"The Flash" Gorilla Warfare (TV Episode 2015) Poster

(TV Series)

(2015)

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8/10
Sometimes You Have to Slow Down
ThomasDrufke17 November 2015
One of the great things about The Flash is that it consistently and effectively references famous films or TV and does so in a way that never feels forced. Although the episode directly referenced Princess Bride as the movie Cisco and Kendra are supposed to watch, and Cisco reenacts the Say Anything moment towards the end (the 'in your eyes' song even played in the background), it was the fact that this was clearly a King Kong tribute episode that stuck out most to me. Caitlin was pretty much wearing identical clothes to Ann Darrow from those films and Grodd even stayed in a tower (Empire State Building esque). I loved that the writers were able to weave in so many nods and tribute to that beloved character. Especially to a guy like me who is an absolute film and TV nut.

Anyways, this was of course this season's Gorilla Grodd episode. I hope we get a few more of these every season because they not only put Flash up against a unique threat, but the episodes are pure entertainment. It was also good to see Caitlin out in the field contributing. She has gotten lost in the shuffle this season, very reminiscent of Diggle in seasons 2 and 3 of Arrow. There just hasn't been a whole lot for her to do, so I'm glad the spotlight was on her this week.

As Flash was in a wheelchair for most of the episode, we also got to spend some time with Cisco and Wells. The whole Cisco dating Hawkgirl thing is a little strange, but the Wells dynamic is pure gold. How cool was that seeing the two reenact last year's infamous scene where Wells is about to murder Cisco? I love when Cisco said "up the creep factor" in order to get Wells to properly persuade him he's his 'father'. Plus, seeing Wells back in the Reverse Flash suit was pretty haunting.

But what is it about superheroes and them breaking their back's? I knew Barry would get his strength/speed back but I thought it may take longer. The contribution of Iris inviting Barry's dad back this week to help motivate Barry was a nice touch. It was a much better parent visit than last night's Supergirl where her mom felt really flat, Henry Allen most certainly did not. It was especially good because Iris has also had barely anything to do this year (let's keep it that way). Speaking of which, is that Iris-mother story ever coming back?

Watching this episode brought back some of the memories of seeing Grodd in the Justice League Animated Series back in the day as he is progressing with his mind controlling abilities. Grodd, aside from Zoom, is probably the best villain who's still alive on the show so I hope to see more of these episodes. Of course, unfortunately he's on Earth Two now meeting up with his fellow 'Gorilla Soldiers'. Finally, it's worth mentioning Patty Spivot of course. A much smaller role than previous weeks, but still effective. Just by this episode's arc alone with Patty becoming suspicious, I hope she will find out about Barry by mid-season's end. I like the dynamic right now, but it may be better if everything is out in the clear.

+Grodd wrecking havoc

+King Kong tribute

+All the movie references

+Cisco and Caitlin out in the field

+Always great to see Barry's dad

8.6/10
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8/10
Incredibly Amusing
SpoodermanDerp18 November 2015
"Gorilla Warfare" is one of those Flash episodes that and I quote from the episode, slow down, but not in a bad way. It still gives us some great exposition on what is to come in the future and it gives us delightful references and callbacks to stuff that will probably make you smile throughout this episode.

It starts off from where we left off the previous episode with the surprise appearance of Zoom. Just when you thought it would just be another filler episode, especially since Barry just lost his power and there is no thrill, the episode becomes really engaging from the get-go. Tom Cavanagh as "Harry" is extremely entertaining to watch and watching him play the role but a whole lot differently adds much more substance and likability to his character. It was also quite refreshing to see Barry's dad come back again (also to trump some Moviepilot theories out there) and give some much needed inspiration and motivation for Barry and it was pretty great to see them interact with each other. Cisco also had a rather interesting part in this one with, of course, Hawkgirl and it gave way to references ranging to The Princess Bride. Of course, it also didn't miss the opportunity to play along with the episode, especially when you have an over sized Gorilla, there's bound to be some King Kong callbacks and references, and there were indeed. Moving on to the technical aspects of the episode, the visuals still pretty much hold up even at the second season of this show. The action is still pretty fast paced and you feel really engaged with how the episode handles its thrilling scenes.

In summary, "Gorilla Warfare" was entertaining to say the least and it brought much needed exposition and references to get us pumped up for future episodes and events.

Verdict: 8.6/10
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9/10
Up the creepy voice!
beertijn18 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Once again we see that The Flash has a lot of great movie reverences and emotional scenes and everything else.

