The Flash Mob: How Bart Allen Got His Groove Back in “Cause and Effect”
Look alive, Flash Mob. It’s that wonderful time of the week when we get to dissect the latest episode of CW’s The Flash with a fun open thread. But fair warning, there will be spoilers all up in these ramparts. If you’re behind, now would be a great time to back up on out of here and return only when you’re fully caught up.
In this week’s episode, titled “Cause and Effect,” we learned more about how Future Barry became Savitar and why he’s so hell-bent on destroying current Barry’s life via killing Iris. From what I’ve gathered, it all comes down to … feelings? Actually, Future Barry is a Time Remnant created from Flashpoint who was deeply affronted by Team Flash rejecting him because he wasn’t the “real” Barry. Instead of hiding away in his glass case of emotions, he decided to become a god and not feel anything.
Over at S.T.A.R. Labs, the gang figures out a way to be one step ahead of Savitar: erase Barry’s short-term memory. Unfortunately, their experiment backfires and Barry loses all of his memories thus kicking off off an adventure in which he essentially gets his groove back. So for the next forty minutes or so, we get goofy, happy-go-lucky Bart who seems like a super fun guy to be around. Lesson of the episode? Lighten up Barry.
One of my favorite moments was Cisco reminiscing about their early S.T.A.R. Lab days working with Ronnie. We saw a bit of Caitlin pop up in Killer Frost making me believe there’s still hope in getting her back. While I’m not loving her as a villain (I need my team back together!), I don’t want to see her without powers either. Can’t we just figure out a way for her to control them?
Speaking of women characters, wasn’t Iris pretty much the audience insert in this episode? She basically said how we all felt. We miss Barry’s laugh. It’s nice to see him without the weight of the world on his shoulders. Yes, times are shitty (hmm … this seems oddly familiar) but that doesn’t mean he can’t find the humor in life sometimes.
Overall, I thought it was a strong episode because it felt like we were back in season one. Let’s keep this momentum going!
Extra bits:
- Who else cackled when Bart glanced down at his hands after Wally said they were brothers?
- Tom Felton is such a gift to this show. Please don’t kill him off.
- How does Joe keep it together each week? Between a girlfriend, saving the world and one of his kids having a crisis every week, I’d have no hair by now.
- HR’s Earth only has Star Trek: Voyager? How sad.
- Tracey and HR are cute. That is all.
- How can Iris and Barry afford that sweet apartment?
- Will Iris actually die this season? (I know I asked this last time but it’s still relevant)
(image: screencap)
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