Senior Writer Nicole Drum has been with The Hudsucker almost since the very beginning and has been writing weekly recaps of The Flash for the site since it premiered in 2014. It makes perfect sense that for her Top 5 for 5 she reveals her favorite episodes of the show.
It’s no secret that I love the Flash. From the time I was a child the Scarlet Speedster has been one of my hands-down favorite characters of all time. A kid who went through a personal tragedy grows up to try to not only solve said tragedy, but help others and ends up with super speed powers thus becoming a real hero. What’s not to love?
I’ve avidly consumed all media about Barry Allen and the rest of the speedsters to carry the mantle of the Flash over the years. When the ’90s The Flash television series ended I was pretty sad and never expected to see my favorite fast guy on television again. Thankfully, The CW proved me wrong in 2014 and I’ve been watching (and recapping!) ever since.
In honor of our fifth anniversary at The Hudsucker here are my top five episodes of The Flash. They aren’t really in any specific order (except maybe my ultimate number one.) It’s so hard to choose!
5. Season 1, Episode 1 “Pilot“
When The CW announced that there would be a Flash-centric series joining it’s Arrow on the network I was excited, but wary. In my mind there was a high bar to reach so when the first episode aired on October 7, 2014 and it was perfect I was thrilled. The episode truly set the tone for the entire series and gave viewers everything they needed to be hooked. We see Barry’s mom die, we see Barry having become a CSI and we meet the major players in his world as well as the incident that gives him his speed. It’s not exactly the same origin as the comic book character, but particle accelerator felt organic enough. We get to see Barry fighting bad guys with his new powers right out of the gate and we even get a clue about the season’s big bad. We even got John Wesley Shipp, 1990s Flash playing Barry’s dad. Guys, I cried after this episode I was so happy.
4. Season 2, Episode 13 “Welcome to Earth-2“
Image Credit: The CW
By the time this episode aired we were deep in the story of Zoom, the evil black-suited Speedster determined to kill Barry. There were a lot of great episodes leading up to this, but my favorite has to be this one. When Barry and Cisco go to Earth-2 their nerdy excitement is just too much. I also deeply enjoyed watching the alternative versions of our favorite characters, not to mention anytime I get to hear Jesse L. Martin sing is a good day. The standout of this episode for me, though, is the numbers on the speed dial at the West house as they hint to the existence of Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern in Earth-2 which could open the door for future appearances on the show.
3. Season 2, Episode 21 “The Runaway Dinosaur“
Image Credit: The CW
My own mother died in 2015 so every time Barry mentioned his mother after that I would get a little misty-eyed. In this episode, Barry is actually reunited with his mother (sort of) in an absolutely beautiful episode where he gets to truly accept his mother’s death as well as get some of the important closure any child who has lost a parent needs. When Barry’s mom read to him a favorite childhood book, The Runaway Dinosaur, I was a sobbing, crying mess. I should also note that I was pregnant at the time this episode aired and to this day wish that the book was a real thing that I could buy my son. Barry’s relationship with his mom is quite possibly the strongest relationship in the show, even if she is gone. Also: hug your mom if you have one.
2. Season 3, Episode 1 “Flashpoint“
Image Credit: The CW
Yeah so soon after “The Runaway Dinosaur” Barry did The Thing. What is that Thing? He ran back in time yet again and changed things so that his mother did not die. Flash fans everywhere will tell you that when Barry messes with time bad things happen and this time was no exception. Reverse Flash, Eobard Thawne from season one, was restored (though he doesn’t appear on the Flash for the season,) Wally has speed powers. Everything is idyllic, but jacked up. Cisco’s brother is dead, there is no Team Flash, and ultimately Barry has to reset things before the world created by his running back in time is set forever. Watching Barry having to choose to lose both of his parents again is heartbreaking, but it sets up for a good season.
1. Season 3, Episode 23 “Finish Line“
Image Credit: The CW
The story kicked off by Barry doing The Thing and creating Flashpoint, then undoing it finally comes to a close in this episode, but for me the episode isn’t about Barry and how he ultimately chooses to accept that he has to do his time in penance for all of the ways he’s violated the Speed Force and truly comes to acceptance with his life. For me, this episode is about Iris West and how she has grown over the entirety of the season. Iris was my least favorite character on the show when the series started, but she’s grown to one that I can’t handle the show without. Iris’ love, for her family, her friends and for Barry, anchors the series in a way that even Barry’s speed can’t. When her life is saved only for her to lose Barry anyway, it’s a kick in the gut that leaves me bleary eyed as I wait for season four.
What are some of your favorite episodes? Share with us in the comments below.
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