Pilot Review: The Flash

The Flash (CW)
Premiered October 7 at 8pm

There are some superheroes who are objectively more exciting than others. Possessing multiple abilities, like, say being able to see through walls, shoot fire from your eyes, and fly, might seem cooler than having just one token talent, or not even having any powers at all, like Gotham City’s finest. The trick is to build the superhero up and to make them seem unmatched and incredible, no matter what their actual abilities may be. My hopes for the CW’s latest effort weren’t high, and I’m delighted to say that I was completely surprised to find this to be the best pilot I’ve seen so far this fall. What this show managed to do is present Barry Allen as an intelligent, perceptive, and endearing character well before he got himself struck by a powerful bolt of lightning which made him into the fastest man alive. His network of friends is just right for this kind of story – a protective police officer, his daughter who seems him only as a friend, and everyone else who understands that he’s impressive but just doesn’t get him. Now he has a new set of pals in the three scientists who know exactly what he is, though it seems that Tom Cavanagh’s Dr. Wells has some secrets up his sleeve (I know nothing of the mythology of this character). Grant Gustin, who kickstarted his career as a much less likeable character on “Glee,” is a fabulous choice to play the energetic and idealistic Barry. He’s very much like Spider-Man, coming from simple beginnings and a scientific background and so eager to show off his cool new tricks. Those shots of Barry running at high speed through the streets are among this pilot’s best moments since it appropriately captures the zeal and excitement he has at possessing this new talent. Let’s hope that successive episodes live up to what is certainly this fall’s strongest start.

How will it work as a series? Meeting a villain who can control the weather suggests that this show might follow a “freak of the week” format which worked occasionally for series like “Smallville,” and it will just hinge on whether Barry is a strong enough lead character to carry the show and its mythology even if the threat he’s facing isn’t always up to par. I think it should be able to do that.
How long will it last? The Hollywood Reporter cited the pilot as giving the CW a “5-year best,” a fact that all but guarantees the show a healthy future. It’s the most successful launch on the network since “The Vampire Diaries,” and I think the CW will definitely renew it very soon to show that it’s excited about its latest superhero brand.

B+