So, another evil speedster is gonna kill another person close to the flash. First his mother was killed by the Reverse Flash, then his dad was killed by Zoom. And now this... They just keep coming up with new ways to make him suffer. But this time it's a mystery, we don't know yet whether that would happen or not. Nice to know that they(Team Flash) have figured out a way to travel in the future too. That'll add another dimension to the show. Literally. An exciting mid-season finale. They have stopped whining about Flashpoint. Everybody has just accepted the changes and moved on. And at least now everything's out in the open. They're done with Alchemy. Now it's just Savitar.
7 Reviews
As Good as Flash Has Been in a While, Great Set-Up For Second Half
ThomasDrufke6 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The crossover was fun and all, but it was fun to jump right back into the Savitar/Alchemy conflict with tonight's midseason finale. For all intents and purposes, this was the best The Flash has been in quite some time. Not that the season has been bad, but I think we've all been wondering what the direction was going to be after Flashpoint, and I think this episode clearly answered that.
There were plenty of brilliant things about the episode, but the obstacle that was given to Barry by episode's end, was the most impressive thing about this season. The first half of the season has been entirely focused on Flashpoint and how Barry's mistake fixing the past has lead to pretty much everything that happened this season from Cisco's brother, to Caitlin, to Alchemy & Savitar. Now, with Barry seemingly putting that mistake behind him once and for all by throwing the "philosophers stone" in the speedforce, he realized an even bigger problem. The future sees Savitar kill Iris right in front of Barry. First half about dealing with fixing the past, now the second half will be Barry attempting to fix or alter the future. It's brilliant.
Julian found himself a bigger role on Team Flash surprisingly, as Barry found out Julian's true identity. As most of us expected, Julian wasn't aware of him being Alchemy, due to multiple personalities. At first, I was disappointed that Barry would reveal himself to be Flash so soon, especially because we don't know a whole lot about Julian, but I guess it makes sense. Barry put himself out there a few weeks back with Caitlin, and it proved to be beneficial in calming her down, the same was true about Julian. And honestly, having Julian be a new (sort-of) member will probably be the best thing for his character. You have to use Tom Felton's talent somehow.
Tonight also saw an extended role of Earth-3 Jay Garrick helping Barry out. With that we got a nice little cameo of Mark Hamill's Trickster (Joker). Sadly, the latter didn't have a huge role, but with multiple villains already giving Barry a hard time, we didn't need Trickster doing anything to distract the bigger problem. Now that Wally is a full-time speedster, I don't know how many more team-ups with Jay we will get, so I'll treasure them each time. It was fun seeing the two of them take on Savitar and Alchemy, and just as brutal to see Savitar nearly kill Jay before the box with the stone was closed. And thanks to Jay we ever so briefly got a backstory for Savitar.
So the annual Christmas episode brought many presents. A nice cameo, a new Team Flash member, a cool team-up, and a new narrative for the second half. The show is clearly heading in a darker direction, and I can't wait. I love that this entire season is built around Barry's mistakes, and that his future is about as grim as it may ever get. Do I really believe the show will kill Iris off? I'm not sure. It seems unlikely, especially considering how much criticism The CW got for the death of Black Canary last year. Nothing is ever set in stone in comic-book television, but I love the premise The Flash has set up for the second half. Happy holidays. See you in 2017.
+Brilliant storytelling with the tease for second half
+2v2 team-up fight
+Julian joins the team
+Hamill cameo
10/10
There were plenty of brilliant things about the episode, but the obstacle that was given to Barry by episode's end, was the most impressive thing about this season. The first half of the season has been entirely focused on Flashpoint and how Barry's mistake fixing the past has lead to pretty much everything that happened this season from Cisco's brother, to Caitlin, to Alchemy & Savitar. Now, with Barry seemingly putting that mistake behind him once and for all by throwing the "philosophers stone" in the speedforce, he realized an even bigger problem. The future sees Savitar kill Iris right in front of Barry. First half about dealing with fixing the past, now the second half will be Barry attempting to fix or alter the future. It's brilliant.
