The Flash Review: Run, Iris, Run (Season 4 Episode 16)

Iris gets her chance to be a superhero in more ways than one on an all-around excellent episode of The Flash, reminding us that the core cast is really what makes this series great.

The premise of “Run, Iris, Run” is a pretty straightforward (even predictable) one. A new bus meta — codename: Melting Pot — possesses the ability to swap people’s DNA. By doing so, he can rob metahumans of their powers and pass those powers along to others through touch.

Unsurprisingly, Melting Pot manages to gift Barry’s superspeed to Iris, and the bulk of the episode revolves around her learning how to be a speedster. Barry, for his part, must wrestle with life as a normal person once more. It’s a simple concept, but one that’s used to great effect.

Candice Patton carries this episode, as Iris joyfully zips around, sparks purple lightning, and basically revels in her newfound abilities. So much of The Flash focused on grim, dour storylines in recent seasons that watching someone experience the fun side of super abilities for once feels like a breath of fresh air.

Plus the fact that the show openly acknowledges that Iris hasn’t gotten a story of her own for over a season now is a nice bonus.

Seeing Iris remember that she’s perfectly capable of being a hero on her own, without any powers at all, feels like something we’ve all been waiting forever to see.

Yes, The Flash must actually follow through on the promise of “Run, Iris, Run” and commit to providing more balance to its storylines, both for Iris and the rest of its underserved secondary cast. But this episode feels like such a good start, as well as confirmation that the powers that be realize their mistakes in this area.

It’s a superhero show. We have to have hope, right?

Outside of being a fun spotlight episode for Patton, “Run, Iris, Run” actually handles the core of Team Flash better than almost any other episode this season.

Barry’s struggle to be “normal” again feels natural, as does his unwavering support of Iris, even in the face of his own quiet yearning to have his powers back once more. Harry’s quest to build his own Thinking Cap finally brings his frustration over no longer being the smartest man in the room back to the fore.

Plus the situation offers some great team-oriented moments between Barry, Iris, Cisco, Caitlin, and Harry, reminding us all of what great chemistry this group has and how appealing they are together.

Sadly, there’s very little for Caitlin to do outside of spout scientific-sounding lingo to the group, but her relationship with the rest of the team still feels real and natural. Furthermore, this episode’s self-awareness on the subject of Iris’ character gives me some hope for The Flash’s other female lead.

Fingers crossed, anyway.

Unfortunately, Iris’ story does get somewhat tarnished by Ralph’s involvement and the episode’s C-plot. Basically because Ralph comes off like a huge jerk for most of the story, and his inclusion here generally doesn’t feel necessary.

Yes, there’s an argument to be made that Iris actually needs a story like this, in which she struggles with her place in a group filled with super-powered members. She’s one of the few original Team Flash members that’s still a regular person, after all.

It makes sense that her lack of abilities might gnaw at her, make her feel anxious, or think she no longer belongs.

The problem is that Ralph is absolutely the wrong person to involve in this particular subplot. His attack on Iris feels not only misogynistic, but also massively hypocritical given that he’s busy hiding in the STAR Labs basement and requires a pep talk about how being a hero matters every single week.

Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but this seems like yet another wasted opportunity to bring Killer Frost further into the story. Caitlin is a part of the original team, after all, and is experiencing her own conflicted emotions about possessing meta abilities.

Oh well. Maybe next week.

Stray Thoughts and Observations:

• I have no idea why Iris’ lightning is purple, but I love it.
• Honestly, the fact that no one even mentions sending the meta with the ice powers to help fight the meta with the fire powers makes me want to punch a wall. Sure, make up some dumb reason why Killer Frost can’t or won’t be effective here if you don’t want to use her. But don’t ignore the fact that she exists.
• Iris really, really needs to do a site refresh on her Flash blog. It’s looking very 2010.
• While I applaud Iris’ attempt to reclaim some kind of life for herself outside of STAR Labs, I have no idea what purpose her relaunched Flash blog will serve. It’s not like Central City doesn’t know that the Flash is a thing now. (Or that half of the town doesn’t already know his secret identity.)
• No one asked for more Team Flash members, guys. This show is bursting at the seams with characters the story can’t service now. I’m sure Melting Pot/Matthew is nice and all, but no.

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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