The Flash Review: Versus Zoom (Season 2 Episode 18)
The Flash’s “Versus Zoom” illuminates some information about Jay Garrick, but it’s clear Barry Allen is still very much in the dark when it comes to his arch-villain.
Barry and Jay go mano a mano even though most members of Team Flash think it’s a terrible idea. This seems to be a pattern with Barry this year. I understand he’s motivated by selfless desires. He refuses to leave Earth 2 in the hands of Zoom. However, Barry doesn’t know all that much about Zoom. His young hero hubris often leads to trouble. Barry needs to slow down and listen.
The cardboard cut outs of Zoloman’s dead parents is a heavy-handed psychological trick to capture him. It works, but it always feels like Zoom wants it to work. After a little supervillain monologue, Zoom phases out of those cuffs like Oliver Queen zip cuffed to a chair. *Face palm.* Zoloman kidnaps Wally, gets Barry’s speed and zips back to Earth 2 with Caitilin. Zoom: 3 The Flash: 0.
The Flash strongly favors nurturer over nature when comparing Hunter Zolloman (aka Jay Garrick aka Zoom) to Barry Allen. Hunter Zolloman’s father killed his mother in front of him. Hunter’s back story is the same as Barry’s except his happens to be true. Barry’s father was innocent and Hunter’s father was not.
However, the loss of his parents led Barry to Joe and Iris West. Hunter did not find a warm and nurturing home like Barry did.
So is that it? Are the environments these men grew up in the reason one became a hero and one became a murderer? It’s not that simple. There are plenty of people who have terrible childhoods and grow up to be good people. Is it more difficult?
Absolutely, but not impossible. There still exists a choice to rise above the darkness or to succumb to it. Barry’s choice was made easier because he had the love and support of Joe and Irish West, but it doesn’t change the fact he made the decision.
Barry Allen has free will as does Hunter Zoloman. Nobody forced Hunter Zolomon to murder. Nobody forced Hunter Zolomon to become Zoom. He made those choices and therein lies his accountablility.
Zoom has Barry’s speed now. Barry has no intention of sacrificing Wally to Zoom. It’s certainly not what a hero would do, but more importantly it’s not what Barry Allen would do. Stripping Barry’s speed means The Flash is preparing to answer the nature versus nurturer question.
Who is Barry Allen without his speed? Does he go back to being a regular man or is he still a hero?
Here’s where things get nerve-wracking as we head into the finale. What if… The Flash is prepared to strip more from Barry than just his speed? Perhaps The Flash will strip the very nurturer Barry credits with raising him into the person he is today.
Is The Flash going to kill Joe West?
The mere idea is almost too terrifying and heartbreaking to even conceive of, but there are subtle hints to it. Joe is very against Barry facing Zoom again. Both Caitlin and Iris remark on Joe and Barry’s strong bond. Worst of all, Wally calls Joe “Dad.” Of course, this is wonderful, but Joe’s main storyline this season has been about building a relationship with Wally. Their suddenly strong bond feels like a loose end being tied up. Gulp.
The Flash is about Barry’s hero’s journey and at a certain point every hero faces a graduation. They move from their childhood into adulthood. A parent’s death often triggers this phase.
Killing Joe, Barry’s nurturer, means The Flash can show that Barry will choose to be a hero because it’s in his nature to do so. Goodness is taught, but it’s also a decision. One Hunter Zoloman did not make.
I could be wrong and I certainly hope I am. Zoom has yet to truly do anything horrific to Barry, so I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Sorry, but kidnapping Caitlin Snow doesn’t quite cut it. Team Flash will get her back. Hunter’s reference to, “you can’t lock up the darkness,” could point to Barry facing his own darkness. Losing a loved one triggers the emotional turmoil darkness needs to take hold.
I can’t really imagine The Flash without Joe West and letting Jesse L. Martin go seems like an INSANE decision. Still, I have this nagging worry. The Flash’s central love story is Barry’s relationship with both his fathers, but primarily Joe. The Flash may be ready to shift the focus to a different love story. It’s not necessary to kill Joe to make Iris Barry’s central love story, but it would certainly pack an emotional punch if they did.
Iris is realizing she has warm, fuzzy bunny feelings for Barry. She did not go out on her date (hallelujah) and is actively considering something with Barry. While this is news worth rejoicing over, something about Iris’ realization is bothering me. She’s overly focused on “destiny.”
Eddie was Iris’ choice. She didn’t care about destiny with Barry. Iris loved Eddie and I loved that about their relationship. I don’t want Iris to be with Barry because she feels like she should or that it’s destiny so why fight it. I want Iris to be with Barry because he’s her choice.
Stray Thoughts
- Caitlin telling Barry about Jay’s doppelgänger, Hunter Zolomon, felt like information she should have shared sooner.
- There is no Jay Garrick on Earth 1. Why didn’t that raise more red flags with me sooner?
- I have no idea who the man in the mask is, but I bet there’s a comic book out there that could tell me!
What did you think of this episode of The Flash ? 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
2 comments
I don’t think Joe is going to die (because I think the showrunners would rather feebase battery acid than let JLM go), but I do think Henry is. It’s the perfect compromise in their eyes: the cast won’t lose its dynamic and it’s still guaranteed to make Grant Gustin cry.
As for Iris, I’m sure they will clear up that it’s her choice in the next few episodes. But here’s what I think about it: we know from last season that Iris had feelings for Barry before she knew about their destiny, before she knew he was the Flash, before he went into a coma even. Of course, it’s a huge problem that the writers are relying on us to remember things about Iris from last season instead of allowing her the screentime and POV to grow into those feelings again in the first half of this season. But regardless, those things did happen and Iris does have feelings for Barry.
Point is: I think this is more akin to Cisco seeing the new Flash insignia from the future and being inspired to make it in the present. Iris keeps being shown signs that she and Barry are destined, and the only thing that’s been holding her back is her own fear, and then later her loyalty to and love for Eddie, and THEN her need to process and mourn his death. This is the first time she is completely available and open to Barry, and if he’s her future, why not make it her present until waiting for some ephemeral “right time?”
That’s what I think is going through Iris’ mind, but we will have to wait until they give her another scene to see if it’s correct.
Typos make me cry:
– *freebase battery acid
– *instead of waiting
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