Last month, I stated that the TV show “The Flash” has entered its 9th and final season. I wanted to take some time to share some of my favorite moments over these years. Rest assured, I’m not going to belabor this by making this 9 blogs or something. But I do want to highlight the heroism not just of Barry Allen – alias The Flash – but several figures in this show as well. I don’t know how many installments this project will take, but this is part 1.
It actually all began in the TV show “Arrow” starring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. It was in the 2nd season of that show where
Oliver met Barry Allen played by Grant Gustin.
While Barry did not have his powers at that point, he was able – quite brilliantly
– to save Oliver from the brink of death after he was poisoned. When Barry left to return to Central City, he
had left a mask for Oliver, to better conceal his secret identity as the Green
Arrow. The following year, 2014, the
first (but not last) “Arrow” spin-off was born; “The Flash” starring Grant Gustin as
Barry Allen.
It was in the first season that we were introduced to the
character who ended up being the main villain of the entire series – Eobard
Thawne, the Reverse Flash. Thawne was actually
a scientist from the twenty-second century.
Eventually, we learn that it was Thawne who, out of vindictiveness,
traveled back in time and murdered Barry’s mother, when he was a child. But by doing so, Thawne lost the ability to
travel through time. He was marooned in
the past. In season 1’s finale, Thawne
presented Barry an offer to go back to the past and save his mother from ever
dying in the first place. However, to do
so would give Thawne the opportunity to escape justice by going back to the
future.
Ultimately, Barry refuses and prevents Thawne from
returning to the future; Eobard Thawne is so enraged by this that he fully
intends to kill Barry and all his loved ones.
But Eddie Thawne, one of Eobard Thawne’s ancestors, was there. Eddie did some quick thinking: he chose to
sacrifice himself, by shooting himself in the heart, to save everyone’s life. This noble gesture erased Eobard from
existence, as if he was never even born. Eddie’s heroic act is one of the great
moments from season 1. I always tear up
when Eddie, in his last moments, says to Iris (who he intended on marrying): “I
got to be the hero after all…that’s all I ever wanted to be; your hero.”
This poignant moment was marred a bit: Eobard Thawne
actually returned again and again (and again), even up to season 8. How did Thawne always come back, when he
probably shouldn’t have? Thawne would
usually just say, “Time travel is so weird.”
But, the bottom line is, Thawne is to Barry what Joker is to Batman –
the main villain in a long line of a rogue’s gallery. He’s too good a villain not to continually
plague Barry. So I had to take the time
to inscribe the noble sacrifice of Eddie Thawne. Well done Eddie, well done.
In conclusion, perhaps you are wanting to ask, “I know it’s
a TV show that’s been on a long time, but why are you devoting so much time to
this?” When the superhero genre is done
correctly, the superhero inspires the viewer; Barry Allen/The Flash has
inspired me for eight years, going on nine. In the pilot episode of “The Flash” not long after Barry’s life is changed forever when he
gets his powers, he seeks his friend, Oliver Queen for help.
“I’m just not sure I’m like you, Oliver,” Barry says. “I don’t know if I can be some vigilante.” Oliver’s words of response are priceless: “You
can be better. Because you can inspire
people in a way that I never could.
Watching over your city like a guardian angel; making a difference;
saving people in a flash.” As he
prepared to leave, Oliver added, “Take your own advice: wear a mask.” While Oliver was being modest regarding his
own heroism, his point can’t be disputed.
But, it’s not just Barry; incredible heroism has abounded over these
years on this show. Next time, I hope to
tackle more highlights.
To be continued!
Kevin
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