THE FLASH 7.17

 

RECAP - THE FLASH  7.17:  "Heart of the Matter - Part 1" 

Speedsters!  Speedsters!  Speedsters!  We got A LOT as we have reached the season finale, broken up into two parts for your viewing pleasure.  The Godspeed War races on, and Team Flash has been at a lost at how to stop them.  Now, it looks like help has come in the form of our Tornado Twins.  Nora & Bart Allen arrive from 2049 to try and stop the real Godspeed - August Hart - and meet up with their dad.  Now...will THEY be enough to help stem the tide and end this war?  

Before we get things shifted into 2nd gear, we have to jump ahead to Central City in 2049 where XS and Impulse are chasing down Godspeed, who's tearing up the city, but the twins see some weird light show near the Flash Museum.  They're off to try and stop him before he does whatever he has planned, but get to him too late, as he's on the Cosmic Treadmill racing off through time to execute whatever plan he has in his twisted mind.  As much as the twins try to adhere to their father's rules about time travel, and risk it anyway to try and stop Godspeed.  This is how they've wound up in the 21st Century in 2021. This allows them a chance to reconnect with family, as well as getting to know the younger version of Chester.  Eventually, they put their heads together to try and solve away to stop the Godspeeds, and Chester comes up with a device that kills kinetic energy, it just needs Allegra's powers to charge it up.  

Barry takes a little time to get know his kids---especially Nora again, as he's reminded of the alternate version of her, which Nora herself brings up.  But the family reunion is shot lived, as Caitlin warns them that Godspeeds are on the run.  This gives Flash the chance to have XS and Bart to join him in seeing what they can do to stop them.  They get out there, and they see the Godspeeds.  Flash orders them to split up, and let them chase them until they burn out and need to charge...but they all end up chasing Bart.  Flash orders him to circle back, but he says he's going to lead them out of the city.  Flash and XS order him again, but he ends up getting stopped by one of the Godspeeds, and he's surrounded by them.  Flash and XS show up, and the Godspeeds take a powder to go recharge.  Back at STAR Labs, Barry wonders why it is that they only followed Bart, and Bart isn't exactly up to fessing up what he knows, but his dad pressures him, and Bart lashes out that Godspeed is his Thawne.  Bart seems to think that his dad doesn't understand, and Nora urges Bart to go train.  Barry contemplates on this news.

Allegra has been alone, mourning the loss of her cousin Esperanza, and Chester catches up to her, trying to see what she's up to.  He's also informed her of what he's trying to do to get the machie working to try and stop the Godspeeds, and needs her powers to charge it.  She feels that that's what they think of her, so she'll do it, just to get it over it.  

Barry is in the Time Vault mulling over everything, trying to find Wally, but he's off the grid meditating and in some different zone.  Barry isn't sure what to do when Iris appears.  Deon managed to stabilized her, and she's been able to see everything that's gone one with the help of Deon.  They talk about Bart and Godspeed...and feel that the best option is to keep him safe, and that's keeping him OUT of the fight.

We jump over to Central's twin city, Keystone, and we catch up with our old friend Jay Garrick, who's apparently back to his super speed self, and doesn't need his cane anymore.  Joan informs him that his power is back to full, and Jay suits up, knowing that Barry will need his help soon.  Joan warns Jay to keep his hat on.  She leaves, and as Jay goes to head out to meet up with Bary, the Godspeeds take him out, and caputure him. They need him for their plan.  

Bart trains, but Nora feels he's hot dogging it, and not taking it seriously.  They then get to reunite with their mother as Barry & Iris arrive.  Barry & Iris tell Bart that because Godspeed has made this fight personal due to him, they want him to stay on the sidelines until this is over.  Bart, however, gets angry and bails.  Nora says she'll handle it.  She arrives at the West household, and she tries to get Bart to understand where their parents are coming from.  But Bart says that Godspeed killed "Uncle Jay"....right in front of him.  Jay had been the one to truly understand Bart, and losing him was hard for Bart.  Nora understands, and asks him what would Jay say and do?  Bart understands what she's saying. Nora says she promises to take down Godspeed for the both of them. When she and Flash meet up with the Godspeeds, they fire the machine Chester created, but Flash charged up.  Turns out that all it did was charge the Godspeeds up.  Because it was charged with kinetic energy, it gave off that same energy.  So their inital plan failed. 

Cecile, Caitlin, and August are working together to jog his memory, and they take him to see the Cosmic Treadmill, but he's still not getting anything solid.  He gets a brief memory, but he can't hold onto it.  He wonders if he'll ever get his memory back, and Cecile and Caitlin wonder the same thing. 

Joe and Kristin finish giving their statements about Creyke to the police in Midway City before they leave to go home to Central City to try and reconnect with Cecile and the CCPD.  She coveniently left out the part where Creyke said she was dead to the police in Midway, and Kristin said she won't think more of it....he took enough from her. As they arrive back in Central City, they see a line of cars heading out of town, as the Godspeeds continue their war.  They eventaully land on Joe and Kristin's car...and they go after the two. 

Allegra is struggling to power the device for Chester, and when he catches up to her, he notices she hasn't charged it all the way.  Part of the reason is that she is using ultraviolet rays instead of her augmented powers.  Chester realizes that her powers wane in times of emotional distress.  Chester prods her, and she admits that Esperanza is dead.  She feels guilty that she let her only family down.  She feels like a failure because not only did she not help her cousin, but now she can't power the machine because her powers aren't working right, and the city is going to suffer.  

