After one of the biggest episodes Flash has ever had, the show took a bit of a step back tonight. Though there were many cool moments tonight, I couldn't help but think it was one of the weaker episodes that the show has given us. The time travel last week was cool and mind bending, but it created more problems than it fixed. As a result I think this weeks episode may be more beneficial to watch back to back with last weeks.
Since Harrison Wells is officially the main villain of season 1 we can watch the show differently now. No longer are there as many secrets, so I definitely liked his brief but important scenes showcasing his ability to see the future thanks to Gideon. The fact that the tragedy aspect of time travel happens no matter how hard you try is fascinating. So if Barry does save his mother, what tragedy will take it's place? Speaking of tragedy, Cisco is back alive and well and we got a chance to see some members of his family this week. Though I think the sole reason for them was just a plot device to get Captain Cold to find out about Barry's identity, it was nice having a Cisco centric episode. The new scene with Cisco and Wells was interesting and obviously didn't have the emotional impact as last week but also proved to be important.
Barry's break up with Linda seemed forced and a bit too easy. She was almost too okay with it. Sadly for Barry he didn't have Iris to run too. Or not. I have disliked Iris so much on this show that I hoped to god they wouldn't go the romantic route with her and Barry forever, but now that it was out there for an episode, I hated the fact that she doesn't like him anymore. I really just don't want anything to do with her character. But I also found this episode to be almost overly sentimental. Or just the fact that there's too much romance going on and not enough great story. The fact that Eddie punched Barry for his moment with Iris felt totally opposite of who we know Eddie to be. He never showed hatred towards Barry for liking her. Only concern when Iris was touchy. Then to see him and Iris believe in lightning psychosis seemed so far-fetched. That pretty much took me out of that scene.
Onto the final 10 minutes or so, now that Captain Cold knows and is apparently headed out of Central City, it seems like he will start up his own 'Rogues' squad for the spin off show. The name seemed to stick. I was also glad to see Barry find out, or supposedly find out about Wells. Him, Cisco, and Caitlin will have to figure out a way to stay secretive while also work against Wells.
+Time travel tragedy
+Cisco
-Eddie & Iris being dumb
-Back and forth between Barry and Iris
-Cisco's family as plot devices
6.4/10