The Flash Review: Gorilla Warfare (Season 2 Episode 7)

Grodd is back in The Flash‘s “Gorilla Warfare”, but Barry is still reeling from the last villain who beat the tar out of him. Take a number Grodd. Our hero has some confidence building exercises to do first.

I don’t get Grodd. I realize saying this to Flash fans is tantamount to telling Batman fans I don’t get the Joker. But it’s where we’re at. This is the second year Grodd lands in the Sweeps lineup, and I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I’m not morally opposed to the large ape, but Grodd doesn’t translate particularly well on television. The CGI is a valiant effort, but we’re still working with a CW budget. Also, the cheese factor on The Flash skyrockets whenever he makes an appearance. Maybe that’s part of the appeal for some, but I’ll pass. Grodd escapes me.

That said, the movie homages throughout are enjoyable. Rather than run from the King Kong comparisons, The Flash runs at them with full speed. They even put Caitlin in a silky white outfit. As far as the ending, I can’t decide whether it’s an homage to The Planet of the Apes or if it’s literally The Planet of the Apes. This is The Flash after all. You never know.

Barry is having another crisis of confidence this week. Joe has done most of the pep talk heavy-lifting this year, but when he fails to get through to Barry, Iris contacts Barry’s biological father. In lends further credence to the idea that The Flash’s real love story is between Barry and his two fathers, Joe and Henry.

Barry is in a funk because Zoom broke his back in front of everyone. While the broken back is certainly a mighty hurdle, it’s the emotional component Barry is struggling with. He thinks nobody believes in The Flash anymore. Granted this is a bit of an assumption on Barry’s part. He hasn’t seen evidence of Central City abandoning him. Kids aren’t lining up to return their lightening bolt stuffed animals. Barry is mostly embarrassed Zoom kicked his butt without breaking a sweat. Perhaps this is why he couldn’t talk to Iris about how he is feeling. He doesn’t like looking weak in front of her.

I like when Barry loses his speed. It forces him to dig deep and rely on other tools to be a hero rather than just the speed force. Barry’s ascension to hero in the eyes of Central City was reasonably unfettered. They’ve given him the key to the city already! However, being a hero isn’t about keys to cities or public perception, it’s about doing what is right. It’s about doing what no one else can or is willing to do.

Dr. Allen tells Barry about the time all of their family members lost faith in him, and how he had to embrace it to get past it. Yes, people believing in The Flash is certainly a bonus, but Barry has to believe in himself first. He has to know he can do what is necessary even when nobody thinks he can. Once he has that confidence — hard-earned, deep in his gut, solitary belief — nobody can take it from him. Not Zoom. Not the people of Central City. No one.

Of course, Barry isn’t alone in his belief. He has Joe, Iris, Dr. Allen, Caitlin and Cisco in his corner — always. While the cheering from Dr. Allen is a little “on the nose,” the overall effect works. Sometimes the belief of just one person is enough to give you the fuel to believe in yourself. Barry ultimately faces his fear and pushes Grodd into the portal. It’s a simply stepping stone in the overall hero’s journey. Break the hero down, so he can be built back up.

Stray Thoughts…

• Barry is oddly asexual to me. Mostly I want to bake him cookies and make sure his homework is done. This is Barry Allen specific. Nothing to do with Grant Gustin because he’s yummy. Yeah, I know it doesn’t make sense. So, Barry pretending not to understand Cisco’s “morning after” joke felt legit to me.
• Tom Cavanagh isn’t going anywhere, so quit playing around Harry. We know you aren’t going back to Earth 2 anytime soon.
• Why don’t people understand Earth 2 dopplegangers are not the same as their Earth counterparts? It’s the same as twins. Just because they look the same doesn’t mean they are the same person. I’m not saying Harry isn’t shadey, but he’s not Eobard Thawne.
• Cisco took Kendra to see the Princess Bride. SHE MUST MARRY THIS MAN.

Reviewer Rating: 

User Rating:

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

Jennifer Knutson

Wife, mother and TV enthusiast. She has a degree in Communications, a minor in English, a background in marketing, and a deep love for all story telling mediums. The TV obsession probably started from birth, but hit saturation level with Buffy The Vampire Slayer and hasn't dissipated since. She has a weakness for dark & twisty heroes and selfless love stories. When she's not working, raising her little human, or spending time with her spouse, she's writing, analyzing, tweeting, and obsessing about all things Arrow. You can check out her blog here: http://jbuffyangel.tumblr.com/ You can also follow Jennifer on Twitter: @jbuffyangel