Trama

Barry must decide whether to let his greatest enemy die, or save his life.

The conclusion to Armageddon presents an opportunity for The Flash to end his lifelong battle with Reverse Flash, but the payoff could be too much for Barry and the team to handle; Mia Queen drops in from the future looking to save a lost loved one.

Barry runs to the West house and greets Joe, who is alive in the new timeline. Much to Joe's surprise, Barry hugs him in relief, and then Barry explains what Thawne did to create a "reverse Flashpoint". Damien comes in and sarcastically comments on having a second shot at life.

Damian says that he's not there to cause trouble, and figures he was connected to the Time Barry gets stone was wearing, so he was drawn into the new timeline along with Barry. He figures he'll fade out of existence soon, but he's satisfied Nora that will live. However, that hasn't happened yet and Damian figures that if he has the stone, it might, Barry gets the stone and gives it to Damian.

At the station, Reverse-Flash speeds in and the police immediately draw their guns on him. He says that he doesn't anything yet, because he's not ready to die yet, and they open fire.

At STAR Labs at the lounge, Barry tells the team what he's been through. Barry tells them about their lives in the other timeline, and Joe sass that they're all grateful that Barry risked everything to give them a second chance. Iris gets a news alert from Taylor that Thawne is at CCPD, and Barry speeds there. Thawne is throwing lightning at Kramer and the others, knocking them down, and he says that he did it to draw out Flash. Mia Queen drops in and sweeps Thawne's legs out from under him, then draws an arrow on him.

Thawne recovers and tells Mia that he doesn't have time to meet her. She asks where William is, and Thawne has no idea who she's talking about. His body temporally flickers, and Mia recognizes the effect and tells him that he doesn't have much time in the timeline, and asks again where her brother William is. Thawne blasts her back and grabs her by the throat, and prepares to vibrate a hand through her chest. Flash arrives and knocks Thawne down, and Thawne gets up and says that he didn't come there to fight. He says that he came there to make a scene so there would be witnesses for him asking Flash to save him.

Flash and Mia take Thawne to STAR Labs and lock him up, then meet with the rest of the team. Mia says that she was looking for something else and picked up Thawne's temporal "scent" by accident. Barry tells Mia that Thawne is being "erased" because the timeline is removing him when Barry removed Thawne's changes to the timeline. Using the stone created a single timeline so if Thawne dies, it's permanent. The team considers saving Thawne, much to Mia's surprise. Iris says that they have to talk it through before making any decisions. Mia says that they're making a big mistake and walks off, and Iris goes after her to talk.

Caitlin goes to work figuring out how much time Thawne has left, while Mia goes to the gym and works a bag in anger. She finally hesitates when she realizes Iris is behind her, and Iris figures Mia came to 2021 for something important. Mia says that she's there to find her brother, and hit another dead end with Thawne. She and William were attacked the night she put on the suit, and she hasn't seen her brother since. She's been looking for William for two years, and she found a temporal signature at the crime scene that led her to 2021, but it's a dead end. Mia hasn't asked her mother Felicity for help because Felicity wouldn't understand what she's done to get so far, and tells Iris that she'll kill someone if she has to, to get William back.

Iris points out that Oliver once believed that but realized he only ruined his own life. Mia says that now Iris and the others are too afraid to give Thawne what he deserves, and asks Iris what her life will be like if she doesn't kill.

Caitlin analyzes Thawne and tells him that he has two hours left. Thawne figures Team Flash will save him because they're the "good guys", and is confident they'll do the right thing. Caitlin says someone of them might surprise Thawne, and as a doctor she can accept it when someone dies. Thawne tells her that she's right where she is eight years ago, living her safe, orderly life with Ronnie. Then it all came crashing down on her, and she didn't move on but is stuck where she was eight years ago.

Caitlin angrily tells Thawne that the first thing she learned in med school is that sometimes a doctor loses a patient, and that death is a part of life. She tells Thawne that it's his turn, because all the speed in the world can't help him outrun what's coming for him. Thawne insists that Caitlin will save him, and she stayed there because the rest of the team isn't just friends, but family. She's hated Thawne for the last eight years, so he'd better look to someone else to save him. Caitlin finds Barry in the main room, and tells him that they need to let Thawne die.

