“There’s always another way.” That theme keeps coming through in this episode, and it makes “Attack on Central City” much more than just a battle with Grodd…even though the battle WAS fantastic! Grodd has used Gypsy’s abilities to bring an entire gorilla army to Earth One, with the singular goal of turning Central City into a wasteland! Can Barry find “another way” to defeat Grodd? Want to know more? Just follow us after the jump!

SPOILERS AHEAD

NOTE: This review is being posted before THE FLASH airs in he Pacific Time Zone USA. If you haven’t seen the show, STOP HERE and come back when you see this excellent episode!

Before we get too far into this review, I want to point out once again the amazing chops Tom Cavenagh brings to THE FLASH. We start with a scene between Harry and HR that was simply outstanding, and throughout the episode there was never a doubt which version of Harrison Wells was on display, just from body language and vocalics. The differences were at times subtle, at times over the top, but the portrayals were outstanding all around.

Now, everyone is celebrating at first, thinking that they outfoxed Grodd and prevented the attack on Earth One. That lasts only as long as it takes for a mind-controlled Gypsy to attach S.T.A.R. Labs. Once she comes to her senses, she refuses to help, at least for now, and returns to her own hunt for fugitives.

Grodd is playing with them, planning several steps ahead at every turn. He takes over the mind of Air Force General Matthew McNally, and attempts to launch nuclear missiles at the heart of Central City! Barry barely manages to stop the launch, punching 5 digit codes at a breakneck pace until hitting the right code with only seconds remaining.

Of course, that doesn’t stop the full on assault. And, this is where “another way” really comes into play.

Barry seriously considers killing Grodd, in part to stop the future threat to Iris. For her part, Iris will have nothing to do with it. She doesn’t want Barry to give up his humanity, even if it costs her own life. Harry has his own advice…and his own issue in this episode as well.

Harry went back to his old cranky, manipulative ways in trying to keep Jesse from moving to Earth One. He lied to Wally, pretending to be terminally ill…and it doesn’t work at all. Jesse knows this and confronted Harry in no uncertain terms.

All this was a reminder to Harry about what makes Barry Allen unique – the Flash is proof that there is always “another way”. He lets Barry know that it would be “idiotic” to kill Grodd…and Barry finally figures out what “another way” could be.

What plan could that be? Well, let’s move to Earth 19 or a moment, and as we watch Gypsy meet up with the Accelerated Man (if only for a moment), Cisco appears! He convinces Gypsy to help him…and together they bring Solivar to Earth One.

Solivar challenges Grodd to a battle…and for a TV budget this was quite the impressive CG battle. Solivar does win, and is about to kill Grodd…but Barry again has “another way”…convincing Solivar to let Grodd live in exchange for assuring that Grodd will not ever go back to Earth Two.

With everything back to normal (and Grodd now at ARGUS), Harry prepares to go back to Earth Two alone…and he is coming to terms with Jesse staying with Wally. All of which leads to…

Barry proposes to Iris! Finally! Although we don’t get to see whether she says “yes”,, because we switch to…

Wally and Jesse at the West house. Wally agrees to get something from Big Belly Burger for Jesse. But, on his way there he sees…..Savitar!

NOTES: Cisco also shines in this episode, gaining some additional range for his Vibe powers and coming across adorably cocky (is that a term?) when talking with Gypsy. I truly hope we haven’t seen the last of Gypsy – her character and how she plays off Cisco is wonderful. The CG effects were good throughout, especially on a budget for TV. And of course, I have to say once again what an amazing job Tom Cavenagh does in portraying multiple versions of Harrison Wells.

SUMMARY: This was a 10/10 for me – what do you think? Leave your comments below!

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