The Flash Reaction: "Finish Line" (3x23)

Spoilers included for The Flash.

(source)

Savitar kidnaps Cisco so he can rebuild the speed bazooka to send Savitar into all of time. Meanwhile, Barry tries to reach out to Savitar and give him the help he needs.

"The future's ours again." -Barry

What I Liked

Plot twist
The twist that Iris wasn't dead but it was HR in disguise was... fantastic. They definitely had us going that Iris was dead. I'm not happy about HR dying, but it makes sense that he made the sacrifice.

Team Flash
It was exciting to see Team Flash back in action. Harry returned to help out, Julian came back with a cure for Caitlin, and Gypsy showed up just in time to save Cisco. It was exciting. They did great.

#ishipit (source)

Barry
I'm impressed that Barry and Iris reached out to Savitar, tried to help him even after everything Savitar did. I kind of wonder why they didn't do that in the first place, especially when Barry learned that Savitar was a time remnant of himself who didn't feel accepted. If they would have included him from the beginning, would that have changed anything? Also, Barry phasing into the Savitar suit was so cool. (Again, why didn't they do that sooner?) His resolve not to kill Savitar, not to turn into Savitar, was good. Barry did good.

God bless, Iris West. (source)

What I Didn't Like

Caitlin
While I'm glad Caitlin is no longer "Killer Frost," I'm still not sure how I feel about who she's become. It's a little odd that she snapped out of her "frozen heart" syndrome so easily when they've been trying for months to reach her. She didn't take the cure, but she didn't take their help either. I don't think she's going to be gone-gone from the show, but it's a bit odd she's leaving. I just want her to be happy. I want her to be back at STAR Labs with Cisco, and I want her to be happy with Julian.

Ow, my heart hurts. (source)

HR
HR's death was sad and unexpected. At times, I enjoyed HR's character, and others times I didn't like him. I couldn't imagine they'd keep HR for another season, though. His last words to Cisco were heart-wrenching, and I feel bad for Tracy. It's going to take time for Team Flash to move past this.

Savitar
I have to hand it to Savitar, his plan to create an inter-dimensional splice to fragment himself throughout time in order to avoid the paradox... was brilliant. His downfall was trusting someone who hates him. I felt the latter half of the episode went by fast, and it was annoying how easily they stopped Savitar. Sure, they had their speedster rumble between Savitar, Barry, Wally, and Jay, but it didn't live up to my expectations. It was so fast; Iris shoots him, he dissolves, bye bye Savitar. It was disappointing.

#smooth (source)

Speed Force prison
The whole "the Speed Force prison needs an occupant" is a load of garbage. Previous to this season, we didn't know anything about the Speed Force prison (unless I can't remember because all the time travel is confusing and adds in so much stuff to keep track of), and all of a sudden it's the turning point with everything. Why does it have to be Barry? Why can't another speedster go in? And why is Barry so calm about it? I hate that he just walks right in, leaving Iris behind like it's no big deal. I don't really think this plot is going to last long into season four because how can you have a show about the Flash without the Flash? It's just weird and not what I was expecting.

Whhyyyyy (source)

Overall

This season of The Flash had a lot of strong points between the new characters and the excellent plot twists. Somehow, though, I felt that this season finale episode didn't live up to the expectations. Everything they built up to with Iris' death in the previous episode immediately vanished within the first few minutes of this episode, and then from there, it kind of took an odd turn. I don't like how the episode ended because I don't know how I feel about Barry having to "pay penance" for his choices. I feel that dealing with Savitar was enough penance. There were several loose threads that weren't tied up, including stuff with Savitar's connections to Julian and Wally. I hope they address this in the future, but I just hope there is a future worth watching of The Flash.

What did you think of "Finish Line"? What are you looking forward to in season four?

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The Flash Reaction: "Infantino Street" (3x22)

Spoilers included for The Flash.

(source)

With twenty-four hours left to save Iris, Barry will do whatever it takes to save her, even breaking into ARGUS to find a power source for the speed bazooka. But in order to pull off such a heist, he needs help, so he travels back in time to recruit Captain Cold.

