Wow! While The Flash ended part 1 of the season with a bang, part 2 began with yet another bang. Not to mention how much of an information overload this midseason opener was. I personally had to watch the episode twice just to digest everything. A key idea I felt from this episode was transition. Everyone is transitioning into a new phase of life, whether good or bad.
To add further turmoil to Barry's life, we also saw the return of Captain Cold and the formal introduction of Heat Wave. These are the kind of villains we need in the show. While the first part of the season had some underdeveloped and uninteresting villains, I'd hoped that as time went on that would be improved and I am so glad that is has.
I also really liked how Caitlin was used this episode in that she is being used as a world building tool. Her investigation into Project F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. introduced more concepts (and characters) into this TV universe that pushed the limits and boundaries even further. I've always been a fan of shows that build a deep and detailed world, so this to me was a high point. Someone needs to get a magical object to Caitlin asap so we can go even further in this astounding universe.
While not as substantial, some seeds for the future were also planted in this episode. Iris and Eddie are progressing further in their relationship which is causing Barry and Iris to transition away from each other. We've already seen that Iris can handle herself on her own to an extent, so now that she's away from Barry I hope we can really see her grow into her own character much like Caitlin and Cisco have. Barry also moved back in with Joe and their chemistry continues to be a high point of the show.
The last surprise from the episode that I feel I must talk about is the Flash revealing himself to the public. While the people don't know his identity, they now know he is not just a myth. He is real, and he's here in Central City. While we saw some signs that people considered him a hero, I wonder how this will continue to play out? Will others with powers seek him out? Will the people of Central City support him or go against the Flash? So many possibilities can be explored and I can't wait to see what option the writers take.
Overall Feelings:
Where do I even begin?
Everyone was developed in some form. We had very memorable villains, hints for the future and some astounding world building. The Flash continues to impress every single time!
Thanks for the review :) This was an exceptional episode. The Flash continues to be in top form and the best part is they are developing all the characters simultaneously something which it's counterpart Arrow terribly fails at.
ReplyDeleteMy only negative about this episode was the scene when Iris run into the crime scene in the midst of the police yelling Eddie's name when The Flash was facing rogues. I was like really? It was unnecessary. Otherwise perfect episode.
Yeah I was considering mentioning something about the crime scene. That was the only thing that felt off to me.
ReplyDeleteIris randomly running in seemed like they were forcing her to get more screen time. It makes me wonder if their was more to that scene that got cut.
I found it weird that so many cars were parked on the street too. Did all those people think the TV announcement was a joke? Because when that announcement was made...I would've moved my car (heck the police should have moved the cars).
...While I'm not a gun supporter they could have also potentially put snipers up on the buildings around the place too. Captain Cold and Heat Wave were out in the open, the police could have technically handled that without the Flash (although then it wouldn't have been as impressive).
Well, this is an interesting review. Supporting characters in this show are not more developed than the leads meaning Iris and Barry. Caitlin and Cisco know Barry's secret. That's basically all we know about them.
ReplyDeleteWe know a lot more about Iris, her hopes and dreams about her future. When will she get the respect she deserves? When she earns a Pulitzer or when she and Barry are truly together? Probably not because she can't do anything right.
We know why Iris is given less scene time, to keep them apart. It's called dragging it out for as long as possible.
So lighten up please.
Why is Iris being on the scene a negative? Did you forget that she writes about him and she's an eye witness? This will be her first article about him as a true reporter. It reminds me another iconic DC character! Indeed it does.
ReplyDeleteIt was not shown as Iris coming there to get a story. Is she writing about The Flash still after that fallout between them? That shot was bizzare. As Christopher said it looked like something was cut before or after that scene. Iris randomly ran into the police line up calling Eddie's name worried about him. I wish they made it clear she came there for news and was standing behind the police. I can't wait for Iris to start her career as professional journalist.
ReplyDeleteWhy does it HAVE to be made clear? Why isn't it OK that she came there for ... both, since it's already established that she shows up at scenes where The Flash might show up????? Why wouldn't she show up at a location where she KNOWS he'll be??? Why is it that with Iris, everything has to be extensively and continuously explained AND shown about Iris before people accept that she's getting development in the narrative??
