Director: Ralph Hemecker
Writers: Todd Helbing & Aaron Helbing
Cast: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Tom Cavanagh, Carlos Valdes, Rick Cosnett, Jesse L. Martin, John Wesley Shipp and Robbie Amell.
Synopsis: Barry finds himself face-to-face with his nemesis, the man in the yellow suit, a.k.a. Reverse Flash, who killed his mother.
Verdict:
After eight episodes of the superb superhero television show, we have now arrived at the mid-season finale. With the bar set higher than ever after Barry and his friends crossed paths with team Arrow in the preceding two-part story (check out my review), ‘The Man in The Yellow Suit’ has an awful lot to live up to. Thankfully, this delightfully festive story delivers yet another great hour of action, whilst also (finally) revealing the true identity of the man who murdered Barry’s mother.
The episode begins with a high-speed chase through central city between The Flash and his future arc nemesis, The Reverse-Flash, before rewinding to give confused viewers the context behind this adrenaline-fuelled sequence. This was a clever way of foreshadowing the narrative events of the episode, both in terms of spectacle and potential answers to the long-running mystery of the man in yellow. The show has always been quite a few steps ahead of other television series’ in regards to action and special effects (which is quite remarkable for only nine episodes). However, this story in particular manages to elevate the standard of The Flash‘s visual identity to even higher levels. Both fight sequences between Barry and his mothers killer are effectively choreographed, and stunningly realised on screen. Although, particular praise should definitely be given to the epic football stadium face-off that takes place half way through the episode, with the writers clearly taking note from comic book blockbusters in terms of public, large-scale battles between the hero and villain.
Of course, the biggest surprise of ‘The Man In The Yellow Suit’ is not the identity of the antagonist himself, but the fact that Barry’s life is ultimately saved by a character previously thought to be dead. Although Caitlin’s deceased fiancée made a return appearance at the conclusion of ‘The Flash Vs. Arrow’, Ronnie’s new Meta-Human abilities are only fully witnessed in episodes shocking final moments. Forgetting the incredible convenience of Barry’s life-saving intervention from Ronnie, the shower of fire aimed in the general direction of The Reverse-Flash was certainly a sight to behold (as I’m sure many viewers will agree). In fact, the only moment that could have possibly stolen the entire episode from underneath itself, was the jaw-dropping reveal that Firestorm can also utilise his powers for flight. Although this will no doubt draw comparisons to The Human Torch, the negativity currently surrounding the upcoming FANTASTIC FOUR reboot (as well as both of the original adaptations), will ensure that audiences warm to Firestorm much easier and faster than his Marvel counterpart.
It was also a huge relief to see that the writers of The Flash have learnt from some of the mistakes of Smallville and SPIDER-MAN, by allowing Barry to reveal his feelings to Iris sooner rather later. At the very least, this decision will partially relieve audiences of an irritatingly drawn-out love story that they do not entirely care for (we’re looking at you Clark and Lana). Although having said that, Iris’ somewhat childish reaction to the news (accelerating her current relationship with Eddie, and virtually ignoring Barry), is unlikely to gain her any fans in a department where she has already received a mixed reception. In terms of character development, we are once again treated to not one…but two beautifully heartfelt scenes of love and affection between a father and son. However, the twist is that each scene involves Barry with a different one of his two father figures. Although, despite the fact that Grant Gustin and John Wesley Shipp are both fantastic together on screen, it is the relationship between Barry and Joe that is maturing wonderfully. Joe’s speech to Barry at the story’s conclusion not only encapsulates Gustin’s character perfectly, but the performance from both actors is enough to bring a tear to even Slade Wilson himself.
With the Reverse-Flash seemingly revealed to be Harrison Wells as many had predicted (including myself), fans are left with more questions than answers by the end of ‘The Man In The Yellow Suit’. Clearly time-travel is a key factor in the logistics of Wells’ apparently appearing twice in the same room, but it does beg the question of whether or not the good doctor is the only man underneath the yellow suit…As it should also be noted that Eddie (the comic book incarnation of The Reverse-Flash) was spared by the menacing murderer after a face-to-face encounter. Overall, The Flash has quickly developed into a phenomenal television series which blends the dark, gritty style of Arrow, with the light-hearted nature of pre-21st century superhero adaptations. This strange combination has managed to establish itself within a matter of weeks, and may even end up re-defining comic book television if it carries on this way.
When the show returns after its mid-season break, fans will have a Prison Break reunion to look forward to! As Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell team-up as Captain Cold and Heat Wave…which should definitely serve as a sufficient apology for the extremely long break.
[usr=5] The Flash returns to Sky One on February 10th at 8pm for the first new episode of 2015. Check out their official website.
