The Flash - Recap: Army of One

Of course, this isn't to say that this was a flawless episode. The procedural nature of the show, while certainly fun, doesn't carry as much weight or interest as the rest of the series. This is largely due to the issue that the villains so far have been rather flimsy on the characterization side of things. Granted, I'm not sure how much depth we were ever going to get out of the Weather Wizard. Or tonight's villain, Danton Black, better known as Multiplex. These cases are interesting for how they help develop Barry (Grant Gustin), but I'm hoping the show will get to a point where the Case of the Week can be interesting on its own, independent of what it means for Barry, or how it comments on whatever theme is prevalent that week. But the show is only two episodes in, so I'm not exactly expecting the world of it just yet. That said, for a show that's only two episodes in, this is still an outrageously fun show, with an overall tone and aesthetic that suggests this series knows it's a comic book show, but understands that being a comic book show doesn't mean you have to talk down to your audience, or use lazy storytelling to get a point across. Maybe some of the dialogue is on the nose and trite, but it's very much in the spirit of who this Barry Allen is, and how he approaches his world. He's flawed, as evidenced by his outbursts towards Joe (Jesse L. Martin), but his flaws are relatable and they don't inhibit our ability to like/identify with Barry. And that's a key to making this show work, since any iteration of The Flash depends on having a likable Barry, one who's not so anchored down by hubris that he becomes a brooding loner. "The Fastest Man Alive" illustrates that this is a kid who's still learning the ropes, but is willing to take help where he can get it. After all, not every man can be a one-man army.

Credit: The CW

The actual Case of the Week is fairly straightforward: Danton Black is a scientist who once worked in the field of cellular regeneration and cloning for Stagg Industries. His intention was to use the research to help save his wife, who was suffering from a degenerative coronary condition, and was far down on the transplant list for a new heart. However, the research is stolen by Simon Stagg (William Sadler), the founder and CEO of Stagg Industries, and used to bring the company into a new golden age. Stagg also fires Black for good measure. Black's wife dies, he grows bitter and resentful, and the storm that gave Barry his powers gives Black the means by which he can exact his revenge, as he now has the ability to endlessly replicate himself to create an army of one. And only Barry can stop him. Of course, what's interesting about this is that it's a case that teaches Barry just how ill-prepared he is to be a superhero. For all his bravado and good intentions, he still manages to get his ass kicked by a team of Dantons in their first encounter, prompting him to doubt his own abilities and question whether Joe was right in declaring him unfit to fight metahumans. It's a harsh assessment on Joe's part, but the doubt it stirs in Barry is what drives the narrative. Even though he quits S.T.A.R. Labs and briefly gives up his attempted career as a superhero, we know it won't stick. Not just because we wouldn't have a show if it did, but because we know Barry isn't the type to give up. And a self-doubting loner isn't the kind of person Joe raised him to be.

Credit: The CW

The relationship between Barry and Joe gets explored, and it's among the most rewarding material of the episode for how it pays off in the end. Flashbacks reveal that Barry often rebelled against Joe's attempts at being a father to him, even though Barry's father (John Wesley Shipp) encouraged Barry to give him a shot. It's a rebellion that lives on in adult Barry, who resists against Joe's insistence that he shouldn't use his powers to help people (reasoning that he might get himself killed since, after all, Barry might be able to run fast, but he's not invincible). However, after Barry's failed first encounter with Black, doubt begins to settle in, to such an extent that he gives things up in an attempt to reclaim a normal life. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) tells Joe that Barry is more than capable of fighting crime, but is unsuccessful because of self-doubt due to Joe's lack of faith. For all of Barry's "You're not my father!" blustering, he still looks up to Joe and values his opinion. So Barry can't find the confidence he needs until Joe gives him that final push.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't touched when Joe delivered his rousing pep talk to Barry, telling him that he's the only person who can stop Black. "For once in your life, do what I tell you to do. Go stop him," Joe says, as the music swells and surrogate father and son exchange hopeful, meaningful glances. It's more than a bit hokey, but Martin and Gustin are great in their roles, and do a tremendous job in making this feel like a long-standing relationship with a history that predates our viewership. It's easy to imagine, even without the flashbacks, that these "You're not my father!"/"Will you just listen to me, for once?" conflicts are issues they've always had. And it's part of what makes the resolution of the story so poignant, as Barry is able to defeat Black after Joe reminds him that "nothing is impossible." In an awesome sequence , Barry zooms through an army of Dantons in search of the "prime" he needs to render the duplicates lifeless. However, Danton ends up getting himself killed when he charges at Barry, misses, and sends himself through a window at the top of Stagg Industries. Although Barry tries to save him, Danton duplicates an arm to release Barry's grip on him, allowing him to fall to the ground below. Barry fails to save Danton, but it wasn't for lack of trying. It's a bit of a bittersweet conclusion, but the positive here is that Barry ultimately regains his superhero mojo. Joe expresses his pride and vows to help Barry find his mother's true killer so they can free his father, and it all culminates in Barry telling Joe that despite his insensitive words, he really does view Joe as a father. Joe's touched reaction is a positively beautiful bit of wordless acting from Martin. In short, it's a lovely conclusion to their arc this week.

Credit: The CW

Of course, there are other stories worth addressing this week, such as Iris (Candice Patton) suddenly deciding to investigate the reports of a "red streak" appearing at various crime scenes and rescuing endangered citizens. It's well-worn territory, with the love interest being brought into close proximity of the hero's secret, getting exponentially closer but always just failing to see the truth. It's a bit of an overdone trope in superhero adaptations, but it's to be expected. What wasn't expected, however, was Harrison Wells murdering Simon Stagg in the final scene of the episode, rising from his wheelchair after Stagg boasts that he'll capture The Flash to take his power. Wells digs the knife into Stagg's side, vowing that this isn't personal, instead saying that it's simply a matter of protecting Barry, since "The Fastest Man Alive must be kept safe." It's a sinister conclusion that suggests Wells is doing the wrong thing (murder) for the right reasons (to protect Barry), although it's hard to know his motives just yet. Regardless, it's an intriguing mystery for the show to set up, moving forward, and Tom Cavanagh does a great job playing on the dichotomy between the public face Harrison Wells wants people to see, and the more sinister side that could very well be his true self.

"The Fastest Man Alive" is a worthy successor to last week's pilot episode. I don't imagine every episode will be a slam dunk, but it's already 2-2 for The Flash. And that's more than some new shows premiering this season can say.