Barry and Iris talk about how being parents this time is a lot harder.  He also feels that their family is cursed.  Tragedy seems to follow them around.  Iris knows they have had hard times, but she doesn't think he really believes that. They both know that Bart is the key to it all.  Chunk then alerts them that Godspeed has left a message for Team Flash:  Bring the "Adversary"  (their name for Bart) to them, or they'll kill Jay Garrick...the one he loves. 

Bart goes out to to rescue Jay, and is immediately trapped by the Godspeeds at a church.  Flash and XS arrive, to listen, then see, Bart being attacked by the Godspeeds, and eventually they see him being drained of his power by the Godspeeds.  Jay has already been weakened.  They stop the attack on Bart when Flash vibrates through one of them.  He catches Bart, but he's been really hurt.  The Godspeeds surround the speedsters, but Cisco arrives in time to freeze them in place.  They won't hold long, but it's enough for both Flashes and XS get Bart back to STAR Labs, but he's in something of a coma.  What reserve speed he has is what's keeping him alive.  

Barry realizes that whatever drove August Hart to go to the Flash Museum in 2049 is locked inside his head, and they have to get that info.  So, using Jay's Mental Collider, Barry enters Hart's mind to try and discover the reason why Godspeed travelled back to 2021.  When Barry enters his mind, he's back at the church.  He's called into the building by Godspeed, and there he confronts the real August Hart...who is all to pleased that Flash found him.  And now he's ready to tell the Flash his master plan. 

This was, without a doubt, THE best episode of ALL of Season 7.  The stakes were high, there was drama and tension, and we got guest stars galore!  To see the return of Jay Garrick was one of the best surprises of the year, and I had figured that when they talked about the Godspeeds being Bart's "Thawne"....it was because the one they killed in the future was Jay.  Of course, that's from the fact that Jay was Bart's mentor in the comics.  We see that Bart doesn't quite have a tight relationship with his dad...and it seems like he's much closer to Jay from the impression we're given....though he IS happy to see Iris when she returns.  So, it seems that there will be some work to get Barry and Bart on the same page, and to build a father/son relationship.   Bart certainly does live up to all the tropes that come with Impulse as a character.  Jordan Fisher embodies the role so well.  

Allegra feels lost and useless after the death of her cousin...feeling she let her down, and now not being able to use her power to save the city.  It's going to be on Chunk to pull Allegra from this depression stouper to get her act together.  It's the one story they need to get over with, and move her on.  She can have time to mourn, but if there's no city left to mourn in...what's the point.  

I'm glad we got SOME idea about Wally---and why HIS absence has been a glaring problem with this storyline.  I'm honestly STILL not really going to be satisfied if we go into Part 2 next week, and there's STILL no Wally.  It's a let down.  If we can have Jay Garrick....we can have Wally West.  All there is to it.  If this is the Speedster Family...then they need a part of that family there...and that's Wally.

I am HONESTLY hoping that now that Creyke is in custody, that we can move on from Kristin Kramer's issues, and focus on her and Joe doing the cop thing to help save the city.  It's time to see what kind of leader of this department is going to be.  Because I have a feeling that Joe is NOT going to take his job back, and is going to be quite content to play stay-at-home dad.  And whatever issues she has with metas, she needs to put them in the rearview mirror.  Metas AREN'T going away, and she'll have to deal with that.  Plus...what if SHE is a meta?  Time to put that prejudice aside.  

It's been sad that it's taken all season to get an actual captivating episode.  This season has NOT been my favorite, and it's given me that ominous feeling that this show is close to running its last mile.  I know we'll have a Season 8, but will that be the final race for this show?  All I know is that this season has been flat.  COVID issues aside, they've had ample time to make this season worth watching....and it's just kind of been stuck in cruise control, and hasn't hit high gear until now.  I'm all for short arcs, but when the arcs meander along, and are---let's face it---boring....not doing yourself as showrunners OR your audience any favors.  So...hopefuly...they end on a high note next week, and they have time to REALLY plot something good for next season.  

So...you guys on board with me in that assessment?  Do YOU think this show has hit the wall?  Or do you feel they have one more race in them?  Subscribe and let me know how YOU feel....as well as what YOU thought of this episode.

One more lap for Season 7 to go....so, until then.....Keep on running!

DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW 6.9

 

RECAP - DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW  6.9:  "This Is Gus"  

The crew of The Waverider got to deal with yet another unusual alien this week---and just in time for Behrad's birthday!  Yep, we got to take a bit to focus on Behrad a little, as this episode focused on him and his love for a stoner show he watched as a kid....only to have the next alien pod land right into the sitcom, thus throwing time into a tizzy, and making things even more entertaining for our esteemed ragtag group.  So, what shook down on this latest installment of The Legends?  Let's take a peek.

Behrad was fairly stoked that he awoke to his 25th birthday, but was trying to not spoil any plans the team MAY have for him.  But, unbeknownst to him, the team completely forgot his birthday...including his own sister.  They're busy commiserating at the meeting table when they get info from Gideon about the next alien pod that's landing in Vancouver in the year 2023.  Sara asks Zari and Behrad to get Nate out of the Totem, because they'll need him for the mission.  Nate was otherwise busy with HIS Zari in the totem as he's brought back into the ship.  Meanwhile, Mick has been missing time, because he's not kept in touch with his daughter Lita, who's got VERY important news to tell him....she's pregnant!   News that Dear Old Dad Rory does NOT take well.  She hasn't heard from him for the better part of a year, and his reaction doesn't make her happy, considering how SHE was conceived.  Mick has to go play damage control, as the ship lands in Vancouver, and the team is set to catch this next alien before things get out of hand.  However, they land near a studio lot, where Behrad sees his favorite actor, Enron Saiid, from his favorite sitcom as a teenager.  He then thinks that this is his birthday gift.  And Zari...having forgotten, plays it off like it is.  He drags the rest of the crew into the studio to watch a live taping of the show, while Sara pulls Spooner aside to track the alien. 

