The Flash Review: Resurrection (Season 8 Episode 11)

The Flash Season 8 Episode 11, “Resurrection,” helps the slowly evolving story arc gain some steam. As Team Flash disputes how to handle the ongoing situation, Caitlyn is caught in the crosshairs amping the drama up to a 10.

Caitlyn has always had a heart capable of holding out for hope during the most perilous of times. Typically, this is a positive trait that we should all strive for. After all, negative Nancies are a dime a dozen. But this time around, her ambitions blind her from many red flags. 

As Season 8 Episode 10 ended, we saw the Black Fire reveal itself to Caitlyn talking to her in the voice of her deceased husband. Although I didn’t mention it in my review, I felt this short scene was a bit awkward. 

We already knew that this Black Fire was capable of mimicking people’s grief and emotions so I was unsure of what feeling the scene was trying to evoke. Excitement, treachery, or confusion all seemed to fit the bill, therefore I just chose to ignore it for the time being.

As the episode approaches all these elements, it is clear to see that the writers wanted us to feel all these emotions simultaneously. Why? Because these are all the same feelings Caitlyn is having.

Sometimes in life, we are faced with what seems to be the answer to all our problems. We find a lost wallet full of cash after we spent our last dime, or our best friend broke up with the person we’ve been crushing on for years. Simple scenarios that could spell out the best for us but at the cost of others.

In these situations, our emotions run high — blocking us from seeing everything as it truly is. This is exactly what causes Caitlyn to act so frantically. 

Hearing the voice of Ronnie after so many years plucks at her heartstrings in ways untold. I’m sure deep down she knows things aren’t as perfect as they seem, but she refuses to weigh the negative against the positive.

We’ve all lost a loved one who we would love to share one last conversation with, or at the least, embrace for a few seconds. This is why people try to do strange things like contact ghosts and spirits. They are only focusing on their feelings and their loss. 

Barry is wise to point this out to Caitlyn. She knows Ronnie best. She understands his character better than anybody else, and she should realize that this Black Fire is acting severely different than the man she loves.

Caitlyn chalks it up to Ronnie’s suffering. This makes sense, but she fails to explore the motives. 

People act differently when they are in pain. They yell, scream, and react violently at times. But pain does not change your fundamentals. 

You are still the same person you always have been when in pain, only some negative elements are amplified. It doesn’t stop you from being a good person if that is truly who you are. 

Chester: What good is knowledge if you don’t share it?

Watching The Flash over the last eight seasons, we’ve gotten to know most of the characters fairly well. We know who they are and how they will react in most scenarios. Chester is not going to become suddenly violent, and Iris isn’t going to back down from a fight. 

This is part of who they are and who they have grown to be. 

Iris is a perfect example of this. She is suffering from this strange time sickness, but it isn’t stopping her from trying to help Tinya. 

Caitlyn should realize that even though Ronnie is in constant torment, he wouldn’t be hunting down grieving people to devour them. It just isn’t in his wheelhouse. 

No matter how many members of Team Flash try to convince her otherwise, Caitlyn refuses to see the truth.

Sadly, love can be that blind. This is why some people stay with an abusive partner. They refuse to look into the heart of the matter. 

Truth be told, Caitlyn means well. She isn’t doing anything out of sorts or outright evil. Caitlyn is simply being Caitlyn. 

Frost understands this. They oftentimes feel the same emotions because they once shared the same body. Understandably, it gives her great empathy for her sister.

As they work together to undermine the team, we collectively feel sympathy for them. They are misguided but true to the end. 

Although the ending appears to be happy at first, nothing feels right. 

Hugs and reconnections are made at this family reunion, but there seems to be a shadow hiding somewhere in Star Labs. It lurks, waiting for Caitlyn to be alone and vulnerable. 

This is what the Black Fire has been planning all along. Taking the most unprotected member of the team and exploiting them. 

When you feel you are being put into a place where you’re at risk or helpless, listen to your friends. If things appear too good to be true, they often are. Listen to your inner voice, but don’t always rely on your gut to lead you in the right direction. 

These are the morals being pushed forward here, and they are far from wrong. Build a support team for times like these. They can literally save your life. 

This episode only slightly outweighs the last few in terms of likability. There isn’t much bad to say about what happens, but there isn’t a lot of praise to hand it either. 

Fortunately, my time doesn’t feel wasted, and I’m just interested enough to see what happens next. 

At the least, we finally have a human face for this Black Fire and that gives me a sigh of relief. Hopefully, the awful CGI will be dialed back to a minimum, and we can focus on more action-based episodes.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the drama, but the action is what everyone signed up for.

What did you think of this episode of The Flash? How will Caitlyn cope with unleashing this monster? 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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