‘The Flash’ Episode 1.6 “The Flash is Born” (7 out of 10) Starring Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Rick Cosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Kavanaugh, and Jesse L. Martin. Guest starring Greg Finley. Tuesdays on The CW.
“The Flash” continues to be my favorite of the many superhero series on television right now. Favorite enough that even when it’s a weaker episode, there are parts of it that redeem the rest. That’s the case with this sixth episode, ‘The Flash is Born.’ You may be thinking, “Hey, the Flash was born like six episodes ago when he was struck by lightning generated by the particle accelerator at S.T.A.R. Labs, possibly engineered by Dr. Harrison Wells, who has mysterious knowledge of future events, and may have done it for some nefarious purpose!” Yes. All of that is how Barry Allen became The Flash. Except in Central City, and on Iris West’s blog, he’s been known as The Streak. Which Barry hated. So, using his charm with his near-sister/crush Iris, he pitches the name “The Flash,” and gets the name he wants. All that does is explain the title. Now that that’s out of the way, here’s what happens in the episode.
He kicks Barry’s ass in flashbacks, in the present, whenever he wants to
This is a typical “Freak of the Week” episode, and this particular freak is one of the newer (21st Century instead of Silver Age) Flash villains, Girder. Turns out Girder is actually Tony Woodward, a bully from Barry and Iris’ elementary school years. In the same “accident” that gave Barry his superpowers, Tony gained the ability to become living metal. In the comic books, Girder is a grotesque, semi-rusted behemoth–the CW’s version is a hot muscley guy whose skin turns into metal, ala X-Men’s Colossus. And he’s still a bully. But now made out of metal. He kicks Barry’s ass several times. In flashbacks, in the present, whenever he wants to. Turns out he also has a little crush on Iris, so he ends up threatening her, and eventually kidnapping her. Like superpowered bullies do.
The kidnapping brings Iris and the Flash into each other’s orbits yet again, and gives them time to have conversations like “hey, stop writing about me, and you’ll stop getting kidnapped,” “you’re not the boss of me, Streak Guy,” “but I love you and I’ve always loved you,” “what? I thought we just met!” “no, I…I can’t disclose my secret identity!” …like that. But with more CW-fueled angst.
Girder’s story may be driving the episode, but the more important things are happening around the edges of that story. Detective West has reopened the investigation into Nora Allen’s murder. Barry’s dad has been in prison for the last fifteen years for the murder, which Barry has always maintained was committed by a “whirlwind of lightning with a yellow man inside.” Now that West has seen the Flash in action — a man in lightning — he’s finally willing to look deeper into that story. That brings him back to Dr. Wells and S.T.A.R. Labs, it makes him ask some pointed questions, it sets him in the right direction. Eventually, it causes a visit from that yellow-suited lightning dude, who any DC Comics fan knows is Professor Zoom, AKA “Reverse Flash.” He’s from the future, he’s got Barry Allen’s powers, and he’s a lil bit of a psychopath. We only see him for a few seconds, at the end of the episode, but it’s definitely him.
Is Harrison Wells the true Professor Zoom?
It’s him, but who is it? In the comic books, Professor Zoom is usually Eobard Thawne. Detective West’s too-handsome partner is Eddie Thawne, who we’ve always assumed has a future in that yellow supersuit. What if it’s not? Dr. Harrison Wells pretends he’s wheelchair-bound, although he’s not. He has knowledge of future events, and has more than a casual interest in pushing Barry to his limits. He’s got a sinister edge that isn’t quite explained yet, while Eddie Thawne…is just kinda a handsome foil to Barry and Iris pursuing a relationship. What if Thawne is just a pawn (and will spawn a…lawn…this isn’t working), and Wells is the true Professor Zoom? It’s something I hadn’t considered before last night’s episode. It would explain Wells knowing enough to attack West at home as Professor Zoom, taking the files on the Nora Allen case; of course, Wells could also be working in concert with Professor Zoom, dispatching him to the West home. Also, and I just have to say this, if you want to be taken seriously as a psychopath, don’t use the code name “Professor Zoom.”
I’m enjoying this series, and the idea that they may have changed the identity of a major villain to make an enjoyable red herring doesn’t bother me in the least. If they can make an episode with a mediocre A-plot this interesting, I’ll trust where they’re going. This episode also teased the coming of Heat Wave (a classic Flash villain who works with Captain Cold and other Rogues) in his New 52 incarnation — “a man on fire who doesn’t burn,” instead of his old version, a dude in a white hazmat suit with a flame thrower. When I first saw all of the villains and ancillary characters they were putting into this series, I was worried. Too much, too soon. Seeing how they’re doing it–I like it. There’s less puttering around than there was on “Smallville,” or even on “Arrow,” which has been pretty fast-paced. Even at its weakest, this show is doing everything right, and now they can even call him what he’s been all along–the Flash.