"Make the plan. Execute the plan. Expect the plan to go off the rails. Throw away the plan." -Captain Cold

What I Liked

Captain Cold
The return of Captain Cold, even if it's a past version, is the highlight of this episode. His sass is still strong, and I love that he can crack the world's greatest security lock in 37 seconds. And the fact that he stopped Killer Shark because he was bored and watched Shark Week was hilarious. I mean, literally if Team Flash would have done research about sharks they could have stopped Killer Shark a lot easier. His morally gray taunting of Barry to leave him behind is fantastic, and it plays well with the Legends of Tomorrow timeline as Snart would soon be sacrificing himself for his friends. I'm glad he was back for an episode, but I wish they were bringing him back for real this time. Please come back, please don't be dead.

Listen to him, Barry. (source)

Killer Shark
You can't go wrong with a creepy CGI shark-man and Jaws references, right? Killer Shark was an interesting twist to the episode, reminding us what ARGUS has stored in their base but also providing a tricky guard dog (or guard fish?) to defeat. The special effects were cool, especially the fin rising from the cold mist and Killer Shark growing back a limb. It was a nice touch.

Suicide Squad reference
I also enjoyed the name-dropping and Suicide Squad references that were made in in the ARGUS facility. Once again, we see what else ARGUS has hiding in its base and reminds us that the world of the CW superhero shows is bigger than we think.

Cisco
Cisco was a gem in this episode (as always), and his commentary lightened up the darker mood. I love his dialogue so much. And while I'm worried about him, I'm glad he's going to confront Caitlin and hopefully show her how much he and the others care about her. Go, Cisco! Go!

In this moment, I am Cisco. (source)

Earth-2
HARRY. Harry returns! (But where is Jesse?) It was kind of stupid, however, that he didn't do anything to help them. I don't know why Team Flash didn't ask him for help a long time ago, especially with building the speed bazooka or finding a power source. Earth-2 has absolutely nothing to help them? I doubt that. Still, it was nice to see him and the Earth-2 skyline. Initially, it was a good plan to hide Iris there. And the moment between her and Joe where they sing was heartbreaking and touching. (Though, it didn't make sense that Iris gave Joe the ring to "give back to Barry." Like Barry literally holds you in his arms as you die, Iris... he can get your ring back. You could have changed the future somehow by keeping it on. Idiot.)

Award for best father-daughter relationship on TV goes to... (source)

What I Didn't Like

ARGUS
I felt like this episode was a waste because Lyla refused to give them the Dominator tech, but then they break in and she hands it over because she doesn't want to see Iris die? I didn't understand it. Why didn't Barry just tell her what Savitar is doing or could potentially do if he isn't stopped? He could destroy the world, but Barry doesn't mention Savitar, just that Iris will die. It was too easy. I don't know why they couldn't just hand over the power source from the beginning if they were just going to do it anyways? Or better yet: why not hide Iris in ARGUS, which is apparently the most secure facility on the planet and where Savitar cannot use his abilities? Seriously. The logic of this show sometimes.

Poor Team Flash
By the end of the episode, the entirely of Team Flash is broken, and it is not fun. HR blames himself because Savitar tricked him. Wally feels inadequate because he couldn't stop Savitar. Tracy feels like a failure because her gun didn't work. (Though, why didn't it work?) Where the frick-frack is Julian even at? They never explained his absence. And Cisco is currently locked in a death match with his best friend, which is terrible. But the worst? Barry. He just stood there. He didn't try to save Iris until Savitar started in for the kill. He tried to plead with him, but obviously we knew that wouldn't work because he'd already tried it. It was garbage. All of it. I am, however, pleasantly surprised that they did kill Iris. Shocker, I know. I can't believe they did it. I think they'll find a way to fix it by the end of the season, but I'm impressed they didn't let Team Flash magically stop Savitar. It was a nice twist.

Iris' message
Honestly, the whole beginning and end and how it came together was the worst. The episode started off sad with this depressing song, and I knew it wasn't going to end well. But the ending with Iris' message being played while Barry ran toward Savitar and Savitar killed her and everything was actually worse than I was expecting. It's on the same level as the season two ending of BBC's Robin Hood, especially with the wedding vows. Why did you kill all my feelings, Flash? Why?

*ugly sobbing* (source)

Overall

As much as I love seeing Captain Cold back, I felt like this episode suffered from illogical decisions. Team Flash is a group of super-geniuses and you're telling me that they can't think of a better solution to keeping Iris safe? They didn't even use all their resources (hello, other dimensions) or make a plan to stop Savitar in the off chance the speed bazooka didn't work. Still, the episode pulled at my heartstrings and left me anticipating the season finale to find out what Barry will do next. Seriously, though, where was Julian?!