Spooner and Sara find the pod as it's crash landing to Earth, only to have Spooner shoot the pod off course, thinking she's preventing an incident.  However, the rest of the crew in the studio watching this bad sitcom being taped, when the alien crash lands onto the stage...the audience...including the team...notice a fuzzy cute alien emerge from the crash, and it gets a big response. Behrad now believes they gave him a mission for his birthday involving his favorite show, and he's still stoked about it. However, the star of the show, Enron, isn't pleased about it....especially when his brother, the producer, takes a shine to the alien, and thinks it would boost the ratings for the show...which Zari had mentioned only lasted two seasons, but Behrad was obsessed about it. 

Ava has been busy wrapping Behrad's birthday gifts, as she tries to play peacekeeper between Mick and Lita.  Mick is even more upset when he finds out Lita is vegan, co-habitating with her baby-daddy Nico, and he's training for the Olympics, as well as donating the money Mick have her towards a politician's run for President.  She also doesn't believe in marriage.  Mick is all in sorts, and Ava tries to encourage him to just TALK to her...and not explode at her.  They do talk, and he says he wants what's best for the baby.  So, in helping her open a pickle jar, they start mending fences. 

Somehow, the alien got spaced as the team tried to sort out the show's disaster and change in focus, which will now have the alien in it.  Nate and Zari chat about his time in the Totem, and aside from getting the freak on, they talked about Behrad, and how he's doing...and this Zari realizes that SHE would be the one to remember his birthday.  While they try to find the alien, Behrad and Astra head to the writer's room to prevent the new episode from airing, and the alien changes time all around. They then find out that the alien is on set, and when Nate tries to grab him, the alien screams bloody murder, and hurts their ears.  According to intel from Gary, the alien as attached itself to Enron's brother...which is also where the teat is. Behrad talks to Enron, and tells him that, thanks to HIM, he was allowed to be HIMSELF growing up...that he could be the person HE needed to be.  He tells Enron to stand up for himself, so he does...and quits the show.  Things begin to shift, the glaring issue is the change in Behrad...as he's trimmed his hair, cleaned up a bit, and looks more presentable...which is noticeable to Astra.  But Sara knows this is bad---if the show changes, so does Behrad.  And changes are already happening, as he's dressing up in a suit, looks clean cut, and like a businessman.  Elements of his room begin to disappear, and his demeanor changes.  Behrad goes to have a meeting with Enron's brother to see if they can stop the show. 

Lita and Ava chat, and Lita says that her dad really opened up once they talked, and asked all sorts of questions about Nico, and Sara overhears this, and realizes that Mick asked specific questions because he's going to kill Nico.  They make a beeline for Mick, only to see him and Nico talk---and Mick is thanking him for taking care of Lita in his absence.  It's also at this point that they find out Mick and Kayla had alien sex, and he doesn't say more...just takes off. 

Astra catches up with Behrad, who purposely sabotaged the meeting, because his corporate side of his personality has taken over.  Zari blames herself, because her counterpart can find a way to solve this problem.  Nate tells them that they have to suck it up, and find a way to stop this from happening.  Nate decides to infiltrate the show as one of the cast to try and use a plot twist to get Gus from the producer.  Meanwhile, Astra has to chase Enron through the studio lot in order to get him to go back to the show, and stand up to his brother.  He ends up crashing through the set, and sends Gus flying.  Nate catches Gus, and before Gus can let out his scream again, he feeds him one of the special gummi bears to mellow him out.  

Later on, the team is back aboard the Waverider, celebrating Behrad's birthday.  Zari has entered the totem to talk to her counterpart and show her pictures of the party.  She then says that she wants Zari #1 to go and celebrate with their brother.  She found a loophole that would allow them to switch places for a little while.  So, Zari #1 returns, and Behrad is happy to see her.  They hug, and Nate, who's got Gus in a baby carrier on his body, sees Zari, and they reunite.  Zari quickly catches up on everything that's gone down, including Sara and Ava's engagement, Lita becoming pregnant, and and Mick doing it with an alien.  As Mick goes to take a drink, Gary slaps it out of his hand...then let's him know that when he and Kayla did it...her tentacle entered his ear, and she ended up dropping eggs into his head----so, Lita now realizes that her dad is pregnant.  

This episode had an element of cute moments, and I'm sure that many thought Gus was just like an adorable pink Bebo.  But to ME...the story was Behrad.  For a guy we look at as the stoner goofball of the team, to see WHY his trajectory has gone the path it has was because of this show.  He found himself through the show, and made him who he is.  To see what he could've become was a severe change, and even Zari didn't like it.  I think it was also cool to see the banter between him and Astra.  Despite her thinking he's a complete tool, she's gotten to see another side of him, and realizes that he's actually pretty cool as he is.  It also looks like they're plotting seeds to get them two to hook up.  But it was also very cool to see that Zari #2 take a backseat for a bit, and allow her counterpart to come out and spend time with their brother.  Plus...with John gone, it allows Zari #2 to take a backseat for awhile until he returns, and gives Nate some fun.  We miss Nate & Zari together, and this will give us that satisfaction for an episode or two.  Credit to actress Tala Ashe for pulling double duty...she really knows how to paint the contrast between the two Zaris.  

Mick got QUITE a lot of surprises this week, as he not only lost time with his daughter Lita, but finds out she's knocked up, and living with the baby-daddy, who's actually a good guy.  Then, there's the REAL kicker---at the end of the episode...Mick finds out that Kayla gave him one last parting gift before dying:  her eggs.  So...now we'll see how these little sucks grow in Mick's head...and will they have ANY of Mick's traits?  The next couple of episodes should be interesting.  And as for Gus....guess they're keeping him around for awhile.  We didn't get John this week, and not sure when he's coming back, but we know we'll have to catch up to him on his quest. 