Barry goes to see Thawne and says that Caitlin told him about their talk. He asks why Thawne created a Reverse-Flashpoint, and Thawne says that it was the best way to hurt Barry. Thawne tells Barry that destroying Barry is his life, and Barry asks what he ever did to Thawne. Thawne tells him that in two centuries, they meet for the first time and he discovered ways to possess speeds faster than almost anyone else. Just as he about to present himself to the world, Barry showed up, dazzled the crowd, and then saved them. Thawne says that he was meant to save the crowd, and Barry stole his greatest moment. He admired Barry, and Barry humiliated him. In that moment, Thawne knew that he had to be faster than Barry. Barry tells Thawne that he's a sociopath, and Thawne responds that he calls his rage commitment. Barry asks what happens once Barry saves Thawne, and Thawne tells him that he'll go on with his life's work of finding new ways to kill Barry.

When Barry walks out in the hallway, Despero appears and tells him that he knows what to do. The alien says that he went to the future to see for himself what happened, He witnessed the return of Barry's rival, and as long as Thawne lives he can bring about another Armageddon. Despero says that Barry should let Thawne die, and figures that Barry is the only one who can kill Thawne so he doesn't come back again. As Barry turns and walks away, Despero says that Barry knows it's the right thing to do, then disappears when Barry turns to respond.

That night, Barry tells the others that he's going to let Thawne died. Chester, Allegra, and Cecile are shocked, and Caitlin figures that Thawne is hoist on his own petard. Iris agrees with Barry and Caitlin, saying that Thawne did it to himself, so it's time to let him go. Allegra points out that she cares about them, and they save people. Iris tells them that as the "new kids" they don't get a say when it comes to Thawne. Cecile says that they should think about it, and Caitlin tells her that they already have.

Barry says that it's time to keep everyone safe by letting Thawne die. Joe comes in and calls Barry and Iris out in the hallway, and asks what is wrong with them. Joe says that Thawne came to them for help, so they're obligated to try and save him. Barry points out that if they let Thawne live, their family will never be safe. Joe admits that he wants to see Thawne dead, but he's learned as a cop that they have to protect everyone, whether they think they're good or not. He insists that they always have a choice, and figures Barry already came up with a way to save Thawne. Barry figures that they can save Thawne if they take his speed away, permanently. Joe tells them that the decision is with the two of them, but if they let Thawne die they don't have to worry about him destroying their family

Once Joe leaves, Barry tells Iris that they have to talk to Caitlin. Iris agrees, while Despero telepathically monitors them and figures that if they won't kill Thawne, he'll have to. He take mental control of Mia to help him.

Barry and Iris tell the others about their decision, Frost wonders what happens if their plan doesn't work, but Barry figures it will the same way that Jeff almost severed his connection to the Speed Force with his lightning. Once Thawne's speed is gone, ARGUS will take him into custody. Barry agrees with Caitlin that jail time won't make up for all the lives that Thawne destroyed, but they can't let Thawne change who they are.

Despero appears and says that Barry is a fool, and Thawne must be erased from time itself. Barry insists that Thawne won't be a threat to anyone if he's stripped of his speed, but Despero points out that Thawne has recovered his powers before. Despero tells Barry that it's his final warning to stand down and let Thawne die, or suffer the consequences.

Barry puts on his mask and refuses, and Despero teleports them outside on the street. He telepathically tells Flash that it's still not too late. In the lab, Iris tells Allegra and Frost to protect Thawne while Flash handles Despero. As the two women go to Thawne, Mia fires an arrow into the floor at their feet that gives off a sonic blast, knocking them out.

Despero tells Flash that the latter is humanity's enemy, and Flash says that he's choosing to save a life rather than end one. He says that Despero has never been a hero, having figured out that Despero wasn't a rebel leader but the despot who inflicted pain and suffering, who killed to get what he wanted. Despero insists that he did what was necessary, and Flash tells him that he's been wrong about everything and Despero is no hero but just like Thawne. Despero insists that he knows what must be done, and must embrace the greater good in order for the world to survive. Despero appears in his gigantic form and says that he must show Flash what must be done, Flash and Despero charge at each other,

As Iris and the others secure STAR Labs, the power goes out and the backup system kicked in but only for the force field holding Thawne. As they realize that they're under attack by Despero, Mia shoots an arrow at Iris who just doges it. The others take cover as Mia shoots more arrows in, hitting Caitlin in the leg. Mia comes in, and Despero speaks through her telling Iris that she'll die for making the wrong decision.

Flash and Despero fight in the street, their powers evenly matched.

