What I’m Watching: The Flash

The Flash: Season 2, Episode 8 “Legends of Today” (B)

This episode provided a fun opportunity, one that actually caused me to review an extra hour of television that you’ll see over the course of the next twenty-four hours. I’m all for crossovers, though it would help if I still watched “Arrow,” which I liked initially but gave up on halfway through its first season when I just wasn’t loving it. The crucial difference as it stands now between the two shows is that Barry remains the major hero, and while Cisco and Kendra have developed powers, he’s still the only one wearing a costume, whereas Oliver is now surrounded by a handful of masked colleagues. What I liked less about this episode was its focus not on metahumans or motivated heroes but on ancient Egyptians reincarnated over and over again only to be killed by one vengeful and omnipotent madman. I like this show when it gives people powers, not as much when it enhances gorillas or really verges on the supernatural and biblical. Fortunately, it did work pretty well, and this Central City-focused hour was productive in its subplot of having Jay show up to save the new Dr. Wells after he was shot by a confused Patty. This episode made it feel like there were so many characters in play, and the good thing about this plotline being resolved in an episode of “Arrow” means that the upcoming fall finale will just be focused on the world we know and presumably feature a reappearance of that enemy who has so weakened Barry’s resolve. Read my review of “Arrow” for more on this week’s events!