What did YOU guys think of this Behrad themed episode?  Subscribe and leave a comment below.  

Until next time.....Time is on our side.

COMIC BOOK PROFILE: JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #85

 

COMIC BOOK PROFILE

Wow...it's been some time since I've had a chance to do one of THESE blogs, but I do enjoy them when I get the opportunity.  And...upon reflecting what I have called this section of my little page here, I decided to make a change.  It's no longer going to be a "Comic Book of the Week", because--obviously--I haven't DONE this on a weekly basis.  However, with the new name, I think it fits better, because that's what we do here.  And with that little tidbit out of the way, let's bring us to the book that is our focus this time around.  And, I have to admit---I planned this to coincide with the Disney Plus show LOKI.  So, what a better time....especially since Episode 5 was titled "Journey Into Mystery", that we take a peek inside the first Silver Age appearance of The God of Mischief.

JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #85

COVER ART:  Jack Kirby, Dick Ayers, Stan Goldberg, Artie Simek

WRITER:  Stan Lee, Larry Lieber

ARTIST:  Jack Kirby, Don Heck, Steve Ditko

INKS: Dick Ayers, Don Heck, Steve Ditko

LETTERS:  Artie Simek, Jon D'Agostino

COLORS:  Stan Goldberg

EDITOR:  Stan Lee

COVER DATE:  October 1962

PUBLISHER:  Marvel Comics

TAGLINE: Never before has the Mighty Thor faced a foe as dangerous as LOKI, The God of Mischief!!  Take these other Journeys into Mystery in this great issue:  "Filbert's Frightful Future" & "Off Limits" 

STORY TITLE:  "Trapped By Loki, The God of Mischief", "The Clock", "Filbert's Frightful Future", "Off Limits"

Journey Into Mystery #85 is now considered, by Marvel nowadays, as the first Silver Age appearance of Loki.  Considering Marvel's previous publication history as Timely/Atlas Comics, they new consider all of the previous comics under their original name canon, and thus Loki made his first actual appearance in Venus #6 (I'll have to research that one), but it was in the Timely/Atlas comic Journey Into Mystery that gave us--first--The God of Thunder Thor in issue #83, but we get introduced to his mischievous and sinister half-brother in this issue.  Marvel would end up using this comic as the platform for the Thunder God to establish his world and his entry into the Marvel Universe.  The series ran until issue #125, until it was renamed for our Norse God Avenger with issue #126 as The Mighty Thor.  Loki would return many time to plague Thor, The Avengers, and everyone else in the Marvel Universe, in his quest for power and hijinks.  And when the Marvel Cinematic Universe got started off...they did lay the groundwork in Thor's movie debut for his big role as the villain in The Avengers.  He's not only made appearances in the other two Thor features, but in more Avengers movies, as well as anywhere else he can be inserted into.  Tom Hiddleston's performance has been magical and captivating, and has brought this character to life in magnificent ways.  And now with the TV show, he's been allowed to expand on his own as the main character, and show us aspects that we've not gotten before.  Hiddleston's portrayal has given Loki's stock as a character an immense boost.  

THE STORY:  Loki has been trapped in a tree, having been put there by his father Odin for past misdeeds.  He is in the tree until someone sheds a tear, and releases him.  He manages to get a leaf to fall into the eyes of Heimdall, who sheds a tear, thus releasing the God of Mischief, who then plots his revenge against his half-brother, Thor.  Loki then spends the story trying to obtain Thor's hammer in order to destroy him.  

"The Clock" is a story reprinted from Marvel Tales #148.  Where an old clockmaker nearly dies from severe cold, only to be saved by the wooden figures that are a part of his clocks, of which he's given part of his soul to.

"Filbert's Frightful Future" is about a man who invents a time machine to become extremely wealthy off of future events, only to realize that his time machine cannot go into the future with him until it reaches the present, where there is nothing.

"Off Limits" sees Rip Van Winkle as an alien being visiting Earth in violation of Galactic travel guidelines, which declared the planet off limits due to the being's dormitive effect.

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This issue continues to bring Thor's mythology into the Marvel Universe by introducing us to his devious half-brother, and sets up THEIR long rivalry over the next 60-plus years.  Lee and Kirby deliver again with great action and storytelling for their time, and bring yet another villain into the Marvel Universe. We also got some short stories from Lee & Ditko as well, along with Don Heck.  If you're a collector and a fan of Loki...this SHOULD be on your list if you're able to find it....and afford it.

NEXT TIME:  We go back to the historical racks for yet another classic....

THE FLASH 7.16

 

RECAP - THE FLASH  7.16:  "P.O.W."

We've got a war on our hands---and it's moving at hyperspeed!  Team Flash is under siege, as it desperately tries to figure how how to stop to warring armies of Godspeeds from tearing apart Central City.  Barry has been certainly distracted enough with trying to start a family with Iris (and she's been missing as of late, being off camera for "illness" reasons), as well as trying to protect the city from the throes from destruction by velocity.  We've also had Frost dealing with Mr. Chillblaine himself roaming free on the streets, and Allegra is hoping to re-bond with her cousin, Esperanza, whom just had successful surgery courtesy of Caitlin to restore her voice.  But can those fences be mended between the two?  And there's Joe and Kristin Kramer's status, as they were caught by her former friend Creyke, who tried to blow the two up.  What shook out this week?  Let's find out...

