TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews The Flash Season 7 Episode 16: P.O.W.

Well…the family is all here! …kind of, it’s complicated. You know what? Let’s just start from the beginning.

Continuing on with what was happening last week, the “Speedster War” featuring the many forms of Godspeed is still going on and getting more intense. As we would come to find out, the reason for the Civil War is that the original Godspeed is in 2021 in Central City and whoever gets him will “win the war”. Why? Because one side wants to save him and make them their leader and the other wants to kill him in order to ensure their freedom. And naturally, Team Flash is caught in the middle.

This is a very unique take on the speed battles and arcs of the past it definitely sticks out because the team have done a good job padding out the story beats and making it clear that we don’t know everything and that this is escalating in a very fun way.

For example, Team Flash (complete with Diggle!) using an “Entropy Trap” to get a Godspeed was awesome, but them misunderstanding the powers of the clone made for a great twist on things. As was the reveal that the “real August Hart” was suffering from some serious memory loss and yet is drawn to places from his future. No doubt that’ll play a factor into things going forward.

Adding to the issue, Barry had another “vision” of Nora and it made him even more fearful of the future she’s supposed to be in and so after going and checking on her he finds that the Speed Force is being infected by the Godspeeds and that it’s partially responsible for the war escalating like it is.

And finally…Diggle!!! Yes his, “world tour” if you will is continuing and THANKFULLY this is the episode where it honestly feels meaningful and true to character outside of a single hiccup that I’ll get to. His previous connection with Barry absolutely shows here, and unlike his chat with Luke Fox in Batwoman, his speech to Barry about family was great and really leaned into his experiences in the Arrowverse both big and small. I honestly wish he had stayed around for the rest of the season because it would’ve felt natural…but…

…this is where things got a little off the rails. Apparently, something “is wrong” with John after he denied the Green Lantern ring (David Ramsey said his world tour was to feature the “consequences of his refusal”) and that…is odd. Because while it’s true that the ring chooses the wearer more times than not (there are a few exceptions…), it doesn’t cripple them if they refuse. Many Lanterns have resigned or even refused to be Green Lanterns for a period of time. So why is it hurting John? And how will this “world tour” end if not him being forced to join the Corps? Which for the record, would be a perverted twist on things.

This brings us to the story of Allegra and Esperanza. Who went through yet another over-the-top storyline that felt forced and honestly rendered previous storylines irrelevant. Because despite everything Allegra did for her cousin, and saving her life…TWICE, she’s still 100% gung-ho on “killing everyone in Black Hole” and she dies for it. And then they frame it as though it’s Allegra’s fault that she “didn’t choose family” and decided to save the city with her friends. Which is what she did in her own way. Esperanza’s death felt trivial and that “dust” scene was just…painful to watch in the worst way possible.

Not much better was the “reveal” of where Iris was. I noted last week that the “lack of Candice Patton” was apparent and now we know why…she’s with Dion…because she’s cracking the timeline…somehow…and has to be with him to save her…somehow… It was really weird. And it’s just as weird that she’s been with Dion for a while and yet Barry never noticed…? How is that possible…?

Finally, the Joe/Kramer storyline ended with the finding of her brother…who is apparently immortal…and Kramer is apparently a meta as well (which was very obvious) and said brother was 100% villain trope…and thus made this plotline very annoying…again.

But hey! At least Impulse is here! And he’s very crash.

In the end, “P.O.W.” did do well on the main plotline and much that was attached to it, but the side stories didn’t help bring this episode to a higher quality, and likely would’ve been better without them. With a 2-part speedster-filled finale next week…it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.