6 Takeaways from The Flash Season 3 Episode 2: “Paradox”

These are the 6 things that kicked us in the rib cage (and sometimes in a good way) as we watched The Flash Season 3 Episode 2: “Paradox.” And, our observations are a little “spoilery,” so…if you’re catching this tonight, I would bookmark this article and join us tomorrow morning. Still with us? Good, we’re always glad to have ya’.

1. New 52?

When the comic version of “Flashpoint” ended, fans were stuck with the directionless mediocrity of the New 52 (I freakin’ love Rebirth before you label me a hater), but when TV’s “Flashpoint ended, fans are left with- lots and lots of personal drama? There is just a bit too much angst in “Paradox.” Don’t get me wrong, I am interested in the changes Joe, Iris, Cisco and Kaitlin were forced to undergo thanks to Barry’s actions, but man was everything dire. Maybe it is meant to be on a meta level. After all, the New 52 was pretty joyless, so maybe this was DC TV’s commentary on the bleak nature of a post-“Flashpoint” world.

2. Good Vibes

But things don’t stay dark for long. The most interesting of the issues caused by Barry’s actions is the death of Cisco’s brother. The friction between Joe and Iris is just forced and redundant, and really, Cisco’s very realistic bitterness and sadness probably would have driven the point home just fine on its own. So when Cisco suits up as Vibe and helps Barry defeat Rival, it is indeed a feelgood moment that busts through the morass of sadness that hangs over most of the episode.

3. Winter Is Coming

In the “Flashpoint” world, the character of Kaitlin Snow is kind of glossed over. And she is glossed over again this week- well, sort of. Kaitlin really doesn’t do much all episode which I found curious, until Barry makes a joke of her inconsequential nature in “Flashpoint.” It is all very ‘ha-ha’ until Kaitlin freezes her hand, signaling the arrival of Killer Frost. Well, that adds a wrinkle to things, huh?

4.Ten Points for Slytherin

This week, we welcome actor Tom Felton to the world of The Flash. Felton is best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, and on The Flash, Felton is playing a rival of another sort. Felon plays police scientist and metahuman specialist Julian Dorn. It is very clear that Barry and Dorn have a very adversarial relationship and it will be interesting to see this dynamic play out this season. But is there more than meets the eye when it comes to Felton? This brings us to-

5. Villains United

This week, we saw the arrival of Rival to the DCU proper. Rival is brought to Barry’s reality by the mysterious Doctor Alchemy, a very creepily effective villain. Alchemy’s goal seems to be to bring the “Flashpoint” metahumans into the regular timeline. How and why has not been revealed yet, but this could spell big things for Wally West. So who is Alchemy? Wouldn’t it be ironic if the seemingly magic-based Alchemy was played by Slytherin’s number one son, Tom Felton? That would take that rivalry with Barry to a whole new level. And if Alchemy is not Felton’s Dorn, who could be beneath that creepy gas mask?

6. Bones Thought

It is very cool seeing Felicity pop up in the episode. Barry raced to ask for Felicity’s advice regarding the post-“Flashpoint” changes. I love that bond between Felicity and Barry. It’s never overused and always welcome. I just wish we got to see the post-“Flashpoint” Oliver Queen?