The Flash Review: Escape from Earth 2 (Season 2 Episode 14)
It’s Round 2 on Earth 2! “Escape From Earth 2” is the weaker half of The Flash’s two-parter, but it does introduce us to a mysterious new character.
One of the more charming aspects of The Flash is the cheese factor. There’s something unabashedly innocent in the way The Flash presents its villains. They use puns in excess and monologue when they should be killing. There’s always a blaster to stop them, an over-sized choker to weaken them, and a specially tailored prison to hold them.
Zoom’s lair is an impenetrable fortress and he occasionally zips in and out, growling threats in his Darth Vadar reject voice. It allows Barry and friends to churn through exposition and piece together the puzzle without much interruption. It’s a little cliché and a lot predictable, but it retains a certain charm. It reminds me of the old superhero television shows like Batman and Wonder Woman.
“Escape From Earth 2” focuses on freeing Barry while Barry focuses on Jesse and a new character, the Man in the Iron Mask. At first I thought Zoom’s lair is in the Bastille, but then I reminded myself this is not 17th century France and Leonardo DiCaprio is not under the mask. Sad, but true.
Jesse is a world class mind and yet she cant’t figure out the Man in the Iron Mask is tapping out a version of Morris code. Luckily, Barry is here to help her put it all together. (*sarcasm*) Sigh. I know it’s his show, but it would be nice if a woman on The Flash could science something without Barry’s help or have a goal other than making a man more powerful. My irritation over blatant misogyny aside, I feel oddly verklempt over Harry’s reunion with Jessie. Perhaps, it’s just excitement over being done with this particular storyline.
The Man in the Iron Mask is tapping “Jay,” so obviously he is the real Jay Garrick and the man who’s been wooing our Caitlin Snow is an impostor working for Zoom! Or fake Jay Garrick is Zoom in disguise! Did I get it right? No? Well, there’s a reason to support my irrational dislike of Garrick in this plot somewhere. I know it. Garrick fixes the breach just in time for Zoom to pseudo rip out his heart while pulling him back to Earth 2. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost. Here’s a tip Garrick, when Cisco screams, “Zoom is coming,” don’t stand next to the portal.
Killer Frost keeps us on our toes doesn’t she? First she’s trying to kill Team Flash, then she’s helping them, then she’s double crossing them and finally she’s double crossing Zoom! Whew. Killer Frost is nifty. She can stay.
The whole doppelganger thing is a bit confusing. These characters are not the same people and yet Cisco is convinced he can appeal to Killer Frost because he knows Caitlin Snow. Except, she’s not the Caitlin Snow Cisco knows. Regardless, Cisco’s pleas have an effect on Caitlin. it seems love is a universal theme no matter what universe and Killer Frost decides Zoom must pay for killing Robbie Amell, er… I mean Ronnie. Thatta girl! Let justice be done.
Earth 2 Barry is too much fun. He’s up tight and a bit of a scaredy cat, but has the same heart of gold. If the entire point of a Earth 2 visit is for doppelganger Barry Allen to say to our Barry, “I’m just Barry Allen, but you’re The Flash,” then the entire trip is worth it. It may be one of the best lines of the series and Grant Gustin’s reading is spot on perfection. Love is not the only universal theme. Barry Allen’s belief is too.
While I desperately want to enjoy Iris West the reporter, her storyline feels shoe horned in again. The new editor who hates The Flash is drama for the sake of drama. We know Iris believes in The Flash, so it doesn’t move her character forward.
As for the reporting, Iris spends more time asking permission to write an article rather than just writing it. While Jay’s cooperation for an interview is necessary, the interview is dropped after Jay succeeds. Suddenly, Iris has everything she needs. It feels like the writers are trying to give Iris something to do without substantiating the plot with any time or real impact.
Stray Thoughts:
- Caitlin saves the day and it is awesome. Although, I could have done without the line about her poor aim. Women can have excellent aim without it being dumb luck! Grrr. Argh.
- After Killer Frost makes a staircase of ice, Cisco’s “Elsa” remark is pretty on the nose. Can she make a snowman next?
- “No m’am. I’m just wearing wing tips here. Not a lot of tread.” Barry Allen is a precious cinnamon roll no matter what universe he’s in.
- How Earth 2 Barry Allen scored Earth 2 Iris West has to be some story. Can the writers please tell it?
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.
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