What I’m Watching: The Flash (Season Premiere)

The Flash: Season 5, Episode 1 “Nora” (B+)

I was very excited to see this show return after a promising finale that capped an overlong fourth season. Nora serving as the new narrator is fun, and she’s definitely a positive addition to the show. It’s been a long time since that newspaper article written by Iris about the Flash disappearing during the crisis last showed up, and now it’s front and center as Nora revealed her real motivation for sticking around, which was not being stuck back in time but instead wanting to get to know the father who’s been gone her whole life. Barry teaching young speedsters how to use their powers has always been a positive element of this show, and working with his daughter has a particular sentimentality to it. Having three speedsters around really was convenient to deal with Gridlock, the latest villain who really didn’t last long, and now we’re going to have to contend with yet another omnipotent force whose true identity will eventually be revealed. While Nora appears to be sticking around, we know that Wally isn’t going to spend too much time since actor Keiynan Lonsdale is taking some time away from acting, which should leave some room for Cecile’s continued powers to be spotlighted. I enjoyed Cisco being hung over and slow to respond while Ralph couldn’t remember anything and thought that he had discovered the existence of the multiverse. Let’s hope for a fun season that’s not all too serious with different villains and not just one drawn-out plotline.