Julian found himself a bigger role on Team Flash surprisingly, as Barry found out Julian's true identity. As most of us expected, Julian wasn't aware of him being Alchemy, due to multiple personalities. At first, I was disappointed that Barry would reveal himself to be Flash so soon, especially because we don't know a whole lot about Julian, but I guess it makes sense. Barry put himself out there a few weeks back with Caitlin, and it proved to be beneficial in calming her down, the same was true about Julian. And honestly, having Julian be a new (sort-of) member will probably be the best thing for his character. You have to use Tom Felton's talent somehow.
Tonight also saw an extended role of Earth-3 Jay Garrick helping Barry out. With that we got a nice little cameo of Mark Hamill's Trickster (Joker). Sadly, the latter didn't have a huge role, but with multiple villains already giving Barry a hard time, we didn't need Trickster doing anything to distract the bigger problem. Now that Wally is a full-time speedster, I don't know how many more team-ups with Jay we will get, so I'll treasure them each time. It was fun seeing the two of them take on Savitar and Alchemy, and just as brutal to see Savitar nearly kill Jay before the box with the stone was closed. And thanks to Jay we ever so briefly got a backstory for Savitar.
So the annual Christmas episode brought many presents. A nice cameo, a new Team Flash member, a cool team-up, and a new narrative for the second half. The show is clearly heading in a darker direction, and I can't wait. I love that this entire season is built around Barry's mistakes, and that his future is about as grim as it may ever get. Do I really believe the show will kill Iris off? I'm not sure. It seems unlikely, especially considering how much criticism The CW got for the death of Black Canary last year. Nothing is ever set in stone in comic-book television, but I love the premise The Flash has set up for the second half. Happy holidays. See you in 2017.
+Brilliant storytelling with the tease for second half
+2v2 team-up fight
+Julian joins the team
+Hamill cameo
10/10
The Flash - S03E09 The Present
j_forbesy7 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
It's this time of year again! And I'm not talking about Christmas. It's mid-season finale time. After the big crossover last week, I was excited to jump into the big mid-season finales, starting with Flash.
This episode of The Flash was fantastic as just a normal episode, but more importantly, it was an amazing mid-season finale. I loved the opening to this episode and how we got a back story to Julian discovering the Philosopher Stone. For the most part, we haven't been told much of Julian's back story apart from his move to America, so it was great to get the story of how he was connected to Alchemy. It was also great to get the personal side of that story with Julian talking through his blackouts and the voices in his head. While on Alchemy, I like how they did the comic origin for him where Alchemy is not actually Julian mentally even though he is physically.
We got the return of two great actors this episode and that was John Wesley Shipp as Jay and Mark Hamill back as the Trickster. While Hamill had a small role in the context of the episode, it was still fantastic seeing him as a Joker like Trickster. Like I said, it was a minor role but it was great fan service. Someone who didn't have a minor role was John Wesley Shipp as Jay. Now his 3rd appearance as Earth 3's Flash, I loved getting that father/son relation with him and Barry, which of course is ironic because he is also Barry's dad on the show. I thought he was great in this episode and it's always great seeing a veteran speedster team up with a younger one. Which takes me to my next point.
Wally West is finally going to be Kid Flash. They have been teasing it for a long time now but now we officially have Earth 1, post Flashpoint, yellow suited Wally West. This really makes me excited for the second half of the season because we are going to get Barry and Wally team up, which is the experienced speedster taking the new speedster under his wing. We got a bit of this with Barry and Jessie, and that was great so it's exciting to getting another speedster combo. A large part of why we are getting this combo forming is because of HR Wells. Slowly I'm starting to get onboard with HR and I think a large part is his team up with Wally. There is just something about a Wells training a speedster that works so well and really makes you get drawn to Cavanagh's characters.
