Wow! It’s hard to believe that the mid-season finale of The Flash has come and gone. The season, which started with two relatively strong episodes, floundered the next six episodes, but was able to produce a somewhat entertaining mid-season finale. The finale, titled “Don’t Run” answered questions about The Thinker and The Mechanic’s machinations while speckling the episode with humor and strife. Interesting elements of the episode included Iris throwing shade in regards to Olicity, Caitlin Snow getting kidnapped by an old enemy, Barry getting framed for murder, and Iris flexing her Team Leader muscles. Here are some highlights from the episode.
Iris and Barry address the whole Oliver and Felicity Fiasco
The episode opens with Iris and Barry opening their wedding gifts after getting back from their honeymoon. When they come across a gift that wasn’t on their wedding registry and see that it’s from Oliver and Felicity, Iris comments on this fact, comparing it to the Arrow couple’s impromptu decision to get married at Barry and her wedding. Needless to say, the gift goes in the return pile.
Though this exchange about the whole wedding hijacking issue is short, it’s refreshing. For most of Iris’ tenure on the show, she’s had to bite her tongue on topics that concern her well being and happiness (Think the Killer Frost and Savitar storyline). I’m happy she got to throw a bit of shade this episode, especially with the shit show that was her honeymoon and wedding this season. Still, it’s frustrating to think that while Oliver and Felicity are likely enjoying their honeymoon, Iris will have to spend her Christmas alone fretting about Barry who is doing a stint in jail for the murder of Clifford DeVoe, aka The Thinker.
Christmas time in Central City means battling all of your enemies at once.
The episode attempted to spread a bit of holiday cheer by having Ralph decorate Star Labs while Team Flash enjoyed the holiday festivities with hot beverages. However, their celebrations are cut short when chaos ensues with Barry abducted by The Thinker; Caitlin Snow kidnapped by her nemesis, Amunet, and Barry being framed for the murder of William DeVoe by DeVoe himself after the villain transferred his consciousness into the mind of a super hot meta Dominic (Kendrick Sampson).
With Barry and Caitlin at the mercy of two of Central Cities biggest baddies, Iris utilizes Star Lab’s satellite (dang Star Labs is rich, but once again: where is the money coming from?) to search for her husband and “friend’s” meta-human signatures, which stresses the Lab’s resources. While she tackles ways to increase the efficiency of the search, Barry implores The Mechanic to set him free and is confronted with the reality that she is the mastermind behind The Thinker’s tech and is onboard with her husband’s machinations.
While Barry tries to figure out how to escape The Mechanic’s speedster holding cell, Caitlin is tucked away in a dark warehouse with Amunet. Amunet regales Caitlin with her meta-human creation story. After the exchange, she orders Caitlin to help Dominic who was injured during a confrontation with the villain. Amunet plans to sell Dominic (really bad move by the writers to have a black man sold like a slave by the way) to a buyer interested in his ability to read minds. Caitlin initially refused to treat Dominic’s injuries due to a lack of resources but is finally forced to perform the procedure.
The New Clifford DeVoe
Caitlin and Dominic escape the clutches of Amunet while Barry escapes The Mechanic and The Thinker. Relieved that everything worked out, Team Flash continues the holiday festivities with a Christmas Party at Joe’s house. Caitlin, who seems smitten with Dominic after their experience, invites Dominic to the festivities. Unbeknownst to the Team, Dominic was recaptured between the time of his escape and the party by Amunet and was sold to DeVoe. DeVoe transferred his consciousness into Dominic (white dude taking over black dude’s body – how very Get Out of The Flash’s writers) and plants his old body at Barry’s house, framing our speedster hero for murder.
When Barry is arrested for DeVoe’s murder, he doesn’t speed away, an option that was quite viable, at least until he could prove his innocence. I have to admit that I don’t understand Barry’s decision to stay and take the heat. Hopefully, when the season returns, we’ll get some more answers in regards to this decision.
On another note, the new Clifford DeVoe is hawt! I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be pleasant to watch the new DeVoe this season.
Flashy Observations
- Is Caitlin smitten with DeVoe’s new look? It certainly seems that way.
- Cisco and Cynthia so need to get a room with that dirty hologram scene! Poor Joe, everyone gets all breathy and needy at his house (remember Barry and Iris on his couch?).
- It’s a shame they decided to cut Iris and Barry’s reaction to Ralph interrupting their honeymoon. I feel like Iris needs a good venting session.
- No Wally for Christmas? Bummer.
The Flash returned Tuesday, January 16th on The CW.
