The Flash Review: Funeral for a Friend (Season 8 Episode 14)

I’ll be the first to admit that The Flash Season 8 Episode 14, “Funeral for a Friend,” isn’t the episode I expected it to be. Sure, there are some tears along the way, but the overall feel of the episode seems more focused on cheesy greeting card morals.

I’m trying to say that this episode doesn’t cover any new ground. 

Every funeral-based episode of any given television show you’ve seen in your entire life has stated the same hollow lines verbatim. “If you live a life in honor of those who died, they never really leave your side. Blah, blah, blah,” any random character during prime time.

Don’t get me wrong, there is truth in the statement. Honoring our fallen loved ones is as simple as continuing to teach the lessons they taught us in life. Every legacy should be one of giving.

But honestly, I am searching for something more profound. 

Superhero shows have a unique way of guiding us to truths that other shows can’t. Through the battle of good versus evil, we get to see both sides of every argument. Also, a well-written redemption arc can bring us full circle in just a few episodes.

Death makes a major impact on everyone’s lives. A sudden loss can deplete a whole team of people causing them to lose their moral compass. This is essentially what happens at the beginning of the episode when the Flash and friends take on Blockbuster. 

They are distracted from their normal roles, spaced out by the hard-hitting reality they have to face — their team member is never coming back. 

Chester cannot focus on the tech the villain is using, Allegra misses the target, and even Cecile is coming up short being weighed down by her grief. 

Caitlin: I’ll keep you alive Frost — I promise.

These are all acceptable reactions to loss. When we lose someone we love, we can’t help but feel we have lost a part of ourselves. With a missing cog, even a well-oiled machine can’t run quite right. 

Fortunately, Team Flash sees this for what it is and tries to recalibrate back at Star labs. Although Barry does his best to give everyone an early in the game pep talk, it is Joe that hits at the heart of the episode. 

Jesse L Martin’s performance cuts deep as he explains how taking a watercolor painting class helps him reconnect with Frost. When his voice catches at just the right time, I can’t help but choke up too. 

Joe’s speech is what carries us into the meat of the story, giving all his friend’s a task to occupy their time of sadness. This special mission is to honor their friend one final time. 

Besides Iris’ choice to bring special guests on her podcast, the other options fall flat. Allegra isn’t wrong when she calls out Chester’s idea as a glorified snow globe. 

Not to mention, Allegra and Chester’s petty squabbling throughout the episode is pretty lame. I feel like they are trying to emulate the banter between Cisco and Wells, but it doesn’t even come close.

I like hummus and all, but I don’t want to hear about it several times throughout what is supposed to be a heartfelt episode. It isn’t as cute as they intend it to be, instead it seems immature. 

The one part of the episode I enjoy the most is Mark being the voice of reason. 

Mark was brought on to the show as a villain. He honestly seemed like someone who would appear once or twice and never be seen again. Although he isn’t quite a regular yet, I find myself looking forward to his tiny bits of knowledge. 

When he hears the lame meanderings of Allegra and Chester, he calls it as he sees it. With the reality of the matter thrown in their faces, Chester and Allegra are forced to look at the situation through different eyes. Instead of continuing to disagree, the two work on their mission together to truly honor Frost. 

Barry’s bucket list to honor Frost doesn’t play out much better. Even he knows that each tiny victory he makes rings out as hollow. A snowman on a mountain and winning a hot dog eating contest are far from the things I want to be remembered by. 

Once again, Mark steps in to realign Barry with who Frost truly was. She wasn’t just about thrill-seeking. Deep down, she cared most about protecting those she loved. 

Throughout the episode, Caitlin pops in and out making statements about how she refuses to go to the funeral. Again, this isn’t new territory, and I don’t believe for a second she isn’t going. 

Still, this shows a common reaction to losing someone of utmost importance. A refusal to accept the harsh reality of death is one we might all face at some time in our lives. 

The funeral makes it real. A coffin spells out a final goodbye. 

Luckily, our emotional attachment to the characters works in the writer’s favor. I’m moved more than the scenes call for because I too will miss seeing Frost in action.

I’ll miss Caitlin and Frost’s interactions as sisters. I miss the one-lined quips she tossed out during the most dangerous of times.

Her death is not in vain because she died doing what she was born to do, protecting Caitlin. 

I hope to fulfill my destiny half as well as she did.

What did you think of this episode of The Flash? Will Caitlin be successful in her nefarious plans? 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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