TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews The Flash Season 04 Premiere!

Flash Season 03 showed just how fast (pardon the pun) a show can go from quality to not quality depending on the story told. What started out with great potential via Flashpoint quickly devolved into another “evil speedster is trying to destroy Barry’s world”. But with Season 04 of the Flash, the promise would be something new…but…The Flash was in the Speed Force…so…

They had to get him back! And “Flash Reborn” did exactly that. But ironically, the best parts of the episode were ones that didn’t involve The Flash.

Why? Because it honestly was more interesting, as it showed (or partially showed) what the others would do in a world without Barry. I loved how Iris stepped up and tried to be the thing that held the team together, being what Cisco and Caitlin once were to Barry in Seasons 01 and 02. And I loved the duo of Kid Flash and Vibe as they tried to save Central City on their own, albeit with help from Joe and the CCPD.

And you know what? It was actually pretty cool to hear that they weren’t batting 100%, it should that they weren’t infallible, and further cementing the idea that Barry needed to come back. So when the “Samuroid” arrived and demanded The Flash, you know things were about to go down.

But, I’m sorry, they kind of cheapened the return. Now don’t get me wrong, I loved how Cisco consulted with every big brain in the Arrowverse (seriously, he contacted EVERYONE), and I’m glad that it wasn’t an “instantaneous” return, and there were catches…but…it just didn’t hold up.

Barry speaking jibberish? Cool. Barry speadfreaking all over Star Labs? Cool. Barry suddenly snapping too just because he heard “Iris is going to die”? Eh… Honestly, I was hoping that after he saved her he would be speaking jibberish again and they would have to figure out what’s wrong. But instead, it was a snap return, which isn’t very compelling.

What is compelling is the return of Caitlin, and the finding out she’s been a part of some dark stuff during the six-month gap, and that she’s struggling to control Killer Frost. I look forward to seeing how this develops.

And finally, The Thinker was revealed, and I dig it. A non-speedster main villain is exactly what this series needed. Hearing him say “I’m thinking” was just cheesy enough to work, and I can’t wait to see his plan for the season.

In the end, “Flash Reborn” wasn’t “bad”, it just didn’t fully live up to its potential. Still though, it was a solid opening. Let’s hope the quality continues.