The Flash Review: “Who is Harrison Wells?”

Flash faces Everyman, Ramon and West dig Starling City, and Team Flash foresees a Crisis.

Title: “Who Is Harrison Wells?”

Director: Wendey Stanzler
Writers: Ray Utarnachitt, Cortney Norris

Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
Candice Patton as Iris West
Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon
Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells
Jesse L. Martin as Detective Joe West
Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow
Rick Cosnet as Detective Eddie Thawne
Martin Novotny as Hannibal Bates / Everyman
Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance / Black Canary
Paul Blackthorne as Captain Quentin Lance
Danielle Nicolet as DA Cecil

Premise

Barry confronts a metahuman who can shapeshift, and who has placed Eddie Thawne’s future in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Cisco and Joe head to Starling City to investigate the mystery of Harrison Wells, and they uncover some disturbing evidence, aided by Captain Lance and the Black Canary.

High Point

“I can’t remember.”

I wish they had done more with Hannibal Bates’s powers, but his story reflects on Wells’s, and he faces a suitable fate.

Low Point

They don’t have to explain metahuman abilities scientifically—that’s usually just embarrassing—-but can we please have some accounting of how the Pipeline works, and what the local justice system knows about it? Because frantic hand-waving is not an appealing superpower, when it relates to key plot devices and setting elements.

The Scores:

Originality: 2/6

Effects: 5/6 As always, the show gives us passable effects, but nothing spectacular.

Acting: 5/6 Martin and Valdes give the strongest performances this week.

Story: 4/6 I know Barry remains a bit of a super-n00b, but he needs to stop doing stupid things just so the villains have a fighting chance. Give us stronger or smarter villains, not a Flash who can’t dodge someone with a can of mace.

Harrison Wells proves a more promising villain. Hopefully we’ll learn he has better security than this episode indicates, and he knows his sanctuary has been invaded.

Emotional Response: 4/6

Production: 5/6

Overall: 5/6 So DC’s Crisis takes place in 2024?

In total, “Who is Harrison Wells” receives 30/42