The Flash Review: Killer Frost (Season 3 Episode 7)

Caitlin embraces the dark side of the frost and is snatching wigs all over Central City.

The last time The Flash brought me to tears was the other Kevin Smith-directed episode, “The Runaway Dinosaur.” Smith brings his A-game once more in The Flash  Season 3 Episode 7 “Killer Frost,” written by Andrew Kreisberg & Brooke Roberts.

On the previous episode, we saw Flash get captured by the speed god known as Savitar. “Killer Frost” picks up right where we left off as Savitar takes poor Barry on a breakneck tour of Central City.

In stopping him from killing Flash, we discover Vibe’s new ability to open intradimensional gateways and accidentally break the dam holding Killer Frost’s blizzard at bay.

That’s where this episode gets really fun.

Caitlin’s complete transition to Killer does happen a bit quickly compared to the buildup we’ve had thus far, until it’s made clear that she’s actually searching for a way to rid herself of her powers. I’d be a little cranky too.

It’s also made clear that Caitlin’s Killer Frost persona is no more a split personality than the one we all get after drinking too much.

One of The Flash‘s problems is that they often focus too much on the villain-of-the-week/of-the-season and not enough on the main characters that drew viewers to the show in the first place.

“Killer Frost” works precisely because this week’s villain is one of the main characters and someone who knows where all the bodies are buried. Killer Frost questions our hero’s loyalty and calls him out for his mistakes far better than any rando metahuman ever could, and it is absolutely painful to watch.

Barry stands there, his heart breaking, as Killer Frost completely eviscerates him. She shut him ALL the way down and read him for filth like a Post-It written in crayon. We watch him go from the mighty Flash to some kid in a Party City Halloween costume as she lists all of the things that he’s ever done wrong, starting with his mother.

His mother, Cait? Now, that’s cold.

It’s here that Danielle Panabaker’s deliciously devious performance immediately reminds of Angel‘s Illyria.

Like Caitlin, Winifred “Fred” Burkle was a brilliant scientist who (spoiler alert for a ten year old show) suddenly got powers after being taken over by an evil demon parasite, going from the meekest member of the team to the most powerful.

Illyria’s goal was to bring back her cadre of followers who had, unfortunately, been wiped out in the last millennia or so, and so she was forced to begrudgingly (and comically) interact with our heroes, insulting them while wearing the face of someone they loved dearly.

Caitlin’s tirade proves that Killer Frost can be something more than just an evil meta. Her intimate knowledge of Team Flash makes her more formidable foe, yes, but it can also make her a critical ally.

She has spent three years quietly observing Team Flash, building a veritable resume of their mistakes, but too timid to speak on them. Making Killer Frost a permanent member would provide The Flash with the right amount of snarky criticism to balance out Barry’s “reservoir of optimism.”

And my vote is always for giving Danielle more things to do.

The tears were a-flowing completely as Cisco confronts Barry after learning that the latter is indirectly responsible for his brother’s death. Everyone on this show has lost family, but I don’t know how much longer I can endure watching Cisco constantly get worse updates about his brother’s death.

And, because The Flash has no concept of a slow burn, Wally gets his powers by episode’s end and is already zipping around S.T.A.R. Labs like a kid at a Christmas candy store (that’s a thing, right?). We could’ve spent at least half of an episode where Joe wonders if maybe cutting his son out of a supernatural cocoon with a bone saw wasn’t the best idea, but this show loves their reset button and hates realistic consequences more than dogs hate giving back the stick, so we roll with it.

A note of applause goes here, however, for the decision to have Barry quit his job. Provided he’s not rehired by the end of the next episode, this a glimmer of hope that maybe the status quo can change.

Bechdel Test Score: U

Were Caitlin and Iris even in the same room?

Cisco’s Pop Culture References

• “You scared me going all Mother of Dragons with that hair.”

Sonic Booms

• The SFX for Savitar running around the Speed Force are pretty nice.
• It feels like Joe worries that he’s going to become irrelevant in the face of all this science. Don’t worry. The Flash will always need a father figure. Never a mother figure, but bygones.
• Are we supposed to believe that Greg Grunberg was always working at CCPD?
• Haha on Julian creating an algorithm to locate Alchemy’s followers. Y’all threw plausibility out the window on that one.
• Who sleeps with the thermostat on 85 degrees? Satan, that’s who.
• Wonder if Iris will find out that Caitlin tried to kill Barry by kissing him. If she does, I bet it’ll be the most cliche scene in the history of women on television.
• Flash is pretty useless this episode.
• Standing ovation to Candice Patton for this speech about Barry not being a God.
• Yes with that belt, Iris!! Werk, mama!
• Bruh, quit being needy, Barry. Give Cisco, like, a day to deal with this news before asking if y’all are cool.
• “You’re my life,” Barry said romantically. Then ruined it with a “you, too, Joe. And Cisco. And Caitlin. And the mailman.”
• Oh, look. Julian is evil. In other news: water is wet and bananas are full of potassium.

What did you think of this episode of The Flash? Are you ready for next week’s epic four-part crossover? 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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