"Run, Barry, RUN!"
I can't believe that was an actual line in this show.
After a freak accident in Central City's S.T.A.R. Labs causes unknown elements to explode onto the Earth, Barry Allen gets struck by lightning generated by these mysterious elements. And in the process, discovers that he has been changed in ways that he could never possibly imagine. But he is not the only one. In fact, someone from his past may also have been created by this power. But this is just the first step in his journey in becoming The Scarlet Speedster: THE FLASH!
Having been a huge fan of Arrow, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of this new show. When Grant Gustin makes his first appearance in Arrow, for some reason I had a really huge smile on my face. He's an honest guy, and has a lot of trouble getting to places on time. While that does seem like hitting the point that he's too slow a little bit too much, there is something charming about how Gustin plays it. He probably knows it is cliche, but he sells it with this lovable charm. Which is exactly what The Flash needs.
The episode starts off by showing us a little about Barry's past with the murder of his mother and his father being accused of her murder. As comic book fans know, this is a defining moment in Barry's life as it is what made him want to join the police force. But unlike Batman who becomes a menacing and disturbed person, Barry grows up to be the complete opposite. Which is what makes him a fascinating character as he pretty much had a really traumatic moment in his life that indirectly leads him to become a superhero, but it didn't turn him to the dark side like Bruce Wayne. In fact, he can almost be viewed as a more optimistic Batman, but with superpowers. The comparison really comes from the fact that he's actually a pretty good detective stuck as a Forensics Scientist. His way of deducing things is akin to the way Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes does in the show, Sherlock. While it is an obvious rip off from that show, it is used well here in order to sell the point that he is really smart, if only he was a little more focused.
What is also established at the beginning is his relationship with the West family. Detective Joe West played by Jesse L. Martin acts as Barry's surrogate father as well as his boss at the prescient. Their relationship is pretty much one you would expect. He's the caring father figure who can be stern at times, especially since he is doubling as Barry's boss. It is a nice cliche relationship that will hopefully develop more in the future. But then of course there is Joe's daughter, Iris West played by Candice Patton. So far all that is known about her character is that she's been best friends with Barry since they were children, with their relationship being almost brother and sister like after Barry moved in with them. But as comic fans all know, Barry wants to be more than just a friend with Iris. It is made painfully obvious here, and as always in these shows and comic based properties, she just wants to stay friends.
Now that all of that backstory is established in the first few minutes, we get the big moment when a freak accident at S.T.A.R. labs goes horribly wrong, resulting into Barry getting struck by lightning. Luckily for us, when Barry wakes up, he's already out of his coma. And from here we are properly introduced to characters that fans of Arrow have seen before and a character who was briefly introduced at the start of the show. They are Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco Roman (Carlos Valdes). The trio of scientists are pretty much all that remains of the Central City S.T.A.R. Labs research team. Dr. Wells is now confined to wheelchair after surviving the accident. As far we know, he has no powers...yet. Comic book fans will recognize the names Snow and Cisco as character who will get superpowers eventually. When that will happen, I hope not in this season. Given how the writers of Arrow have been good about making characters their comic book counterparts at the right moment, I have faith that we will see some good development for these characters before they get any powers. But till then, they have to help Barry learn the limits of his powers, as well as provide him with a really cool suit that won't burn off when he runs.
But given that this is the first episode of a superhero show, there has to be a villain. And the one that this show gets to show off is the Weather Wizard. Having this character as your big opener and a character like the Flash as your star, this Pilot was designed for the sole purpose of showing off what can be done on TV. And it is amazing. While it is obviously not as refined as the effects you'd see in feature length films, this is some incredible work. When Weather Wizard unleashes his tornado and thunder powers against The Flash, it really is an amazing feat on TV. It is amazing that we are now living in an age that TV can compete with movies, especially in the effects department. This really was a great way of showing off, despite the fact that Weather Wizard was just the villain of the week without any character development at all. He is just an excuse to see The Flash in action very early on, and it is perfectly acceptable for The Pilot.
Speaking of villains, there is one character introduced in the show who may or may not be one of the legendary villains from The Flash lore. That character is Detective Eddie Thawne played by Rick Cosnett. So far in the show he is referred to as "Detective Pretty Boy" and became Iris's boyfriend while Barry was in a coma. As of right now there seems to be hints of slight antagonism between him and Barry, but it really isn't flushed out a lot here. What is interesting to Flash comic book fans is that the name Eddie Thawne is obviously a reference to Eobard Thawne who is better known as Professor Zoom, the Flash's archnemesis. However, Zoom, or otherwise referred to as Reverse Flash, is a being from the future while the show's Eddie Thawne is definitely a man of the present.... or is he? Given the nature of how the producers made a few twists to the lore in Arrow, I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of twists are in store for comic fans expectations of Thawne. It is always good to keep the fans guessing and not make them think they have the answer to everything.
