The Flash Recap: Rogue Time (Season 1 Episode 16)

Oh gosh, we told you Barry. We told you! We told you that messing with the timeline would be no good!

And that’s exactly what happens in “Rogue Time.”

We start off right where we left off; Barry confused as to what is happening as he sees the same events happening. Wells picks up on Barry’s peculiar behavior pretty quickly, with Barry finishing everyone’s thoughts and sentences. And so, Barry comes clean. The first thing Wells tells Barry is to not tell him anymore — and to do everything the same. Do not change the timeline.

So naturally, Barry doesn’t listen.

He captures Mark Mardon, which alters the timeline dramatically. Captain Singh isn’t paralyzed, there isn’t a Tsunami coming to Central City and Joe is safe. Wells tells him that no matter what tragedy he managed to divert by shifting the timeline, will only be replaced by a worst one. Now they just have to wait and see…

In the alternate version, Iris declared her love for Barry; so logically, Barry thinks that Iris still feels the same way in this timeline. When he confronts her about it, she says she doesn’t. “I love Eddie,” she tells him with conviction. When Barry tells Professor Wells of this, he tells him that the tragedy Barry diverted was the reason that Iris realized her feelings for him. Without it, she is still denying them to herself.

Another change in the timeline is that Cisco actually attends his brother’s party, which means he doesn’t figure out Professor Wells’ secret. The animosity between the brother’s is palpable and it’s sad to see Cisco feel like he hadn’t amounted to anything.

Barry and Cisco meet at a bar, where Lisa, a very pretty girl, starts flirting with Cisco. Turns out: she’s none other than Captain Cold’s sister! And they have Cisco’s brother hostage if he doesn’t recreate their cold and heat guns!

Captain Cold, Heatwave, and Lisa, who has a gun that turns everyone into gold, rob a casino and when Barry flashes over there to save the day, they tell him they have Cisco, to which Barry lets them leave. The scene ends with Eddie punching Barry for declaring his love for Iris… again.

And as the villains go back to their lair, they torture Cisco’s brother for the name of the Flash. And he gives it. Can we have more emotional Cisco please? It’s always fun to see him joke around, but seeing him like this, is even better!

Turns out, the casino robbery was just a distraction. They money in the casino was being transported after the intrusion, and the… Rogues (As Barry calls them) were after the truck now. Barry and Captain Cold have a rather logical confrontation, where they come to a deal: Captain Cold kills no one else, stays away from Barry, his friends and family, and doesn’t reveal his identity, and in return, Barry doesn’t lock him up.

I see a spin off being set up! Anyone else?

The episode ends with Barry seeing a news report of Iris’ co-worker gone missing. Because Wells kills him — as the Reverse Flash. You know, the one who had suspicions of Wells to begin with? It makes Barry suspicious and he tells Joe as much.

Barry: I think you right about Professor Wells
Joe: Which part?
Barry: Everything.

So, even though Cisco didn’t figure out the secret, Barry will still come to be in the know — soon.

Things to think about:

• Even though she didn’t have much of a role in the episode, how awesome was it for Caitlin to make up a ridiculous excuse for Iris and Eddie for Barry’s odd behavior?
• Can we see childhood pictures of Cisco without long hair?
• Can The Rogues and The Flash team up one day? One day soon…?

What did you think of “Rogue Time”? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

Smriti Jasra

Smriti (a.k.a Sim) is a TV and comic book enthusiast, and has been since the days of Angel and Alias. She watches over 20 shows a week, and her perfect idea of a date is sitting on a couch with some pizza, while having the ultimate debate of Marvel vs. DC. When she’s not live-tweeting her favorite shows or working at her day job, she’s usually writing fan-fiction. Her favorite shows include: Arrow, The 100, Suits, The Flash and Kingdom. Follow her on Twitter: @simjasra