The Flash Review: Lockdown (Season 8 Episode 7)

The Flash Season 8 Episode 7, “Lockdown,” has its heart in the right place but comes off like an episode of Full House. While the theme of the episode is a valuable lesson, the feel-good attitude behind it is a little too touchy-feely for my liking. Maybe the episode should have been called, “Let Down.” 

As usual, this episode of The Flash centers around a specific subject matter. This is one thing I’ve always loved about the show, even if the episode is less than stellar the viewers can walk away with a new outlook on life. 

A lot of times the knowledge being pushed forward focuses on teamwork and relationships. The writers choose to address the latter this time around.

Sadly, they don’t try to hide the idea in metaphors, but instead, they flat out tell the audience repeatedly through several different characters. The number of times someone says, “Go all-in,” could be turned into a drinking game. 

Hey Barry, what should I do to control my meta-human powers? Go all-in. Hey Mark, how can I have a relationship like the one you have with Frost? Go all-in.

Okay, I’ll relent a bit because they are speaking the truth. Relationships are at their best when both people are fully committed to each other in every way.

If we choose to go all-in with each other, very few things can stand in our way. As the saying goes, the truth will set you free. 

But the amount of times this thesis appears in the episode makes it all seem preachy. Morals are best presented when they aren’t shoved in your face. Hints and examples work better than shouting the same thing over and over again. 

If this was the only problem with the episode I might be able to let it slide, but that isn’t the case.

Barry and Kramer’s scenario at CCPD seems more like a side story than the main focus of the episode. At the least, the writers could have added a beefier plot in the B story to make everything more exciting. Unfortunately, both stories focus more on drama than on action.

I get it — not every episode has to be action-packed from start to finish. Occasional episodes can allow viewers and the characters to take a deep breath and process all that is going on. But with such a long break between the beginning of the season and now, the timing seems off.

Seriously, filler episodes have their place, but it isn’t here. The viewer’s time would be better spent being built up to what Season 8 is going to offer. Instead, we get Caitlin telling off Mark for dating Frost — yawn.

Thank God I didn’t watch this episode after work last night because I would have been out like a light.

Let me take that back, there is one intriguing moment in this episode, but it doesn’t happen until everything is wrapped up into a neat little bow. 

The scene between Iris and Joe does a lot to build anticipation for things to come. First, the fork randomly disappears, and then Iris loses time. It makes little sense right now but gives us something to hold on to.

Goldface: If you want your partner to enter your heart, you can’t just open the door, you have to open the windows.

Still, this isn’t enough to even remotely save the episode. 

Anticipation is merely a tool to add to the equation, not a stand-alone element of writing. If the writers can’t give us something to care about ahead of time, then anticipation falls facedown on the ground and people trample all over it. 

Plus, being an avid watcher of superhero shows, I know how often cliffhangers let me down. I’m looking at you Arrow Season 5!

Fortunately, we have already had six great episodes this season so I still have hope that things can be turned around before it is too late. Because if the show keeps up at this pace, I might have to clock out early.

Hopefully, we get to see more action revolving around the Scarlet Speedster as well. After all, how long can a show hold up with only brief appearances of its titular hero? My guess is not too long at all. 

And before I leave you for the week, I must say, Team Flash is getting a bit too large. With not much for every hero to do as it is, adding Kramer to the mix can only spell disaster. 

Too many characters equal too little character development, and without character development every show suffers greatly. 

Alas, let’s focus our eyes on the future allowing our minds to generate the possibilities of things to come — a comprehensive story arc, a big bad, and maybe a couple of guest stars. 

What did you think of this episode of The Flash? What in the world is going on with Iris? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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