To wrap up my thoughts on all of this craziness and constant grinning I had while watching, I'll have to say it is a good yet cliche start. This pilot is filled with not just the standard CW drama or superhero cliches, but also with cliches that are always found in pilots. Everything is set up, and with no character development, but rather introduction. There is some character development, but that is usually just for the main character and not everyone else. And while I did enjoy all of these cliches as they are handled really well, the one thing that really sold me is the moment I have pictured here. It is a conversation between Barry and his father Henry Allen played by none other than the original Flash himself, John Wesley Shipp. It was a nice moment and great way to have an emotional close for Barry's arc. It is moments like these that will keep people coming back for more and hopefully not just for the rad effects.
There's a lot of promise here, but unlike Gotham (which is pretty entertaining) I have full faith that this show will fully deliver sooner than later.
SCORE: 8.7/10 - A highly entertaining positive superhero show, despite the cliches
STATUS: Continue to Watch - Yup, I'm already hoping for a good first season!
Review of Next Episode - Click Here
What is also established at the beginning is his relationship with the West family. Detective Joe West played by Jesse L. Martin acts as Barry's surrogate father as well as his boss at the prescient. Their relationship is pretty much one you would expect. He's the caring father figure who can be stern at times, especially since he is doubling as Barry's boss. It is a nice cliche relationship that will hopefully develop more in the future. But then of course there is Joe's daughter, Iris West played by Candice Patton. So far all that is known about her character is that she's been best friends with Barry since they were children, with their relationship being almost brother and sister like after Barry moved in with them. But as comic fans all know, Barry wants to be more than just a friend with Iris. It is made painfully obvious here, and as always in these shows and comic based properties, she just wants to stay friends.
Now that all of that backstory is established in the first few minutes, we get the big moment when a freak accident at S.T.A.R. labs goes horribly wrong, resulting into Barry getting struck by lightning. Luckily for us, when Barry wakes up, he's already out of his coma. And from here we are properly introduced to characters that fans of Arrow have seen before and a character who was briefly introduced at the start of the show. They are Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco Roman (Carlos Valdes). The trio of scientists are pretty much all that remains of the Central City S.T.A.R. Labs research team. Dr. Wells is now confined to wheelchair after surviving the accident. As far we know, he has no powers...yet. Comic book fans will recognize the names Snow and Cisco as character who will get superpowers eventually. When that will happen, I hope not in this season. Given how the writers of Arrow have been good about making characters their comic book counterparts at the right moment, I have faith that we will see some good development for these characters before they get any powers. But till then, they have to help Barry learn the limits of his powers, as well as provide him with a really cool suit that won't burn off when he runs.
But given that this is the first episode of a superhero show, there has to be a villain. And the one that this show gets to show off is the Weather Wizard. Having this character as your big opener and a character like the Flash as your star, this Pilot was designed for the sole purpose of showing off what can be done on TV. And it is amazing. While it is obviously not as refined as the effects you'd see in feature length films, this is some incredible work. When Weather Wizard unleashes his tornado and thunder powers against The Flash, it really is an amazing feat on TV. It is amazing that we are now living in an age that TV can compete with movies, especially in the effects department. This really was a great way of showing off, despite the fact that Weather Wizard was just the villain of the week without any character development at all. He is just an excuse to see The Flash in action very early on, and it is perfectly acceptable for The Pilot.
Speaking of villains, there is one character introduced in the show who may or may not be one of the legendary villains from The Flash lore. That character is Detective Eddie Thawne played by Rick Cosnett. So far in the show he is referred to as "Detective Pretty Boy" and became Iris's boyfriend while Barry was in a coma. As of right now there seems to be hints of slight antagonism between him and Barry, but it really isn't flushed out a lot here. What is interesting to Flash comic book fans is that the name Eddie Thawne is obviously a reference to Eobard Thawne who is better known as Professor Zoom, the Flash's archnemesis. However, Zoom, or otherwise referred to as Reverse Flash, is a being from the future while the show's Eddie Thawne is definitely a man of the present.... or is he? Given the nature of how the producers made a few twists to the lore in Arrow, I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of twists are in store for comic fans expectations of Thawne. It is always good to keep the fans guessing and not make them think they have the answer to everything.
To wrap up my thoughts on all of this craziness and constant grinning I had while watching, I'll have to say it is a good yet cliche start. This pilot is filled with not just the standard CW drama or superhero cliches, but also with cliches that are always found in pilots. Everything is set up, and with no character development, but rather introduction. There is some character development, but that is usually just for the main character and not everyone else. And while I did enjoy all of these cliches as they are handled really well, the one thing that really sold me is the moment I have pictured here. It is a conversation between Barry and his father Henry Allen played by none other than the original Flash himself, John Wesley Shipp. It was a nice moment and great way to have an emotional close for Barry's arc. It is moments like these that will keep people coming back for more and hopefully not just for the rad effects.
There's a lot of promise here, but unlike Gotham (which is pretty entertaining) I have full faith that this show will fully deliver sooner than later.
SCORE: 8.7/10 - A highly entertaining positive superhero show, despite the cliches
STATUS: Continue to Watch - Yup, I'm already hoping for a good first season!
Review of Next Episode - Click Here
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