What I’m Watching: The Flash

The Flash: Season 1, Episode 21 “Grodd Lives” (B-)

I’m all for metahumans, but there’s something about a superpowered gorilla that just doesn’t do it for me. I understand Grodd may be part of the mythology of this universe, but I’d prefer a return to what’s driven this show over the course of this season. Joe and Barry traipsing through dark tunnels holding bananas seems like more of a distraction than anything when Wells is out there somewhere holding Eddie hostage. I still don’t quite understand why he took Eddie since it seems like it was only to reveal to him that he’s an insignificant ancestor and to hurt Iris which will hurt Barry indirectly. More confusingly, why is the future so set in stone and a byline by Barry’s future wife in a decade certain to be written if there’s so much that could change between now and then? The bigger significant development of the hour was Iris taking big steps to confirm that Barry is the Flash, first giving him the chance to lie to her and then walking in to interrupt his conversation and catch him wearing the suit. In my opinion, it’s always good to have a bigger team, and now Barry won’t be tiptoeing around her trying to deceive her at every moment to keep her out of harm’s way. Joe nearly getting killed (or killing himself) at the hands of Grodd was conveniently timed to create a smoother path to forgiveness from Iris, which is good. Now let’s get back to Wells and whatever his devious plans are for Barry and his friends.