The Flash - S3E4 - The New Rogues

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Previously on The Flash, “Magenta”

The Flash - S3E4 - “The New Rogues” | Starring: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Jesse L. Williams, Tom Cavanagh, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Keinynan Lonsdale, Tom Felton, Violett Beane

This week’s villain was the much-anticipated (at least according to Twitter) Mirror Master, Sam Scudder (Grey Damon) , a former associate of Leonard Snart/Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller). On the night the particle accelerator exploded, Snart was about to put a hot one in Scudder’s head for being a bit too flamboyant with his share of their latest haul. The dark matter interrupted and sent Scudder through a mirror and gave him the ability to travel through reflective services via wormholes. His girlfriend, Rosalind Dillon/Top (Ashley Rickards), is also affected and can give people a wicked case of vertigo.

Newly freed from the mirror, Scudder breaks Rosalind out of jail and looks for Snart to settle their beef. He may have been trapped in the mirror for years, but for him it feels as though just a day has passed. With Snart off being a Legend, Scudder decides to take over Central City. Of course, Team Flash isn’t going to let that happen. With Jesse riding shotgun (so she can train), The Flash goes after Scudder, and eventually saves the day by trapping the Mirror Master for good. For all the anticipation, these were pretty unimpressive villains, who felt like they were the Great Value Joker/Harley Quinn. Even the reasons for their powers (he’s vain and she made his head spin whenever they kissed) were a bit lame, and the final showdown was underwhelming.

Mirror Master was responsible for one cool scene which served to give Barry and Iris an opportunity to discuss the latest hurdle in their relationship, and to give Caitlin an opportunity to use her power to help the team.

First, Barry is finally able to admit to Iris that his inability to kiss her in front of Joe (without feeling weird) is a mental block he needs to get over, especially after two awkward conversations between Barry and Joe reveal that Joe is (mostly) fine with their romantic relationship. The relationship between the three of them is one of the most unique on television. Besides being an interracial family, Barry loves Joe like one would love their amazing father-in-law, but in this case, Barry was raised by his father-in-law.

Barry never had a brotherly love towards Iris even though they grew up in the same house. He loved her before he had to move in with her. Once his feelings were known, and Iris was in a place to admit and act on her own feelings for Barry, it wasn’t a huge leap for him to treat her as a girlfriend because he’s always been in love with her, but he never had to act on the feelings in front of Joe. The very first time Joe discusses Barry’s feelings for Iris (back in season one), it’s in a scene where he basically admits he’s always known. But knowing and seeing are two different things, and will take some getting used to. I love that the show found a way to acknowledge that their special relationship is different, without anyone even suggesting that it’s anywhere near incest. In the end, Barry decides that it might be time for him to move out (again) to give everyone some space to breathe and get used to the new dynamics in their relationships.

While Barry is trapped in the mirror, Wells and Cisco come up with a cold device to get him out, but it doesn’t get cold enough to get the job done. With no one around, and without Barry seeing, Caitlin uses her power to free Barry. I don’t like the way she’s keeping this from everyone, especially because I think there are way more positives to it than negatives. However, I do like this development because it might push her to realizing that and coming clean.

Barry and Iris weren’t the only ones getting closer. Jesse has a misstep out in the field that almost cost her her life (and got Barry trapped in the mirror), and requires one of those infamous The Flash pep talks. This one is delivered by Wally, who seems to be over his speed envy (yay) and is totally supportive of Jesse being a speedster. Jesse tried to kiss him earlier in the episode and he pumped the brakes, citing their different Earths and all. He later decides to get over his fear and take a chance on them. Wally West is the sweetest soul on TV. Fight me.

The episode’s only other misfire for me (after the weak villains) was also the source of some of the episode’s best comedy. Not looking forward to the day Wells heads back to Earth-2, Cisco and Caitlin lament not having him around. Surprisingly, Wells suggests sending an invitation throughout the multiverse, to Earths that have advanced technology, and find a Harrison Wells willing to join Team Flash. While watching the hilarious hologram recordings from the respondents was a lot of fun (a mime Wells? Really?), this seems like a plan destined to be a hot-ass mess in the end. It’s extremely puzzling that the idea came from the cautious Wells.

The chosen Wells (from Earth-19) is kind of a hipster, talks even weirder than our Wells, but was brilliant enough to solve the complicated equation containing the invitation so he feels like a natural fit. Towards the end of season one I’d said the show had to find a way to not only keep Wells and Tom Cavanagh around, but to incorporate everything we loved about Thawne as Wells: brilliant, secretive, and dangerous. Harry Wells from Earth-2 fit the bill nicely - and Tom Cavanagh is fine as hell playing him. But this new Wells? Why do we need this? *pouts* I have faith in Cavanagh’s abilities so, we’ll see.

But Wait; There’s More

Caitlin gets a bit too frosty in the shower and discovers she has a streak of grey hair and blue lips when she gets out.

Up to Speed

• So great seeing Iris be as into Barry as he’s been into her for the past two seasons. Little things like their PDA, her calling him “honey,” and her telling him he’s very handsome just feel perfect.
• Who wrote that black-ass dialogue at the dinner table? I’m here for it! “Damn. You grown.” and “You feel like you feel.” just made my black-ass heart happy.
• And we might have some black love brewing as the series brought back D.A. Cecile Horton (Danielle Nicolet), and she and Joe make plans for a date.
• More Wentworth Miller is always a good thing.

Speed Bumps

• No Julian? Boo!
• Were high water pants all the rave in Central City a few years ago?

Leave your thoughts on the episode below or on our Facebook post for this review, and we’ll read them on tonight’s podcast!