‘The Flash’ Recap: "Shade"

Shade was flying around on this week’s episode of ‘The Flash’. Most of it was coming from Wally who has been dreaming about being Kid Flash courtesy of Dr. Alchemy. All he wants to do is help people like Barry does. Wally thinks that everyone doesn’t want him to be Kid Flash because they don’t trust him. Not because it’s dangerous or whatever. Joe does treat him differently than Barry but it is because Wally reminds Joe of his younger self. Fearless. After their heart-to-heart Wally starts hearing Alchemy’s voice and overcome with severe pain. Joe brings him to Star Labs and HR says to put Wally in the pipeline until they can figure out how to keep him safe.

In this episode HR learns that Evil Wells killed and admitted to killing Barry’s mother so he can’t leave. He comes up with a cover for Star Labs so that no one figures out they are working with The Flash. The idea is a Star Labs museum. He then goes on to show the team his facial transmodification device; his way of getting around the no going outside ordeal. This device, from his Earth, can change his face so that he doesn’t look like Harrison Wells aka Evil Wells. While this is going on Caitlin steals the meta-human cuffs (the ones that will suppress a meta’s powers). Later on Cisco discovers they are missing. He throws some shade HR’s way and blames him for their disappearance.

Caitlin later comes clean and tells Cisco about her powers. She tells him to vibe her in the future so that she can find out whether or not she becomes Killer Frost. Cisco sees her as Killer Frost as he is in battle with her. He tells her he didn’t see anything so that she will stay.

HR, Joe, Cisco and Caitlin go to a movie in the park. They all meet up with Cecile, Joe’s date, while Barry Iris watch their younger brother in the pipeline. During their watch Iris divulges to Barry that she and Wally sometimes feel incompetent. Like they are useless. All they want to do is help like Barry does. Barry reassures her that he couldn’t be The Flash without Iris; he wouldn’t be able to do the job without her.

At the park Caitlin calls Cisco out for lying to her. He is forced to tell her about her future; the battle and that she is Killer Frost. After revealing Caitlin’s fate Cisco tells her that she has to tell the team. She says it’s too late and no one has to know.

Cecile and Joe go on their date and we learn that Cecile has an 18 year old daughter. After gathering snacks for the group HR begins to flirt with Cecile. Joe gets agitated by the situation but it is quickly cut short by Shade, the new meta-human wreaking havoc all over Central City thanks to Alchemy. Barry is forced to leave Iris alone with Wally in order to help save the people in the park.

However, Alchemy isn’t done. He talks to Wally in the pipeline and wants to set him free. Alchemy sends even more painful dreams Wally’s way and Iris rushes to his side telling him to fight through the pain. Alchemy continues to torture him. Wally screams at Iris to let him out. He momentarily passes out due to the pain but quickly recovers. Wanting to escape the torture Wally swings at Iris and she is forced to knock him out.

In the field, Caitlin is forced to hand over the cuffs to Barry in order to suppress Shade’s powers and capture him. They head back to the lab and learn that Alchemy sent a Meta to distract Barry from helping Wally. Cisco unable to keep Caitlin’s secret in any longer and forces her to tell the team about her powers. She is infuriated but comes clean. Barry goes to talk to her. He tells her everything that is happening is all because of flashpoint. Caitlin comes back into the control room and apologizes to Cisco. She was glad he told everyone as she is not good asking for help. Cisco promises to help Caitlin and Wally comes up with a plan to capture Alchemy. Wally wants to use himself as bait to help catch Alchemy.

Joe and Barry agree. The team of Wally, Joe, The Flash and The Meta-Human Task Force (minus Julian. He is nowhere to be found. Is he alchemy????) head out to find Alchemy. They arrive at Alchemy’s lair and Barry and Wally share a moment. Barry tells Wally he is scared too but being scared keeps him alert.

As Wally enters Alchemy’s humble abode he is greeted by Dr. Alchemy and three other hooded men. (Sidebar: Alchemy’s theme music is sick.) The rest of the team ambushes Alchemy and friends. Barry gets blasted by Alchemy’s rock thing knocking him down. Joe fires at the emblem knocking it out of Alchemy’s hand. Moments later an earthquake of sorts’ ripples through the lair and Alchemy turns himself into a lightning bolt freeing all his robed friends and killing the task force.

Alchemy still has his hooks in Wally. He calls out to him via the rock and tells him to grab it. In doing so Wally gets his powers back. Will he still be a hero or has Alchemy messed with his powers and turned him into a villain?

As Joe and Barry watch in terror as Wally get his powers back Savitar The God of Speed (who looks like a Decepticon) grabs Barry and pins him up against a wall. Who is this God and what does he want with Barry? Will he kill Barry for trying to stop Alchemy? Was this Dr. Alchemy all along or was Alchemy working for him?

Next Week:

Killer Frost comes out to play.

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