What I’m Watching: The Flash

The Flash: Season 1, Episode 17 “Tricksters” (B+)

Sometimes, the showiest villains aren’t actually the greatest threats. The Trickster and his exploding balloons reminded me of one of the initial episodes of “Gotham” that I watched earlier this season, giving Central City a very Gotham City feel, appropriately campy and twisted. I would never have recognized Mark Hamill as James Jesse, and I can’t imagine I’m the only one who didn’t know who he was. While poisoning an entire building full of rich people and demanding their money as ransom was a vicious plot, it didn’t actually take Barry long to rid himself of his “Speed” device and inject everyone with the antidote, not to mention save his father from certain death at the hands of a rigged explosive. But Barry having to run through a wall in order to break free did reveal just how much Dr. Wells understands about being able to run fast, and has now solidified his guilt in Barry’s mind. The backstory was helpful, casting Matt Letscher of “Scandal” as the original Eobard Thawne, who, frustrated with being stranded in the past, took Dr. Wells’ identity to accelerate his creation of the particle accelerator. Humanizing Dr. Wells at this point is interesting but worked effectively as he becomes the show’s major villain. This was a big episode of revealed identities as Barry put it together that Wells is the Reverse Flash, and the Flash himself took off his mask for both his father and Eddie. The latter was definitely much more shocked, but hopefully he’ll now be able to help keep Iris safe and help Barry in his pursuit of the truth.