How ‘The Flash’ Lost Us in Season 2… And How It Can Get Us Back
I’ve made no secret of my frustration with The Flash in Season 2. For those who read my reviews, you know my snark dramatically increased as the season progressed.
Sadly, what was once one of my favorite shows became one I was increasingly bored with. The Flash not only lost me as a reviewer, but also a viewer.
There are, however, ways to get me back.
1. No Time Travel Consequences
Time travel can be a glorious narrative when used correctly. It can also become a crutch the writers use to solve problems easily, so their beloved characters face little to no consequences for their actions. I think everyone can see where I’m going with this. Unfortunately,The Flash became far to reliant on its “time travel twists” that they undo quickly by, you guessed it, time travel.
The most frustrating aspect of this is that The Flash goes on and on and on about the terrible consequences to time travel and how important it is for Barry to follow “the rules.”
The reality is, Barry never follows the rules and never has to face any of those terrible consequences. The only significant exception was when Barry let his mother die in the Season 1 finale. It was an unbelievably heroic sacrifice that The Flash proceeded to UNDO in the Season 2 finale with… TIME TRAVEL. Sigh.
May I also add, I read some other reviews on The Flash ‘s Season 2 finale and was quite astonished by the response to Barry altering time. So many articles discussed how heroic this was.
WHAT? I’m sorry, but it was unbelievably selfish of Barry. His grief was absolutely understandable, but Barry gave no thought to anyone’s feelings but his own. He altered everyone’s lives without consulting them. He took away people’s free will. That’s how heroes become villains.
2. Are we killing, or what?
What exactly is Barry Allen’s moral code? The first season, he made a big show of not killing the bad guys. The Flash took a rather holier than thou approach when it came to Oliver Queen’s methods. In fact, more often than not, they insulted Oliver on The Flash and lauded Barry Allen as a true hero.
Then, in Season 2, it seemed like The Flash was killing bad guys right and left. What happened to the meta-human prison?
What’s worse, there was no discussion about The Flash unceremoniously doing away with some of its villainous citizens. The moral discussion is as important as the moral choices. When you eliminate one or both you are losing focus on who the superhero is.
3. Because, destiny
Westallen shipper here. Big fan of Barry and Iris. So, I was wildly disappointed with how their romance was handled this year. Iris was given ample time to grieve Eddie, unlike some other female characters *cough*Caitlin*cough. This was an understandable and necessary writing choice.
However, when it came time to Iris actually moving on the writers took much of the decision out of her hands. I found myself screaming, “THY NAME IS AGENCY!” every time Iris discussed possibly coupling up with Barry. The Flash chose to present other timelines and universes in which Barry and Iris are in a romantic relationship. The goal was to show that in any given circumstance, Barry and Iris find each other. Awww.
Yeah, except it wasn’t quite so romantic when applied to Earth 1 Iris. In the end, it felt like Iris was choosing Barry because she SHOULD, not because she wanted to. The fact that Barry and Iris’ doppelgänger are married on Earth 2 isn’t actually enough of a reason for two people to be together.
Iris spent a lot of time and energy in Season 1 detailing all the reasons why she wouldn’t be with Barry. Then, when it came time to change her mind the writers’ big ace in the hole was, “Because destiny?” Umm…. no. It makes Iris a passive participant in her OWN love story.
If the goal was to uncover Iris’ latent feelings for Barry, then there are better ways to address that issue than through “destiny.” Such as… allowing Iris to realize those feelings for Barry in present day without the additional pressure of the cosmos telling her what to do.
Iris deserves her own agency, the ability to make her own choices, the same as Barry. There’s been ample time spent on all the reasons Barry loves Iris and wants to be with her. None of those reasons involved “destiny.” Didn’t Iris deserve the same freedom?
4. Too many speedsters
The Reverse Flash wanted to be the fastest man on earth. Same with Zoom. Both season finales culminated in a really big race between Barry and the villain. Then, Barry wins. Two seasons of speedster villains leads to extremely repetitive storytelling.
This would be like Oliver Queen fighting an archer every season. Do you know the last time Oliver Queen fought an archer? Season 1. It’s time to find a new theme, Flash.
We have the same problem on the other end of the spectrum. Wally West is becoming Kid Flash. Jesse Chamber’s comic book alter ego is Jesse Quick, yet another speedster. Thus far The Flash has resisted turning Jesse into her comic book alter ego, but I’m not holding my breath.
The issue with introducing more speedsters is it increases the likely hood problems will be solved with speed. When my husband and I watched the pilot of The Flash I said to him, “So that’s all The Flash does? He runs?” My husband hesitated and then said, “Yup. That’s it. That’s the show.”
