The Flash (TV Series) Paradox (2016) User Reviews

Barry's Wake Up Call

[scarlettyforest · 9/10 · 11 October 2016]

A problem that was beginning to emerge on The Flash was that the show rarely felt like it had consequences because of Barry's ability to change the time line. This episode did an amazing job of clearing that up.

This was a really strong episode for season three on a few different fronts: it introduced new villains and conflicts, as well as giving Barry some much overdue character development. By far the best addition to season three as of yet has been Tom Felton as Julian Albert who sets a much needed serious tone for the show and has great chemistry (ha ha) with Barry. Barry and Cisco's arc this episode was also really surprisingly heart-wrenching due to an unexpected decision the writers made which I hope they are bold enough to stick with. In terms of directing, I think the director did a really great job of avoid clichés. The only problem I had with this episode is that I think they tried to resolve some of the issues between the characters a bit too soon.

+ Barry's character development

+ Julian Albert

+ Doctor Alchemy

+ Cisco and Barry tension

+ Promising Caitlin Snow story line

9.3/10

We're Not Gods, We're Men

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 11 October 2016]

Much like Stephen Amell on Arrow, Grant Gustin has really come into his own on The Flash. Perhaps not as demanding as some of the late season 2 episodes were emotionally, but tonight proved Gustin has a wide range of acting chops.

This of course, is in reference to him having to be the comedic relief to Team Flash after the Flashpoint ramifications took impact. I was happy last week when that particular timeline only lasted one episode, but I was also glad that there were consequences to the mistake Barry made. Those mistakes seem to be almost put to rest in one episode. Iris and Joe have made up, as has Cisco and Barry patched up what was keeping them apart. That was a big surprise. Granted, it seems like the big villains of this year, Alchemy and maybe The Rival (still alive?) are remnants of the timeline paradox, but I would have expected some issues to last a bit longer.

With that said, I'm actually glad it didn't last that long. I don't want to see this universe stay in limbo, I would like it to move forward, which has pretty much been the theme this year. I am, however, a bit disappointed that Diggle's kid is a boy named John instead of his baby girl Sara. It doesn't really matter in the big picture, but them naming Sara after the canary's death was a nice moment for the Diggle family. Oh well.

Barry spent the majority of the episode figuring out how to fix what he had done, and I liked the guest appearances from Felicity Smoak and Jay Garrick/Earth-2 Flash to give him some advice. Both didn't factor too heavily in the bigger picture of the episode, but both felt appropriate for the difficult moments he was going through. Garrick's speech about having to live with some mistakes never being fixed gave Barry the words he needed to deliver a rather emotional speech to Team Flash. Definitely the episode's finest moment.

We all got the Alchemy/Rival/possible Mirror Master tease last week, but Alchemy served a bigger role this week as he attempted to take out The Flash for good. It's also clear that he knows Flash changed the timeline. How much this will play into his motivations for doing what he's doing is still unclear. But I'm definitely intrigued at the fact that he isn't a speedster. It's going to bring a different vibe to this season.

Last but not least, I should mention the presence of Julian Albert, played by Tom Felton. Although a brief introduction, it's pretty evident Felton will play a major role this season, otherwise why cast Felton? I'm still sticking to him being Dr. Alchemy, but the theory that he's a Thawne is always a possibility. After all, how does such a random person appear in Barry's life after a timeline change?

On a side note, Caitlin's little Killer Frost introduction felt very random and out of place. The proposition of Killer Frost as Caitlin's alter ego is an interesting one, but I didn't feel like now was the right time.

+Gustin's performance

+Felicity and Jay's cameo

+Tom Felton

+Alchemy brings a different vibe

-Killer Frost reveal

9.3/10

Delivers the Flashpoint changes in 'Paradox'.

[patrickgamer6902 · 9/10 · 12 October 2016]

*****SPOILERS*****SPOILERS*****

This was a very fast paced but exciting episode of the Flash from the start. They did the intro of the characters and finds the changes in this new time line really fast paced but it made time for the Rival and Alchemy part and mainly how the team members accepted with what is caused by Barry. ( What was 'Dr. Alchemy' wearing on his face? Gas mask? LOL) I felt The Rival was more of a filler episode villain if Alchemy did what he did in the end of the episode. But let's wait and see.

Tom Felton's 'Julian Albert' had a brief introduction and still not clear as to why he hates Barry, but his character does bring a feeling of mysteriousness much like S2 Jay Garrick (Zoom) or E2 Harrison Wells.

Rival and Flash's race-fight was done nicely. VFX as usual were well done in this episode too.

It was a nice moment seeing Barry and Felicity together. I hope we see more of them this season.

This episode also had some emotional moments mainly with Barry and Cisco. It was handled nicely. Best moment of this episode was with Jay Garrick (Earth-3) by John W. Shipp and Barry in that restaurant. I really liked it. And Barry did not screwed up that kiss (yet) by changing the time line.

8.6/10.