As the news reports attacks to citizens in their homes, the Godspeeds are wreaking havoc all over Central City.  Barry is watching this with concern, and then dreams of his daughter Nora yet again, only THIS time, Nora is warning him that things are bad, and he needs to stop it.  He has been out there trying to stop them, but he's taking a beating, and this last time he's gotten some bruises.  Caitlin orders him to rest, but you know he won't.  Cecile is concerned that she can't get ahold of Joe since he and Kramer went out looking for Creyke.  They realize that the Godspeed's power is causing electronic disruptions, thus Cecile unable to call Joe.  They've also begun to operate without rhyme or reason, and it's gotten hard to track them.  Chunk goes to work on an algorithm to see if he can find a pattern to help the team track them.  

Out in the woods near Midway City, Joe and Kirstin manage to bail out of the car before Creyke blew it up.  They know he's on the hunt for them.  And they seek refuge in the woods, and Joe cannot connect into town for backup, because there's no cellphone signal.  So, like it or not, they're on their own against her former friend and teammate. 

Barry talks to Caitlin about his dream with Nora.  He is worried that Godspeed can destroy her future, because Godspeed is Nora's arch enemy in 2049.  Caitlin suggests to Barry that he race to the future to check on her, but he shoots that down, saying that there's a risk of creating another Flashpoint.  Help, however, arrives in the form of John Diggle...who's got a device he believes can help Barry and the team fight the war against Godspeed and win it. Cisco sent Diggle with something called an Entropy Trap.  The device will actually capture a Godspeed and keep it in stasis, thus allowing them to question it, or analyze it to figure out the other Godspeeds' next move.  John offers himself to help out, though he's still experiencing headaches.  The same one's he was going through when he saw the specailist in Gotham City.  

Caitlin also checks in on Esperanza, and tells her that her progress is going well, but just to take it easy.  Of course she's NOT going to listen, because she's got vendetta on her mind.  With the info she got from Dr. Nelson, she's going to track down all the other doctors who've had a hand in creating people like her, and kill them before they hurt anyone else.  Allegra tells her cousin she should take it easy, and wait until she's healed, and this Godspeed War to be over, and then she'd help her.  But Esperanza isn't going to wait.  She's off, leaving Allegra frustrated. 

The team puts their plan into play, as Flash is racing around town until he picks up a tail...and he's off running, with a Godspeed in tow.  The plan works, as Diggle helps Flash capture the pursuer.  Once they have him, he's not much for talking at first, but eventually, he opens up, and tells Flash they have much to discuss.  This Godspeed says he and Flash have the same agenda:  to stop the other Godspeeds from taking over.  They serve August Hart, who wants ultimate power.  However, his crew wants to do one thing:  live.  The Godspeed says they have a common enemy, but they want to kill August Hart before he destroys them.  However, Flash says that he refuses to kill...even an enemy.  This puts the Godspeed off, and he breaks free of the confines of the entropy machine, and he attacks Flash, and says that if he doesn't help them, then he's an enemy.  He takes down Flash, and steals some of his speed before he bolts out of there, but not before destroying the machine before taking off.  Flash is frustrated, and orders Chunk to fix it, but Chunk can't with what they have at STAR Labs, and Barry lays into him to figure it out.  Diggle orders everyone out of the room, and he asks Barry what's up.  Barry fills him in on his dreams about Nora, and wondering if he's okay.  He wants to check up on her, but he's afraid of messing up the timeline, and the fact that the Godspeeds need to be dealt with first.  Diggle says he should go...and that he would do ANYTHING...no matter the risk...to save his family.  That includes risking time and space.  Unbeknownst to them, Allegra overhears this, and makes the choice to take off and find Esperanza, and help her before she gets hurt. 

So, Barry decides to race to 2049 to check on Nora, and informs Cecile of his plans.  She says she's purused Nora's journals to get any info about Godspeed, and she says that there was a building in town that August Hart used as his base of operations, and she's going to check up on it.  She says she'll take John and Allegra with her, but Allegra is gone, and Diggle offers his help nonetheless. Caitlin and Chunk are keeping tabs on everything in the present while he's gone.  He races into the time stream, and is almost to 2049, until Gideon warns him that there is trouble up ahead.  A few Godspeeds are in the timeline, and blast him back, preventing him from reaching Nora.  He winds up in the Force Space, where Deon is there to inform him that the Speed Force is busy trying to fight off the Godspeeds, and that they're being stretched thin.  So, there are no trips through time until they're able to fend off the Godspeed threat.  Besides, his powers alone are weakened because he's had to protect someone else:  Iris.  It turns out, Iris' illness is more than just a cold or because of pregnancy....she's phasing in and out of time, and it's taking Deon's powers to keep her stable and safe.  He has to get her to another zone in order to keep her from fading out, and before the other Godspeeds find her.  

Before Cecile and John take off to find August Hart's hideout, John has another mental attack, and Cecile tries to help him, but she herself is overwhelmed by the impact of what's hitting John.  He recovers, and she says that he may want to sit this out.  What she felt it was...infinite.  But Diggle shrugs it off, and they're off to find the building where August Hart hangs out.  Once there, they end up facing off with a Godspeed, which Spartan shoots with nanites (courtesy of Ray Palmer), and it weakens the Godspeed enough for Spartan to start beating it down....but yet ANOTHER mental attack takes him down, and Frost blasts the Godspeed to send it racing away, saving Diggle.  Cecile comes upon a man who seems weak, but stable.  However, he has no idea who he is, but feels he can't leave the building.  

Allegra catches up to Esperanza, only to find a room of strewn bodies about, all looking like they're dead, and she comes across her cousin, who is mortally wounded.  Allegra apologizes for not being there for her, and for choosing her friends.  Esperanza says but she did, and now she will die alone.  Allegra begs her cousin to keep fighting, but Esperanza disintegrates in Allegra's hands....dying in the process. 

