This episode, like the one prior, fulfills its purpose. It's a repeat of some of the same beats from the first episode. It doesn't reintroduce Barry, his cohorts, or what his powers are, but rather presents logical tweaks. Barry's primary weakness in using his super-speed for example. Logically, running that fast would result in dizzy spells stemming from hypoglycemia. As soon as Dr. Wells told Caitlin to look at Barry's glucose levels, it clicked.



This gives the excuse of piling on foodstuffs in nearly every scene with Barry in the future. The episode also introduces another easily-defeated villain affected by the particle accelerator explosion, an inspirational speech that drives Barry's hero attitudes, and plays around with the people who know Barry's secret.



It's on that last point that will likely determine the future success of the series. The episode demonstrates how complicated Barry's life becomes when he has to keep his abilities under wraps. There are a couple of points in play here. The initial one is putting some kind of limit on Barry's speed. Like any normal person who's gifted with superhuman abilities, Barry indulges a bit too much. There are consequences to this, but Barry initially denies it. This goes on for a while until Barry does realize that it's his decision when to go full bore and when to put a governor on his abilities.



Going one speed is fine when it's necessary. Controlling his speed is something he's going to have to spend time honing. It would also be a good idea to get some combat training because Barry isn't too skilled in that arena judging by his first encounter with Multiplex. That would be a good way to integrate Oliver Queen into the show again as well. He does eventually defeat Multiplex in the expected manner. This is all too obvious because Caitlin describes to Barry the exact method to beat Multiplex.


The other point in play is in Barry's interpersonal dynamics with both Iris and Joe West. His interactions with one person differ wildly from the other. With Joe, Barry is forced to be more honest about the limitations of his abilities (which thankfully, Joe knows about and is a witness first hand) as well as the personal demons that torture him. It's tied into the flashbacks involving younger Barry. The material in the flashbacks is fine, but its rhythms feel too much like what Arrow has been doing for three seasons now. It would be better for the show if it could strike out on its own a little bit more and become an entity that isn't reminiscent of the parent show. There is a great bit of depth in the exploration of how Joe and Barry interact, though. A solid support system is coalescing around Barry. It's going to benefit the show in the long run.




I would be less enthusiastic about Barry's pining for Iris. It's blatantly obvious how much Barry has romantic feelings for her (and makes her character look weak by somehow not noticing despite their growing up together) and as long as his secret is a wedge in their relationship, it will just weigh the whole thing down. Everything about Iris and Barry is reminiscent of Clark Kent and his primary female companions on Smallville. Even Iris' new interest in the "red streak" (which is a variation on "The Blur" storylines that were a part of the latter seasons of Smallville) feels like a contrivance to delay the eventual revelation of Barry's secret. The show is a work in progress. This is acknowledged. There are bound to be good parts and bad parts. The writers need time to work out the kinks. It's a good start so far, though.