ReplyDeleteOverall this episode wasn't that great, the fight scene wasn't great great and the kidnapping of Caitlin just seemed so silly, forced, and pointless.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am surprised about in this review is that we actually have more character developement from Caitlin an Cisco than we do Iris... I mean are you sure we are watching the same show? While I do believe that she has lacked screentime and is not in on the fact that Barry is the flash, I feel that you are seriously misguided in the belief that that Caitlin and Cisco have been more developed.
That being said I'm excited for next episode as we will be able to see Iris' new job at CC Picture News and hope you can overlook whatever prejudice you clearly have for the character to actually pay attention this time.
Well. To each their own. You liked it I did not. I love Iris. But for me in this episode that scene felt really out of place. Also reporter or no reporter a civilian can't walk in to a police barricade just like that. Once again the show has not made clear to us if Iris is still writing about The Flash. Didn't she say at the end of Flash vs Arrow she is going to stay away from him? After that we never saw her blogging. So for me it felt random. Every other scene of her in this episode I liked.
ReplyDeleteA random civilian, no. But, the daughter of a police detective probably could (as illustrated again in Plastique). Also, just because she told him to stay away from her AFTER he attacked her boyfriend DOESN'T mean she'd abandon her blog, which is also about other meta-humans.
ReplyDeleteShe still has her blog, she helped Caitlin locate Firestorm through it in episode 9... beck seriously has a great point, when it comes to Iris, people feel the need to be practically spoon fed information rather than actually using a bit of critical thinking and deductive reasoning... its quite sad.
ReplyDeleteAgain my opinion and what I felt seeing the episode. For me it did not make sense. They should have spent more than 10 seconds on her if it was for the blog.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys have an opinion I am an Iris hater. I am not. She is a great character that is moving along nicely just like every other character in this show. Initially I had issues with her characterization but recently I like her very much. But that does not mean I have to like every one of the Iris scene that is happening.
Nope. I still think that scene was unnecessary and very short to make any impact. They should have shown her more trying to take a photograph or something like that. It didn't fit imo. Personal opinion. Let's agree to disagree.
ReplyDeleteWell, when your only negative about the show is Iris running up to a scene that made sense for her to be there (since she blogs about The Flash and we've seen her go to a crime scene where The Flash might be), instead of you know... the one where a female character was damsel'd unnecessarily, or even the hammy, overacting of Dominique Purcell.... it's hard to tell.
ReplyDeleteNo one said you had to like every one of her scenes, but when you put your opinion out there, the expectation is that some people may not agree with you view.
You can disagree with me as much as you want. In fact why don't we agree to disagree and move on. I liked this episode. I liked every scene in this episode except that one scene when Iris ran to the crime scene. Something felt off for me and I stand by that. Just because someone find one scene of Iris not working that does not automatically make them an Iris hater.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I did feel the scene to be a bit unnessecary, but I came to the reasonable conclusion that since Iris will begin her journalism job next episode that there would be some type of correlation.
ReplyDeleteI just truly found it interesting that of all the truly silly and out of place things that occured in this episode (i.e. Caitlin trying to open a frozen car door, the pointless kidnapping, a painting worth millions that isnt even wrapped ect.) That it was genuinely that 5 second scene of Iris that just didn't make sense...
Iris is one of best people on the flash she believed in him and helped as much as she can and Barry, Joe, And Iris relationship is the sweetest thing ever.
ReplyDelete#WestAllen
I think the expectation is that for Iris specifically, every scene HAS to make sense and explicitly show WHY she's included in the scene. There's absolutely NO room for inference, nor referencing behavior already established in prior episodes. Not surprised really...
ReplyDeleteNo that's true. In reality, it makes you someone that holds Iris to a completely different standard than the other characters, since her one scene was the "only negative" in an episode full of inexplicable writing.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. The painting was really dumb but it was just a prop. Caitlin was in distress and so I didn't care about her trying to open the door. The problem with Iris scene (for me, personal opinion, no need to agree.. in case anyone gets angry at me) it was random. She came there but there was no after shot of her reaction to Eddie putting his life at risk for The Flash or The Flash putting himself in the line of fire to defeat the bad guys. Anything. Any follow up or a scene prior to this one where she decides to go to the crime scene would have changed my opinion. This scene stood out for me as not fitting.
