‘The Flash’ Finds Something New To Explore

After so many seasons, it’s hard for any show to remain fresh and relevant. There’s only so many times the same characters can be put in the same kind of danger and get out of it the same way. Fortunately, this week’s episode of The Flash finds a relationship dynamic it hasn’t explored yet and was able to utilize that for the start of the second half of the season.

Officially, The Flash returned last week. But that felt like an isolated episode as it focused on Barry Allen’s (Grant Gustin) kids, Bart (Jordan Fisher) and Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy), traveling through time. Instead, this season’s story arc felt like it finally got underway with this episode as the Flash starts a new era of crime fighting. Previously, Barry was able to utilize his relationship within the police department to take down bad guys. This included Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Cecile (Danielle Nicolet). Now, as Kristen Kramer (Carmen Moore) has taken over, the Flash has to find a new way to work with a police force that is not as close to him personally. And since Kramer is going through her own character arc coming to terms with her meta powers, it makes for an interesting dynamic not previously seen on the show.

Of course, not everything is perfect. They decided to use the comical villain Goldface (Damion Poitier) as the obstacle for Barry and Kramer to overcome, so the threat never feels as strong as it should. But still, the episode was engaging in the way it strengthened the relationship and bond between the two characters. The season’s main threat has yet to be revealed, but hints are being dropped along the way. Eventually, the main story arc will come together, and hopefully, the show will find a new way to present this threat similar to how it found a new way for Flash to work alongside the police.

The Flash airs Wednesdays on The CW.