The Flash Review: License to Elongate (Season 6 Episode 6)
Actress Danielle Panabaker sits back down in the director’s chair to helm The Flash Season 6 Episode 6, “License to Elongate,” a James Bond homage with a lot of humor and heart.
Let’s be honest, this episode would be worthwhile if only for the fact that it puts Grant Gustin and Hartley Sawyer in tuxes for most of it. But, in truth, this is the best hour the series’ has yet given to Ralph Dibny, a character who has fully transformed from near insufferable during his first season to someone who feels like a natural leader and necessary member of Team Flash.
(We all remember how much I hated him back in Season 4, right?)
“License to Elongate” isn’t a particularly weighty hour, but given that it’s sandwiched between an episode where Cisco had to investigate the death of his ex-girlfriend, a two-part mid-season finale that looks exceptionally dark, and, well, “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” I’m not particularly mad about it.
We could all probably do with a little light-hearted right now.
Basically, the gist of things is that Ralph’s search for Sue Dearbon continues, and Barry decides to tag along to Midway City because he wants to make sure Ralph’s back in time for a press conference that names Elongated Man a protector of the realm or something.
(Barry is honestly doing such a good job of making Central City ready to not have him around that maybe he can just retire after “Crisis??”)
Their mission involves them playing dress up at a fancy gala auction, that turns out to be a secret supervillain tech sale. Whoops?
Sue, of course, is not present, as the show hadn’t cast her yet at the time this episode was filmed, but Ralph and Barry do manage to thwart the sale of some covert missiles. So, you know, not a complete waste of time.
The primary plot of “License to Elongate” revels in its ability to straight up crib from Bond movies, from its general premise to specific lines. (Who actually says things like “No, Mr. [Name], I expect you die” except Bond villains!)
This whole gag should probably feel a little bit more dated than it does, given how long Bond has been around, but Panabaker includes enough fun visual tweaks to keep things interesting and, well, Ralph’s been on a Bond kick since the season started. So it kind of makes sense.
Also, again, the tuxes. They cover a multitude of sins. Just saying.
The climactic fistfight between Barry and Ultraviolet is deeply and amazingly ridiculous, as Barry pretends to be drunk and tries to remember that he can’t exactly use his superspeed in front of a room of Bond villain wannabes.
Is his off the cuff pseudo-drunk remark to Ultraviolet–“I love Mortal Kombat!”–the greatest single line in this show’s history? Maybe.
(Gustin honestly has wonderful comedic abilities and The Flash doesn’t take advantage of them nearly often enough. Give me more drunk Barry, show!)
At any rate, this showdown isn’t changing the world or anything, but it’s always nice when The Flash remembers that it isn’t their superpowers that make these people heroes, and that they’re just as capable of doing good and saving the day without them.
“License to Elongate” leans even further into this idea when Ralph and Joe West join forces to recognize Barry–just Barry Allen, not The Flash–for his services to Central City during Elongated Man’s public hero party.
Sure, we all know how much of a hero Barry is, but these normal folks don’t, and it’s extremely satisfying to watch him get some measure of personal credit for all his done for his city. Y’all don’t even realize the half of it, folks.
(Also, Ralph’s speech about how Central City was his home and he’d always fight for it? Whew, my emotions.)
Was “License to Elongate” the best episode ever? Nope, definitely not. But in a season that seems primarily focused on character-driven stories (even as the threat of “Crisis” looms), it does exactly what it needs to do.
Stray Thoughts and Observations
- The Flash finally made an overt Doctor Who reference! My heart!
- The absence of Iris in this episode felt strange, particularly given that even Cecile and Allegra had significant things to do.
- Loved Nash Wells blowing up Barry’s secret identity–and the existence of the multiverse!– to some random girl he just met.
- I still don’t entirely understand what Allegra’s powers are.
- Why do I find dirtbag adventurer Wells so attractive?!?
- On the whole, I thought the Cecile plot was the clunkiest piece of the episode. (It reminded me way, way too much of when they tried to make her powers “funny” last year.) But Chester P. Runk can stay forever.
- Ramsey Russo’s whole Bloodwork situation seems to have deteriorated rapidly if his gross appearance is any indication, but I guess that’s a story for next week?
What did you think of this episode of The Flash? 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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Lacy Baugher
Lacy is a pop culture enthusiast and television critic who loves period dramas, epic fantasy, space adventures, and the female characters everyone says you're supposed to hate. Ninth Doctor enthusiast, Aziraphale girlie, and cat lady, she's a member of the Television Critics Association and Rotten Tomatoes-approved. Find her at LacyMB on all platforms.