I understand the basic premise of The Flash is a superhero who runs really fast. However, when problems are solved every week by Barry running it becomes boring.
The three most interesting Barry episodes of the season were: Paralyzed Barry, No Speed Barry, and Almost Dead Barry Chit Chatting With The Speed Force. There’s a reason for this.
5. Worshiping at the altar of comic canon
I understand The Flash is based on a beloved comic book character. I also understand that comic book fans love nothing more than to see their beloved stories acted out in live action. However, The Flash is more than just a comic book. It’s a television show.
There wasn’t a plot in Season 2 comic book fans didn’t predict and why? Because most of The Flash ‘s stories are pulled directly from the comics. I’m not talking about using the comics as source material. I’m talking about using the comics VERBATIM.
When your audience can predict what’s going to happen on the show because they read The Flash issue #253 it doesn’t make for very interesting storytelling. In fact, your audience’s predictions should be wrong more often than not. It means the writers can still surprise everyone, which is key to entertaining. The Flash is far too concerned with worshipping at the altar of comic canon.
6. The Assassination of Female Characters
The Flash can write fully fleshed out, interesting female characters. They just can’t write more than one at a time. Season 1 Iris’ agency was stolen for 90% of the season. When she wasn’t the focus of Barry’s feels then she was benched. Season 1 Caitlin Snow was an active member of Team Flash who pushed the narrative forward both independently and supportively.
Season 2 attempted to take Iris off the bench to varying degrees of success. She knew Barry’s secret and was now a full-fledged member of Team Flash. Iris became the moral force on Team Flash. She was a grounding influence for Barry and the person who helped Barry find his way home.
However, integrating Iris’ job as a reporter was a disaster. She was basically a PR rep for The Flash, writing puff pieces. Central City already loves The Flash. Iris’ job needed to be much bigger than that. I was hoping for a slightly more expanded role other than “Barry’s cheerleader” for the FEMALE LEAD.
Then, we ran into the same agency issues we had with Iris in Season 1. Only it wasn’t Joe and Barry making decisions for her, but instead the UNIVERSE told Iris what to do. Great.
This is nothing compared to what The Flash did to Caitlin Snow’s character this year. While Iris was given time to grieve her fiance’s death, Caitlin was launched into a relationship with Jay Garrick mere episodes after her HUSBAND DIED. Again.
The brilliant Doctor Snow was regulated to making moon eyes at Garrick for most of season. Caitlin was more upset over Jay being Zoom than she was about Ronnie’s death. We watched her spiral for several episodes over a guy she kissed once under some mistletoe.
WHAT? Giving Danielle Pannabaker Killer Frost to play with doesn’t make up for the mockery of these so-called storylines. The stronger Iris’ storyline gets, the worse Caitlin’s became and vice versus. I can’t help but feel like The Flash is incapable of juggling two, strong and interesting female characters at the same time. Goodness knows these two women are never allowed to speak to one another.
How to get me back… it will require wooing.
Sadly, The Flash gave me ample reason to tap out this season, but I’d love nothing more than to jump back in. The good news these problems are all fixable. Even better, Flashpoint offers The Flash the opportunity to do so.
1. It’s time to face the music, Barry
Saving his mother is the most selfish thing Barry has ever done. Barry cannot fix this with more time travel and he MUST face the consequences to his actions. It’d also be nifty if Barry learned his lesson and didn’t make the same mistakes over and over again.
In the Season 3 preview, Eobonard Thawne asks Barry, “Who’s the villain now?” This gives me hope The Flash will address Barry’s morality in a real and significant way. Because, spoiler alert, right now the villain is Barry Allen.
2. Wanna go on a date?
Since Barry and Iris don’t seem to have a relationship in Flashpoint, it’ll give the writers an opportunity to actually build one beyond their past, Barry’s determination and destiny. Let’s explore their relationship in present day. Barry and Iris can get to know one another again and decide FOR THEMSELVES whether they want to pursue anything romantically.
3. Let Iris, the reporter, report something
In the meantime, let’s give Iris a big story to investigate. Can’t there be a nefarious criminal she uncovers? Let’s give Iris something to do other than follow The Flash around.
4. Single Caitlin Snow
I’m soured on love interests for Caitlin. No more. Let’s refocus on her brilliance and saving the world. Maybe let her talk to Iris sometimes. The mind boggles at the mere thought.
5. To kill. or not to kill
No more easy outs for Barry Allen. It’s time he makes some tough decisions, especially in regards to the villains, and own those choices. I don’t want to see some Harry Potter ghost reject saving Barry from killing his enemies. Kill or don’t kill, it truly doesn’t matter to me. I just want Barry to decide, stick to his guns, and follow through. It’s time The Flash’s moral code is put to the test.
