The Flash returns for its second episode and it continues the frantic pace that it established in its pilot. In “Fastest Man Alive,” Barry Allen played by Grant Gustin, begins to test and find out his limits, in a variety of ways.
The show opens with its trademark Gustin voice-over, while the Flash is running to a burning building. He and Cisco, who is running surveillance from S.T.A.R. Labs., have forged a crime-fighting alliance unbeknownst to everyone else. Giving Cisco the role of the dispatcher also makes good use of his youthful enthusiasm, which seemed a little out of place in the pilot. The main thrust of the episode is Allen needing to reconcile his new “lifestyle,” with his family and researchers, who are trying to protect him for various reasons and agendas.
Another ripple that they’ve added to the the Flash rule book, is that he experiences debilitating headaches. When the S.T.A.R.S. team is made aware of his ailment, they immediately begin testing him. It is refreshing that the writers didn’t drag the question of what is wrong with Barry Allen for episodes. (There was no search for Tahiti,) Additionally, the answer wasn’t magical, it is based on real world logic. The notion is adapted straight from the comics. If he is expending that much energy to run, he must eat an incredible amount of calories to compensate.
There is an interesting battle of wills that is set up between Det. West and Dr. Hamilton Wells. West wins round one, when he barges into S.T.A.R. Labs and blasts Allen for working a secondary job in “law enforcement.” These are clearly the two father figures in Allen’s life, one that teaches him about his powers and the other that teaches him about life. West is emotional and direct, while Wells is quieter and more sympathetic. It should not go without mentioning that underlying all West’s action are a protective love for Allen, however Wells’ true intentions are dubious at best.
Later, Joe West and Dr. Hamilton Wells have a follow-up conversation about Allen’s future. During this talk they uncover the World’s Fastest Man’s true kryptonite, his self-doubt. If he takes his mind off what he is doing or loses his focus at the wrong time, could get him killed. From that point on, the emotional crux of the show becomes clear.
One of the most touching moments and what looks to be a pillar of the series, will be the new partnership forged between Allen and his foster-father. West vowed to work with him to help solve the mystery of his mother’s murder. This could be the basis of the show by itself. It looks that this will be the season or series-long story arc, while Allen takes care of the week to week battles with the S.T.A.R.S. Lab’s crew. Suddenly all of the primary characters have a strong function within the framework of the story.
The show had yet another random super-villain to contend with, but it seems that the writers have found a successful formula. Instead of each episode becoming depending on Allen to figure out who the monster of the week is (which was a valid concern considering his career working for the police), the villains and action so far have been used to advance the human drama. Each time he tests his limits as the Flash, Allen has to find out something new about himself as a person. Which makes all of his relationships that much more dynamic.
The second episode of the series continued to move the dominoes in place. There was only a slight dip in entertainment value from the previous episode, while enormous headway was made in terms of world-building. The rules that Allen has to operate within became more defined, while some of the main player’s arcs are beginning their course. The balance of action, drama, and yes cheesiness, fit the tone the show has committed to perfectly. Lets see if the creators can keep the show’s emotional core grounded, as the world becomes increasingly fantastical. There was also another shocking ending featuring Dr. Wells who is harboring dark secrets about Allen’s future. The series already looks to have its feet under it, as its moving full-speed ahead.
