I’m here to interrupt your regularly scheduled recap of The Flash. Why? Because they fought gorillas both physically and telepathically nearly the entire episode and it left so very much to be desired. If I never see Grodd again, it’ll be too soon.
So, in light of these events, here’s a speed recap before we get into the real meat of the episode.
The Short Story
It’s Valentine’s Day. You’ll need to keep that in mind for later.
Here’s the scoop: Gypsy gets unknowingly sent back to Earth-1 after being in an Earth-2 African jungle, and the team discovers that it’s because Grodd has possessed her mind. They figure out that he’s preparing to attack them, and they couldn’t be more right.
This also proves that Grodd is evolving, which means that they need to find another way to beat him than their usual shtick. What does that mean? Using Cisco and his vibe gear to not only get inside Grodd’s brain but to know what he’s going to do before he actually does it.
Cisco tries to get Gypsy to stay, she peaces out anyway. Though, it is becoming abundantly clear that she wants to stay, deep down in her guarded soul.
Anyway, Cisco vibes the location the gorillas are supposed to attack. The team goes and meets up with Joe. Grodd possesses Joe and holds a gun to his head and shoots. Barry stops the bullet in time. He then realizes that the manipulated near-suicide was a mere distraction by Grodd.
Once they get back to Star Labs, Joe reveals that while possessed, he could see flashes of things Grodd could see, just like Gypsy had told Cisco of her possession. They figure out that memory sharing goes on when possession occurs. In light of that, they try to draw Grodd’s memories out of Joe.
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Next up on the order of events, it’s time for Barry to get his alotted “angsty” moment in the episode. He tells Iris he wants to end this thing with Grodd once and for all, which Iris points out means killing Grodd. He admits that it does have to do with saving Iris and changing the timeline. Bu she says her life isn’t worth him changing who he is.
On the more immediate danger front, Grodd possesses a military general and enters a nuclear missile facility. (What is it with Supergirl and The Flash and nuclear missiles, lately? Anyway…)
Back to Barry’s angst session. Harry finds the speedster punching out his frustration on a bag. Typical self-loathing hero stuff. Harry, not too concerned about said angst, tells him that killing Grodd is “idiotic.” Barry points out that it’s hypocritical of him to say, since he would’ve killed to save Jesse. Harry says he’s done things he isn’t proud of, but he knows that doing something once makes it easier to do the next time. Harry says there’s always another way and that saving one life doesn’t justify taking another.
After sulking, Barry races to stop Grodd, who successfully possessed and manipulated the general into securing the missiles to wreck the Earth, and entrusts the safety of the team to Wally. Barry gets there and tries to stop the missiles from launching and does it in the nick of time with the team’s help. Infuriated but prepared, Grodd then send outs his army of gorillas, because any good villain has a backup plan. Duh.
Cut to Cisco going to Earth-19 to talk to Gypsy. Implores her to help him and be the hero she wants to be.
Back to Earth-1. Barry, Jesse, and Wally team up against Grodd’s army. Jesse and Wally handle the ape soldiers while Barry takes on Grodd. Grodd taunts him to end this by killing him and says all he cares about is mercy. Cisco and Gypsy arrive to help, along with their new pal, Solovar. Solovar and Grodd face off against one another and Solovar throws him off a roof and wins. He goes to kill him but Barry stops him and tells him to leave Grodd here. He does and they handle it.
Here’s the only other two things you need to know: Barry proposes to Iris, which we will get into further detail about in a moment.
And, Wally goes for a Big Belly Burger run and happens upon Savitar.
Will Iris Say Yes? Should She?
Let’s get a few things out of the way: I dig Iris and Barry as a couple. I think they’re a good couple. I think they have major potential– potential that has not yet been reached. To put it more simply, I don’t think Iris should say yes (and she might not).
Yes, even though it was a big, Valentine’s Day surprise and Barry made grandma’s noodles and lit a million candles to make it special for her.
Here’s why: Barry’s not doing it because he wants to get married. (yet). He’s doing it because he’s afraid he won’t get to do it ever because she’s set to die in May.
This entire season, Barry has told Iris that he’s going to save her no matter what. But to himself and to others, all he’s done is doubted that fact. It’s caused WestAllen to become a little over the top, if I’m going to be frank.
Listen, I get it. If you knew the person you were in love with your entire life was going to die before your relationship even really got to start, you’d probably act the same way. But, it’s making all of these gestures seem insincere because of it.
Barry and Iris should get engaged when they’re ready to and because they want to. Not because Barry’s trying to fit a lifetime of milestones into the possible last few moments of Iris’ life. WestAllen need to experience more trials and tribulations as a couple first. They need to discuss their future beyond the grim immediate future that Barry saw and has been obsessed with for nearly the entirety of the time they spent together.
Just a few episodes ago, Iris wanted to make her mark on Central City and not have it be about who she was in a relationship with, be that romantic or familial. She wanted to be known for the work she did and the person she was. In light of this, a Valentine’s Day proposal three months out from her predicted death, seems almost desperate.
WestAllen has been dealt heavy material thus far this season. Before they get married, I’d like to see them have fun together. I’d like for the couple, despite being half speedster, to take things at a normal pace. I’d like these huge moments, such as a marriage proposal, to feel earned rather than dramatic.
HollywoodLifers, what did you think of the WestAllen engagement?