In the premiere episode of The Flash‘s fifth season, we learn why Nora has journeyed back in time and the big implications for Barry and Team Flash. Check out our review!
This week The Flash burst back on the scene with an amazing premiere episode for its fifth season! I just knew that introducing Nora West-Allen to Team Flash would open up some much potential for the show’s arc, but I didn’t realize how much I would completely adore Nora from the beginning. But even more, I really like who Barry, Iris, and the rest of the team are with Nora around. Yes, even Ralph (to a certain extent). Basically, I’m so ready for this season! Let’s discuss the highlights!
Nora West-Allen, the fastest woman alive.
All through the second half of Season 4, I wondered who was this beautiful young woman pseudo-stalking Team Flash. Many of us suspected that it was a WestAllen baby (*flails*), and then at the end of the season finale, this was confirmed! Season 5 picks up with Nora West-Allen confronting her parents, relatives, and family friends, who are all incredibly shocked to realize who she is. We learn that Nora has come back from 30 years in the future, and unfortunately can’t run fast enough to enter the Speed Force and go back to her timeline. As the team tries to figure out how to help Nora, Barry and Iris have to deal with meeting their adult daughter.
Nora is very excited to join Team Flash and is knowledgeable about all their exploits, even the ones that haven’t happened yet. (Thanks Flash museum of the future!) She is thoroughly her Daddy’s girl: Nora studies exactly what Barry studied in college, she’s also a CSI. And eventually we learn that Nora has purposely slowed down her speed with negative tachyons, all to extend her time with her father. Why this desperate move? Well, Nora reveals to Barry that a few years after she’s born, he disappears and has been missing for 25 years. DAMN.
Barry and Iris as parental units is pretty schway.
I knew I’d absolutely love everything about seeing Barry and Iris be parents to Nora, and I totally do. What does surprise me is the difference in their initial reactions. While Iris is thrilled about connecting with her daughter, Barry is highly skeptical and kinda cold. Iris confronts Barry about this, because his claim to be concerned about the integrity of their timeline is pretty bogus *cough*FLASHPOINT*cough. Barry eventually confesses that he’s worried that meeting Nora now will deprive them of the joys of parenthood and all the firsts to come.
Iris, being the gloriously profound woman she is, replies “We’re not losing anything by having her here now. We’re only gaining something extra.” PREACH PREACH PREACH!
Unfortunately, Nora isn’t that interested in getting to know the younger version of her mother. Perhaps it’s because she’s spent all her life with her mom and wants to focus on getting to know her father? Or perhaps, Iris and Nora have some falling out that creates a wedge? In any event, I’m hoping that Barry, Grandpa Joe, and Grandma Cecile can be a bridge. Iris didn’t have a good relationship with her mother and I know she wants to be close to her daughter. I *so* want that for them.
Manyverse?! Ralph is 5EVER late to the party.
Nora showing up completely blows Ralph’s mind because, apparently, he’s never realized that time travel is a thing that happens. This is ridiculous, because where has Ralph been this whole time?! And then Ralph posits about the existence of another Earth and the “Manyverse”… *SIGH* It’s called the Multiverse, Ralph!
I have to be honest, I’m not a fan of Ralph, but I’m hoping that more can be done with his character. I think there’s a lot of potential for Ralph and Cisco making a comedic duo (in the absence of a Harry/Harrison Wells). And Ralph is able to use his detective skills to uncover the fact that Caitlin’s father’s death certificate was faked… which means he could be alive! This is particularly important because Caitlin’s dad might be the only person who knows that Killer Frost existed in Caitlin’s youth. With that said, I just have two things to say: 1. Please don’t make Caitlin and Ralph happen. 2. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE CAITLIN AND RALPH HAPPEN.
Apparently we can make an entire airplane phase!
They're part of something greater. Stream the season premiere of #TheFlash for FREE on The CW App: https://t.co/scORf3WjTe pic.twitter.com/h7wz6QcGxA
— The Flash (@CW_TheFlash) October 11, 2018
I’m not very impressed with the villain of the week, no shade to Daniel Cudmore (AKA Felix in Twilight; YES, it all comes back to Twilight!). But I do think the best scenes of the night happen as Barry, Nora, and Wally (THREE SPEEDSTERS *EEEEEEEEP*) come together to stop Gridlock when he tries to bring down a plane and crash it into the city. As an aside, is Central City really big enough to have it’s own airline?!
Anywho, Nora gives her father the beloved Flash ring with the supersuit inside, which is pretty epic. Once Barry, Nora, and Wally are on the plane, they realize that the only way to save the passengers and the citizens below is to phase the plane through the buildings. The only problem is that Nora doesn’t know how to phase! Yes, she’s a badass speedster, but you can only learn so much from the Flash museum. Thank goodness Daddy Barry is there. In a wonderful scene, Barry channels the speech that Harrison Wells gave him to teach himt to phase. AND IT WORKS!!! The special effects are pretty cool, plus, it’s wonderful to see Barry and Nora bond this way. Apparently, he misses many of Nora’s firsts, but he’s here for her first phase. The student has now become the master 🙂
A few other thoughts:
I lovvvvvvvvvve Jessica Parker Kennedy as Nora West-Allen. LOVVVVVVVVVVE! Nora’s just so effervescent and genuine. She’s quirky too, which totally fits in with the Team Flash vibe. I can’t wait to learn more about Nora this season. Plus, if she’s determined to hone her skills so she go back in time and prevent Barry from disappearing, then Nora will have a huge impact for a while to come.
When Barry says to Iris (about Nora), “She was fearless. Just like you… We have a daughter together. We make a person.” *SWOON*SOB*
Why can’t Wally just stay and be with Team Flash?! He’s looking so snackalicious with his coif and blue suit, too!
Again, I’m not impressed with Gridlock, but the introduction of Cicada at the end of the episode makes me shiver. That is a scary dude.
The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8pm|7c on The CW.