Now that's how you make a finale that both pays off all of the loose story threads from the entire season while perfectly setting up the next season. Ultimately, this season of Flash could have been more consistent, but the missed opportunities were mostly forgiven with how many incredible moments "The Race of His Life" was.
As devastating as last week's conclusion was, watching Barry go through the various ups and downs of this episode proved to be just as poignant. He's always on an emotional roller coaster, but I enjoyed seeing the 'dark' Barry filled with rage and vengeance throughout the episode. This put him in a tough spot with the team ultimately throwing him in a cell while they attempted their own plan to stop Zoom.
Even though it sucked missing out on Grant Gustin for a solid 15 minutes, the team's plan was better than I thought it would be. Having Caitlin shell out a cheesy and fake speech proved to bend Zoom's mind just enough in time for them to send him back to Earth 2. Of course, it can't be too easy, so Joe was sucked back in with him.
I think we all knew Joe was making it out of the episode alive. Killing two father figures in consecutive episodes would have just been cruel. Alas, it was still nice seeing the emotional weight of the conflict being played out through Barry's flustered emotional state of mind. With all of this, I was glad to see Zoom's ultimate plan reveal itself, even if destroying the multi-verse felt all too clichéd.
Speaking of the multi-verse, the man in the iron mask was finally revealed to be that of the real Jay Garrick, played by John Wesley Shipp. I think it was highly speculated for a while now, but to see the execution of the reveal play out so smoothly was really nice to see. I mean come on, that Jay suit though? Incredible.
Harry and Jesse decided to return to their home in Earth-2, although I can't help but think they will both be regulars in season 2. Or perhaps the REAL Harrison Wells from Earth-1 returns because Barry changed the timeline again? So many possibilities. As good as the episode was, I think it set things up for an even better season 3 than I could even imagine.
The conflict with Zoom in general this season has been questionable. He either randomly disappears when it seems the episodes call for him or a character detail confuses things even more with his backstory. Nonetheless, I found this episode to be one of his best, and a proper send off as well. The speedster action seemed to allude to a higher budget, which was nice. But even his 'demise' and change into Black Racer opened the door for a potential return. I've been critical of the character in the past but I have to give credit where credit is due.
The only real negatives from tonight came from the convenience of this multi-verse destroying device being available to be weaponized that easily for Zoom. Other than that, I came out of the episode very pleased and thrilled as to what's to come. I can't say I'm happy about Barry's choice to save his mother (I was literally yelling at the TV), but I can't deny that it's something the character of Barry would do a day or so after his second parent was taken from him. It's good story telling at its finest, and I can't wait to see how Flashpoint plays out.
+Speedster fights
+The Real Jay! John Wesley Shipp!
+Gustin's performance
+Emotional weight
+Frickin Flashpoint
-Multi-verse device was convenient
9.3/10
As devastating as last week's conclusion was, watching Barry go through the various ups and downs of this episode proved to be just as poignant. He's always on an emotional roller coaster, but I enjoyed seeing the 'dark' Barry filled with rage and vengeance throughout the episode. This put him in a tough spot with the team ultimately throwing him in a cell while they attempted their own plan to stop Zoom.
Even though it sucked missing out on Grant Gustin for a solid 15 minutes, the team's plan was better than I thought it would be. Having Caitlin shell out a cheesy and fake speech proved to bend Zoom's mind just enough in time for them to send him back to Earth 2. Of course, it can't be too easy, so Joe was sucked back in with him.
I think we all knew Joe was making it out of the episode alive. Killing two father figures in consecutive episodes would have just been cruel. Alas, it was still nice seeing the emotional weight of the conflict being played out through Barry's flustered emotional state of mind. With all of this, I was glad to see Zoom's ultimate plan reveal itself, even if destroying the multi-verse felt all too clichéd.
Speaking of the multi-verse, the man in the iron mask was finally revealed to be that of the real Jay Garrick, played by John Wesley Shipp. I think it was highly speculated for a while now, but to see the execution of the reveal play out so smoothly was really nice to see. I mean come on, that Jay suit though? Incredible.
Harry and Jesse decided to return to their home in Earth-2, although I can't help but think they will both be regulars in season 2. Or perhaps the REAL Harrison Wells from Earth-1 returns because Barry changed the timeline again? So many possibilities. As good as the episode was, I think it set things up for an even better season 3 than I could even imagine.
The conflict with Zoom in general this season has been questionable. He either randomly disappears when it seems the episodes call for him or a character detail confuses things even more with his backstory. Nonetheless, I found this episode to be one of his best, and a proper send off as well. The speedster action seemed to allude to a higher budget, which was nice. But even his 'demise' and change into Black Racer opened the door for a potential return. I've been critical of the character in the past but I have to give credit where credit is due.
The only real negatives from tonight came from the convenience of this multi-verse destroying device being available to be weaponized that easily for Zoom. Other than that, I came out of the episode very pleased and thrilled as to what's to come. I can't say I'm happy about Barry's choice to save his mother (I was literally yelling at the TV), but I can't deny that it's something the character of Barry would do a day or so after his second parent was taken from him. It's good story telling at its finest, and I can't wait to see how Flashpoint plays out.
+Speedster fights
+The Real Jay! John Wesley Shipp!
+Gustin's performance
+Emotional weight
+Frickin Flashpoint
-Multi-verse device was convenient
9.3/10