The Flash season 4 faces a major Wally West dilemma
Let’s say first of all that this has very little to do with the performance of Keiynan Lonsdale as the character. This is precisely what you want from someone in Wally — someone energetic, passionate, and a guy who has a tendency to look before he leaps. We wouldn’t have wanted anyone else in the role after seeing him take it on the past two years.
The larger problem at present for Wally is one related to his role on the show — and whether or not there is one. The Flash gave him a pretty good arc last season with Alchemy and eventually him training to try and beat Savitar. This time around, though, he seems relegated to the Thea Queen treatment — showing up in some episodes before falling off the map in others thanks to convenient excuses. The latest one is that he’s off in Blue Valley, feeling that he’s not altogether needed in Central City. We have a hard time thinking that this is true and Team Flash really functions better without a second speedster. Yet, the writers are finding it harder to make a compelling story with two speedsters constantly around. The seem to think as though having such one presents more challenges.
It’s also possible that there are also some creative issues facing Wally out here and there — from a writing standpoint having a character like Ralph Dibny around this season may be more compelling simply because his powers are so different from everyone else. He’s also an outsider, so he fulfills that role vacated somewhat by Julian Albert — remember him? (It’s completely weird that this season acts almost like Julian never existed.)
The Flash needs to figure out what it wants to do with Wally given that the half-measure approach doesn’t quite work. It’s strange to see him around Team Flash only part time when clearly, he’s valuable enough to be there full-time. The inconsistency of the appearances also make it hard to craft a full arc around him. While at first we were somewhat critical of him joining Legends of Tomorrow given that there are already so many other characters there, the departures of Franz Drameh and Victor Garber do open the door for someone else to enter the picture. This could be the perfect time to give Wally a little more action, and allow him to be around some other eager and entertaining characters like Nate Heywood and Sara Lance.
What do you think The Flash should be doing with Wally West after featuring him so inconsistently? Share in the comments! You can also check out this link to see when The Flash is returning.
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