It was winter finale time for The Flash and Arrow this week. "Running to Stand Still" was an enjoyable way to end the year for Flash, but didn't leave much to get excited for in the new year. Arrow's "Dark Waters" was an overall intense episode with a solid cliffhanger, and gave us a bit more insight into Damien Darhk.
The Flash: "Running to Stand Still" (Season 2, Episode 9)
The best aspect of "Running to Stand Still" was the villains. Seeing Captain Cold, Trickster, and Weather Wizard again individually was already awesome. Seeing all three in the same room? Double awesome, though Cold didn't stick around for too long, which was kind of odd. Why have him in the episode if he's not a huge part of it? His warning to Barry and their ensuing conversation were really well done though. Mark Hamill was still as insanely hilarious as ever as the Trickster, but I felt his dark humour and craziness were a bit overdone. I much preferred his appearance last season than here, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't a ball to see him back. Liam McIntyre's Weather Wizard was given much more to do than he was last season, and McIntyre makes him much more intimidating, in intelligence and abilities, and brings a lot of charm.
Other than the crazy villains, this episode, for the most part, was pretty emotional. We saw Iris tell Joe about the son he never knew, Wally, and his grappling with the fact he was never there to see him grow up. It gave Jesse L. Martin the perfect opportunity to flex those acting chops of his, but I felt that Wally's sudden arrival at the end a bit too convenient. Meanwhile, Patty was out for revenge against Mardon, who killed her father. It was great to learn more about Patty and her backstory, but her climactic confrontation with Mardon played out a bit too generically, with Barry urging her to let Mardon face justice rather than kill him and that killing him would make her no better than him and blah blah blah.
Harry's arc in this episode was pretty interesting. We see him have an encounter with Zoom at the start of the episode, and then make a deal with him in the final scene. The deal? Harry will help Barry to become faster, then hand him over to Zoom in exchange for his daughter. This kind of bummed me out, since Earth-2 Wells helping Barry get faster for his own personal gain was what Earth-1 Wells was doing in Season 1. I hope that this doesn't turn out to be a lazy retread, but I can't see it being anything else. Maybe if Harry's working against Zoom at the same time (a triple agent, if you will), it'll turn out better, but even that's really predictable.
Besides this and Wally, the winter finale didn't leave me with anything that gets me super pumped for when the show returns. I was expecting maybe a glimpse at the identity of Zoom, or some sort of dramatic twist involving Earth-2 or Jay or something, but I didn't get any of that. It kind of left this finale feeling a bit anti-climactic.
Other Thoughts:
- No! They did not just use the stupid CSI "zoom in on the reflection on his eye" trope. NOOO!
- The Flash-hover moment didn't end up looking too convincing.
- "Your toys. Give them to me."
- The Jay/Caitlin romance continues to be both cute and confusing at the same time. Cisco had to basically tell the audience the two had chemistry because it isn't really there.
- The moment where Barry forgives Eobard was a fantastic one. Probably my favourite scene from the episode.
Rating: 7.8/10 Godfathers
In January, Barry struggles with keeping his identity a secret from Patty. Oh, and Zoom's back.
Arrow: "Dark Waters" (Season 4, Episode 9)
"Dark Waters" opened in dramatic fashion, as a beach-cleaning event being held by Oliver was attacked by a HIVE drone. Oliver decided to retaliate by calling out Damien Darhk in public, naming him as the man behind the ghosts and the face of HIVE, as well as asking citizens to report any information or sightings of him. Darhk reacting to Oliver's call to arms by mentally shattering his TV with a completely straight face was an awesome moment, and the spark that set off the conflict of this episode.
At this point, I don't think I need to mention yet again how Neal McDonough is absolutely fantastic as Darhk, but he really stole the show in this episode. From him crashing Oliver's Christmas party to his battle with an Arrow-disguised Malcolm, McDonough brings this intimidating charm that makes you wish you could root for this guy.
Darhk kidnaps Diggle, Thea, and Felicity, leading Oliver to go on a cool Season 1-esque hunting montage for loose-lipped HIVE goons, which ends fruitlessly. Oliver turns himself into Damien Darhk, hoping he can trade his freedom for his friends', but Darhk has other plans and stuffs the three into what is essentially a gas chamber. This was quite the intense scene, and I actually thought one of the characters was not going to make it out, but Laurel and Malcolm arrive and set things straight. Things were resolved, I think, a bit too easily, but it was cool seeing Malcolm go up against Darhk.
Anyway, they all escape, the gang goes to Oliver's city Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and Oliver proposes to Felicity. Awww. On the way home, though, the happy couple are attacked by a group of a pissed Darhk's goons. Oliver is able to get their limo out of the fray and shake the attackers, but he pulls Felicity out of the car and she doesn't look too good...
I'm calling it here, now. She's not dead. Hold your horses, Olicity shippers. Killing Felicity is something the writers couldn't bring themselves to do, and just having her die from being jostled around in a car wouldn't be a fitting end to the character. I do think a chunk of episodes next year will be dedicated to her recovery, but death has to be out of the question. The shot of a distressed Oliver holding Felicity was a great way to end the year, though.
Other Thoughts:
- I had some fun watching Felicity's mom this week. The moment where Felicity finds out about her and Lance dating was hilarious.
- I'm guessing "Genesis" will end up being similar to the "Genesis" project from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Will one of our heroes fie while trying to repair a warp core?
- Malcolm presence in this episode felt awkward. He just comes, helps out, then leaves immediately afterward.
- Minions.
- Wow. Andy's a jerk. But I think a redemption arc is down the road for him.
In January, Oliver is out for revenge against Darhk. They're really trying to make us believe Felicity's the one in the grave.
I guess when we return from the break, this will be the "Flash/Arrow/Legends Triple Feature" for a while.
(source)
Noah
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