‘The Flash’ season 2, episode 9 (winter finale) review: Wally West’s arrival; Harrison Wells’ promise
While it would have been extremely easy for “The Flash” to deliver some sort of enormous shocker for their midseason finale, we’re almost glad that they didn’t. In this day and age where shows rely on pure “OMG” moments to draw ratings, it was nice to have a story in “Running to Stand Still” that was more about emotional interactions featuring some of the characters.
Even in the closing seconds, the focus was more on a personal moment: Harrison Wells telling Zoom that he will continue to “fatten up” Barry’s speed abilities so that when Zoom eventually kills him, he will acquire as much speed force as possible. It may be a sort-of-surprise, but we like that this came about mostly because of Dr. Wells’ desperation to save his daughter and keep her from harm. Also, he had no other choice; heck, we feel like he may just try to make Barry so powerful that he can actually defeat Zoom himself.
Everyone had their own moment along the way. Liam McIntyre had his best performance yet as the Weather Wizard, as he nearly got his revenge on murdering The Flash before a last-second plan with Harrison’s help saved the day. Both he and the Trickster were eventually apprehended, and after a Flash pep-talk Patty Spivot decided that it was better to not kill Mardon when she had the chance, given that this would’ve done little for her.
Joe and Iris West’s big moment came in the official arrival of Wally West into the fold. She admitted the truth to him, only for him to show up in the flesh near the end of the episode. Given his ties to the comics, it is fair to say here that this is someone you are going to be seeing a lot more of.
How can you not be satisfied with this episode overall? It brought so many layers, quirks, and heart into the world, and it certainly has us prepared for what is coming up next. Grade: A-.
Head over here to get some other news when it comes to the future of “The Flash”! Also, sign up here to get some other TV scoop in a flash, sent right over to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: The CW.)