After Cicada’s attack, the team realizes it needs to think outside the box to stop this dangerous new foe; Nora comes up with a plan that ultimately puts a team member in danger Caitlin delves into her past.

The Flash keeps things going at a fantastic pace as the team explores the concept that XS has already altered the timeline in some way. Cicada has arrived, arrived sooner, and attacked different metas than what XS remembers. It’s an interesting concept and continues the series’ idea that maybe the Flash(s) aren’t the best for the timeline. They seem to alter it a lot and not always for the better.

The episode is a good one bring in a new multiverse Wells, who’s actually a little irritating, to help figure out who Cicada is. There’s some feints and some fake outs along the way. It’s all done in a way in that you think things are getting resolved rather quickly but nope, we’ve got some time to go.

There’s nothing major about the episode, it’s just a fun one with some solid action and a nice build for whatever is to come. There’s some tense moments and there’s moments where you wonder where it’s going to go.

What the episode feels like is a live action comic book and an issue that’s part of the larger arc. It doesn’t stand on its own but as part of the story, it’s a good entry.

Overall Rating: 7.5

Barry and Team Flash track down a meta that is stealing high-tech weapons, only to cross paths with a new foe named Cicada, who is hunting the very same meta, with nefarious intent.

The Flash seems to be laying out some of its themes for the seasons more clearly in this second episode. Relationships are on the mind of numerous characters but “family” is the real focus.

For the most part, the episode is broken into two parts. The Flash and XS focus on a meta and some issue involving weapons dealing. That’s all rather forgettable other than it’s a way to introduce the two to the big villain Cicada.

Beyond that though, the relationship between Barry and Nora is the key there. Nora is trying her best and has a little hero-worship for the father she didn’t know growing up. The “ah ha” moment comes when Barry talks to Joe about the relationship and it all becomes clear how that dynamic is playing out and why. It’s an odd father/daughter relationship but, Barry, Iris, and Nora are family, but a weird one.

The other story too is a distraction from the theme. Ralph and Caitlin decide to help Cisco who’s still depressed about the loss of his love. That involves what is the humor of the episode as Ralph has a system to help Cisco that has quite a few steps. It’s cute to watch friends helping friends and I could watch an entire episode of just this bit. But, that’s not the point, it’s a distraction. Caitlin wants to find out the truth about her father but is using Cisco to avoid that. It’s obvious and clear that’s what’s going on. But, the reason she wants to do that is touching and a bit heartbreaking.

The relationship between father and daughter is explored in these two ways and even more so, daughters who have their fathers missing in their lives. It’s an interesting exploration and very touching. A solid way to keep a theme running through an episode without it being a bit too forced.

This is a solid second episode. Not quite as good as the first but there’s still an energy about the series and the actors’ interactions that make it all a lot of fun. When it comes to the big villain, this episode gets things going and with some of the small details we see, it should be rather interesting.

Overall Rating: 8.0

After an unexpected guest from the future appears at their home, Barry and Iris must figure out how to get her back to the future without disrupting the timeline.

The Flash is back for its fifth season with a debut that is just full of excitement and twists. With the revelation of Barry and Iris’ daughter from the future we dive deep into what that all means. While the episode could easily just focus on time travel and continually mentioning about changing the timeline. But, instead, as usual, the show is more about the emotional impact as pieces of the puzzle come together. There’s also a heavy dose of humor about it all.

But, what’s exciting, and is so good, is the episode lays it all out there. We know why Nora comes back. We know what she’s trying to prevent. There’s no teasing it out. It’s all laid out there. The show gets to the point which feels so rare in comic adaptations.

The what is fantastic too. It plays back to earlier seasons and the “Crisis” that’s been hinted at for some time. That should excite comic fans and it feels like a payoff after five years for long time viewers. It makes it worth staying tuned to see what’s called back.

The episode also has no problem name checking for comic fans with a wink and a nod to Ryan Choi, one of The Atoms from DC Comics.

The cast too is as fun as usual. Hartley Sawyer as Ralph Dibny is his usual dim self bring a lot of comedic timing and humor to the show. Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow is her usual straightman to Carlos Valdes’ Cisco Ramon. The heart of the show is Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen and Candice Patton’s Iris West but Jessica Parker Kennedy as Nora West-Allen delivers an enthusiasm that’s catching. There’s an energy she brings that’s infectious. The episode also is a nod and send off to Keiynan Lonsdale who exits as Wally West aka Kid Flash. Hopefully he returns. Everyone nails their part and brings something to the episode.

The episode will get folks excited for the season and is actually a great starting point for new viewers as it does an excellent job of catching viewers up as to what’s happened and though there’s a lot, is an episode that’s not deep in continuity. It pays off for new and long time viewers. Just a fantastic season opener that may be the best of any season.

Overall Rating: 9.0