Iris’ blog plays a big part in this episode, as she learns there are MORE metahumans in town than just the Streak. This time around, the villain has a direct connection to both Barry and Iris. And, we see more strangeness surrounding Harrison Wells.  All this, and more, in another excellent episode of THE FLASH!

Light Spoilers Only

Iris takes over the narration for much of this episode, as she writes her blog. It is obvious how much she believes in the Streak, adding in the intro “So for those of us who believe in you…I just want to say thank you.” Of course, Barry does his best to get her to drop the blog…and his earlier prediction that the blog could bring trouble to her doorstep proves all too true.

Running through this episode is a theme of dealing with bullies. We see Joe West training a young Barry to fight at different times through the episode, and Barry gets additional training and mentoring from Cisco…and Eddie Thawne, who appears to be warming up to Barry at a time that Barry and Iris are having great difficulties in their relationship. We also learn about the bullies in the lives of many of the characters in the show. This was handled well – not hammering the viewer over the head, but using this theme to build the story effectively.

That brings us to Girder, who in this continuity was a bully to young Barry in his school days at Carmichael Elementary. Tony Woodward (Girder) hasn’t really changed all that much…except, of course for the effects of the particle accelerator accident. Girder gains enough power to be a real threat to Barry, who allows his emotions to override his common sense and is beaten to a pulp. Tony also is tracking down Iris…partly because he remembers her from school, and partly because he wants her to write about HIM in her blog.

As we head to the big showdown between Barry and Girder we find Barry testing the limits of his power. This time, he will have to literally break the sound barrier in order to have a chance against Girder. An interesting side note is the idea that he needs 5.3 miles in order to build up that speed.  I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall that type of question coming up before. I’ve always assumed that the Speed Force allowed the Flash to reach top speed almost instantaneously. But, for this show it is a very nice touch.

In the final battle with Girder, the writers handled an “Iris is in trouble” moment without making her a damsel in distress. The more I see of Iris in this show, the better I like her character. It’s not a total surprise here that the subsequent talk between Iris and Barry results in her naming this Streak (three guesses? No need…of course it’s The Flash).

The most interesting subplot in this episode was Joe West’s conversations with Harrison Wells about the Nora Allen case. You think Wells has seemed more than a little mysterious? Just when did Harrison move to Central City and why? And, what was HE doing 14 years ago? Joe and Harrison seem to come to a good understanding, and Joe asks again for Harrison’s help in tracking down Nora’s real killer.

That leads us to the epilogue…don’t want to say too much here, but I will say that it looked like there was some red mixed with the yellow. Let us know if you saw that as well. No matter what, that was a very powerful ending – and I get the feeling we will revisit this scene down the road.

SUMMARY: This episode of THE FLASH effectively builds a theme of dealing with bullies into an action-packed story. There were excellent dramatic highlights, including some great scenes with Barry and Iris, and some great conversations between Joe West and Harrison Wells. The epilogue was powerful…and we are finally leaving behind “the Streak” for “The Flash”.  This was another great episode.

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