So this week's villain was our almighty Gorilla Grodd! And they had a really cool movie reverence with him this episode, King Kong. Grodd took Caitlyn, she was almost wearing the same dress as the woman in King Kong and Grodd was hiding in a tower. Loved this reference so awesome. Grodd always has a big presence in The Flash, so of course this episode as well.

Grodd is feeling lonely and took Caitlyn so she could duplicate and create more Grodds because that is what we need right? More gorillas that can mind control people, yeah that won't do it. Instead they lured him into a trap and send him to Earth 2. Apparently there is a whole jungle full of those gorillas/apes. Scary stuff.I hope we will see all of them on Earth 1 in Season 3 as the big plot line. An army of those gorillas, well there will be nothing than just utter destruction everywhere and nowhere!

Speaking about utter destruction. The Flash got destroyed physically and mentally in the last episode 'Enter Zoom'. The Flash physically recovered but is mentally disturbed and he lost faith in himself, he is trying to get his speed back but then he has a flashback about the fight with Zoom and he is just giving up again.

I love it when Iris had an idea about bringing his faith back. That idea was of course calling Barry's father and let them have a nice son and father talk. Beautiful and an emotional scene where Henry talks about the day he went to prison. The only thing keeping him sane was that Barry was still believing in him. Now it was the other way around. Henry still believes in Barry as The Flash and even convinces him to take out Grodd and punch him hard through the Dimenionsal shift between Earth 1 and Earth 2.

So Harrison Wells from Earth 2 was wearing the Reverse Flash suit in this episode. Reverse Flash is the father of Grodd so he was trying to convince him and release Caitlyn. Of course did Wells not exactly know how to act like Wells on Earth 1, so we again had a hilarious scene between Cisco and Wells. After a few tries he succeeded using the 'creepy' voice.

I still don't know how to feel about the dating stuff between Cisco and Kendra (Hawkgirl in Legends of Tomorrow). It feels a bit off I think, not too sure. We have to see. Especially because Cisco knows what she will be in the near future. When is Cisco getting his own suit? I want to see his suit. Lets get on with the Vibe Hype right?! Alright so on to the relationship between Patty and Barry. Poor Patty she wants to be there for Barry with some nice chicken noodle soup because he was 'sick'. And later founds out that Barry lied to her. Nice excuse by him though. But when will she find out that Barry is The Flash? I hope soon though. I don't want to have another "I am mad because you kept a secret from me scene". So please Barry just tell her that you are The Flash and get over it.

Overall this was again an awesome episode!

Some + and - points.

+ Grodd was back.

+ Seeing the gorillas/apes place on Earth 2.

+ Henry being in this episode.

+ Harrison Wells in the Reverse Flash suit

  • Kendra + Cisco dating.


  • Barry not telling the truth about being The Flash to Patty.


8.9/10
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8/10
Ranking/Reviewing every Flash episode: Gorilla Warfare
lbramson11 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Caitlin is kidnapped (🙄) by Grodd, so Team Flash hatch a plan to disquise Harry and the Reverse Flash and trick the gorilla. I love the punny title, but the episode? Not so much. This is another sorta formulaic episode that lacks any splash of creativity. Cisco and Harry have some fun banter and they chew up every bit of scenery they're in! The Gorilla City tease at the end had me screaming at the top of my lungs, but the rest is just meh. It stands out of than Episodes 3 and 4, so it's better, but it pales in comparison to the last 2. This episode is good, but it doesn't blow your mind with crazy twists and turns. 8.2/10, meh😒
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6/10
Filler
okraievskyi8 September 2022
Was I the only one who understood that Gorilla City reference? I've never seen anyone mention it here. As for the episode, I didn't really care about it. I mean, it wasn't bad, but it didn't quite feel as amazing as the others. For the positives, I liked Grodd appearing again and I loved the ending. I liked the characters in this, from diving more deep into Henry Allen's personality in an amazing talk with his son, to great Dr Wells moments. And I liked acting from both of them. I liked that Barry actually had traumatic thoughts after the Zoom battle, as many superheroes in comics and movies forget about traumatic experiences like they never happened. However, all those 'We need to be together' moments in almost every episode are starting to feel cliche now. Grodd's scenes were also great. However, there were so many things I didn't like or care about. Caitlin got out of the trance too easily. I don't think Henry Allen's 'believe in yourself' line was done well, and the CGI was not really good. And it's overall not one of those episodes I really care about.
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