Creyke has been hunting Joe and Kramer, whom they think he only believes there's one person out there he's after.  They use that to their advantage, and then when he catches up to Kramer, he surprised to see her.  Joe slaps a dampener on him, and they talk.  Kramer wants to bring him in for killing their unit.  He says he's a mercenary, and he did it for the money.  He also said that he took that money, and gave it back to the people on their reservation.  He also questions Kristin, asking her just who SHE really is....considering Kristin Kramer was killed in the blast that killed the unit. Joe wonders what he's talking about, but she has no idea.  He says he can't die because he's immortal. She wants justice for her unit, and wants to kill him, but Joe once again talks her down.

Back at STAR Labs, Caitlin shows the team what's wrong with the man Cecile and John found, because there are gaps in his brain.  She says she has a way to get some of that info, and Barry gives the okay...as long as the man is okay with it. They need to know if they have August Hart. It's at this point, Diggle decides to take his leave---he's finally got to address this mental issue he's been having, and it's had to do with the night he almost got killed...and when he found the container with the green light in it.  Barry needs his help, but understands Diggle has to do what he has to do.  They give their farewells, and Diggle is off. 

Caitlin administers the drug to the man, and all can admit to is that his name is August...but not much more than that.  So, Barry is distraught because he feels they're right back where they started.  He's despondent because he couldn't see Nora, and they are no closer to solving the Godspeed riddle...and now he's worried sick about Iris.  Cecile tells him that she understands he's down....but that he needs to have some hope...they've gotten through worse, and they'll get through this.  Once alone, Barry is thinking when Nora shows up from the future.  She knows she's not supposed to be there, but she has something important to tell her dad.  Barry is just overjoyed to see her, and is glad she's okay.  She lets him know she's okay, and things turn out alright...for both of them.  He thinks that she's thinking of her and her mother, but Nora tells him that Iris will be fine, and they're fine....because she's there, living and breathing.  But she didn't come alone----because as happy as he is to see her...she brought company---and Bart Allen zips in, and Nora introduces her dad to his son.  

This episode really picked up the steam in the story department, as they have amped up the danger for Team Flash with all of these Godspeeds racing about, and an August Hart who has NO CLUE who and what he is.  And with him under the care of Team Flash, how long will it be before he regains his memory, and executes his final plan?  We have two episodes to go in this season, so the arc will wrap up in two parts.  But with no clue as to how to stop the threat, the stakes have been greater than it has been in previous seasons.  

With the appearance of Nora in the flesh this time...with Bart now in tow---XS & Impulse have arrived just in time to help their dad stop the Godspeed threat.  Also, we FINALLY got an appearance from Iris in this episode, as she's been missing the last few episodes.  And we also find out that she hasn't been experiencing morning sickness or a cold, but she's been phasing in and out of time.  Now, I am not sure how much this has to do with the leftover superpowers she has, or this plays into the actual origin of the comics version of Iris:  which is that Iris was not born in the same century as Barry, and was adopted by Ira West.  So, not sure how much they'll tap into THAT at all, but it DOES have me curious if this will be a way where she DOES get pregnant, and that she'll eventually LOSE her powers.  But at least we now have reason for her being offscreen.  

Diggle making his sojourn through the Arrowverse is nice welcome, as he's now our focal point from the Arrowverse from the perspective that Ollie had.  A regular guy in a superpowered world.  But now we got more in depth with the reason for his mental issues:  Cecile called it "infinite", and I have a feeling that the RING he got has been calling to him---or the Guardians.  Either way, this gives us even MORE reason to believe that John is THIS much closer to becoming Green Lantern. We can only hope....end the tease.  I also DID like Diggle's reference to Ray Palmer when he hit the Godspeed with nanites.  Letting us know that Ray is still in the loop in the superhero community, and is willing to lend a hand, even though he's no longer with the Legends. 

I have to admit---I was VERY disappointed with Allegra's arc in this.  To have her battle her cousin, beat her, then HELP her get her voice back....only to have the show runners KILL Esperanza off---that's a cop out and a let down.  I get that Esperanza wanted revenge, but we didn't get much of a redemption arc, we didn't get to see the two reconnect...it was just Esperanza still being bitter even when Allegra DID show up...but it was too late.  Was their story ALWAYS supposed to end tragically?  We'd already seen villains this season "see the light", and renounce their ways in some aspect, I guess they couldn't do that with everyone.  Plus...after I had time to process it---I think that by eliminating Esperanza, it propels Allegra forward, and gives HER some uniqueness as the ONLY person in her family with those powers....thus, now there's only ONE Ultraviolet...IF Allegra decides to run with that name.  And I HOPE she doesn't take her cousin's death out of Barry or the team---she AND Caitlin gave Esperanza fair warning about going after those Black Hole doctors in her weakened state...but she didn't listen.  Esperanza's death is on herself...not Allegra.  But we know Allegra won't see it that way.  But if they do this to turn Allegra villain...I'm gonna be pissed.  

The whole issue with Joe/Kristin/Creyke is one that I hope wraps up soon...her story is losing me fast.  We now know Creyke is immortal---this mean he's like Vandal Savage now?  And what's with his jab at Kramer being dead?  She know something WE don't?  Does SHE even know she's supposed to be dead?  Are they making HER a metahuman as well...just to spin the irony onto her after her issues with Frost?  Just put an end to it....you're needed in Central City.  And is this guy going to be a Flash villain down the road?  I dunno...but wrap it up, because the main story needs much more of the stage at this juncture. 

