Amon Warmann | On 22, Aug 2015

Pointedly titled Who is Harrison Wells?, the 19th hour of The Flash poses a question to which the audience has already known the answer to for quite some time. That knowledge has made many episodes more interesting to watch, but as we enter the final stretch of Season 1, it’s time for certain characters to catch up. By episode’s end, the future of The Flash looks extremely tantalising.

Before we get to those not-insignificant reveals, the episode begins with some enticing Green Lantern teases and then we get another mini-crossover with Arrow as Joe and Cisco head to Starling City to continue the Wells investigation, leaving the rest of Team Flash to deal with a shapeshifting metahuman. Both story lines have more praiseworthy elements than not, resulting in another fun instalment.

Speaking on the Starling City excursion first, this crossover is much smoother than All-Star Team-Up. While it is enjoyable to see Joe and Quentin discuss their jobs, their daughters, and debate the importance of secrets, it’s even better to see a big goofy smile on Katie Cassidy’s face, a rare sight on the generally dark Arrow. That comes courtesy of Laurel’s hilarious interactions with Cisco, and though it’s a wonder how and when he was able to make a certain piece of tech for the Black Canary, it’s encouraging to see Laurel inch ever closer to the comic book version of her character.

The shape-shifter is a common enemy type on TV shows that deal with powers, so it was only a matter of time before a character with the skill-set made it on to The Flash. The back-story and motivations we get for Hannibal Bates (aka Everyman) is fairly thin – a recurring problem with The Flash – but it’s how he affects our heroes that provides some of this episode’s best moments.

Indeed, the character who benefits the most is Eddie. The detective’s relationship with Barry is fleshed out nicely here, and his angst over keeping secrets from Iris gets some much needed screen time.

However, by lowering the intelligence of certain characters in some scenes, this episode does frustrate, as our heroes make a number of implausibly dumb decisions; in addition to the worryingly customary wrinkle of fights that should end much sooner when you have super-speed on your side, both Barry and Caitlin failed to realise that the shape-shifter was in their midst despite obvious clues to the contrary. That said, Caitlin’s reaction to being kissed by faux-Barry is priceless and Gustin’s acting in this sequence is particularly impressive.

Speaking of Caitlin, while it’s somewhat understandable that she would be a little sceptical of the apparent truths about her mentor, the decision to go to Wells’ house is a tad naïve given what the rest of Team Flash have been telling her. Thankfully, with nearly all of our characters fully caught up and on the same page regarding Wells’ duplicity, it’s exciting to ponder how The Flash will close out its maiden season.

 

The Flash is available to watch online on NOW, as part of a £7.99 monthly subscription – no contract. Sign up before 27th September and new customers will only pay £1 for their first month.

 

Where can I buy or rent The Flash online in the UK?

The Flash is available to watch online on blinkbox, Amazon Instant Video, Google Play and iTunes.

 

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