After the break, The Flash hit the ground running with “Revenge of the Rogues.” Barry is still traumatized after his confrontation with the Reverse-Flash and he’s pushing himself to be faster. Iris moves out. Caitlyn researches “Firestorm.” The Rogues take their first steps together. And Cisco makes nice with the police.
Overall this was another excellent episode in a string of excellent episodes. The specter of the Reverse-Flash hangs over everything, bringing both excitement and dread. Any doubts viewers had about Well’s secret identity were put to bed with one tiny, tentative step from the base of his wheelchair. Wells was ready to save the Flash with his speed if he was needed, but Barry managed to get himself together. It’s quite a feat to make the Reverse-Flash a three dimensional character who deserves some sympathy and respect but Cavanagh pulls it off with the help of some clever writing.
Cold and Heatwave (thank you, Cisco) come together, forming the backbone of the Rogues. There was a level of comfort between the two that is a hand-me-down from their time together on Prison Break. They work well together and their personalities personify their powers: Cold is steady, cool and collected while Heatwave is wild and unpredictable. I enjoyed this initial pairing and I’m certain that the characters will grow as the show moves forward. I have to admit that Cold’s big plan looked ridiculous until the very end when we caught a glimpse of a mystery guest. It was a golden moment as she glided into the scene. Ahem. In the comics she’s called the Golden Glider. Yeah, that was awful wordplay.
The Flash is out in the public now and I say “Good!” Unlike the Marvel heroes, the fictional public usually loves the DC heroes. Flash even has a museum dedicated to his adventures. It looks like the show is going to embrace this concept. They don’t need to go to the extreme of the 1966 Batman and give Flash a hotline to the police commissioner but I’m looking forward to a hero that isn’t branded a “menace.” There’s room for good guys on TV and there’s a place for altruism in our lives. The Flash should be a role-model. He should end his adventures with a smile and a wave to the cameras. I’m good with that.
Barry and Iris seem to be leveling out and I’m ready for the new status quo. She knows how he feels, he knows how she feels and Eddie Thawne gets both of them. It’s fine. With this out of the way, let’s bring Iris out of the shadows of the men around her and make her a real player on the show. She has access to the Flash and people will want to know those stories. It’s a dangerous position but that’s an opportunity to showcase an independent woman who can kick her own share of ass.
I couldn’t be happier about Firestorm’s development. Martin Stein is essential to the character and the promise of his inclusion gives me satisfaction. Jason Rusch was a surprise and one that is fitting. Referring back to the comics, Jason Rusch carried on the Firestorm legacy after Ronnie’s death (kinda, no one ever really dies in comics). His becoming Firestorm was a bit controversial possibly because of race but moreso because it turned the idea on its head. I hope they bring him back, he was an interesting character in the comics and I’d like to see him developed on the show.
Cisco was the front man in dealing with new defenses for the police. He was a fun choice and it was nice to see him accepted by the end of the episode. STAR Labs is a mainstay in DC Comics history and I’d like to see the organization grow beyond this core team. Marvel has SHIELD, a militaristic first response team but DC has STAR, a brighter, more helpful organization based on science research. A more Utopian organization. A happier one.
That’s the ideal this show should strive for and the original purpose of Superheroes.