ReplyDelete*Sigh*. Every audience of a show looks at the show and takes in scenes in their own individual way. I found that scene lacking and it did not fit for me. You liked this scene and found several others in this episode very dumb or lacking as you said so. That is called personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteDisliking one scene and its execution does not mean I dislike a character or give other characters any preference over her. In fact I have said several times in this forum that Candice Patton is a superior actress than Carlos Valdes and Danielle Panabaker. This is the last I am going to say in this matter. I never knew when I posted that comment I was committing such a big crime.
This Iris was good apart from the distinctive lack of Iris scenes, when her emotions about the situation both with Barry and The Flash would be interesting to know.
ReplyDeleteI think the "pushback" you're getting, @O D A , is that it was SUCH a throwaway moment, likely an editing issue, that to even bring it up, seems unnecessarily negative. Out of ALL the possible negative moments in the episode, this LITTLE nothing moment stood out to you and gave you such a visceral reaction? For fans, who are already having to contend with irrational negativity spewed towards the Iris character, the pointing out of that throwaway scene just seems illustrative of this need, by some, to make EVERYTHING related to Iris, foul. I get why those fans would question motivations. Basically you said, "That Iris moment was annoying, but everything else was perfect!" I mean... the episode was good, but it was far from perfect.
ReplyDeleteLike Cisco couldn't figure out that Caitlin was boobytrapped? That was forgiveable? His running to her spotlighted chair? The itty bitty explosion after Joe saved Caitlin, didn't really make sense given the two criminals... These are things I hate to point out because I like the show and I get what they were going for... but to only find fault with that Iris moment show a lack of charity that I think is extended to other characters and moments. Why that is, you'll have to explore on your own...
I agree that the Flash manages to succeed in areas where Arrow fails. I love Iris, and I see what you mean about the crime scene part. I did think it was random. But I think I figured out why they put it in there. The last time Iris/Eddie/The Flash interacted Flash attacked Eddie. Now the tables have turned, instead of watching The Flash assault Eddie, she's seeing Eddie help Flash. For Iris and Flash to be on neutral ground and for it to be ok with Eddie, it needed to happen. They just could have set the scene better.
ReplyDeleteThankfully we have her upcoming journalism arc which looks very exciting. From the moment she started blogging using it to speak faith into the city and imploring them to believe in The Flash. I knew it would be a nice build up to her journalism career.
The last scene of the episode was the highlight for me. Again The Flash manages to make you care deeply about the family dynamic between Barry and The Wests. The big move, the father-daughter goodbye, the goodbye between Barry and Iris *fist bump* and finally the part that got me grinning from ear to ear...Barry moving back home! It was so endearing.
Nothing says awesome like a Prison Break reunion! :)
I don't think Cisco and Caitlin are that fleshed out sadly. So I really need Iris to leap and bounds above that if that's what's being coutned as good character development. Cisco makes cute names for the heroes but we are yet to learn anything about him. Caitlin a.k.a my Killer Frost has been reduced to mothering and nursing Barry whenever he gets a boo boo. Seriously she's a DOCTOR and yet she couldn't take Dr Wells has leg mobility. Facepalming hard at that!
ReplyDeleteHowever with the introduction of Ronnie it seems her individual arc will finally take off! Iris will be working at Central City Picture News which brings about the introduction of a female character, Linda Parks. FEMALES INTERACTING on a super hero show produced by Andrew Kriesberg it is CHRISTMAS?!
Iris and Linda both aspiring journalist, intelligent and witty. Alongside this mentor who will give Iris a run for her money...
The second half of the season is looking great! It's predecessor Arrow struggled for two seasons to allow the female characters to have a function outside of the male protagnist it looks like The Flash is headed down the right path. Bravo!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Of course! I'm not sure why you'd say otherwise, but are they not entitled to theirs? Are you feeling as if you are being victimized by the fandom, or just the two people you seem to be having a back and forth with?
ReplyDeleteI've seen Oliciters and this little tête-à-tête (+ 1) you're having is nowhere near their typical fanboy/fangirl battles. Olicity is a hyperbolic analogy to two or three people discussing Iris West and The Flash.
I certainly don't respond to everyone who responds to me, but if I choose to respond, I won't expect them (and others) to not respond back... A GIRL CAN HOPE, but oftentimes, that's not the case.
