The Flash Review: Keep It Dark (Season 8 Episode 17)
We all have secrets we like to keep in the dark. Most commonly these secrets have something to do with our past. Either we did something we aren’t proud of, or something unsavory was done to us.
On The Flash Season 8 Episode 17, “Keep It Dark,” Allegra’s history with the Arañas is explored and brought to the light in new ways. Although she does her best to distance herself from the truth, it is all thrown at her feet leaving her open to her peer’s scrutiny.
Before Allegra joined Team Flash, she had a spotty history of petty crimes and misdemeanors. Although most of it never amounted to much, she has been trying to run from it ever since. In a way, I think she believes that the good she does now will wipe out the bad she did before.
This isn’t necessarily a flawed philosophy. As long as we try our best to make up for the mistakes we made yesterday, we are never truly a failure.
As the episode begins, Allegra speaks with a source that knows about the Arañas’ next move. They plan to bring their operation to Central City. This source is similar to Allegra — she too used to be part of the infamous gang.
Doing what she believes is her journalistic duty, Allegra wants Lydia to come forth on live television, expose the gang’s plan, and hopefully stop them in their tracks. Unfortunately, with Lydia being their only open source, things could get a little hairy.
Allegra: The only way to take away their power is by bringing them into the light.
This would be the perfect time for Allegra to step forward and put herself on the line. Her history could lend the story additional credibility, but instead, Allegra reacts in fear.
What will her co-workers think of her? Will they find her less trustworthy?
Like Allegra, we tell ourselves it is better to hide the truth from those around us instead of owning up to our mistakes. If we keep it in the dark, no one will think to look there. We tend to forget, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”
Eventually, the light touches everything. It will break through the thickest branches in the darkest of woods, highlighting what has been hidden all along.
Ignoring the facts, Allegra refuses to share the much-needed info with her tiny crew at the Citizen. She doesn’t take into account that she is working with investigative reporters who have a nose for the juiciest of scoops. Worse yet, one of her confidants is working against her.
Before the interview even goes live, the Arañas storm the Citizen with Dr. Light and Sunshine looking to take out Lydia. If they can silence her, then their nefarious plans can stay in motion.
This is another thing that can work against us — silence. Saying nothing and doing nothing go hand-in-hand. Together they add up to insurmountable trouble that could have been easily avoided.
Luckily with Chester working as security, a force field is dropped over the Citizen keeping Dr. Light and Sunshine temporarily at bay. Chester and Allegra vow to keep Lydia safe at any cost, even though that cost still doesn’t include telling the truth for Allegra.
Of course, the bad guys do what bad guys do best, they threaten the innocents in the situation to get what they want. After all, fear can be a real motivator.
Taylor, the troublesome employee and thorn in Allegra’s side, buys into the fear that is being sold to her. If giving Lydia up to the baddies means saving her own hide, then so be it. Apparently, Taylor doesn’t have much of a hero streak.
Allegra tries to face Taylor down, talk some sense into her, and hopefully get back on track with her makeshift plans. But as the metaphorical water gets deeper, Allegra begins to drown.
Taylor has discovered the truth behind Allegra’s past and is more than willing to expose her in her time of need. This is downright despicable. Taylor’s fear brings out the worst in her, and she succumbs to it all.
By refusing to reveal our secrets, we not only give them power but we also give power to our enemies.
This is the moment everything comes crashing down. Allegra’s plans are sidelined, her team refuses to trust her, and worse yet, her confidence hits rock bottom.
It appears from all angles that the villains are going to win.
That is until Allegra decides to embrace the light.
We can let our secrets rule over us, fester, and destroy us. It is quite easy to do. But we can also come clean about who we were, who we are, and who we are becoming.
Coming clean and owning the things you’ve done redirects the power stolen from you. It can then be used as a reserve battery, empowering everything you push forward.
Allegra’s moment of enlightenment is quite amazing. It makes me want to get up and cheer for her — I feel energized right along with her. This ownership brings back her team’s trust and buys them the important time they need to launch the interview publically.
The episode gives us some great moments of character building for Allegra, which has been much desired for me. For most of this season, she hasn’t been much more than a love interest for Chester, which as you already know, lacks chemistry.
Barry’s side of the episode proves to be a lot less fascinating. He runs around town looking for what he believes to be a new speedster. Yes really, a new freaking speedster.
To boot, this new speedster doesn’t even appear to be a villain, just another person with super speed trying to get the hang of things. Couldn’t this forthcoming storyline be explored by an already existing speedster in Barry’s life? Nora, Bart, or even Thawne could be a surrogate character for whatever they have in store for this new wannabe hero.
Nonetheless, the character is here, for now. Hopefully, they can find something new and different to do with them. After all, I’m sick of being introduced to bland characters like Chester that only appear to be a seat filler.
What did you think of this episode of The Flash? Will Allegra go public with her identity? 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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Charles E Henning
Charles E. Henning lives in a quaint town of Illinois with his ever-loving wife since 1998. He is new to writing reviews, but has over thirty years of fictitious writing for his own personal fulfillment. His interests range from science fiction to character-based dramas, but he is a sucker for anyone in a cape.