The Flash Review: The Reverse-Flash Returns (Season 2 Episode 11)
The science in The Flash can be more than a little confusing. Ultimately, it matters little in “The Reverse-Flash Returns.” It’s the emotions that count.
All the main characters were benched this year while The Flash launched Legends of Tomorrow, however, no one more than Iris West. It’s borderlining on criminal how little The Flash uses Iris. They have a gold mine of talent in Candice Patton. Francine is dying and, while it is very sad, I met this character twice. My emotional investment is limited. Yet, Iris’ “I forgive you” speech left me in tears because of Patton’s delivery. There’s a wealth of story left unexplored between Iris and Francine. Hopefully, there will be more scenes with Francine and Iris before she passes.
Barry and Iris are on similar emotional trajectories in “The Reverse-Flash Returns,” even though they don’t share many scenes. Both Iris and Barry let their anger go to save someone they love. Iris loves her mother even though she may not understand why. Francine’s relief for Iris’ forgiveness is overwhelming. She will leave this world more whole because of Iris. Holding onto hurt and anger only damages yourself in the long run. Iris’ forgiveness is a gift she not only gives to Francine, but to herself.
It’s a lesson Barry learns as well. He lets go of his hatred of the Reverse-Flash to save Cisco. Even though Barry will always carry the pain, perhaps Joe is right. By freeing the Reverse-Flash, Barry frees himself a little too.
Happily, “Potential Energy” wasn’t Patty’s final episode. It’s good because their break up felt abrupt. Barry and Patty need closure.
Patty is upset because Barry is being weird. Well, that happens in break ups. Unfortunately, Patty and Barry can’t immediately be friends or act “normal,” no matter how much Patty wants to. Patty has a good reason to end things with Barry, but he has a good reason to be upset. Barry has to respect Patty’s decision and she has to respect Barry’s feelings.
Speaking of Barry’s feelings, apparently he decides post break up is the best time to use the word “love.” No, Barry. Poor timing aside, Barry isn’t saying he fell in love with Patty. He is saying he won’t get the chance to fall in love with Patty and that’s true.
However, Barry’s reasoning for not telling Patty he’s The Flash is a little confusing. Yes, the “I must protect the ones I love from the life I live” excuse has validity. However, what about Cisco, Caitlin, Joe or Iris? Are they simply dispensable? Of course not.
This isn’t all about noble reasons for Barry. This is about who Barry is willing to let go of. Barry let the Reverse-Flash go free because he could not lose Cisco. Yes, the choice to save Cisco was life and death, but the situation with Patty is not so different.
Being in The Flash’s life is a life or death choice. Every person Barry loves puts their life at risk by remaining in his life. Cisco, Joe, Caitlin and Iris are all targets of Zoom. Each person accepts the risk willingly because they love Barry Allen. When Patty asks Barry to tell her the truth, she is asking for the opportunity to choose him. Barry says no.
Is it because Barry cares more for Patty and he can’t risk her? No. The risk Patty is willing to take is one Barry isn’t willing to allow. Patty loves Barry and he knows it. Someday, maybe, Barry could love Patty. Barry isn’t willing to let Patty risk her life for someday. Ultimately, it’s why Barry lets Patty go.
Patty sits down on the train, looks out the window as The Flash speeds away and says, “Goodbye Barry.” It’s confirmation she truly knows his identity. However, it directly parallels a goodbye scene with another Barry Allen love interest: Felicity Smoak. Felicity is another woman Barry should love. They are perfect for one another, but Felicity ran back to Star City and into Oliver Queen’s arms. While Barry continues his search for “The One.”
Barry is feeling sorry for himself a bit when he says, “Everyone I love eventually leaves me.” The evidence is quite the contrary. Team Flash loves Barry. They stand with him, side by side, and will never leave him alone. Yes, two “perfect” women left town on a train, but love isn’t about the perfect person. Love is about the right person. “The One” is the woman Barry can’t let go of.
Stray Thoughts
- Someday there will be a scene with Barry and Iris at a train station. The phrase, “I got off the train” may be used.
- I’m not going to even pretend I understand in the slightest how the Reverse-Flash is still alive. You win this round science.
- Both Barry and Cisco gave the Reverse-Flash a play-by-play on their history with him. For two extremely intelligent people it was a wildly stupid thing to do.
What did you think of this episode of “The Reverse-Flash Returns”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Flash airs Tuesday 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
4 comments
I thought this episode was bit boring and confusing. I would like to see development of these characters but it seems like the story plots are going no where. The writing is not at its best. I miss season 1 Flash.
Here’s the thing. The episode wasn’t bad but it felt rushed like there were too many balls in the air at the same time. Perhaps the Caitlin/Jay storyline could have been cut (though I love Caitlin) since it led nowhere except for an easter egg. The time travel stuff left me scratching my head too. But the Barry/Patty storyline was cold as ice. I tend to ship west/Allen but I liked Patty and I think she deserved better. Clearly Barry liked but did not love her. Barry-teary eyed-Allen never seemed conflicted in his decision to let Patty go even when Iris and Joe talked to him. When Patty confronted him about being the flash not only did he unblinkingly lie but the line he gave about all the people he loves leaving him opened the door for Patty to say “you never told me you loved me” leading Barry to a stony non-response. When she gave up her last shred of dignity by tricking him to come on the train as a goodbye he finally admitted he was busted checked to make sure she was safe and bolted. Cold. Contrast this with the Felicity train scene. They spent time talking, realizing they loved other people, promising to be there for one another. Then he leaned in for a flirtatious goodbye and kiss and she longingly started after him with a goodbye. This would be a refrain in their future meetings. Kind of a road not traveled thing they both felt. The first omission of the hi/bye flirt came with this year’s flarrow crossover when Felicity was finally with Oliver. The only one longing or considering what might have been in this episode was patty. Or consider when Iris realized Barry was the flash. Barry basically rolled on the ground crying explaining how he wanted to tell her and how important she was to him. None of that here. Hey, it happens. Linda said their relationship should be more than getting along. His heart should ache for her. Obviously he didn’t feel that way about Patty. He’ll move on to his true love but poor Patty deserved better.
Yep, Patty is not the one he loves, which is why he couldn’t say it. He may think he is over
Iris at the moment and is not thinking of her but subconsciously it is there, I don’t know
what will make him see, but something will give and he will realise that yes he really will never love
anyone like he does Iris. And there is no point in trying.
I couldn’t have said this all better myself.
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