The thing that stood out to me the most this episode was how it set up the second half of the season. As I mentioned we are going to get more Wally, but what I'm excited about is seeing the return of Savitar. For me, there was no way they were going to end Savitar just like that and he was always going to return but for them to all but confirm with Barry going to the future, I thought was amazing. What this scene does is up the excitement for Savitar's return in the second half of the season. Savitar is perhaps the scariest villain we have gotten across any of the CW Superhero shows.
Overall, fantastic mid-season finale. This episode did what I want in a mid-season finale with them in a way tying a bow onto some of the story lines we have gotten in the first half of the season while making me excited for the second half of the season. Like previous seasons, we are going into the back half with a big question of identity, this time around who Savitar actually is.
10/10
This episode of The Flash was fantastic as just a normal episode, but more importantly, it was an amazing mid-season finale. I loved the opening to this episode and how we got a back story to Julian discovering the Philosopher Stone. For the most part, we haven't been told much of Julian's back story apart from his move to America, so it was great to get the story of how he was connected to Alchemy. It was also great to get the personal side of that story with Julian talking through his blackouts and the voices in his head. While on Alchemy, I like how they did the comic origin for him where Alchemy is not actually Julian mentally even though he is physically.
We got the return of two great actors this episode and that was John Wesley Shipp as Jay and Mark Hamill back as the Trickster. While Hamill had a small role in the context of the episode, it was still fantastic seeing him as a Joker like Trickster. Like I said, it was a minor role but it was great fan service. Someone who didn't have a minor role was John Wesley Shipp as Jay. Now his 3rd appearance as Earth 3's Flash, I loved getting that father/son relation with him and Barry, which of course is ironic because he is also Barry's dad on the show. I thought he was great in this episode and it's always great seeing a veteran speedster team up with a younger one. Which takes me to my next point.
Wally West is finally going to be Kid Flash. They have been teasing it for a long time now but now we officially have Earth 1, post Flashpoint, yellow suited Wally West. This really makes me excited for the second half of the season because we are going to get Barry and Wally team up, which is the experienced speedster taking the new speedster under his wing. We got a bit of this with Barry and Jessie, and that was great so it's exciting to getting another speedster combo. A large part of why we are getting this combo forming is because of HR Wells. Slowly I'm starting to get onboard with HR and I think a large part is his team up with Wally. There is just something about a Wells training a speedster that works so well and really makes you get drawn to Cavanagh's characters.
The thing that stood out to me the most this episode was how it set up the second half of the season. As I mentioned we are going to get more Wally, but what I'm excited about is seeing the return of Savitar. For me, there was no way they were going to end Savitar just like that and he was always going to return but for them to all but confirm with Barry going to the future, I thought was amazing. What this scene does is up the excitement for Savitar's return in the second half of the season. Savitar is perhaps the scariest villain we have gotten across any of the CW Superhero shows.
Overall, fantastic mid-season finale. This episode did what I want in a mid-season finale with them in a way tying a bow onto some of the story lines we have gotten in the first half of the season while making me excited for the second half of the season. Like previous seasons, we are going into the back half with a big question of identity, this time around who Savitar actually is.
10/10
A foe from the future
cobi-806207 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The two mid-season finales in the past have both been really great and this mid-season finale has made it a pattern. This episode furthered the mystery of Savitar, a villain we now know comes from the future.
First off, the Trickster cameo in Earth-3 was hilarious and I wish we will see another full Trickster episode in the future be it Earth-1 or Earth-3 Trickster. I just need another full Trickster episode because he is one of the most enjoyable villains among the Flash villains on this show. The scene paid a bunch of homage to the 90's Flash series in a funny way which I hope we'll see more of someday. I did not notice any snow on Earth-3, perhaps they have a different climate?
