The Flash Review: Back to Normal (Season 2 Episode 19)

Barry Allen must come to terms with his loss of speed in The Flash’s “Back to Normal.” As a result, he’s instantly a more interesting character.

Superhero preferences can easily be separated into categories. Superman or Batman? Marvel or DC? Superpowers or no superpowers? You can love both divisions equally, but most fans have a preference. Myself included: Batman, DC, no superpowers.

So, quelle surprise, I am gleeful Barry Allen lost his speed! Does this make me a monster? I hope not. I feel bad for poor Barry. Sacrificing his speed to save Wally was a heroic act, but I’m happy Barry has to work a little harder at being a hero now.

Being gifted with superpowers always feels like a cheat to me. It doesn’t diminish what the hero does with his/her powers nor does it make him/her any less heroic. I simply enjoy watching men and women rise to extraordinary feats without the assistance of superpowers. The stakes feel higher. Their feats feel more achievable to us regular folk. The hero’s journey feels more… earned.

Losing his powers makes saving Central City a whole lot harder for Barry. Forget about Earth 2. Homeboy won’t be jumping earths anytime soon.

Watching Barry struggle and adapt to the painfully slow pace of normalcy gives the character another shade of complexity. The whole point of “Back to Normal” is to show that Barry’s speedy life, in many respects, is easier. Getting dressed, ordering coffee, work, saving precious mugs from disaster — it’s all more difficult now.

Unfortunately, Barry’s loss of speed doesn’t eliminate the danger in his life. Zoom is still out there. He still has Caitlin. Both Earth-2 and Earth are under threat. Only Barry doesn’t have any ability to combat the threat.

Or does he? What always separates a hero from the rest of humanity is that even when the chips are down they find a way.  The type of powers a person has doesn’t determine whether they are a hero or villain — their heart does.

Whether he’s zipping through Central City at mach ten or riding the bus, Barry Allen remains Barry Allen. He still wants to help people. Barry’s heart is good. This heart made Barry willing to save Oliver Queen from near death. This heart existed long before Barry Allen was ever struck by lightning.

Barry doesn’t let his lack of speed stop him from helping others. He still takes on Griffin Grey, as The Flash, risking life and limb to save Harry.

The meta humans Barry faces aren’t always easy for The Flash to defeat, but they are nearly impossible for Barry. His injuries take much longer to heal. The stakes seem higher, but the hero’s heart is the same.  The loss of his speed peels back another layer of Barry Allen that may go undiscovered otherwise.

Of course, The Flash is immediately curing Barry because… that’s the show. I’m a Batman fan awash in a sea of Superman. The struggle is real. Goodbye “no superpowers” Barry. I shall remember our brief, but bright, time fondly.

The Flash continues to focus on the nature vs. nurturer argument in “Back to Normal.” Once again, they prove Barry’s upbringing isn’t the only factor in whether or not he is a hero. It’s in his nature to be so.

Sadly, the same cannot be said of Jay/Hunter/Zoom. What do I call this man? With every new name he ups the crazy. Referencing him by all three feels fitting because Jay/Hunter/Zoom is legit unhinged y’all. He took Caitlin Snow because he loves her… in a creepy way.

Jay/Hunter/Zoom counted bodies as his measure of success, but that feels so mediocre now. Instead he’s going to count universes he’s conquered. Somewhere in between the chaste hand holding and mistletoe kissing, Jay/Hunter/Zoom got it into his head that “mass murder” is a selling point to Dr. Snow. Sure thing buddy. Right after long walks on the beach.

Caitlin’s imprisonment did lead to some character insight, which is long overdue. Caitlin faces off with Killer Frost and the doppelgängers compare life notes. Killer Frost flunked out of medical school and moved back in with her crazy mother who still mourns the death of her brother Charlie. Caitlin has a cold as ice mother, but for unknown reasons. She doesn’t have a brother. Fifty bucks Caitlin finds her long-lost brother Charlie next season. Any takers?

Killer Snow realizes Jay/Hunter/Zoom is only keeping her around because she looks like Caitlin. Jay/Hunter/Zoom will do away with Killer Snow now that he has the original in the flesh.

She decides to kill Caitlin to maintain her “fill in” status because apparently this storyline isn’t creepy enough. Jay/Hunter/Zoom saves Caitlin by killing Killer Frost. Caitlin becoming Killer Frost on Earth is our only hope of seeing this delightful character again. Gee, it’s too bad there isn’t another particle excelator explosion to facilitate that.

Wait, isn’t that how Harry plans on getting Barry’s speed back? Yes! Of course, Team Flash’s plans are always full proof. I’m sure nothing will go wrong. No Killer Frost on Earth for us. (Yes, I am abusing sarcasm.)

Stray Thoughts

• Dear Show: Caitlin Snow needs a love interest who doesn’t repeatedly die and isn’t straight up cray cray. Love, me.
• I hated Jay Garrick long before he went all evil. Is there a prize? Do I get a cookie of some kind?
• Do we have to cure Barry? Can’t we send him to hellish island where he can be reborn a hero? Oh, sorry. Wrong show.
• Why doesn’t Wally get to know?
• Real talk though: who helped Barry get down from the ledge?
• Iris taped up Barry. Put another plus in the Westallen column!
• Does Barry steal someone’s coffee everyday? That’s a whole lot of wrong. I didn’t know he had so much darkness in him.

What did you think of this 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.

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