Well, boys and girls....did we LIKE the little surprise at the end of the episode with Nora returning and the first appearance of Bart?  I will admit...they got the outfit spot on.  Now...if they give him the goggles...I'm there.  But what about YOU guys?  What did YOU think?  Subscribe and comment below your insights.

Two to go until this season reaches the finish line, folks----so, until then....Keep on running!

THE FLASH 7.15

 

RECAP - THE FLASH  7.15:  "Enemy At The Gates"  

Barry Allen has A LOT on his mind---and it doesn't necessarily mean his job at the CCPD OR his life as The Flash.  Naaah....Barry's had something MUCH bigger on his mind:  fatherhood.  We know that from the last few episodes, Barry and Iris have been trying to start a family, and it's been the one thing distracting him...since they really haven't revealed anything to anyone about actually trying.  They just figured Barry and Iris were playing catch-up after not having much time for each other.  So, Iris has been absent lately (and was in THIS episode as well), and Barry has been accounting for her whereabouts (thus giving us--the viewers--a status update on Mrs. West-Allen), while actress Candice Patton has been off-screen.  Outside of Barry and Iris' attempts to make a baby, we have Allegra trying to save her cousin, Esperanza, and get her the one thing she desires back:  her voice.  Esperanza isn't the trusting type, so Allegra is trying to pull family rank on this one to get her to comply.  Then there's Joe and Kristin Kramer---who are now on the hunt for her former friend and teammate, Crayke, who's gone rogue, and was responsible for the death of her unit back in the Army.  But there's the long awaiting returning threat on the horizon that's going to shake Team Flash up in this final few-episode arc to bring out the end of the season.....Godspeed. 

Barry spends the majority of this episode awfully distracted.  While he and Iris have been secretly babymaking, he's wondering about fatherhood.  So much so, that while in his lab working, he ends up dreaming about Nora----who appears to him----saying that everything will work out as it's supposed to, and for him not to worry.  Turns out, Barry is dreaming, but it gives him something of a premonition that he and Iris are pregnant, and wants to test to see if they are.  So, while at home, he's got the samples from Iris to be able to run a pregnancy test at STAR Labs, but ends up running into Cecile, with whom he has a lunch date with, and he tries to shoo her out and cancel the luncheon, because he's preoccupied with getting the samples to the lab to test them.  She tries to read his mind and emotional state and knows something is up, but he says he'll catch up later and blows her off.  He tries again at STAR Labs, but runs into Chester, who starts asking questions about his weird behavior, but Barry again keeps playing it off.  He gets a private moment, and calls Iris, saying that he's not ready to reveal the results to the team yet, so she encourages him to go to his lab at the CCPD to run the tests.  So, he heads there.  

While Barry is trying to run his pregnancy test, Joe and Kristin are still hashing over the night of the mission, where her unit got killed thanks to the betrayal by her longtime friend Crayke.  She recalls how he wanted to join the Navy, but followed her into the Army instead.  She said he loved the water, and loved to fish.  Joe remembers a place he used to go fish as a kid, and uses Crayke's call sign as a search, and they come up with that name that's on a schooner in Midway City.  Kramer's not happy that he's been under her nose this whole time, but is ready to take him down.  But before they go, Joe warns her that if it's revenge she's after...she's going it alone.  Joe will not help her....because this should be about justice.  Kramer pauses a bit....than asks him to go with her. 

Frost has been a busy gal....trying to comb the city for Mark, and manages to find him at his old bar he used to work at, getting worked over by several thugs, because he turned state's evidence to get out.  She manages to scare the thugs to take a hike, but Mark's beat up pretty good.  She decides to take him to STAR Labs to get healed up, but she warns him that if he crosses her...she'll beat the hell out of him. 

Caitlin is set to operate on Esperanza to repair her vocal chords, and says that there's some circuitry in there, and that she'll need to repair it, or Esperanza can die.  Esperanza isn't one for trusting anyone on Team Flash, but Allegra pleads with her cousin to let Caitlin operate.  She wants to save her cousin.  

Barry's at his lab at the CCPD when Cecile walks in, ready for their lunch date.  Barry again tries to put it off, but Cecile is in his head, and realizes what Barry is up to.  He tries to play it down, and doesn't want this big reveal yet.  So, as they are awaiting the results of the test, things go from bad to worse, as Godspeed....who has returned to Central City....and began making duplicates of himself...is racing around the city, causing damage...zips by the CCPD, and the glass shatters in Barry's lab....and he gets him and Cecile to safety.  But that initial test is destroyed.  Back at STAR Labs, Chester and the team are trying to track Godspeed, but then he blips out.  They try to figure out where and when he will strike next, and Chester has the idea to track them by using their modem voices to get a signature. Frost goes to check up on Mark, and he knows about the Godspeeds in town, and offers up his help, but Frost denies it, and says his injuries will hinder him, and he's benched.  She would need him to be a good guy, but he tells her that "good and bad" are binary, and that SHE....of ALL people....should know. She locks him in his room nonetheless.

They find Godspeed about to destroy the power plant when Flash arrives to stop them.  He needed Frost and Allegra back at STAR Labs as the last line of defense should he fail.  Chester tries to warn Barry that other Godspeeds are coming, and that it was a trap.  They arrive, and Flash vibrates out..taking off and having the Godspeeds give chase.  He tells Chester to lower the shields at STAR Labs, and he does so....and in the process, he ends up trapping the Godspeeds in  an electrical forcefield fence.  They begin to start punching it to escape, leaving them precious little time to figure out how to stop them. Barry then calls Iris, and tells her what's going on, and orders her to stay home (she's been sick), and that he'll do everything he can to protect her and the baby.  Chester overhears this and gives him congrats, but Barry orders him silent on this until they know for sure.  Barry and Chester then figure out a way to possibly stop them, blasting their modem speak right back at them, causing confusion as to what to do.  Barry orders Chester to put it all over the building, and then to hide inside the Time Vault to protect himself.  They put the plan into action, but it doesn't seem to be working.