6. Say no to speedsters
You get Kid Flash. ONE MORE. That’s it The Flash . Anymore and I’m recommending the writers check into a program for Speedster addiction. Yeah, that’s a thing.
7. Read a comic, then do the opposite
Here’s an idea: how about The Flash doesn’t go the comic book route and instead… forges their own road? Yes, I realize this may invoke the wrath of a beloved fanbase, but let’s live dangerously, Season 3. Imagine the storytelling possibilities if the writers just open up the minds to… explore.
This list makes my heart go pitter-patter. It would also make me watch The Flash again.
The Flash returns Tuesday, October 4th to 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
18 comments
“Worshiping at the altar of comic canon”
ARE YOU KIDDING? At least The Flash knows how to respect the comics, unlike another Comic book show. If anything Season 2 of The Flash was on a whole better scale than S4 of Arrow which is the worst by far. People wanted to see Green Arrow not some whiny little brat and her vigilante boyfriend.
You’ve obviously been watching a different Arrow than me. I love that they aren’t bound by cannon. I think it helps that the Green Arrow has so many different versions and story lines that they can go their own way and stay true to the feeling of Green Arrow, if not the cannon. I feel that they failed to execute a decent version of the Black Canary, and so I’m glad they got rid of dead weight. I’m also glad I don’t have to watch them get married and then divorce because Oliver is unfaithful! Some things are better left to a different format!
All this comment does is prove that she is right because you have no defense, so you have to attack another show.
Stopped watching The Flash in the end because it was just so cheesy. Caitlyn spent most of season 1 mourning her fiance. Then not 30 seconds in season 2 mourning her Husband. Barry just never learns and I’m sick to death of so many people who just run fast. I loved season 1 so was really sad when 2 became a bit silly. It reminds me to much of that 1960s Batman i expect pows and kaphuts to erupt from the screen.Hopefully they will come up with some fresh ideas for season 3.
I will take a million Season 2 Flashs before whatever the heck Arrow season 4 was.
I agree wholeheartedly. I was so disappointed with the Flash this year. I love how Arrow turns things sideways… unpredictability keeps me coming back for more. I wish Flash took such risks.
Nice article. However I love that they follow the comic in regards to the heart of The Flash. No one is interested in a bait and switch kind of show. Harry Potter did well because they stayed true to who and what Harry loved and his motivation.
Totally get that. I’m not saying they have to abandon who The Flash is in the comics. All I’m saying it’d be nice if they didn’t pull a twist or villain storyline direct from the comics. You can still maintain the core of the characters, and the essence of the comics, and explore new storylines. The comics do. So why can’t the television show? That’s all I’m asking. But there is this fear I feel with The Flash writers to stray even the slightest from the comics and I think it’s limiting their storytelling opportunities, so the show is getting repetitive.
I watched the Flash than I give up. I just really didn’t enjoy it. It’s always the same story repeating all over again. They don’t try anything new. And it started to make me dislike a lot Barry. In season 1, he took the risk to fucking up the world just to save his mother and Ronnie is the one who died because of it. How stupid it was to kill him after bringing him back 2 seconds before.
I also felt like it was a copy past of Arrow. For each Flash character, you can associate an Arrow character. The most obvious example is Tommy and Eddy. Don’t tell me you didn’t see that coming.
I’m gonna stop right now, but The Flash feels like reading a comics book. No deep, repetitive, boring. Arrow is definitly the only superhero show I’ll ever truly love, watch and care about.
I agree. While the season still had fun moments, a great cast and some good (for TV) visual effects, they may be beating the time travel tropes to death. There do not appear to be any real time travel rules and somehow Flash manages to ignore the vague ones they set without any real consequence or explanation. There are also too many speedsters. There is no way they make the show without Tom Cavanaugh and the Reverse Flash is the best villain they’ve had. But they need to explore villains with different powers and I am a little concerned about them bringing in a Flash Family. I am one who believes the bat family weakens and takes away from Batman and Green Arrow was weakened by having too many vigilante team members. Flash has done well by focusing on one super powered hero with a supporting cast that has either no powers or differing strengths (Cisco’s vibe powers, Team Flash’s brilliance) but I wonder if the arrival of Kid Flash and possibly Jessie Quick will change that.
It also bothers me that Barry never learns. Whether it be, trusting the super villain (you actually gave up your powers to Zoom? Really?) or messing around with time travel, Barry’s continuing to repeat the same mistakes is frustrating and silly.
They also need to figure out what they’re doing with WestAlllen. They went from Barry pining for Iris, to trying to move on with someone new, to Iris being fridged completely to her discovery that she might be destined to be with Barry. And when they finally decided to slow down enough to talk about giving a relationship a chance, Barry ran back through time and changed everything. If they want us to believe this couple should be together, they’ll have to move things along for them in Season 3.
