Written by: Kevin Berge
The Flash, the show where you find out just how many ways writers can come up with to make being really fast a top level superpower. (Image Courtesy of: denofgeek.us)
Quick Take: The Flash Season 1 begins slow but ramps up to time bending twists, major character development, and a satisfying homestretch that entirely feels at home alongside the Flash comics. With a solid cast, engaging use of source material, and focused writing, the show does not disappoint any fans of the character though may not convert a new audience to the DC world.
***This is an original season review. Therefore, it will be spoiler free; however, allusions will be made to events and characters in the story that could influence an initial viewing. If you already know you want to watch the season and want to remain uninfluenced by outside opinions, you should not read further until you have finished the first season.***
When it comes to DC products, there is a very short list of superheroes that are considered worth adapting. However, eventually Batman and Superman stories get a bit exhausting, and studios have to go another direction. While Arrow is a TV show about Green Arrow, it is closer to a Batman TV show than anything.
Thus, the announcement of The Flash was a surprise at first. On the list of the most marketable stars in the DC universe, The Flash has not exactly been a high commodity despite being one of the DC comic's most well respected heroes.
Up until this point the only live action screen time The Flash had had was the 1990 TV show which lasted 22 episodes on CBS. Its failure may have scared people away from The Flash as Jonah Hex and Constantine got on the big screen before The Flash got another chance.
On one hand, the problem with The Flash is that his lore is largely corny to say the least. His top antagonists include guys named Captain Cold, Grodd - a talking gorilla, Trickster - a near Joker ripoff, and Weather Wizard. Not that Batman villains are much better in that aspect, but they can at least be developed in interesting ways. Plus The Flash is mostly known for quite wit not exactly compelling drama.
All of this said, I've been waiting a long time for someone to properly tackle The Flash in more than comic book form. Since I was introduced to the character in Justice League Unlimited, he's been one of my favorite superheroes. Currently, he may just be my favorite.
While on the surface The Flash is just a guy who runs fast, his speed is a multi-faceted ability that has been developed in so many ways. It has been shown to make him smarter, stronger, regenerate, hurl lightning, even time travel (the aspect of his character that makes for the most enthralling stories).
Luckily, The CW show The Flash largely does The Flash the justice his character deserves with a fast paced, funny, and effectively dramatic show that does not forget who the character is and can be with a well cast supporting group of both allies and villains.
When it comes to DC products, there is a very short list of superheroes that are considered worth adapting. However, eventually Batman and Superman stories get a bit exhausting, and studios have to go another direction. While Arrow is a TV show about Green Arrow, it is closer to a Batman TV show than anything.
Thus, the announcement of The Flash was a surprise at first. On the list of the most marketable stars in the DC universe, The Flash has not exactly been a high commodity despite being one of the DC comic's most well respected heroes.
Up until this point the only live action screen time The Flash had had was the 1990 TV show which lasted 22 episodes on CBS. Its failure may have scared people away from The Flash as Jonah Hex and Constantine got on the big screen before The Flash got another chance.
On one hand, the problem with The Flash is that his lore is largely corny to say the least. His top antagonists include guys named Captain Cold, Grodd - a talking gorilla, Trickster - a near Joker ripoff, and Weather Wizard. Not that Batman villains are much better in that aspect, but they can at least be developed in interesting ways. Plus The Flash is mostly known for quite wit not exactly compelling drama.
All of this said, I've been waiting a long time for someone to properly tackle The Flash in more than comic book form. Since I was introduced to the character in Justice League Unlimited, he's been one of my favorite superheroes. Currently, he may just be my favorite.
While on the surface The Flash is just a guy who runs fast, his speed is a multi-faceted ability that has been developed in so many ways. It has been shown to make him smarter, stronger, regenerate, hurl lightning, even time travel (the aspect of his character that makes for the most enthralling stories).
Luckily, The CW show The Flash largely does The Flash the justice his character deserves with a fast paced, funny, and effectively dramatic show that does not forget who the character is and can be with a well cast supporting group of both allies and villains.
