The Flash Season 2 Episode 4 Review: The Fury of Firestorm
Carissa Pavlica
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Land shark!
People are going to learn very quickly to trust the judgment of Patty Spivot, as on The Flash Season 2 Episode 4, she was sure there was going to be a land shark, and by golly, one grabbed The Flash while he was staring at her all googly eyed.
We're four hours into The Flash Season 2 and still no closer at all to the big bad of the season. Harrison Wells from Earth 2 was just revealed, and (thank goodness) we're one step closer to the sendoff for DC's Legends of Tomorrow.
This was not the most riveting hour of The Flash. While it was kind of nice meeting Jax, the fury of the other Firestorm dude (who knew there were so many of them?!) fell flat. Overall, they felt jammed into an episode that was filled with more interesting topics by way of Iris, Barry's crush on Patty and Harrison stepping out of the shadows.
Iris' story continues to impress. She keeps getting terrible news and forging forward as if nothing and nobody is going to get into her way. Every bit of bad news she receives only increases her fortitude and makes her a more incredible person.
Focusing on the relationship between Iris and Joe this season instead of Joe and everybody else is refreshing, and it's interesting how she's taking on the responsibility for that, as well. She's protecting her father from pain rather than the other way around. It only makes me like Iris more, and wish for her another friend or close relationship sometime soon. She deserves someone to care for her as much as she cares for others.
When Francine first opened her mouth to tell Joe her bad news, I was picturing the typical soap opera story of her needing a blood donation or liver transplant, hoping her only spawn would be the donor. Instead, she's merely dying of the mythical MacGregor's Syndrome, which tells us absolutely nothing other than she must be in stage 4 if she has only months to live.
Good for Iris for investigating the crap out of the woman who has been keeping information from her and Joe even while trying to get back into their lives. Iris has a brother. Whether he's a full brother or not, Iris didn't even stick around to find out. She was just too angry by that point.
Is this how Wally West will introduced onto the show? Will he be Iris' little brother, born of Francine after she left town and unknown to the family? I know this is much different than the comics, but doesn't this seem just a little too convenient? Iris' brother has to come into play, right? It works for me!
Meanwhile, Barry is getting over Iris crushing on Patty, who has continued to be adorable. Yes, my first impression has been stomped into the pavement and obliterated. Her desires to lure Barry into working with her on metahuman cases is cute as hell, and seeing a land shark snatching up Barry and rushing to the rescue? Perfect.
Barry getting advice from Joe to go for it is a little bit awkward, but proves (for the gazillionth time) the type of unconditional love and advice Joe gives to those around him. He loves both of his kids and won't sacrifice the happiness of one for the other. Damn, dude.
In the previews for The Flash Season 2 Episode 5, Harrison Wells from Earth 2 is being introduced to the group. His entrance was rather brilliant. A walking Harrison is new, and he's rather badass. But we know he's not a bad guy, because bad guys don't arbitrarily save the day.
Barry will have to begrudgingly accept that he's probably just an arrogant scientist. After all, he saved the world. He's a savior. That must go to your head after a while, right?
It's time to sep away from the future legends and get back to our core Flash team. Can we get a better read on Zoom while we're at it? We need a big bad. As much as I love our team, it can't always be cupcakes and roses. Put them back into peril!
In a Flash:
- Professor Stein's moments with Cisco will be missed most of all. His parting advice to the younger man was well said.
- Come to think of it, this hour was big on advice. There was a lot of it flowing. A little too Afterschool Special for the particular episode.
- Maybe no more metahumans like the land shark, even if he was really funny this one time. That's maybe a little too kooky.
- For some reason, I kept thinking of Friday Night Lights with Jax because of all his football talk. They should have had a quick game before they left.
- Would it be too much to ask if Barry said he heard from his dad, and he's doing well or something? The guy just got out of Iron Heights. Keep in touch!
You're up! What did you think about the introduction of Jax and the Firestorm sendoff? Do you think Iris' investigative discovery will lead to Wally West or someone else? What else hit you about the hour?
Don't forget that you can watch The Flash online if you have yet to catch up with the season. What's taking you so long?!
Get your first look at Earth 2's Harry Wells by watching the trailer now!
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.
