I have been very critical of The Flash in the past. You know this. I think that this season is utter putrid garbage made with nothing but the sheer spite of Eric Wallace who's punishing us for having the *audacity* to criticize his terrible writing. But you know what? I will give credit where it's due. Somebody, I'm not sure who but I know that it wasn't Eric Wallace, but *somebody* in that writers room put some moments in this episode that only hardcore Arrowverse fans will understand. If you haven't been on the Arrowverse train since Day 1, you will *not* be able to fully appreciate this episode. And I hope that whoever put those moments in the episode goes on to have a long and fulfilling career!
If you haven't been on this ride since the very first episode, when Barry hugs Oliver you might just think that that's a sweet moment because Barry missed his friend. But if you've been a fan since Day 1, you'll notice that Oliver has to tell Barry to let him go. That's a running joke throughout every multi-show crossover where Barry makes Oliver hug him. (for the record, that shot was in the promo for this episode and was the *only* reason I had any faith it would be good, because *I* noticed that detail.)
If you haven't been on this ride since the very first episode, when Khione saves Diggle it might seem kinda random. Or maybe she chooses to save him because of combat experience. But if you've been a fan since Day 1, you'll notice that he vomits out Bloodwork's infection. That's a running joke throughout the Arrowverse where every time Barry runs Digg somewhere at super speed he throws up.
If you haven't been on this ride since the very first episode, when Barry and Oliver are talking at that bar at the end of the episode you might think that's just a sweet moment between two friends as one of them reminds the other about his heroism. But if you've been a fan since Day 1, you'll notice that Oliver's speech is a paraphrase of his speech with Barry in the Flash series premiere!
And I could go on, but I think you get it. If this were an episode written by Eric Wallace and his normal writers, I can guarantee that we wouldn't have gotten those moments. How can I be so sure? Because Eric Wallace doesn't care about the Flash. He's clearly proven that from season 7 until now. So thank god for the *one* person in the writers room that knew that *actual* Arrowverse fans would be watching this episode!
Does this episode still have the same issues as the rest of the season? Yes. Absolutely. You'd think Barry would've told Wally about Bloodwork and to not trust him under any circumstances. And since the last arc in the season is about Cobalt Blue, you'd think they would've saved the whole "You stole my whole life" thing for a character that *canonically feels like that towards Barry in the comics!* And the effects are still not great. When Ramsey changed from that puddle into his regular form, they forgot to put a shadow on him. HOW DID THAT SLIP PAST YOUR EDITOR MY GOD FIRE THEM!! And it was really obvious that Stephen Amell wasn't doing that fight scene, which is weird because he's done his own stunts and fights before as far back as Arrow season 4, and as late into Arrow's run as seasons 7 and 8.
But I care about that a *lot* less this week. And do you know why? Because for once I, as the viewer and fan of this show, was treated with respect! For once I, as the viewer and fan of this show, wasn't treated like garbage and made to hate myself for just wanting to enjoy a show. For once I, as the viewer and fan of this show, felt a *tiny* amount of actual effort being put into what was on screen. And it's *crazy* that just treating your audience with respect will make them like your show more. I wonder how long that will last? My prediction: Not long.
I've come to the conclusion that even though I do have a few complaints about this episode here and there, there is only *one* change that I would make. When Oliver disappeared from the bar, Barry should've said "Cool." That's it. That's the only thing I'd change. If you know, you know.
8 / 10.
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