Barry loses his memories. Cause and Effect is the most the lighthearted non-crossover episode of the season in a way thats very meta. However, its an enjoyable one that brings some much-needed levity. Credit: Katie Yu/The CW And he handles it very well. His Savitar version of Barry Allen is cold, vengeful, and power hungry. If your head hurts, dont worry; mine does too. But overall, Barrys amnesia turns this into an incredibly playful hour thats a lot of fun to watch....

Last weeksperfectly fine midseason premiereshowed a lot of promise, which tonights episode delivered on. Dead or Alive is definitely the best episode of the season so far. It was an immensely fun hour that put Cisco and Iris in the spotlight and allowed them to shine. Credit: Diyah Pera/The CW Tonights main plot involves Gypsy, a collector, a.k.a. a bounty hunter from Earth-19, who has arrived on this Earth intent on apprehending H....

The Music Meister shows up at S.T.A.R. Labs right after them and whammies Barry, putting him in a similar coma. Kara notices theWizard of Ozsimilarities because its her favorite movie. Credit: Jack Rowand/The CW (Melissa Benoists delivery of, And you were there, warmed my heart so much). (I didnt catch Steins name in this universe). With Pablo/Ciscos help, they find Millie, a.k.a. Jack Rowand/The CW Iris, in an apartment where shes hooking up with Tommy (a....

Come for the (boring) Savitar unmasking. Stay for Killer Frost and Tracy Brand. After 19 episodes,The Flashhas finally deigned to reveal Savitars identity. Credit: Dean Buscher/The CW Did it come too late in the season to have much of an impact? This couple is super cute. Thankfully, Joe is summoned to S.T.A.R. Labs and runs off before having to deal with that landmine. Barry, Cisco, and H.R. Dudek is delightful in this role....

The Flash and Captain Cold team up to steal the Dominators' crystal from ARGUS. Theres a lot of potential in that simple storytelling idea, an opportunity to play with genre. Imagine ifThe Flashjazzed up classic heist tropes with superpower shenanigans. Credit: Dean Buscher /The CW That being said: God, I missed Wentworth Millers Captain Cold, and Im so glad he returned. Thankfully, Cisco finds a lead: The Dominators crystal, which is currently in ARGUS possession....

The Speed Force is not happy to see Barry Allen Into the Speed Force is an interesting episode. and the episode also presents an interesting critique of why Barrys recent actions have been so messed up. Feeling responsible for Wallys imprisonment in the Speed Force, Barry decides to run in after him. Credit: Robert Falconer/The CW Shes worried if she made the wrong decision by calling things off with Barry....

(However, there is one moment at the end that points toward lighter moments to come). The episode picks up where we left off with Savitar clutching Barry by the neck. Barry is clearly weaker than him. Credit: Diyah Pera/The CW Thankfully, Cisco and Caitlin show up, via a portal created by Cisco, to save Barry. Even though she cant see him, Caitlin uses her powers to freeze Savitar in his place....

And that sentence has been on my mind recently becauseThe Flashhas been missing that sense of hope this season. In tonight’s episode, the show finally acknowledges that. The show has failed to explain this, which is baffling because it could easily be explained away. Credit: Katie Yu/The CW Just look to the comics. (It was actually a funny moment). the year listed on the Time Vault newspaper) to find out Savitar’s identity....

Didnt we just go down this keeping secrets route with Barry a few weeks ago? Barry says the proposal was impulsive, but theres definitely a hint that theres more to it than that. In what world would Jesse choose starring at Iris ring over being a hero?). Credit: Bettina Strauss/The CW So, Wally finally comes clean to everyone about his visions. This scene was a good reminder of why Savitar isnt a compelling villain yet....

So, lets just jump into the episode! Labs watching the contest and taking bets. Iris and Caitlin put money down on Barry, but H.R. Credit: Bettina Strauss/The CW Its a fun and energetic opening scene that gets the episode off on the right foot. A couple of murders around Central City call Barry away from his training sessions with Wally. Im scared, Barry, says Iris through tears, revealing that everything is not all right....

The Present doesnt waste too much time getting to those answers. Doctor Alchemys Philosophers Stone. And, it just so happens Julian was said papers author. Credit: Katie Yu/The CW Julian also drops one bit of information before their conversation ends: Savitar was the first meta with speed. Wells is here to bring the Christmas spirit by hanging festive decorations around the lab. They leave behind Wally, who reveals hes been training with H....

Its actually a really dark episode. I think this villain is pretty scary, so its nice to see. For Panabaker, the air of mystery surrounding Cicada and his motives are what make him particularly terrifying. Katie Yu/The CW At the end of the season 5 premiere, Cicada declared his desire to rid eliminate all metahumans. Theres so much unknown about him, said Panabaker. Were trying to figure out his motivation, and he is pretty vicious....

But this isnt a vacation by any means. The viewers can always expect Cisco to have one of a handful of reactions, Valdes jokes. So, theres definitely some fear to be played with there. Credit: Jack Rowand/The CW However, it may not be Grodd with whom Barry is fighting. Weve always had that element with Grodd, Gustin says. Hes had his reasons for all his choices as well. The CW...