The Flash has not ceased to impress over its nine week run. The show has shown a unique ability to balance all the balls that it voluntarily juggles. Typically that can cause a show still in its infancy to stumble. However, the show’s creators Geoff Johns, Andrew Kreisberg, and Greg Berlanti, know exactly how much their show can handle…then they stretch the known boundaries a little further.

The first thing that is apparent this episode is that a little of the tone of Arrow has rubbed off on the show after their trip to Starling City. This is by far the darkest and most heart-wrenching episode this season by far.

The biggest reason for the show’s early success is due to the fact that the writer’s don’t leave plot threads hanging. They don’t seem to be writing to leave themselves options later or to find the easy way out. Every issue that has been presented to the audience has not yet been resolved, but they have all been addressed. That is why a show like Smallville infuriated many viewers, because they would let storylines play out over seasons, without much forward progression. The result was a show that seemed to be treading water, which was not very rewarding for the audience. The Flash establishes a plot threads, such as Ronnie Raymond, Barry’s unrequited love, and the man in the yellow suit, and then directly addresses it.

Most shows would have waited multiple seasons before being introduced to the yellow suited murderer. However, the writers have a story to tell and they aren’t holding back, despite having a lofty 22 episode season to fill. They are confident in their material, so they don’t have to string the audience along.

John Wesley Shipp had his best performance and gave Barry a motivational speech that showed that he recognized the sacrifices he has made. It was one of many moments that would have been overly sentimental and sappy normally, but the actor’s earnestness elevates the material. Caitlin had her own revelation as she discovered that her former lover survived the explosion. However, she had to come to heart-breaking realization that he is no longer the same. It was the first time the character showed genuine emotion and it will be interesting to see how they integrate Firestorm into the show in the near future.

It’s hard to discuss this episode without mentioning Barry’s secret crush. The writers forced Barry to confront his fear and to confess his love for Iris. Everyone from Eddie Thawne to Barry’s imprisoned father have noticed his clumsy love and they let Barry know it. The result is that a resolution was forced, so that the show can progress and continue swimming. However, this admission will inevitably turn the show on its head as Eddie has another clear motive to dislike Barry. Barry has officially started interfering in his relationship and when he finds out that he is actually The Flash…Barry will probably have another full-fledged enemy on his plate.

Finally Allen confronted the murderer of his mother which will lead to further character growth in the second half of the season. There was a huge revelation, or misdirection, at the end of the episode which gives the audience more information than the main cast. So it should be an interesting ride for the remainder of the season as the layers and new mysterious of The Flash are uncovered.

This episode was a flat out joy to watch. It satisfied by answering old questions, while posing new ones. The circumstances of the episode forced Allen to grow up. Which will in turn, force the show to mature with him and that is an exciting prospect. Even though The Flash is moving at full speed, it’s exciting to know there is yet another gear that it will go to.