This isn't the weirdest brother-sister romantic relationship on TV, but that doesn't mean it isn't weird. (Image Courtesy of: backwardscompatible.co.uk)
After his introduction in Arrow, this show picks up with Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) just as he is caught up in the particle accelerator explosion while simultaneously being struck by lightning in the middle of a bunch of chemicals. When he awakens from a nine month coma, Allen realizes he is the fastest man alive and can now play hero to Central City which is overflowing with metahumans created by the explosion.
With the help of S.T.A.R. labs scientists Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Dr. Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), and Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), Barry becomes The Flash and slowly learns his ability as he faces grand challenges that also answer many of the questions that have nagged at him for years since the death of his mother and false imprisonment of his father (John Wesley Shipp).
In the mix as allies to Barry are his adoptive father and policeman Joe West (Jesse L. Martin), his childhood friend/adoptive sister/childhood crush Iris West (Candice Patton), and Joe's partner and Iris' boyfriend Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett). Meanwhile, the villains include Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller), Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell), Weather Wizard (Liam McIntyre), and Trickster (Mark Hamill).
The show starts out slow. Many of the early episodes are a bit corny as Barry learns his powers with mixed results. The villains mostly are just tools to learn a new skill. However, the season picks up steadily as more steady and memorable villains slip into the mix.
A series of twists along the way reshape the season to the point where its home stretch is hard to wait through as every episode presents a larger challenge. While this season doesn't hit true highs until close to the end, it demands attention with strong reliable episodes that ramp to the finish.
Now, this is a CW show which always brings with it flaws. The casting of the show is not all around excellent though most everyone impresses the more screen time they get. The comedy is far more effective than the drama though the biggest drama moments change perfectly.
There are also a series of unnecessary decisions with the characters. Barry is largely shown as a free spirit unless he's bogged down in longing for Iris who is shown too often to be the closest thing he has to a sister, making their relationship weird. Missteps with the villains are numerous as many are underdeveloped and even killed off before they can do anything.
With the help of S.T.A.R. labs scientists Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Dr. Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), and Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), Barry becomes The Flash and slowly learns his ability as he faces grand challenges that also answer many of the questions that have nagged at him for years since the death of his mother and false imprisonment of his father (John Wesley Shipp).
In the mix as allies to Barry are his adoptive father and policeman Joe West (Jesse L. Martin), his childhood friend/adoptive sister/childhood crush Iris West (Candice Patton), and Joe's partner and Iris' boyfriend Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett). Meanwhile, the villains include Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller), Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell), Weather Wizard (Liam McIntyre), and Trickster (Mark Hamill).
The show starts out slow. Many of the early episodes are a bit corny as Barry learns his powers with mixed results. The villains mostly are just tools to learn a new skill. However, the season picks up steadily as more steady and memorable villains slip into the mix.
A series of twists along the way reshape the season to the point where its home stretch is hard to wait through as every episode presents a larger challenge. While this season doesn't hit true highs until close to the end, it demands attention with strong reliable episodes that ramp to the finish.
Now, this is a CW show which always brings with it flaws. The casting of the show is not all around excellent though most everyone impresses the more screen time they get. The comedy is far more effective than the drama though the biggest drama moments change perfectly.
There are also a series of unnecessary decisions with the characters. Barry is largely shown as a free spirit unless he's bogged down in longing for Iris who is shown too often to be the closest thing he has to a sister, making their relationship weird. Missteps with the villains are numerous as many are underdeveloped and even killed off before they can do anything.
If you didn't think Flash was weird enough, some of the best episodes of the show focus on this guy who goes around wearing a giant coat in the heat of a summer day and casually freezes people. (Image Courtesy of: arrow.wikia.com)
While Arrow has a solid cast, The Flash one ups it with some impeccable choices in the supporting actors. Grant Gustin (Glee) is likable and charismatic though doesn't quite have the usual Barry Allen quick wit. He is particularly impressive in the more dramatic scenes with some of the series' best acting when Barry faces his toughest moments.
