The Flash 'Fastest Man Alive' Review: Flash and Furious

The first episode of The Flash could actually be considered the first big superhero television show for a long time. This is indicated in terms of tone. Watch the show continue its reign of awesomeness into the second episode of the first season entitled 'The Fastest Man Alive.'

                      SPOILERS BELOW!

The introduction with Barry is a core problem with this show that hasn’t quite been working thus far; the dialogue voice-over techniques are still a little trite. This is more than made up for when Barry is seen speeding through the city helping citizens with Cisco Ramone at super speed. Alas Barry’s other partner, Caitlin Snow still does not seem amused by Barry’s whip-smart initiative, she will have to play it cool, or she might just be another stick in the mud. Barry is saving people while on the run, and still having the power problems that he had before.

Snow continues to keep up her venomous asides toward Cisco and Barry’s crusade. Harrison Wells also does not approve. Snow might be a problem later on, she is more than just a foreboding presence on this show right now; and if she is going to become what her name teases, The Flash might be turning her into that person with too much aggression. Snow is screaming at Barry again, and she continues to be more and more annoying. There is a shout out to Ronnie Raymond, who used to be dating Caitlin Snow. An interesting change of events.

Barry goes to the police station to continue his forensics career to investigate a murder. He finds that an entire crew is responsible for a murder and hold-up at a convenience store.

There is a flashback concerning Barry’s adoption process that is troubling, the scene is acted with a little more than slight concern. The moment is consistently returned to later on in the episode. The young man’s performance may be a slight problem as well. Shipp is looking well for his age.

Iris is another troubling part on the show. She is sort of like a roadblock that seems to only be featured in the show to get Barry thrusted towards even more trouble. This is a problem that Arrow has as well, in that aside from Felicity, the women can be cold and heartless and only function as roadblocks. It’s understanding why this may be necessary for the story, but it is troubling as to why it still persists as an issue.

Barry heads to Simon Stagg’s speech at a College to help out Iris, who is writing an article. The event is crashed by the same group of killers that held up the convenience store. Barry’s powers go haywire again and again, and he finally gets knocked out amidst the craziness of the situation.

The treadmill from the comics is also introduced as another creation of Cisco.

If Barry continues to run like crazy, he needs to burn the same amount of sugar that is necessary. This opens up an incredibly amusing plot thread.
Gustin’s performance is great, but unfortunately, the actor can’t quite nail the amount of angst that needs to be thrust into the role with the appropriate grace. Barry makes Detective West cry, he gives him an earful of hell. It’s hard not to compare the character to Detective Lance, who gives his role a little more weight than West’s does, this may change over time however. Iris continues to pester Barry further, as he bothers him more. Mr. Stagg is under attack from Danton Black, a rogue known as Multiplex, who can...well, multiply. Apparently, he was an ex-employee of Stagg. It seems that when Multiplex gets the pain, he multiplies more and more into different people. Barry is going to have to make like Peter Parker and figure out a scientific solution in order to stop him.

Stagg has a meeting with Wells that shows the brilliant minds of two competing scientists. Wells breaks down the metahuman issue plaguing Central City. Wells thinks that West doesn’t quite have the right mentoring advice for Barry.

It’s amusing to see him eating plate after plate of food with Iris, who is investigating The Flash. Barry freaks out on her, and she calls out his naive nature that would usually support the idea.

The Detective crashes the scene, and calls Barry back into battle against the Multiplex. They form some sort of agreement, and Cisco finds a way to nourish Barry via high calorie protein bars. The nutritional aspect of this show remains fascinating. Multiplex attempted to clone his dying wife’s heart, and took it from him. Making his only goal to somehow be able to kill Stagg. Barry gets caught in a field of Multiplexes. Barry has to find the prime unit to stop Danton from multiplying. Danton commits suicide by jumping off the building, he had a hard life that Wells has an interesting comment about. Barry gives credit to his entire team, because he is a reasonable human being. Which doesn’t stop Wells from being crazy.

Gustin and West have a much stronger rapport than they did in the beginning of the hour. Granted, they finally have a chance to strike some sort of alliance. If only the same could be said of Caitlin and Iris.

Then the groan worthy V.O. comes back, and continues to pose a threat to the show.

The after credits tag takes place in Stagg industries between Wells and Stagg. The two of them already have a fun and dangerous relationship with each other. Stagg shows interest in the man in the red mask, and is stabbed by Harrison.