Frost goes to Mark, and tells him that the Godspeeds are coming, and they need to hold the fort.  She hands him his Chillblaine gloves, and tells him he needs to be a good guy today, and he says he can't because it's not who he is.  But she says if he DOESN'T help....they'll die.  And even HE doesn't want that.  And she reminds him that her trust isn't given, it's earned.  And if he blows it...deal's off.  The continued energy the Godspeeds are using to punch out is causing issues in the Med Bay, as Caitlin continues to work on Esperanza.  But we see Esperanza start to fidget...indicating the fear of what's happening.  Allegra wants to help, but she can't.  Cecile goes to Esperanza, and uses her empath powers to clam Esperanza down, allowing Caitlin to continue to operate.  As Chester is in the Time Vault, and having Gideon continue the broadcast of the Godspeed speak throughout the complex, they manage to break free, and the team has to start fighting them off.  Flash is able to take down a few, and Frost and Mark are able to beat some down....but one gets into the Time Vault, and shorts out Gideon, thus killing the feed to the speakers.  It allows the Godspeeds to recover and fight back.  Flash is on the run again to get them out of the building to save everyone else.  As he tries to outrun them, they overtake him, and blast him down.  As they begin to try and draw his speed away from him, more Godspeeds show up, and they begin battling each other.  Flash is confused by all this, as they all disappear.  

Back at STAR Labs, Caitlin was successful with Esperanza, and she's in recovery.  They all commiserate as to why Godspeeds would fight each other, when Godspeed himself is the one who wants ultimate speed...and Barry realizes that there's a civil war coming...and that's not good for Central City...OR The Flash.  Later on, Mark and Frost are alone chatting, and it looks like they're getting closer.  He sweet talks Frost just enough that when she goes to get them another drink...he rigged the shaker and it pops, distracting her long enough for him to make an escape.  

Barry's back at his lab at the CCPD, and has conducted another test with Cecile there.  He's hoping that the baby will be like Iris.  But...Barry is heartbroken when the test is negative.  He wonders whether or not they've lost their chance at having a child, and Cecile assures him to not give up yet.  

Joe and Kristin are staking out Crayke's place where his boat is, and she and Joe are talking....wondering if she'd ever wind up like her friend...to go down that dark road...and be a killer like him.  Before Joe can respond, a bright light shines behind them...and Kristin orders Joe to move, as their car is truck, causing it to explode.  

Well, we're in the final arc, and it's started off with a pretty decent level of excitement, as we have questions regarding the duplicate Godspeeds now roaming the city, and what exactly the original Godspeed's plan is...outside of taking Barry's speed...is.  Them warring with each other only raises the level of confusion, and hopefully they won't give us a long wait until they answer that question.  

Frost learned a valuable lesson that leopards can't change their spots.  While SHE is an exception to the rule...and she KNOWS she will be looked upon with a jaundice eye because of her past....SHE has made the effort to be a better person. But Mark makes no bones about who he is...and understands the ambiguity of the line between good and evil.  So, he's not going to pigeonhole himself for the sake of staying out of jail.  He is who he is.  There is no changing him. 

With Esperanza now possibly having her voice back....will SHE change?  Will she be able to mend her familial bond with Allegra?  Allegra WANTS to make the effort, but it's now on Esperanza's doorstep as to whether or not they re-bond.  But will Esperanza....much like Mark...find that line and decide to walk it instead of crossing one side to the other?  Or will she just see that what she was doing was too good to pass up?  I believe we explore that story next episode.

Joe seems to be a good counterbalance to Kristin.  And he's gotten her to open up.  Now...do I still fully trust her?  No.  But Joe has been to the point with her:  I don't like your methods, and I'm not big on your absolution when it comes to metas, and I'm not here for your revenge party.  But if you seek justice...I'll stand by you.  I think that's why she admires him---because he pulls no punches, but his years of experience as a cop has offered him TONS of wisdom...especially also being a part of Team Flash.  So, hopefully, they're able to survive this encounter, and we get to see Kristin have some justice....and peace of mind.  

For Barry....you kinda feel for him, as he was SO excited about the prospect of Iris being pregnant...and they've been trying SO hard lately.  But to see his face crestfallen as the pregnancy test was negative kinda hit you in the heart a little....especially when he had the dream about Nora at the beginning of the episode.  We miss Nora so much, and for her to tell him it'll all work out makes US believe...but I think it was also a message saying that "Don't worry, Dad....it may not happen TODAY....but it WILL happen.  Don't give up!".  And I know Cecile will stand by him through this.  But I guess there's a reason they have kept Candice Patton off canvas the last couple of episodes, and only heard about or mentioned by Barry.  The show is a little less without Candice's presence in the physical.  But hopefully, she'll be back soon....and we'll have good news to report from the West-Allen home.  

It was one of the better episodes this season, and I enjoyed it.  But this season as a whole has seemed to just plod along, and not one of the better ones.  Changes to the cast, and the fact that COVID really screwed up the filming schedule, but that's also no excuse to write meandering plots.  This show has shown better than this, and I'm hoping the season finishes strong, so that next season will be better.  But it will be going 8 seasons in next year, and will this show...much like Arrow...finally realize it's run out of gas?  I guess we'll find out in the next few installments, and see what next season beholds. But we DO know that Candice, Danielle, and Jessie have signed on for Season 8, so the core cast is back.  

What're YOUR thoughts after this week's episode, kids?  Subscribe and leave yer comments below....

Until next time....Keep on running!