Iris faces Mia and tries to get through to her, and Cecile gives Mia her power to fight Despero's control. Despero has Mia aim at Cecile, and Iris grabs her gun and aims it at Mia. Despero says that Mia's mind is gone, but Iris doesn't believe it and tells Mia that she can fight Despero's control because Mia could have killed them all but didn't. Cecile tells Mia to fight Despero.

In the middle of trying to smash Flash down, Despero realizes that Mia is fighting his control.

Iris tells Mia to think about William, and if she's on the path that her brother would want her to choose. Mia lowers her bow then drops it, and clutches at her head and groans in pain. She drops to her knees and then tells Iris that Allegra and Frost are in the hallway. Cecile goes to check on them, and Mia apologizes to Iris.

Reverting to his normal size, Despero tells Flash that Mia failed and Flash's friends survive, and says that he's going to take matters into his own hands and be the hero the world needs. He teleports Flash back to STAR Labs, and Chester reports that the building's reactor is going into overload. They figure Despero is doing it to wipe out the entire city, so Thawne will die.

Chester warns that they have a few minutes until the timeline resets, and Allegra figures that there has to be a way to stop Despero without anyone dying. Barry suggests they harness the Flame of Py'Tar. Despero's powers source, with a vacuum and then disperse it. Chester has used the components from the PED to make a device that will disperse the Flame.

Flash takes the devices, shaped like Barry's boots, and runs to where Despero is unleashing the Flame. Speeding around the flame, Flash creates a vortex and then runs up a nearby building, using the boots to draw the Flame with him. He jumps into the air and lands on Despero, stripping the alien of the Flame. Despero's connection to the Flame is broken, and Flash tells the alien that it's over. Despero says that Flash will pay for what he's done, along with the planet, and disappears in a burst of flame.

Chester warns Flash that they only have 30 seconds until the timeline resets. Flash speeds back to STAR Labs, runs in, tells Thawne that he's out of time, and blasts Thawne with speed lightning. The speed energy goes into the sky, and Caitlin confirms that there's no negative speed force in Thawne. Barry tells Thawne that they saved his life, and not to make them regret it. Thawne tells the team that they took his speed, and his speed is his life. They've left him in Hell.

Later, Barry rents Jitters just for the team so can have the night off. They assure Mia that she's forgiven for trying to kill them, and Damien joins them. Mia is ready to kill him for what he did to Laurel, putting her knife to his throat, and he tells her to go for it because he thought he'd be a dead man by now anyway. Mia lowers her knife and goes to get a drink, and Damian tells Barry that he's sorry and doesn't know why he isn't gone. He thanks Barry and walks away.

Iris joins Mia at the bar and tells her that the symbol on the Hozen William left Mia matches a symbol on some heavily redacted documents from Berlin. Mia figures she knows a hacker who can help her, and thanks Iris for helping her find herself. Iris tells Mia that Oliver would be proud, and MA should drop in on 2021 from time to time.

Frost figures Chester has a crush on Allegra, and tells him to go put a move on Allegra. He goes over to Allegra and talks with her, and she awkwardly talks to him. Barry comes over and asks what's going on, and they insist that they're just talking like normal people. Their "boss" admits that they were right earlier about calling him about Thawne, and he wanted to say thanks. He leaves and the couple go back to talking.

Joe approaches Damian and thanks him for helping Barry restoring the timeline. Damian says that being a parent kind of changes someone, and Joe says for the better. After Damian agrees, he wishes he knew why he was still there when Nora should be in his place. Joe suggests that Damian might still have a little work to do, and Damian closes his eyes in prayer, gives Joe the stone, and suggests that it might be his unfinished business. Damian tells him that it's a gift, father to father, and figures Joe is going to need it some day.

Damian disappears and finds himself in a bright glowing version of Jitters. Nora appears and greets her father, and Damian tells her that it doesn't matter where they are, because he's glad he got to see Nora before he goes. Nor asks what her father means, and he says that he will be dead but just needed a little more time. Nora tells Damian that he can't leave now, and Damian says that he loves her and reaches out his hand.

At Jitters, Nora appears. She demands to know what is going on, and Joe tells her that she's okay because of Damian. She realizes that her father is gone, and Joe tells her that Damian promised he'd do whatever it took to save Nora... and he did. He takes Nora away to tell her what her father did.

Later, Barry gets everyone's attention and offers a toast to making their own destiny and protecting it. Everyone joins in.

At the station, Kramer figures that everything can go back to a normal. A photo on the wall, of New Year's Eve 2014, changes to show Nora and Bart.