The Flash season 5 episode 16 spoilers: ‘Failure is an Orphan’
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Watching these characters cultivate the cure has alternated between thoroughly exciting and also downright maddening. For starters, it’s led to Cisco being MIA for episodes at a time, which has in turn led to rumors that Carlos Valdes is leaving the show at the end of the season … rumors that nobody seems to keen to answer. Then, there’s also the fact that this story may have been introduced too early since it’s felt like the writers have been stalling out on it, trying to find the optimal time to include it even though doing so means the likely end of Cicada.
This is where things get a tad tricky. Season 5 episode 16 is entitled “Failure is an Orphan,” which is a clever play on the ol’ phrase “failure is not an option.” Take a magnifying glass to this for a moment and there are a couple of theories that emerge…
It’s referring to Barry/Iris – We know WestAllen. We love WestAllen. If this mission could lead to Nora becoming an orphan, it’s just not worth it.
It’s referring to Cicada – This is the likelier outcome. Maybe the only way to eradicate this scourge on society is to eliminate him … but doing so makes Grace into an orphan. If the rumors about Grace being future Cicada are true, this is giving her the motivation to make that happen.
Also, there is one other thing to consider if you buy into the idea that this is when the Cicada storyline could come to a head and/or people could die. This is only episode 16! There are 22 episodes this season, and we don’t exactly think the final six episodes will be Barry and the rest of the STAR Labs crew debating at Jitters who their favorite villains are and their favorite CW shows to watch on their time off.
For a little more information on this episode — including (shocker!) someone being unhappy with the Cicada plan — check out The Flash season 5 episode 16 synopsis that we have for you below:
THE META-CURE IS READY TO USE ON CICADA – With the meta-human cure ready to use, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Team Flash must figure out a way to subdue Cicada (Chris Klein) long enough to take it. Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker) steps in to help with the plan. Meanwhile, Joe (Jesse L. Martin) eases back into work, and Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) isn’t happy about the way her dad plans to stop Cicada. Viet Nguyen directed the episode written by Zack Stentz (#516). Original airdate 3/12/2019.
One more thought: Can we please have Barry learn about Eobard already? Knowing that there’s a potential Flash – Reverse-Flash showdown and not getting it is like knowing there’s a large pizza in the oven with all it’s melting cheesy goodness with a padlock on it. Just. Give. Us. The. Pizza.
Want to know when The Flash is returning to the air?
We covered that recently over here — read on and enjoy! Also, share your thoughts and theories on “Failure is an Orphan” below. (Photo: The CW.)