When The Flash left for its midseason break, there were just so many questions even though it was far from a cliffhanger ending.
We see Barry time-travel in the future, an amazing feat, but one that brought the knowledge of Iris’s impending murder. Caitlin seems a little chill at her powers (yes, pun intended). Julian has just found out that he is Doctor Alchemy who serves Savitar. Cisco is still trying to find his bearings with Barry and HR. And HR is still trying to fit in with the group in very awkward ways.
The episode opens up immediately with us seeing the gang trying to pick up the pieces after a few of the revelations from the first half of the season. There’s HR’s attempt at trying to open up STAR Labs. There’s Caitlin trying to find a way to deal with her powers with Julian’s help. And then there’s Wally who just wants to be acknowledged as Kid Flash, but couldn’t seem to get a break.
Barry’s also haunted by what he saw, complete with having nightmares and pretty much doing the entire house that he prepped for him and Iris. Of course, our non-damsel-in-distress reporter smells that something’s off, so we finally get to see Barry, for once, actually tell the team what’s really up.
We get to understand his struggle, such as Plunder’s sudden appearance in his life, which is pretty much a signal of the start of the future he had seen. It not only brings a new mini villain into the story, but we see a lot of drama before Barry’s actual confession. There’s even that moment between Barry and Wally, where the teacher gets annoyed with the student. Of course, everyone gets the tension, well, except maybe for HR who doesn’t seem to feel the elephant in the room.
The real action happens midway through, when the Team gets the great idea of using Cisco’s Vibe to see what Barry and get some clues to that. And here’s where we pretty much get how the rest of the season will play out.
While in the future, Barry and Cisco come across the news report on Plunder’s capture. While we already know the bit about Plunder, HR has a great idea of listing down the headlines flashing on the TV. And thanks to that, we get some clues for future events.
Some interesting soundbites we get is a reference to the Music Meister, which certainly got everyone’s ears propped up in reference to the Supergirl/The Flash crossover musical.
We also learn that Killer Frost is already at large, meaning any efforts that Caitlin is currently trying to do may still be in vain. So now we’re wondering how this will affect her actions afterwards. Again, it’s the trouble of knowing your future—will she now give up anything she’s doing and surrender to her fate? Or become even more desperate for a cure?
The duo also learns that STAR Labs museum will be closed in the future, so sorry HR, yet another one of his plans fail. And more telling is the hint that Central City is still recovering from a gorilla attack. We all know that Gorilla Grodd will be playing a role in The Flash, so this is definitely a big nod to that. These are just some of the headlines that Cisco and Barry took notes of to change the future.
What I’m more interested in is HR Wells’ presence in the picture. He’s apparently on the rooftop near Savitar and Iris. He was also pointing a rifle downward, with Team Flash assuming that he’s there to help Barry with Savitar. Sure, they were probably right about him being there to help Barry take down Savitar. But given our history with all the Harry Wells so far, something about that scene makes me wonder if we’re actually looking at another double-cross of sorts.
Believe me, I’m the last one to hope this is the case. I want Tom Cavanagh to stay with the team as a good HR. I don’t even mind if he’s all into theatrics, but a good HR is better than another scheming one. After that speech at Barry and Iris’s housewarming, this belief is all the more solidified. I just want an HR to find a good home. I don’t need a new twist for the season finale as much as that.
But hey, that last scene in the end just might prove me wrong. Thanks, Gypsy.
The Flash airs Tuesdays, 8 pm on The CW.
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