The Flash’s fifth episode (“Monster”) is almost deceptively simple. What it means to be a monster and how even well-meaning people become a monster are front-and-center concepts throughout. Illusion is a powerful driving force, as well—both in things we hide from others (like Caitlin is hiding her powers) and the things we hide from ourselves […]
The Flash’s fourth episode (“The New Rogues”) is chockfull of awesome and awkward in the most delightful ways. The villains are Bonnie and Clyde, an enterprising duo of bank robbers—sorry, no. It’s Sam (Grey Damon) and Rosalind (Ashley Rickards)—aka Mirror Master and Top. Turns out, Sam is in a snit about Snart. (And it’s so, […]
In Supergirl’s third episode (“Welcome to Earth”), Kara spends a lot of time fangirling over the President (Lynda Carter). Kara gushes and fawns, and she is at her most earnestly adorable. When Kara flailed, “She was SO nice. … And she called me Supergirl.” And then Alex deadpanned, “That is your name.” It was perfection. […]
The Flash’s third episode (“Magenta”) deals with a lot in an hour. Julian is still as friendly as a quietly seething cactus. And I have to say, it’s a pleasure to watch. Tom Felton manages to steal every scene and not just because I’m waiting for him to go full Slytherin. Felton brings a snark […]
Supergirl’s second episode (“The Last Child of Krypton”) doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. Its overarching theme is clear: family’s family—even those who are chosen and not blood—and no one gets anywhere or accomplishes anything alone. (You hear that, Trump?) Rifts are not in short supply: Cat’s leaving CatCo. Alex and Kara have a fight. […]
The second episode (“Paradox”) of The Flash’s third season was all about repairing what’s been broken—only, that’s impossible. Over Chinese food, Barry has a meltdown with Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards, from Arrow): “I made a big mistake. I just couldn’t take it anymore, you know?” In true Felicity fashion, she cheers him on and calls […]
The first episode (“The Adventures of Supergirl”) of Supergirl on the CW—to borrow a metaphor from Cat Grant—dove right in. A couple of quick changes: the DEO is no longer underground and Winn (Jeremy Jordan) fulfills his Geek potential as a new employee of the DEO (“Challenge accepted”—how perfectly Barney Stinson.). Clark Kent/Superman (Tyler Hoechlin) […]
The Flash’s third season (episode 1, “Flashpoint”) is a solid episode, full of a good mix of setup and emotional weight. It hinges on the idea of who’s the bad guy and who’s the villain—in the sense that we’re all capable of being both. No one is perfect, not even my favorite precious cinnamon roll, […]
The Flash’s season finale (“The Race of His Life”) was good and bad. Obviously, Barry is devastated over the loss of his dad. The episode picks up where the last left off, allowing Grant Gustin to shine in his soul-deep grief. It is well done and believable, as is the funeral scene that follows later. […]
The Flash’s 22nd episode (“Invincible”) gives us a very upbeat, almost Pollyanna version of Barry Allen. He’s earnestly positive and totally convinced that good will prevail and that all it takes is a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down. So to speak. And that’s absolutely true—right up until the moment it […]
Let me start off with a confession: I adore Kevin Smith. Dogma is one of my favorite movies. He’s from Jersey, just like me. I enjoy his work. When I heard he was directing an episode of The Flash, it made me happy. And I’m glad to say that episode 21 (“The Runaway Dinosaur”) had […]
The Flash’s 20th episode is aptly titled: “Rupture.” Because just about everything breaks. (Yes, Rupture’s also the name of a meta human from Earth 2, who wields a flaming scythe and goes after Cisco in a very Inigo Montoya way: You’re Princess Bride-ing me right now. You must have me mixed up with somebody else, […]
The Flash’s 19th episode (“Back to Normal”) is anything but normal. Barry’s powerless and in the throes of a series case of moping. He has to wait in line for coffee, y’all. That’s just cruel. But in all seriousness, I get it. Going from hero (meta human) to zero (plain old human) is quite a […]
