The Flash season 5 episode 22 (finale) spoilers: Barry vs. Thawne in ‘Legacy’

Are you ready for The Flash season 5 episode 22 to arrive? We sure hope so, given that “Legacy” will be a story like no other. This is a showdown like no other, and as it turns out, Cicada may not even be a part of it! Neither version of the character is mentioned in any details that we’ve seen; instead, this could all be a blast from the past like no other. It’s Barry Allen taking on Eobard Thawne all over again, which certainly makes it seem as though he’s found a way to escape from his prison cell to terrorize him once more.

How do we get here? Well, it’s certainly possible that Nora, who seems to be corrupted already by the Negative Speed Force, could have a role to play in that. Maybe this has been Thawne’s plan from the very beginning, almost a battle of attrition where he felt like in due time, he would be able to get out and cause some more problems. Maybe he never knew for certain, but trying was 100% better than dying.

The official synopsis below for “Legacy,” at least in comparison to some others, certainly does not give away much:

BARRY FACES OFF WITH REVERSE FLASH – Barry (Grant Gustin) faces off with his oldest, and most formidable nemesis, Reverse Flash (Tom Cavanagh). Gregory Smith directed the episode with story by Lauren Certo and teleplay by Todd Helbing & Eric Wallace (#522). Original airdate 5/14/2019.

In establishing a showdown with Reverse Flash at the end of this finale, in our mind this does significantly reduce the odds that the season 6 Big Bad is going to be Thawne. Instead, the writers can move in a different direction, one where Red Death at the moment still seems like the most likely possibility. (We’re still wondering how the series can modify that character for the show — personally, we still think it’d be interesting to have it be a speed-corrupted, alternate-universe version of Oliver Queen and had Stephen Amell come over for an arc after Arrow wraps up its run, but that’s just us.)

No matter what The Flash decides for season 6, we do think that a reset of sorts could be in order for a lot of the show as a whole. A lot of characters as a whole just appear to be teetering on possible exits — while it’s possible Jessica Parker Kennedy could return, it’d be strange to see Nora stick around in the present. Meanwhile, Cisco’s been gone this season a lot already, Dibny’s barely had much of a role at all, and are you going to find another unique way to use Harrison Wells? We just feel like now, the best thing that The Flash could do is try to find a way to establish a more central cast who feel a little more stable and you aren’t just seeing them pop in and out.

The next new episode of The Flash is coming on the air this Tuesday. For a little more news all about it, be sure to visit the link here.

What are you the most excited to see in regards to The Flash season 5 episode 22, and how do you personally believe that this season will end? Be sure to share right now in the comments. (Photo: The CW.)