Back in Earth-1 we have ourselves a team up between Barry and Jay against Savitar, finally this team-up happens I said with immense joy at the TV screen. Savitar is however too powerful for the two Flashs? Flashes? I'll go with Flashes and he knocks down Jay and tells him this does not concern him. Meanwhile Barry learns the real identity of Alchemy and immediately puts Julian in a Star Labs cell. We get to know that Julian is not in control when acting as Alchemy and that it's actually Savitar who controls him. The scene where Julian/Savitar tells them that one will betray them, one will fall and one will suffer a fate worse than death is really good and will probably spawn tons of theories throughout the season. Knowing the future or at least part of it is a thing that could haunt your thoughts. Barry's thoughts will likely be haunted by the knowledge he gained from visiting the future. In season 1 Barry wanted to correct his past but he did not do it until S2/3 and now he is going to want to correct his future. This will be very interesting to see and I hope the next half of the season will prove to be even stronger than this already great first half.
Prophecy guesses:
Die/fall = Iris
Feel like it should be obvious that it won't be her given we saw her die but I'm still guessing it's Iris.
Betray = Wally
I think the vibe where Killer Frost and Vibe are fighting each other is meant to make us think it's one of them so they will try to trick us (pun intended). Wally's reason for betraying Barry could be that he wants to save Iris and will do things that Barry tells him not to.
Fate worse than death = Barry
He becomes Savitar in the future or a version of Barry becomes Savitar. Eobard Thawne said to Barry in episode 1 "Now who's the villain Flash, now who's the villain". Jay told Barry in episode 2 "We're not gods Barry, we're men". Savitar said to Barry in episode 7 "You are only a man but I am a god". It's lining up pretty well to be Barry behind that shiny metal suit.
All in all, really enjoyed the episode and now I only wish Savitar could tell me what happens next so I won't have to wait!
First off, the Trickster cameo in Earth-3 was hilarious and I wish we will see another full Trickster episode in the future be it Earth-1 or Earth-3 Trickster. I just need another full Trickster episode because he is one of the most enjoyable villains among the Flash villains on this show. The scene paid a bunch of homage to the 90's Flash series in a funny way which I hope we'll see more of someday. I did not notice any snow on Earth-3, perhaps they have a different climate?
Back in Earth-1 we have ourselves a team up between Barry and Jay against Savitar, finally this team-up happens I said with immense joy at the TV screen. Savitar is however too powerful for the two Flashs? Flashes? I'll go with Flashes and he knocks down Jay and tells him this does not concern him. Meanwhile Barry learns the real identity of Alchemy and immediately puts Julian in a Star Labs cell. We get to know that Julian is not in control when acting as Alchemy and that it's actually Savitar who controls him. The scene where Julian/Savitar tells them that one will betray them, one will fall and one will suffer a fate worse than death is really good and will probably spawn tons of theories throughout the season. Knowing the future or at least part of it is a thing that could haunt your thoughts. Barry's thoughts will likely be haunted by the knowledge he gained from visiting the future. In season 1 Barry wanted to correct his past but he did not do it until S2/3 and now he is going to want to correct his future. This will be very interesting to see and I hope the next half of the season will prove to be even stronger than this already great first half.
Prophecy guesses:
Die/fall = Iris
Feel like it should be obvious that it won't be her given we saw her die but I'm still guessing it's Iris.
Betray = Wally
I think the vibe where Killer Frost and Vibe are fighting each other is meant to make us think it's one of them so they will try to trick us (pun intended). Wally's reason for betraying Barry could be that he wants to save Iris and will do things that Barry tells him not to.
Fate worse than death = Barry
He becomes Savitar in the future or a version of Barry becomes Savitar. Eobard Thawne said to Barry in episode 1 "Now who's the villain Flash, now who's the villain". Jay told Barry in episode 2 "We're not gods Barry, we're men". Savitar said to Barry in episode 7 "You are only a man but I am a god". It's lining up pretty well to be Barry behind that shiny metal suit.
All in all, really enjoyed the episode and now I only wish Savitar could tell me what happens next so I won't have to wait!
