The Flash Review: Enter Zoom (Season 2 Episode 6)

Ever since The Flash premiere, there as been one singular question on my mind each episode:

What is wrong with Barry Allen?

Finally, “Enter Zoom” answers the question.

In the premiere, Barry was off. Eddie’s death weighed on him heavily, and we saw a darker Barry Allen. However, as the season progresses, “offbeat Barry” hasn’t vanished. In some respects, “offbeat Barry” translates to the entire show. The Flash Season 2 feels different because… Barry feels different.

Barry’s relationship with Joe is one of the central love stories of The Flash, so it comes as no surprise that Joe discovers what is wrong with Barry. Barry is insistent Linda is ready to impersonate Dr. Light, even when all hilarious evidence points to the contrary, ans do Joe confronts Barry. As entertaining as it is to watch Linda flunk The Flash‘s version of a Quantico obstacle course, these stakes are very real. Joe thinks Barry feels cheated because it was Eddie who defeated the Reverse Flash. His pursuit of Zoom is a redo, and it’s making Barry reckless.

Truth be told, as a villain Zoom sounds like the Reverse Flash Part 2. It is one of my chief concerns with The Flash. Is every new villain simply faster? How do they differentiate between bad guys when the central battle ground is always the speed force?

When we finally see Zoom in the “flesh,” it’s striking how terrifying he is. Eobard Thawne wore Harrison Wells’ body, and it humanized him. Zoom has no human features, and with his speed and abilities, Barry is easily outmatched. Yet, what is most terrifying is the void. No emotion. No humanity. As Linda accurately describes, “He is a monster.” Zoom is death itself. If Barry is the light, then Zoom is a black hole.

The Flash is moving beyond the “secret identity” trope, and instead it’s discovering there’s more story to tell when people know Barry’s identity. It is the same lesson Arrow learned. For example, if Barry is asks Linda to risk her life, then he owes her the respect of the truth. Revealing his identity is the right call.

It begs the question, when is the right time to reveal his secret? As Linda and Iris discuss, by revealing his identity, Barry is both trusting those closest to him and burdening them at the same time.. When does Patty have the right to know? Certainly not after the first date and two reasonably hot kisses, but if Barry hopes for true happiness, then honesty is the only avenue to it.

Admittedly, the cold open would have been more terrifying, if the promo hadn’t spoiled the ruse. Way to go promo team. Barry and Linda’s faux battle is hysterical, but when it’s all over, Zoom fails to show. Depressed over his failed Zoom plot, Barry finally confesses what is wrong to Joe.

Wells told Barry he will never be happy and Barry fears he’s right. He did not save his mother and he cannot shake the void in his heart. A void that will always be there. Isn’t it interesting that Barry’s nemesis this season is the physical manifestation of a void? Barry is not only fighting Zoom…he is fighting himself.

We are not supposed to know our future because it impacts our present. It impacts our decisions and thereby immediately changes the future. As Barry progresses as a hero, the decisions he makes will become more difficult. He will be faced with more life and death decisions that will weigh on his heart. Eddie and his mother are only the beginning.

The life of a hero is not an easy path and it is filled with darkness and pain. So, how does Barry retain his light in the midst of all this darkness? As long as he is a hero there will be lives he fails to save and villains who get the best of him.

Real happiness in life isn’t the complete absence of pain. Quite the contrary. Life is a rollercoaster. Full of ups and downs for every person, mask or not. Simply because we experience loss does not mean we can’t be happy. Nor do moments of true happiness mean we’ve forgotten the moments of pain. Each informs the other. The reason Barry feels off is because he’s still learning. He doesn’t have this “hero” thing all figured out and that’s okay. He is not a fully realized superhero yet. Barry has a long way to go, but eventually his darkness will be as much a part of him as his light. Each informing the other. There is no such thing as a completely happy human experience. It doesn’t exist. Barry needs to find a way to process his losses and not let them overwhelm him.

Barry makes a small, but important step with Patty. He kisses her again. He embraces the happiness he feels when he’s with her. It doesn’t eradicate the pain of losing his mother and yet… Barry is happy. For a little while. Then,  Zoom crushes his spine. n

Now Barry is paralyzed; impermanent paralysis, given his healing abilities, but still… hello to the pain. Such is life. It is a continual ebb and flow.

Eventually Barry will learn his pain, no matter how devastating, will not be all he is. And his happiness is precious because of the pain he carries. It’s a balance. A harmony. A hero’s journey. A life well lived.

Stray Thoughts

• Shipper goodness for everyone: Patty kiss, terrified and worried Iris at the sight of Barry’s broken body, Caitlin whispering, “Stay with me.”
• Dr. Light can be invisible? I can see why she wasn’t particularly worried about running from Zoom. Good Plan A.
• “So you’re not mad at me?” I have a lot in common with Patty Spivot. A LOT.

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