The Flash - S03E02 Paradox

[j_forbesy · 10/10 · 11 October 2016]

I really loved the premiere episode of season 3 of the Flash and after last week I was really exited to jump into our new timeline this episode. I spent all week thinking of how different it is going to be but either way I was excited.

I honestly started off hating this episode. I don't mean hating as in the show is awful, I just hated seeing our loved characters having these different lives. When we went to Earth 2 last season, I had a lot of fun with it because I knew this reality and anything that happened doesn't effect our timeline we have progressed with. This was different. This was our timeline. This was the timeline we have to live with, and seeing this dark reality that we are now stuck with was such an awful feeling. Taking away from the changes themselves, I really liked how they present these changes through Barry telling Felicity a step by step through his day. I've always really liked Barry and Felicity together and thought they have a great on screen chemistry so it was great to see them interacting together again. I also liked how it tied in the Arrow changes and see that they are all the same expect for the Diggle having a boy rather than a girl. This ties into Legends of Tomorrow when they travel to the future to see John Diggle Jr as the new Green Arrow.

I really loved the scene with Jay and Barry. Apart from the brief appearance last season, we didn't get to see much of John Wesley Shipps version of Jay Garrick. He is the most mature Flash we have scene and I liked how he played the wise guy in Barry's moment of struggle. Also seeing how this version of the Flash lives in the 80's is extremely cool and there's part of me that hopes we get to go back there in some way.

My favourite moment of this episode was the scene where Barry is explaining to Team Flash what has happened and how everything is different. After hating how everything was at the start of the episode, seeing Barry own up to it and telling the truth was a bit of a relief. But what made this my favourite moment was the emotion in this scene. A lot of credit to the writers but the performances of everyone in that scene was amazing. Every now and then we see moments during this series where we can see how Gustin has progressed as an actor and this was one of them. The emotion and darkness he gave with the deliverance was so outstanding that you can feel like you are being told this for the first time. Carlos Valdes also really stood out in this scene for me too. The devastation on his face knowing that his brother is meant to be alive was gut wrenching. Seeing a depressed Cisco was one of the hardest things to watch. I count the following scene with Barry and Cisco as the same sequence and I also thought it was outstanding. Seeing these two have such an emotional confrontation is something I don't think we have really seen between these two characters before. For me, this was the scene where we see Barry is the most regretful because we are watching this scene unfold so differently to how it usually does in our happier timeline.

Touching on Tom Felton, I is a great edition to the cast. They way he was introduced and portrayed the new CSI lab rat was fantastic. I really loved how they kept him English. They could have easily made him portray himself as an American but allowing that accent to come through really gave him character. The contrast between his voice and the other actors was really interesting and I think I'm really going to love what they will do with him this season. Like many people, I believe he has a really strong connection with Dr Alchemy. Whether or not it is actually him or is in some way a Flashpoint version of him, he has to be connected to him in some way.

Overall, I think this is one of my favourite episodes of The Flash of all time. I love character development episodes and this was one that is up there with me like The Runaway Dinosaur from season 2. Season 3 continues to beat on and I think we are in for one of the best seasons of TV I have ever scene.

10/10

Loved it!

[kemwilliamsusa · 9/10 · 8 October 2019]

This is my first review and it will be very short as the other reviews were very thorough.

I loved the humor, the action, and the emotion from all the characters. Overall, this was a great episode, especially the scene where Barry explains Flashpoint. However, I had a problem with part of the storyline. Cisco being mad at Barry for not going back in time to save his brother seems SO selfish especially considering he didn't even realize that Flashpoint had happened initially. Barry had just lost his father and was suffering a great loss as well. As far as Cisco was concerned, Barry was trying to move on from that tragedy. Yet we are to believe that Cisco expects Barry to do for him what he didn't do for himself...??? The story was great to show the emotions of the characters but it made me not like Cisco when I should've been feeling his pain.

This timeline is brought to you by a remorseful BarryAllen

[imakk2001 · 7/10 · 11 October 2016]

Glad they wrapped up emoCisco and rehashed angryIris/bad-dadJoe in 1 ep. Iris channeling Felicity better be a one-off. Speaking of...

Felicity's presence was mercifully brief and to the (flash) point, so she didn't grate. Poor little Sara, but Arrow does connect with LoT now.

Yes, watching Julian yank Barry's chain was FUN! Likewise with Barry pretending he knows what everyone is talking about and his dinner set up with Joe/Iris. Dinner was actually...not bad. Good mix of tension/humor.

And Barry didn't kill Rival or incarcerate him Startanomo! Instead he got a bigger version with a bed and probably a bathroom at Iron Heights. The internet can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Best of all, Barry made me laugh throughout the ep, I can't remember the last time he did this in S2. And his confession surprised me with the feels. Given the show stuck him with being whiny/emo most of S2, I'd forgotten Gustin can do comedy and tragedy with a deft touch.