Ranking/Reviewing every Flash episode: The Present
lbramson11 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Cisco is tricked by Savitar to awaken him and resurrect his brother. Last season's Christmas episode was a let down, but this one was great! I like how they focus heavily on Cisco for this one, since he played a huge role this season. Season 3 was the darkest season and this was when the darkness started to show. It's not just dark, it's terrifying specifically when Savitar speaks through Julian Albert. That scene always sends chills down my spine! And how could I forget, this was when Barry went foward in time to see Savitar stab and kill Iris, setting up the season-long storyline. When you bring a Cisco story, a dark tone, intimating Savitar, time travel, and Jay Garrick, you are bound to have a great mid-season finale! It's not devoid of Christmas spirit either!
9.4/10-Great! Almost THE PEAK!!!
9.4/10-Great! Almost THE PEAK!!!
Downer ep
imakk20016 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Love the juxtaposition of Julian giving his background while Cisco enacts it. And Caitlin talking him back from the edge. They really haven't shown much of Cisco and Caitlin's relationship, so this season's reveals have been a delight.
Julian is part of team flash! For all my complaining about how big the team has gotten, I approve of this addition, because he doesn't come with baggage, so anything is possible. Plus, I want to see Felton as a hero/good guy.
I know it's the holiday ep, but I still think the show went a little bananas with the decorations at StarLabs, the station and Joe's house. All I could think of was I do not want to be the one who has to take all that stuff down.
Glad to see the end of the tiresome let's-keep-Wally-out-of-superheroing. Just in time for let's keep yet another secret from Iris so she can find out later and get all up in everyone's grill about it while the team tries to protect her etc etc etc. Since they squeezed all the drama they could out of Nora Allen's murder, Iris-in-jeopardy will take over. The question now is how long they'll drag this one out. Meh.
The whole E3 sequence makes me nostalgic for S1 when things were light/happy/goofy/fun: E3 Trickster was monologuing! Unfortunately, this also made the rest of the ep even more depressing, topped by a morose Barry.
Score: 7.2
Julian is part of team flash! For all my complaining about how big the team has gotten, I approve of this addition, because he doesn't come with baggage, so anything is possible. Plus, I want to see Felton as a hero/good guy.
I know it's the holiday ep, but I still think the show went a little bananas with the decorations at StarLabs, the station and Joe's house. All I could think of was I do not want to be the one who has to take all that stuff down.
Glad to see the end of the tiresome let's-keep-Wally-out-of-superheroing. Just in time for let's keep yet another secret from Iris so she can find out later and get all up in everyone's grill about it while the team tries to protect her etc etc etc. Since they squeezed all the drama they could out of Nora Allen's murder, Iris-in-jeopardy will take over. The question now is how long they'll drag this one out. Meh.
The whole E3 sequence makes me nostalgic for S1 when things were light/happy/goofy/fun: E3 Trickster was monologuing! Unfortunately, this also made the rest of the ep even more depressing, topped by a morose Barry.
Score: 7.2
Brahma Astra misquoted
adithyakoundinya7 December 2016
I understand that The Flash is a fictional story and I should not take it seriously. But, The term Brahma Astra is a very common word in India and any kid knows its not a philosopher stone or a sorcerer's stone.
Even fictional stories can be made close to reality by not wrongly quoting meaning of words from the history.
There are quite good number of people who follow The Flash, Arrow and Super Girl in India. It sounds funny and not serious when the word "Brahma Astra" otherwise called "philosopher stone"
Brahma = "Almighty God" Astra = "Weapon"
Brahma Astra = "Gods Weapon that destroys evil"
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmastra
Even fictional stories can be made close to reality by not wrongly quoting meaning of words from the history.
There are quite good number of people who follow The Flash, Arrow and Super Girl in India. It sounds funny and not serious when the word "Brahma Astra" otherwise called "philosopher stone"
Brahma = "Almighty God" Astra = "Weapon"
Brahma Astra = "Gods Weapon that destroys evil"
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmastra
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