The absolute highlights of the cast are Tom Cavanagh (Ed) and Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) who week to week bring gravity to their performances that no one else can match. Cavanagh's Wells is a fascinating character in so many ways, and he brings that home whenever he is on screen. Martin's Joe is a more simple man, but Martin brings out his emotion so well.
Danielle Panabaker (Friday the 13th) and Carlos Valdes who has no major acting credits past The CW DC Universe are solid supports though don't spend much of this season dealing with much dramatically. Panabacker's Snow is too much a victim and lead by the action to make an impact. Valdes' Ramon though is the comic heart of the series and delivers lines that would often seem too silly with great charm.
Most of the rest of the cast are solid as a whole. Candice Patton (The Game) suffers most from a script that makes her character unusually unlikable and lacks chemistry with Gustin. Wentworth Miller steals the show when he's on screen as one of the few regularly recurring villains which is likely why he was at the top of the list as a spinoff star for Legends of Tomorrow.
This show still does suffer from some of the issues of Arrow with a similar group at the head in writing and directing. However, the showrunners Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg kept it focused and building throughout. It also helped to Geoff Johns heavily involved who as Chief Creative Officer for DC Comics has written and helped with more than his share of Flash comics.
What is particularly impressive about this show is that it manages to take a limited budget for the special effects and make it work with The Flash. Some of his action scenes are eye catching even in the early episodes. The use of CG and slow motion works to make truly impressive TV action.
Some of this season's strongest episodes do not come until late in the season with the best involving some aspect of time travel. The best episodes of this season included "Going Rogue" (the intro to Captain Cold), "Out of Time", "Tricksters" (Mark Hamill's excellent one episode appearance), and "Fast Enough".
While I wouldn't call this a definitive rendition of Barry Allen and The Flash, it is immensely enjoyable opening season that introduces its characters and the series' lofty ambitions that make clear The Flash is not merely a fast talking speedster with corny villains.
Not many seasons of TV have hooked me quite like the last few of this season where everything comes together into a cohesive, action packed whole, and there is clearly so much room to keep growing and developing the ideas of the comics into stories for the small screen.
The absolute highlights of the cast are Tom Cavanagh (Ed) and Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) who week to week bring gravity to their performances that no one else can match. Cavanagh's Wells is a fascinating character in so many ways, and he brings that home whenever he is on screen. Martin's Joe is a more simple man, but Martin brings out his emotion so well.
Danielle Panabaker (Friday the 13th) and Carlos Valdes who has no major acting credits past The CW DC Universe are solid supports though don't spend much of this season dealing with much dramatically. Panabacker's Snow is too much a victim and lead by the action to make an impact. Valdes' Ramon though is the comic heart of the series and delivers lines that would often seem too silly with great charm.
Most of the rest of the cast are solid as a whole. Candice Patton (The Game) suffers most from a script that makes her character unusually unlikable and lacks chemistry with Gustin. Wentworth Miller steals the show when he's on screen as one of the few regularly recurring villains which is likely why he was at the top of the list as a spinoff star for Legends of Tomorrow.
This show still does suffer from some of the issues of Arrow with a similar group at the head in writing and directing. However, the showrunners Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg kept it focused and building throughout. It also helped to Geoff Johns heavily involved who as Chief Creative Officer for DC Comics has written and helped with more than his share of Flash comics.
What is particularly impressive about this show is that it manages to take a limited budget for the special effects and make it work with The Flash. Some of his action scenes are eye catching even in the early episodes. The use of CG and slow motion works to make truly impressive TV action.
Some of this season's strongest episodes do not come until late in the season with the best involving some aspect of time travel. The best episodes of this season included "Going Rogue" (the intro to Captain Cold), "Out of Time", "Tricksters" (Mark Hamill's excellent one episode appearance), and "Fast Enough".
While I wouldn't call this a definitive rendition of Barry Allen and The Flash, it is immensely enjoyable opening season that introduces its characters and the series' lofty ambitions that make clear The Flash is not merely a fast talking speedster with corny villains.
Not many seasons of TV have hooked me quite like the last few of this season where everything comes together into a cohesive, action packed whole, and there is clearly so much room to keep growing and developing the ideas of the comics into stories for the small screen.