The Flash Review: The Trial of the Flash (Season 4 Episode 10)

The Flash returns from winter hiatus with an episode that speeds along to what is basically a foregone conclusion.

It’s not like we all didn’t know what was probably going to happen during “The Trial of the Flash.” So it’s possible that an episode which skips the meat of the story to go straight to the end is really doing us a favor here.

Do we really want to watch multiple episodes of a superhero’s trial? Maybe. Maybe not. Unfortunately, the episode pretty much sacrifices any sort of real character development in order to get Barry into prison as quickly as possible.

If we’re honest, much of this episode is a bit on the boring side. The metahuman of the week isn’t very interesting, even if he does possess particularly terrifying and harmful powers. (Can you tell me his name without Googling? Just saying. Not terribly memorable.)

Most of “The Trial of the Flash,” as the title suggests, focuses on the titular court case. But the show handles it so ham-fistedly and haphazardly, it’s almost laughable. Have any of these people, I don’t know, ever even watched an episode of Law and Order?

The trial proceeds at what feels like lightspeed, as Barry progresses from arraignment to conviction in what seems like two days. Along the way, Cecile proves herself to be a completely incompetent defense attorney.

She not only allows Barry’s case to basically get steamrolled by prosecutor Anton Slater, she offers almost no competing testimony, alternate theories, or anything to dispute the assertion that her client went from lawful, helpful citizen to murderous stalker overnight.

Cecile doesn’t bother to point out that the prosecution hasn’t even tried to establish a motive of any kind. Nor does she question the timeline of their case. Surely any competent medical professional could testify that DeVoe obviously died well before Barry ever found his body?

Even when she receives photos of Marlize kissing “Dominic,” Cecile can’t manage to realistically paint him as a potential suspect. It’s straight up baffling.

Things get so bad that eventually everyone believes that the only way for Barry to beat the murder charge is to out himself as the Flash. Now, this idea is funnier than it probably should be, given that Barry already seems to have clued half of Central City in to his secret identity. But here we are.

Barry, noble as ever, refuses, insisting that would just put everyone he loves and has ever worked with at risk. He convinces Iris of this by displaying some new, heretofore unseen speedster powers that even he didn’t know he had.

At least their pseudo-speed force chat is a sweet, romantic moment for the pair, even if it does put Candice Patton and Grant Gustin in the unenviable position of having to sell the “look how much we’ve suffered to be together” angle again.

Despite the multiple red herrings that The Flash employs to make us think Barry might go free —  or, worse, might confess his secret identity to Central City — we all know he wouldn’t. All of Season 4 has been building to this point, and there’s not a lot of story here if Barry and friends manage to thwart The Thinker’s evil plan.

Barry pretty much has to go to jail. Yet, despite the awkward road to this moment, the emotional payoff of Barry’s trial still largely feels earned. It’s precisely because he regularly sacrifices so much for the city that the episode’s ending works.

He’s exactly the sort of person who makes himself look bad during his own murder trial in order to save others. Because he’s a hero.

The scene in which the judge reads Barry’s sentence and deems him a heartless murderer juxtaposed with the police captain praising the bravery and selflessness of the Flash is beautifully executed. (Plus, the quick shot of Iris sobbing is an out-of-nowhere punch in the gut.)

Yes, “The Trial of the Flash” is clunky as anything. But it nails the emotional beats at the end.

On the plus side, maybe Barry in jail isn’t the worst thing ever. In fact, it could open up some intriguing story possibilities.

By sidelining the Flash, there are opportunities for other characters — Iris, Ralph, Caitlin — to step into the spotlight as leaders and heroes. Someone other than Barry will get to save the day for a bit, and that’s an extremely interesting thought.

That’s not the only potential story here. Much of this episode focuses on Marlize, rather than her husband. While it’s clear that the Thinker is Barry’s ultimate adversary, it might be worth spending some more time getting to know his wife, as well.

While Marlize is apparently still dedicated to The Thinker’s cause (whatever that actually is), she’s also still not entirely comfortable with the new “Dominic” version of her husband. While we know she clearly loves Clifford deeply, The Flash hasn’t really bothered to tell us what Marlize’s other motivations are.

Not for nothing, but Marlize’s hallway confrontation with Iris is roughly ten times more interesting than Barry’s run-in with Dominic/DeVoe. Here’s hoping that the rest of Season 4 prioritizes more intriguing dramatic moments like that, and fewer ones where the outcome feels like an ending we already know.

Stray Thoughts:

• Our lead character just got life in prison for murder. So much for Season 4’s upbeat and lighthearted tone!
• Seriously, Barry is on trial for his life — where is Wally?
• Did anyone else think Iris had to be recording that conversation with Marlize in the hallway?
• The Flash has really got to sort out what it’s going to do with Caitlin and Killer Frost. Half the time, it feels like they’re making up the rules of Frost’s existence week-to-week, and Caitlin deserves better than this.
• However, I do love that it’s the threat of hurting puppies that got Caitlin angry enough to Frost out.

What did you think of this episode of The Flash? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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