You just have to consider what responsibility you have to stopping the conversation before it starts to make you anxious. That's the OPs responsibility. I know it's hard!
Loved the whole last scene. Eddie was cute. Iris/Barry and Joe was just awesome. I loved how mature Iris and Barry were this episode. There were awkwardness because of Barry's confession in the beginning. But instead of dragging it on like other cw shows they faced it head on. Their relationship is too important for both of them to jeopardize it.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to Iris's journalism career. I heard she will get a boss. Doesn't Linda Park has something to do with her job?
About the scene in this episode I wished they showed us Iris's reaction to both The Flash and Eddie's actions. That scene was just executed badly again in my opinion.
I've seen this sniper argument. Yeah... Cold and Heat Wave were basically stationary. The scenario definitely catered to a Barry moment.
ReplyDeleteIf you look down I was the one that stopped the conversations here. Any way lets leave it here shall we. I avoid twitter, tumblr and facebook to avoid such back and forth. Spoilertv is my safe place. It's not about feeling like a victim. From just one scentence from me they decided I am an Iris hater or at least it was implied in the conversation. If any of you had known me here before you would know I am an Iris fan. Let's all move on. I apologize if my comparison offended you .
ReplyDeleteOh no. It didn't offend and I avoid the same places. Meh... it's the nature of comment sections. I try not to get too worked up. People are passionate about their shows.
ReplyDeleteIris fans are being overly sensitive. The scene made her look silly. She didn't say she was there out of curiosity; she came to the front lines to check up on her boyfriend carrying a huge umbrella. I love Iris but she's not above criticism particularly when the writing is really what's being criticized.
ReplyDelete"About the scene in this episode I wished they showed us Iris's reaction to both The Flash and Eddie's actions. That scene was just executed badly again in my opinion"
ReplyDeleteIt was executed very badly and there was nothing wrong with what you said.
I also hope that Iris gets to move her own story forward in the next few episodes, with her journalism career taking off and (hopefully) her tracking of metahumans leading her back to Wells. That being said, I don't think she's less developed than Caitlin or Cisco. We certainly know more ABOUT her life than we do the other two, and we've seen her interest in her future career develop before our eyes. But I do want her to hurry up and find out about the secret everyone's keeping from her, because it unfortunately makes segments of the audience think less of her when she doesn't know.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, Wentworth and Dominic were hilarious together, but I kind of felt like some of the dialogue fell flat this episode? I don't know if it was an editing issue or if the writing really wasn't as inspired as usual, but there were too many on-the-nose lines for my taste. The Westallen fist bump, Barry moving back in with Joe and Cisco telling Caitlin she wouldn't die while he was around more than made up for it, though.
I'm not prejudiced against Iris, however I feel like during the first half of the season any Iris development was really being used to develop Barry.
ReplyDeleteIris to me represented Barry's human side. One of the early tie-in comic issues puts it more into focus as Barry questions whether his regular self even exists anymore or if 'The Flash' has taken up his life. Anytime Iris appeared, it really brought out Barry's human side. Which led to that Iris development feeling like it was being used to develop and humanize Barry. Effectively It was showing that he was still human and hadn't fully embraced either side of his life.
Part of the reasoning I feel that was done was to show a different side to a superhero. In the Arrow intro, Oliver mentions that he had to "Become something else". That's not what Barry wants to do. He doesn't want to become just 'The Flash'. He wants both sides of his life and Iris during the first part of the show was used to show that he still had that human side to him.
The reappearance of Reverse Flash though changed things. Due to Reverse Flash, Barry has gone ahead and embraced his superhero side. However that has now opened it's own set of problems with Barry's 2 father figures (Harrison and Joe). They're now pushing him in different directions, representing his newer choices.
Now that Iris is away from Barry and on her own path I feel like any development will hopefully be all for her.
