The Flash Review: Null and Annoyed (Season 4 Episode 17)

The Flash returns from its spring hiatus with an installment that often feels at war with itself. In fact, “Null and Annoyed” seems almost like two different episodes occurring simultaneously that have little to do with one another.

One of those episodes is good. One of them… not so much.

Part of the problem is that this week’s primary story is dull and repetitive. It feels like something we’ve seen several times already this season. (Spoiler alert: That’s because we have.)

After the refreshing and creative outings that were “Enter Flashtime” (Season 4 Episode 15) and “Run, Iris, Run” (Season 4 Episode 16), “Null and Annoyed” feels like a step backward.

Yes, there are some extremely interesting moments. The idea that Cisco might become a breacher alongside Gypsy and have a life outside Team Flash is exciting. The fact that Harry’s secretly visiting Gideon behind everyone’s back is shocking.

However, the overall arc of Season 4 — i.e., the Thinker storyline — feels just as stuck in place as it was a month ago.

The hunt for the other bus metas is still on. However, aside from Ralph, Hazard, and maybe Melting Pot, the other metahumans remain generally faceless and featureless.

Who are these people? What are they like? Why did they suddenly all turn to a life of crime upon getting superhuman abilities?

We don’t know, because The Flash isn’t particularly interested in telling us.

The other metas are basically human-shaped plot points that serve the Thinker’s as-yet-still-unidentified Master Plan. Which, by the way, heads up, guys: It is episode seventeen of Season 4. It is so far past time to clue us in to what the villain’s actual endgame is.

Most of the plot of “Null and Annoyed” centers around Barry and Ralph’s search for Janet Petty, a bus meta who can manipulate the density of molecules. (Or something like that.) Of course, she’s also a jewel thief, because she couldn’t just be a barista at Jitters or whatever.

The search for “Null” leads to Barry and Ralph butting heads over the correct way to be a hero, for what is roughly the fourth time this season. Even after a solid half-dozen pep talks about the power of teamwork and friendship this year, Ralph still insists on going off on his own path, while being rude and dismissive of those who repeatedly place their trust in him.

How many personal growth opportunities does one character need in a single season? Particularly when so many other characters can’t even get so much as a one-off episode for months at a time?

Ralph’s generally terrible behavior is clearly meant to serve as a cover for the fact that he’s nervous, both about being a superhero and saving himself from the Thinker. Too bad that’s already a plot point we touched on a couple episodes back and most of his humor is unfunny. It’s a double whammy of failure.

Honestly, I don’t know what The Flash should do with Ralph. He’s clearly a key piece of the Thinker’s mystery endgame, but his character is rapidly becoming so annoying that I hope the show just benches him entirely until the season finale.

In other words: How can I miss you if you won’t go away?

On the plus side, this week’s B-plot is genuinely fun and entertaining to watch. Guest star Danny Trejo is as enjoyable as ever. Cisco and Caitlin behave like real friends again for the first time in months. And Cisco’s struggle to decide whether to be honest about Breacher’s deteriorating powers is both relatable and true to his character.

Despite the fact that the subplot centers on an aging superhero losing his powers, the whole feel of their scenes together is much more humorous and light-hearted than the rest of the episode. Tonally, their interactions come off almost as though they’re taking place on a completely different show from Barry and Ralph’s scenes together.

It’s a timely reminder that The Flash is still capable of embracing its ridiculous side and telling a real story at the same time. The scene where Cisco suddenly appears to save Breacher from dying at the hands of a vampire named “Crucifer” on another Earth is classic The Flash. And it’s awesome.

Can’t we have more of that kind of thing next week?

Stray Thoughts and Observations:

• It’s odd, but every time the Thinker switches host bodies, I take the character a little less seriously. When he was the original Clifford DeVoe, he felt human, even understandable or sympathetic at times. (Not a lot, but still.) Clifford in a variety of other meta human suits isn’t nearly as compelling, and none of the subsequent actors have come close to Neil Sandilands’ original performance.
• That said, Marlize’s endless loop of realization that she’s married to a complete monster made me feel ill.
• Does anyone else think that there’s a certain tone deafness to Ralph complaining to Barry Allen of all people about his rough childhood? Sure, Barry had Joe and Iris while he was growing up, but only because his mother was dead and his father was falsely imprisoned. It wasn’t exactly Leave it to Beaver, my dude.
• The Flash hasn’t surprised me much this season, but that final scene where Harry seeks out Gideon? Chills. I have no idea what’s going on there, but I very much want to find 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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