What did you think of "Infantino Street"? Are you surprised by the turn of events? React with me in the comments!

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The Flash Reaction: "Cause and Effect" (3x21)

Spoilers included for The Flash.

(source)

Team Flash tries to wipe Barry's memory in order to keep Savitar from knowing their plans to stop him. Barry, however, forgets who he is completely, and Cecile needs him to testify at a trial. Meanwhile, HR tries not to distract Tracy as she finishes her "speed force bazooka" to stop Savitar.

"Hi, I'm Barry Allen. You can call me Bart." -Barry

What I Liked

Savitar
I'm pleasantly surprised we got an explanation of how Savitar came to be. I like that it connects to ideas that were introduced in past seasons, like the time remnant, but it also connects with future Barry trying to stop Savitar. It's awfully clever that Savitar is the time remnant that was created to stop Savitar. Annnnd Savitar's suit is sentient, which is just flipping awesome. Ever since they revealed who Savitar is, he's become a much more interesting villain.

Barry 
Barry was surprisingly great in this episode. When he didn't remember who he was, he was adorkable and hilarious, especially when he kept ramming into things when he was using his super speed. But it was also memorable when he remembered he who was. He realizes the pain and darkness in his past helped shape who he is and the hero he has become and he shouldn't try to change that. I like how far he's grown in the past season.

(◠‿◠✿) Bart! (source)

Iris
Iris was also surprisingly wonderful in this episode. It was absolutely adorable when she was reminding Barry who he was and how much they love each other. It was touching that she also wanted to keep Barry as he was--happy and carefree. In the end, though, she made the right decision to have his memories restored.

Same. (source)

HR and Tracy
These two kill me. I ship them so much, and it's actually happening! I love that they distract each other, but they also support one another. HR encourages Tracy to finish her speed force bazooka, and she does! Go, Tracy! Go!

Julian
Throughout this episode, Julian was the best (as always). From his reaction to Barry forgetting who he was to when he tried to help Barry during the trial--sending messages and emojis--it was fun! But the end ripped my heart out. He admitted he loved Caitlin! (Breathe, just breathe.) But unfortunately, she rejected him--all of them, really. Poor Julian. *ugly sobbing*

*snort* (source)

Killer Frost
Killer Frost was great in this. I like that she's still super intelligent even if she's a "villain." (Thank you, writers, for not taking that away from her.) And that she wanted to help them, even if it was originally for her gang. BUT... she's starting to thaw! I can see it. I'm so excited. This is going to be fantastic.

*gasp* (source)

What I Didn't Like

Filler episode
This episode was definitely a filler episode (which is annoying). I'm starting to like the TV shows like on the BBC or Netflix that only have 8-13 episodes because the season isn't dragged out for no particular reason. Still, it was a good filler episode. It had its moments and there was a little breakthrough here and there with their Savitar plan. But overall, their plan failed and they're back where they started, which is disappointing.

Oh boy! (source)

Heat Monger
I don't know what the deal was with Heat Monger, but it was annoying. Yes, they needed someone to be on trial and then cause mayhem in Central City for plot reasons, but I don't understand why he had to have fire guns? Was he trying to be the new Heat Wave? That was lame. The writers could have been a little bit more creative with the character, giving him something more than just "let's catch this building on fire." But alas, they didn't, and as a result, I don't care.

King Shark
I have no idea what was happening with the end scene and King Shark. Did he escape his cage in ARGUS? How? Or is that his cage in ARGUS? What was that glowing red object--that I'm assuming is a power source Team Flash needs for the bazooka--and why is King Shark trying to get it? Is it a shark egg? Or is it something else? I need answers! Now.

My son, you've grown so much. *clutches heart* (source)

Overall

For the most part, this episode was fun--even funny. There were also moments of heartbreak and growth for the characters. It had a lot of good moments, but it still felt like a filler episode. The characters didn't make any improvements in their plans to stop Savitar. Sure, Tracy finished the speed cannon bazooka. Savitar did forget who he was and what he was planning, and the part of Caitlin within Killer Frost is starting to fight through. But overall? Nothing exceptional happened, not like in the previous episode. With only two episodes left for the season, I hope The Flash steps up its game.

What did you think of "Cause and Effect"?

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