Thank you, your response helped me understand your perspective a bit better.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review; but while criticizing Iris's lack of development like Cisco and Caitlin; how about you point out the fact that the writers conveniently left the lead female character out of most of the important scenes considering how episode 9 left off, I believe Iris screen time was under 7 minutes in total compare to Cisco, Caitlin and Eddie. Iris also wasn't given a scene where she could express her point of view about Barry's confession not even to her own father or a friend...oh wait Iris has no friends rmfe; did you also miss that too in your review while comparing Iris to Caitlin and Cisco? or how about the fact that she was completely removed from the plot as the one who gave the Flash his public name?; when everyone including Barry told her to stop writing her blog and Eddie who felt the Flash was a public menace? But please continue the hate on a character whose scenes in episode 10 was nothing more then arm candy for Eddie and window dressing for Barry's emotions because IMO this episode was truly about male testosterone with a heavy dose of misogyny on the side.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be "overly sensitive" if you're constantly seeing a character/actress nitpicked for an entire year (right around the time Candice's casting was announced). It's not about her being above criticism, it's just seems to me people are more forgiving of other bits of questionable writing and acting, but Iris has to be perfect and purposeful in every single scene. It doesn't make sense to me.
ReplyDeleteYou've written the same thing the reviewer did in many more words. If the reviewer hated on Iris, he wouldn't hope that she would grow into her own character. I agree that Cisco is even less developed but the issues you've mentioned are part of the problem the reviewer alludes to. Your anger should be directed at the writers and not the reviewer for pointing out weaknesses in the writing.
ReplyDeleteI happen to like Iris myself and I also want her to be written much better. Just because she gets a lot of hate doesn't mean that there shouldn't be legitimate criticism.
ReplyDeleteSigh if I remember correctly in the episode the crime scene was near Jitters where Iris works and I think was evacuated due to the crime scene. She mentioned that in the episode as well as she saw Eddie's car so she obviously went to check on him to see what was going on. Also Iris was the person who believed in the Flash and believed in his goodness until Eddie was attacked by him when he was whammied. The point I think that the creators and director were trying to show was that here is the woman who always believed in the Flash and her boyfriend who thought badly about him, but this scene solidified his belief that the Flash was a good person when he went to defend him and the Flash saved him again. You could tell Eddie was starting to doubt his antagonism toward him in the winter finale when he talked to Joe questioning why the Flash would save him etc. I saw the scene with Iris as that as well as it was explained in the episode. Maybe I was the only one paying attention to the actual dialogue in the scene. In addition from what Joe said before about Iris going to crime scenes to see Eddie, that is a normal thing for her to do, so it makes sense she would be there. It wasn't unnecessary at all and pretty consistent with her character. Also she was worried when Eddie left to help the Flash, but she knows his job is to protect and serve which he was doing so she knew he would stay safe since he was trained and doing what was part of who he also.
ReplyDeleteFirst off how about lay off the anger comment; I am simply pointing out the fact that if the reviewer is going to compare Iris's character's development to Cisco and Caitlin with respect to episode 10 the reviewers is own words >"I also really liked how Caitlin was used this episode in that she is being used as a world building tool" then he should also have address how Iris was also used by the writers in this episode as well...which was at a minimum she was lacking in any point of view other then a her character being used as a prop for Eddie and then for Barry's emotional displays; considering her role as a lead character and her character being the first to publicly name the Flash...praising both Cisco and Caitlin development; as well as their roles in episode 10 but then turn around and criticize Iris regarding "hope that she grow into her own character" never addresses the manner of how Iris was written in episode 10; or the in any way criticize the writing of her character; by the Flash writing team.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they should have showed her watching The Flash and Eddie it would have made it less random! (I love Iris and Westallen and there was nothing wrong with what you said I agree). I'm sure when they team up again in the next couple of episodes Flash or Iris will mention it lol! The end of the episode was tied together nicely, Barry and Iris' conversation and her taking that picture of them. Him seeing the "future" it was awesome. Facing it head on is right!
ReplyDeleteYes! Linda is going to be a journalist as well. It seems like they will become fast friends, which I've very excited about! West and Park: Investigative Reporters lol! Iris' mentor is going to be a bit of a hard ass, he won't take her too seriously but she'll rise to the occasion.
I really want to get a sense of Central City. Sorry about the Arrow comparisons again but.. I don't get a sense of Starling City. Unlike with Gotham, which I love. You understand the city and it's people you're invested in that way. You get that it needs saving! So I really believe the journalism aspect will help with that. I can't wait to see the set of CCPN!
Iris and Linda! Forgot BROTP it's a GIRLTP! <3