Overall, the ep wasn't as excruciating as I thought it would be. Score: 7.9

Ranking/Reviewing every Flash episode: Paradox

[lbramson · 6/10 · 11 June 2023]

Barry suffers the consequences of changing the timeline in Flashpoint. BORING! This one's boring and that's about it. Just boring. Next to nothing happens that is of any substance. Flashpoint should have lasted at least 2 episodes to get the feel. Heck, Flashpoint could've been the first graphic novel! But no, we stopped to early to get episodes like this that are just so boring. I was waiting for it end, it's almost as bad as the Season 2 preimere, it's that bland and uninteresting. I don't even care about the Rival and his story. It's just a giant snoozefest from start to finish. Worse than Flashpoint, obviously. 😴💤

5.8/10-Meh.

Two much time jumping

[jodi-44528 · 3/10 · 6 January 2019]

I did not like this episode or the one before. Barry has been warned many times about tampering with the timeline, and he has seen firsthand the dangers of it. Yet, he goes back, again.

There was just too much time jumping for me, especially after season two's constant worm holes and jumping between the two earths.

Also, I'm about tired of Barry's constant whining and wishy washy behavior. The Flash really isn't the most exciting super hero (his only power is that he can run fast), so to write his alter ego like this is disappointing.

I would have preferred for everybody to return to their pervious lives. I don't like this current set up of characters or the direction the show is going. I'll give it another episode or two, but if the writing continues along this line, I'm probably done with it.

Strong episode

[cobi-80620 · 12 October 2016]

This week's episode was much stronger than the premiere episode last week which I said played it rather safe but still managed to be great.

Right now I'm really liking the things that season 3 is building up to. First things off, Iris is a lot more grown up than ever, Cisco is feeling rather soulless, Caitlin seems the same but I think we'll notice changes in future episodes. Joe and Wally are basically the same, at least by the end of the episode.

Barry spends the episode trying to solve the negative changes that Flashpoint lead to. Barry wants nothing more than to live the happy life he used to have but eventually comes to terms that his reality is gone for good. When he tells that to the team they have mixed responses but I like how it all turned out at the end.

Barry and Iris' scenes were actually some of my favourite ones, delightful for me since I'm not overly invested in relationships in these Arrowverse shows. They seem more adult, hope that stays the way it is (and like the kiss they shared).

Cisco is not as fun this episode, he's more of a downer which is sad because what makes this show complete, IMO, is his humour. He seems somewhat back to the positive side by the end which is good for him (and me).

The scenes I found humorous were the ones where Barry runs back and forth between Joe at the precinct and Iris at CC Picture News. Also the scenes with Julian Albert (so Malfoy became a CSI in this timeline huh) with his great English accent. *Awaiting Harry Potter reference/joke* On the action side of things we saw the very soon return of the Rival but we were also introduced to Dr. Alchemy who kind of disappeared during one of the fights. The action scenes were cool, the CGI better than last episode. Rival's suit looked better in the dark and when they were running I noticed the lightning on his suit glowed which was a nice touch.

Dr. Alchemy sounds interesting, mainly because he's not a speedster and secondly for the tease he gave us "I'm preparing", let's see where that takes us. I wonder what more powers he has, so far he has displayed telepathy, giving speed force (however that works) and shooting a beam from some device. I wonder if that was actually him at the end with the robotic arm supposedly killing the Rival. Anyway, solid introduction.

Jay Garrick makes a cameo and teaches his fellow speedster about the consequences of messing with time. Jay Garrick needs to be in a fight scene some day.

Side note, really wanted Barry to respond to the Rival's "Your rival, back again" with "No, my rival wears yellow".

Another sidenote, they finally showed us the meta-human cells at Iron Heights and I noticed a bed and a toilet. I guess these make more sense than the ones at Star Labs.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, but I'm lacking Cisco's humour. Next episode might have some of it, let's hope for it.

Awful Episode - Felicity appears

[dimitrisfotths · 1/10 · 13 October 2016]

After this character destroy completely arrow now they call her to destroy flash too. Why the hell they put Felicity in this episode, for what reason? this awful character was the reason that I stopped watching Arrow and as soon as I heard her irritating voice I really get mad, Barry explains her the situation with the paradox and the only that she catch and has to say (is Oh! you kissed Iris?) really why they put this awful actress at Flash to repeat what Barry says? thank god she didn't say any STUPID/retard Hack terminology in this episode (like I will hack the internet or I will hack all the nuclear missiles) If I saw her again I will stop watching Flash too.

not happy, no longer to watch

[conniecoburg · 13 October 2016]

I have decided to no longer watch the flash...too much lovey dovey stuff, too confusing with the differing time lines and overall CRAP. BARRY/Flash is not DARK enough... he needs to be darker, tougher and with a touch of nastiness or have a bit a condescending remarks, but with limited humour...smarminess perhaps. I am still watching the arrow and supergirl(for now)..but who knows how long for...I do like the legends of tomorrow and I do love RIP (rory from dr who)...but that show will too have it's day...for for the mean time I have deleted the flash from my series link, but am keeping the arrow, supergirl and LOT. With LOT all the characters work well together, as they do with the flash, but the flash is too wimpy.