Flash Review: “Back to Normal”

Team Flash deals with the consequences of their stupid decision, Wells locates his daughter, Barry tries to be a hero without his powers, and a kidnapped Caitlin Snow is beside herself.

Bonus: Some joker slipped in a reference to Ace Chemicals.

Title: “Back to Normal”

Director: John F. Showalter
Writers: Brooke Roberts and Katherine Walczak

Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow / Killer Frost
Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon / Vibe
Candice Patton as Iris West
Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells
Jesse L. Martin as Joe West
Teddy Sears as Jay Garrick / Zoom
Violett Beane as Jesse Wells
Keiynan Lonsdale as Wally West
Haig Sutherland as Griffin Grey
Merren McMahon as Johanna
Eustache Dauger as the Man in the Mask

Premise

The Team faces a new villain while Barry deals with the loss of his powers. Caitlin and Killer Frost attempt to escape, Wells quickly finds his daughter, Zoom plots, and the Man in the Mask makes noise.

High Points

The opening effectively communicated the difficulties of Barry losing his powers. The rest at least reminded us we’re in a comic-book show, and we’re supposed to have fun, despite the darkness.

Low Points

The proposal made at the end is far-fetched and insanely dangerous. It’s inevitable, and I suppose the sort of thing we expect in The Flash. We know Barry will regain his powers at some point; perhaps we’ll see Kid Flash and Jesse Quick as well.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6

Effects: 5/6 In addition to the speed and lightning, we get some low-tech but effective strength effects, reminiscent of old superhero TV fare, such as The Adventures of Superman and Shazam!, and conventional aging visuals reflecting Griffin’s weakness.

Acting: 4/6 Danielle Panabaker is no Tatiana Maslaney, but she has fun playing opposite her camp villain doppelganger. Haig Sutherland, however, was not the strongest choice to play freak-of-the-week.

Story: 5/6

Emotional Response: 4/6

Production: 5/6

Overall: 5/6

In total, “Back to Normal” receives 31/42