The Flash Review: Flash of Two Worlds (Season 2 Episode 2)

Alternate realities and doppelgängers aren’t the only thing Team Flash is dealing with in “Flash of Two Worlds.” It seems we are also dealing with an alternate Barry. One who doesn’t trust.

The Flash Season 2 has introduced a very different Barry Allen. Barry’s belief is central to the character. It’s not simply a belief in the impossible, but a belief in other people. That’s the kid who showed up in Oliver Queen’s Applied Science building three years ago. Long before Barry Allen became The Flash he believed in The Arrow. His belief has carried Barry through some very dark times. At his core, Barry is an optimist.

The events of Season 1 and his relationship with Dr. Wells have darkened Barry’s perspective. Now, with the arrival of Jay Garrick, Barry doesn’t see a friend, but an enemy. He sees someone who could hurt those he loves. Just like Wells did. For the first time, Barry doesn’t believe. For the first time, Barry’s glass is half empty.

It is interesting for Barry to use science to support his need to “prove” who Jay Garrick is.  Barry didn’t needed science to prove who Cisco, Caitlin, Oliver Queen, Felicity Smoak or Dr. Wells are.  Yes, he is a scientist, but Barry jumps before he looks. He’s all in before he even knows what he’s committed himself to.

No scientific test will ever tell Barry who someone is. These choices simply come down to gut. Sometimes Barry will get it right and sometimes he’ll get it wrong. As “Flash of Two Worlds” shows, the times Barry gets it wrong make the next time to trust infinitely more difficult.

The Flash is an origin story, and as we move Barry down the path to a fully realized hero, he’s becoming a bit darker. Not because he’s lost his sense of self, but because Barry is growing up.  Sometimes those we trust are not worthy of it. Sometimes those we love hurt us. It’s a reality of life. Especially for a hero.

That said, his cautiousness shows a new maturity. Barry lost loved ones. He understands how high the stakes are now and the responsibility he carries. His distrust isn’t something to be completely admonished.

However, as difficult as it is, Barry must trust again. No hero can do it alone. Oliver Queen is arguably one of the most distrustful heroes and even he took a chance on Felicity Smoak, John Diggle, Roy Harper and… Barry Allen. Trusting is an ongoing lesson. One Barry must always be open to learning.

What Barry is really doubting is himself — his gut. He was wrong about Harrison Wells and he doesn’t want to be wrong again. As Iris explains, belief is a two-way street. If Barry stops trusting entirely it will affect his relationships with those he loves.

Taking a chance and trusting Jay Garrick isn’t so much about Jay Garrick. It’s about Barry taking a chance on himself again. It’s about Barry trusting his gut. It’s Barry believing in himself. It’s a leap of faith. Barry just has to… jump.

He’s not the only character who must take a leap of faith. Joe must as well. Understandably, Joe is hesitant about taking on another partner. The human vs. metahumans scorecard is decidedly one-sided. Joe lost two partners already, Fred Chyre and Eddie Thawne, and an unknown third to a transfer. He’s becoming the Susan Lucci of partners.

So, when Patty Spivot wants to join the meta-human task force he’s resistant. Her determination and commitment to stopping metahumans, like the men who murdered her father, eventually win Joe over. He takes a leap of faith on Patty and himself. He let’s go of control and accepts it’s not his life or his choice. It’s hers.

Pattie is gorgeous, intelligent, a little nerdy and a kick butt cop. As the “Perfect on Paper” love interest, Patty is to Barry what Sara Lance was to Oliver Queen or Ray Palmer was to Felicity Smoak.  Even though a chunk of the audience already deja’d this vu, Patty and Barry’s chemistry is enough to keep it interesting. Her fangirling over Barry Allen “The Scientist” is seriously adorable.

The introduction of Jay Garrick is also a breath of fresh air, even if keeping track of all these mirror worlds will require a Venn Diagram. The training scenes are effective and Jay brings the knowledge of Wells without being, ya know, evil.

Since Ronnie is dead, there’s an openning for shirtless scenes and Mr. Garrick meets all the requisite requirements. Tests or no tests, Jay can jog on the treadmill all he wants. Please and thank you. The visual appreciation from Iris and Caitlin is hilarious, but it’s a little too soon to be teasing a potential love interest for Caitlin.

The best thing to come from the mirror worlds is the return of Harrison Wells. If this new Wells is a mirror then chances are high he won’t be evil. Hallelujah. Any circumstance in which Tom Cavanagh sticks around is a winner.

It’s difficult to top the return of Dr. Wells, but he isn’t the biggest bomb drop. The return of Mama West is. It seems Joe is ignoring her calls. The Flash is running headlong into the West family dynamics and delivering a big, juicy storyline for Iris. One that is long overdue.

Another character who is long overdue for a big storyline is Cisco. The Flash is finally delving into Cisco’s transformation into Vibe. Yet, the most interesting aspect isn’t the physical ramifications, but the emotional ones. Cisco, the one who always wants to figure it out, refuses to look into his symptoms. It’s not a lack of trust in the team, but in himself. Dr. Wells told Cisco he gave him these powers. Cisco is afraid this means he’s evil too. Yes, Wells was evil, but not everything he did was.  His reasoning is a bit of a stretch and out of character for Cisco, but that’s what makes it interesting.

The Flash‘s second episode of Season 2 is much stronger than their first. Once again, the meta-human case of the week is secondary to the emotional drama. Even with the new characters, The Flash is focusing in on the core cast members and given previously glossed over characters their due. Thus far, the season is off to a good start!

Stray Thoughts…

• How does Barry not dislocate his shoulder as he puts out the fire? Ouch.
• “Hey Beautiful Mind! I think you need to take a breather.” Best line of the night.
• Two episodes in and I’m already able to tick off 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 12 on my 13 Things We Want From The Flash Season 2. Clipping right along! Keep up the strong work, writers!
• “I hate it when they put a color in their name.” Anytime The Flash wants to start working on #6 (Less Oliver Queen condemnation) is fine by me. Cisco doesn’t like the Green Arrow, but Black Canary is just fine? I’m giving him some serious side eye over that one.
• We’re killing meta-humans left and right, so the next time Oliver Queen shows up in Central City there needs to be a whole lot less moral indignation.
• What did you think of this week’s episode of The Flash? Share your thoughts in the comments below!”

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