The Flash
Season 3 Episode 1: “Flashpoint”
Directed by Jesse Warn
Written by Brooke Roberts
Starring Grant Gustin, Jesse L. Martin, Danielle Panabaker, Candice Patton, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Keiynan Lonsdale
Created by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg, Geoff Johns
The CW
Air Date: Tuesday, October 4th, 2016, 8:00pm

Last season on The Flash, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) had another, more deadly speedster nemesis than Reverse Flash – Zoom (Teddy Sears). Zoom came from Earth-2 and began sending metas from his world to kill Barry. He wanted his speed (doesn’t everyone?), and to be the ultimate power. They were joined by Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) from the other Earth because Zoom had kidnapped his daughter. What commenced was a crazy exciting season filled with doppelgängers, vibes, the speed force, and crossovers galore. Barry finally got the girl and a new brother, but lost his dad (John Wesley Shipp) for real. So Barry went back to that fateful night and stopped Reverse Flash from killing his mother.

Warning! Spoilers below!

The Flash 3.1 “Flashpoint” review: Barry is nervous, gearing up to talk to Iris (Candice Patton), unsure of how she will react, when he sees “breaking news” on the tv. He chases some red and yellow streaks with apprehension, but when they all finally slow down, he sees a new Flash, a “Kid Flash”… Wally West (Keiynan Lonsdale) and “The Rival” (Todd Lasance). Kid Flash “saves” Barry, who is so happy to see him.

He went back and quickly snatches Iris’s purse as an excuse to come up to her. “I guess you’re my hero today.” He bumbles through asking Iris out, but it works!

A flashback shows what Barry did to Thawne after he saved his mom. He finally has Thawne where he wants him, in a speed dampening cage, where he cannot hurt Barry’s family anymore. Thawne taunts him with what time will to to him… them. And he’s right. Barry messed with the timeline in a big way. Thawne coins the term “Flashpoint” for us. Thanks Reverse Flash! The “common enemy” is coming for them – time. I am thoroughly enjoying Matt Letscher. Although this does mean no Tom Cavanagh, whom I love.

He goes to his parent’s house and sees them together and happy. His elation continues until he sees Joe (Jesse L. Martin) drunk and passed out. How did that happen? Joe is in danger of getting fired, but doesn’t care, and severely dislikes Barry. He definitely does not want Iris with Barry. “And remember, I have a hangover and a gun.” They still go for an iced tea, but reports of Kid Flash spur both of them to run in opposite directions. The Kid gets hurt, and Barry unmasks him. He is quickly brought on the team. They need more help though.

Iris: “Cisco Ramon is the richest man in America.” What?!?!?!

Cisco (Carlos Valdes) wants no part of any plan. He just wants to be safe with his money. Barry tells a story of how Cisco helped his brother from a bookie, which freaks him out. Barry gets another time seizure with flashes of Cisco. And the memories are disappearing. Thawne says it will disappear completely. Barry is okay with that, but knows he has to help with the evil speedster. And one person is missing.

Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker): “Have I been kidnapped?”

Wally: “Unclear.” Funny! I like Flashpoint Wally and Caitlin.

I also like Flashpoint Iris better than regular Iris. She believes Barry.

Iris: “But it’s love. Cause this is what love feels like.”

Barry: “Since the day I met you.” The feels!

Wally and Barry take on The Rival, but Wally is young and brash and gets stabbed. Barry takes him on, and seems to be succeeding, but get the memory-sucking flashes again.

Cisco: “This guys like a weather wizard or something.” Yaaaassss!!!

Iris is trying to be supportive and gives him a rocky speech. So he jumps into the two F3 tornados and dissipates them, punching The Rival. He gets up again and almost takes out Barry, but Joe shoots him. Wally is in bad shape and is not healing. Distraught, Barry asks Iris to help him “make things right.” He goes to say goodbye to his parents, and releases Thawne to kill his mother once again. Thawne leaves him at the exact moment Barry left… with a cryptic message. Soon Barry realizes that things are different. How different?

Watch!

Although I certainly know the danger of changing the past from The Flash and BTTF, I would have done the exact same thing as Barry, no question. I was surprised when he chose not to save his mother the first time. I also understand the need to put things right.

This is going to be a very fun season. I’m already excited to see what other changes have been wrought. This episode felt 3 minutes long – it was that good.

The Flash airs Tuesday nights at 8:00pm ET on The CW.

The CW’s synopsis:

The Flash
Flashpoint (Ep# 301)
WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE TO HAVE EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER WANTED? — Barry (Grant Gustin) is living his dream life — his parents are alive, he’s asked Iris West (Candice Patton) on a date and he can finally be a normal guy as Central City has another speedster, Kid Flash (Keiynan Lonsdale), running around saving the city. When Barry starts forgetting parts of his old life, the Reverse Flash (guest star Matt Letscher) taunts his nemesis and tells him that there will be serious repercussions for Barry and the ones he loves if he continues to live in this alternate universe. In addition to losing his memories, his powers will also start to fade. When disaster strikes, Barry must decide if he wants to continue to live in this world as Barry Allen or return to his universe as The Flash. Jesse Warn directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Brooke Roberts (#301). Original airdate 10/4/2016.

Image Gallery

Videos

The Flash | Flashpoint Scene 1 | The CW

Who’s the villain now? The Flash premieres Tuesday at 8/7c!

The Flash | Flashpoint Scene 2 | The CW

See The Rival and Kid Flash go head to head on the season premiere of The Flash, tonight at 8/7c.