All of this. I’m so tired of seeing people denigrate “Arrow” S4 when Flash S2 was so awful. Nothing happened. For weeks. Every episode was the same thing. Barry whines about his speed and how important he is, everyone tells him not to do the stupid thing he’s thinking of doing, he does it anyway and nobody ever calls him out. There was virtually no character progress at all.
And the treatment of Caitlin is awful. Dumbing her down so the male characters can explain something to the audience in addition to reducing her to nothing more than a damsel. Ugh.
I’ll keep tabs on the show but I honestly am more invested in “Legends of Tomorrow” because of Sara and Mick than I care about anyone on Team Flash at this point.
The Flash lost me in 2×01 this year. It’s too much pandering to comics, too much glazing over of Barry’s flaws, too much nonsense flair with little substance to back it up. Give me Arrow any day, where they might make me angry with the story they tell but at least they make me *care*.
I appreciate your list of how The Flash can win you back, but I fear it’s too late for me. I just don’t *care* about Barry & Co. anymore. And it’s been clear from the direction of the show, that it doesn’t care about having me as a viewer, either. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
C’est la vie. There’s plenty more shows out in there in the world to appreciate. 🙂
Honestly, I feel like I am watching the same episode of The Flash on a loop. I find myself to not be particularly invested in the characters or their journey. Arrow may piss me off sometimes, but at least I give a sh*t about the characters. It’s meaty, and deep, and makes me want more. Oliver Queen is beautifully flawed, and dangerous, and compelling. Oliver, unlike Barry, suffers for his mistakes. Boy, does he ever. Barry never seems to learn these lessons.
Thank you for this: “The Flash took a rather holier than thou approach when it came to Oliver Queen’s methods. In fact, more often than not, they insulted Oliver on The Flash and lauded Barry Allen as a true hero.” It infuriates me the way Team Flash consistently rakes on Oliver. I have no idea why the writers think this is cool or funny.
The Flash feels two-dimensional, and flat at times. At least they have Cisco, what a breath of fresh air. I realize The Flash is not meant to be dark like Arrow, it is designed to be somewhat campy, and for a lighter, more youthful fan base. That doesn’t mean the EPs should just gloss over the obvious issues though. They can’t keep doling out the same storyline season after season. Other than the E2 stuff, I was bored for most of the season. Oh look, another speedster? Yawn. Hopefully, they can get it back on track.
Arrow was never meant to be a story lifted straight from the GA comics mythos, if it were then Oliver Queen would be a middle-aged perv with a penchant for chili, and under-aged girls. I think that’s what a lot of comic book fans are missing here. It is an origin story, and the EPs/writers have never made any bones about the fact that they were going to tell their own story with Oliver Queen on Arrow. I do think they had a different intention with The Flash, which is why they do seem to stick more closely with canon. That can be a slippery slope on television though. What works on paper, may not always translate on screen. The bottom line is this: Arrow takes risks, The Flash should too.
Arrow took risks alright and look where that got them declining rates and one of the worst season finales in Arrow History. the reviews weren’t exactly friendly. Even Geoff Johns has distancedone himself from Arrow it’s that bad
Arrow took risks alright and look at where that got them. Bad reviews and decline in ratings. Even Geoff Johns has distanced himself from it cuz it’s that bad.
THANK YOU. This article beautifully articulates many of my own misgivings about The Flash, yet actually manages to give me some hope for it too. I’ve never really enjoyed this show (I’m more of an Arrow gal), but I always manage to get excited for it and then be disappointed. Maybe season 3 will be different? *crosses fingers* *knocks on wood*
The Flash will always have speedsters in his orbit; especially speedster villains, because, ‘realistically’, they are the only ones who can match him. (The Flash is similar to Superman in that he is ridiculously overpowered as a character.) So I don’t think speedsters will go away anytime soon.
However, I do think they need to vary the approaches to these speedsters.
The Flash definitely takes inspiration from the comics, but “worshiping”? Hyperbole much? The show has always done its own twists — starting in the pilot. And only a small fraction of the TV audience has any familiarity with the comic stories, so probably not as “predictable” to 98% of the viewers.
Agreed with most of your other points where the show could use improvement.
It’s sad because I loved Flash in the first season and the characters were all awesome, but the first half of season 2 lost me so much I stopped watching and then went back to it at the end of the season. What happened to the adorable Barry we met on Arrow in 2 episodes before he went into his coma? He needs to stop thinking the world revolves around him. Oliver annoys me to no end sometimes, but at least I see growth Barry went backwards this season. At least the supporting cast is on point.
Comments are closed.