Random TV Season Review - The Flash (Seasons 1-3)

So after Season 2 of Arrow introduced Barry Allen (played by Grant Gustin) into the Arrowverse, the creators originally decided to go for a backdoor pilot for a spin-off series featuring the character. But seeing as his appearance was met with a very positive reception, the creators went ahead to create a full blown series to expand his world and naturally we would get this series The Flash. Anyone who has read the comics will know that the first Flash was indeed Barry Allen so that would make sense in this scenario. But before the show existed, the Flash was already well known through other TV appearances such as the Flash TV show of the 90s as well as the many cartoons that have come out over the years which largely had him as a founding member of the Justice League. But I'd say its thanks to this TV series that Flash is more popular than ever before. So before we begin, you got to believe in the impossible. And with that, let's review this thing:

Season 1 - Beginnings and the Reverse-Flash

So the beginning of the first season shows us some things that occurred before and after Barry's appearances on Arrow where he acts as a forensic scientist working for the Central City Police Department under the wing of his adoptive father and police detective Joe West (played by Jesse L. Martin). He has crushes on his adoptive sister Iris (played by Candice Patton) and is a fan of the work of STAR labs. One day during a long day at work, the particle accelerator at STAR labs explodes and leads to a number of Central City citizens to become metahumans which are humans with super powers. Barry himself gets caught in the blast and soon enough, awakens from a 9 month coma at STAR labs where he meets Dr. Harrison Wells (played by Tom Cavanagh) and his small team of scientists consisting of bio-engineering expert Caitlin Snow (played by Danielle Panabaker) and mechanical engineering genius Cisco Ramon (played by Carlos Valdes). Barry comes to realise that he is a metahuman himself and with the super speed he has gained, he uses his newly found powers to become Central City's protector under the guise of the Flash. In doing so, he finally convinces Joe that what he witnessed all those years ago when his mother died was in fact a speedster like him, prompting the two to re-open the case and use whatever resources they can from the police department and STAR labs to find the guy and take him down, unaware that it could very well be one of their own people. So as any Arrow fan will come to expect, The Flash is in some way the opposite of what Arrow is in that its more light hearted and fun. But as for the first season, its pretty good. Lots of interesting characters, always full of humour even at the most serious moments and pretty emotional at times too. Plus Arrow fans will enjoy episodes where Arrow characters make appearances as well as the crossover too. Great start to what would become a very good series that gives the fastest man alive the attention he has been wanting for a very long time that's not having him team up with others. 9/10

Season 2 - Multiverse Terrors

So after the Flash saves Central City from the Reverse-Flash, his earth opens itself up to the multiverse and he and the team task themselves with stopping a new enemy on Earth 2 where they meet a new Flash (played by Teddy Sears) and another Harrison Wells. Plus the Flash side of the Legends of Tomorrow are introduced and Cisco reveals himself to be a metahuman. I like this season a lot. Multiverse travelling was obviously going to be tackled at some point and I got to say, the thought of exploring other universes was always something DC fans have liked a lot and the show is able to simplify it so well as to not make it complicated. 9/10

Season 3 - Say No to Time Travel

The season begins with Barry effectively making Flashpoint occur as well as allowing Eobard Thawne (played by Matt Letscher) to exist as a time aberration. But despite his parents being alive, Barry is unhappy with this new reality and changes it back. Only to find that things have got worse. Cisco's brother has died, Catlin is becoming her Earth-2 self, Joe and Iris are not getting on, Wally West (played by Keiynan Lonsdale) is becoming a Flash himself and the CCPD have recruited a metahuman expert called Julian Desmond (played by Draco Malfoy himself, Tom Felton). To make matters worst, a new enemy has emerged from the Speed Force and a possible future sees him kill Iris. So its up to Flash and his fractured team to prevent such events from happening while also coming to terms with his actions which has also affected Team Arrow and the Legends. Everyone knows full well that time travel has got consequences and this definitely shows in this season. Its more serious than before, but still manages to keep light heartiness at the top of all the drama that's going on. A lot of character development is happening and we just keeping asking for more. 9/10

So as far as adaptations are concerned, this is one of the best when it comes to the Flash. Its fun, emotional and explores all aspects of being the Flash while also fleshing out other characters including some lesser known and original characters. I think of all the Arrowverse shows, this one is the one that will affect the other shows in some way whenever Flash goes time travelling. But the job of protecting the timeline now falls into the hands of a team of heroes which we will talk about next week. 9/10