The following is a quick review of the first season of CW’s The Flash.
The Flash tells the story of Barry Allen (played by Grant Gustin), a forensic scientist for the Central City Police Department (CCPD), who lost his mother to a mysterious incident when he was a small child. Barry’s father (played by John Wesley Shipp) was convicted for murdering his wife, but Barry has become obsessed with solving the murder that happened long ago and clearing his father’s name. One day, the particle accelerator at S.T.A.R. Labs explodes, and Barry is struck by lightning. After Barry wakes from a coma, he finds out that he now has the power of super-speed.
Now, I’ll admit that Smallville wasn’t what you’d call ‘great TV’ by today’s standards, but it was a show I really loved. Similarly, I wouldn’t say Arrow has been a great show consistently, although its second season was phenomenal. But The Flash may be on its way to being the first truly exceptional DC Comics series on CW, for the first season of The Flash is amazing, it is awesome, and it is so much fun.
Whereas Arrow has gone for the dark feel of Batman, The Flash has had no problem going for a fun, glossy, and exciting tone that is pretty perfect for the character at the center of the show. It is like watching a live-action comic book, which doesn’t steer away from the silly elements of a comic book.
The Flash has a pretty great ensemble cast. Danielle Panabaker is great as Caitlin Snow, Carlos Valdes is so much fun as Cisco, and Candice Patton’s character is a fine love interest for Barry Allen. But Grant Gustin, Tom Cavanagh, and Jesse L. Martin deliver the very best performances in the first season.
Jesse L. Martin plays the foster father to Barry Allen, and he really stands out in some of the most pivotal scenes. Tom Cavanagh is just as good, in a very mysterious role. But Grant Gustin might be the most perfect Flash you could have ever asked for.
I wasn’t surprised that Gustin was this good. I was a fan of some of the seasons of Glee, so I knew what he could do. But I have to say that Gustin really shines in this show. It isn’t just that he is a believable Flash. Grant Gustin is the king of emotional CW-cry moments.
If you love comic books and the cinematic franchises that are the biggest blockbusters of our day, then The Flash might the very best television option for you, which isn’t exclusive to Netflix. The first season of The Flash is fresh, colorful, and absolutely delightful.
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– I’m Jeffrey Rex
I'm Jeffrey Rex 