe knows Barry better than anyone else. So when he put his foot down about prioritizing who he can help, Joe felt something was up. Joe let Wells know in no uncertain terms that it sounds like Wells pulling the strings.
Barry shows up at Star Labs to find Caitlin researching “Firestorm” the last thing Ronnie said to her before he flew away. Then a short conversation about the Iris thing. It dawns on Barry later that maybe Firestorm is an acronym, F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. As it were, the co-author of an 800 page paper on what that acronym stands for is a local grad student.
A private jet lands and a wealthy couple exit the plane. Along with the fire and ice painting Captain Cold is eying that they just bought for 25 million.
Captain Cold: SOMEBODY BETTER CALL 9-1-1
CCPD arrive ready to take on Captain Cold. They are not prepared for Heat Wave. The shields work brilliantly against the elements, but the villainous duo get away. Barry arrives at the precinct amidst all of the chaos. He is apologetic and Joe seems to appreciate that. But Joe wants Barry to make them pay next time. On account of two officers in the burn unit at the hospital.
Cold and Heat Wave have a bit of a stand-off after their job. Cold always the calculating type and Heat Wave the loose cannon seem to have a bit of a difference of philosophy. In the end, they come to an agreement about the Flash as the only speed bump in their way to complete autonomy in Central City.
Caitlin meets with the co-author of the paper and the mere mention of Firestorm makes him uneasy. He shares a fair amount with her. Drops Professor Stein’s name (just tuck that away for now) and the nature of the work. Skipping steps and practical simulations. This co-author is paranoid, but maybe not paranoid enough. When Caitlin attempts to get in her car, Captain Cold freezes her door. Then Heat Wave grabs her.
Barry and Wells speak. Wells hoping to squash any bad blood for convincing Barry to not help the police. Bad blood that doesn’t exist. Cisco has made a connection from analyzing the output of the respective cold and heat guns. If they cross streams, all Ghostbusters style, the guns would cancel each other out. Barry gets a phone call from Joe. We don’t know what was said, but Barry’s demeanor gradually changed and without warning, he bolted out of Star Labs. Guessing Joe told him about Caitlin.
Taking Caitlin was a mistake. One done intentionally, but now, Barry is back on the ‘take down Snart’ bandwagon. As Snart intended. While at the precinct, Joe and Barry watch as Cold has taken over all channels to show Caitlin and draw out Barry.
Joe calls Barry who is now at Star Labs to give him the green light. Then Joe impresses upon Barry the gravity of what’s about to happen.
Joe: Barry, after tonight, everyone’s going to know the Flash exists. You ready for that?
Barry: I’ll see you soon…
Barry arrives and engages the duo without uttering a single word. His strategy is to run around in a manner that will get them to cross their streams, and thus neutralizing the effectiveness of their respective guns. Meanwhile, Joe and Cisco follow a lead to Caitlin’s location. Problem is Heat Wave boobie-trapped the door. Cisco does trip the wire, but Joe is able to tackle Caitlin to safety.
Barry’s strategy is starting to work. These two are recklessly firing their streams up buildings and across streets and coming dangerously close to crossing. Until Barry gets hit with the Cold stream. This momentarily renders his leg useless. Cold and Heat Wave advance on him. They raise their guns for the kill shot when Eddie Thawne jumps in front of him with the treated riot shield. It allows Barry to use those precious moments to get away and move Eddie to safety.
New strategy. Go slower not faster. Or put simply, let them hit you. Which he does. Barry is visibly in pain, but walks in a straight line. They keep their respective streams on him. Then at the right moment, Barry runs away, leaving their streams connected. Both guns explode moments later. Cold attempts to get to his exploded gun. Barry is there to prevent that and to insist that there won’t be a second engagement. Eddie walks over just behind Barry gun fixed on Cold. Barry actually takes the time and consideration to thank Eddie. Which is saying something considering what Eddie represents on the Iris front.
The following day is moving day. Its awkward which is to be expected. When Eddie takes the final box outside, Barry ‘cheesily’ finds a way to put Iris’ mind at ease and express that he thinks she and Eddie will be happy. Thus, removing the burden of awkwardness. When they leave, the scene gets hokey. The father has to see his 20-something daughter move out of the house for the first time. In the moments that follow Joe and Barry come to the quick conclusion that all would be almost right with the world if Barry moved back in to Joe’s house.
The transport to Iron Side Prison carrying Cold and Heat Wave is intercepted. Heat Wave is sure they are finished and this is alarming. Cold is not surprised in the least. It’s all part of the plan. The rear doors swing open and Cold greets their rescuer.
Captain Cold: Hey sis.
