Showing posts with label Grant Gustin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grant Gustin. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2015

The Flash Season 2 Episode 5 "The Darkness and the Light" - Recap and Review

flash harrison well returns poster wallpaper image picture screensaver

In the previous episode, we saw that it was Dr Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) from Earth 2 who rescued Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) from a certain death at the hands of the gigantic King Shark.

The opening scene is set in Earth 2 about 8 months ago. Dr Wells is introducing his latest innovation in the series of Metahuman Awareness Apps. This one is in the form of a watch that alerts the nearby presence of a meta-human.

Jay Garrick (Teddy Sears) stops by and makes his displeasure known. He considers Dr Wells as being responsible for the presence of meta-humans on Earth-2 to begin with. Harrison Well's daughter, Jesse Wells (Violett Beane) is also present.

In our present world, everyone is taken aback by the sudden re-appearance of Dr Harrison Wells. Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) even fires at Dr Wells, leading the Flash to pull a Superman and stop the bullets.

Meanwhile, Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes) tries to pick up Kendra Saunders (Ciara Renee) to teach Barry the necessary skills of the game. Kendra Saunders is Hawkgirl in Legends of Tomorrowthe upcoming series that brings together the characters from both Arrow and The Flash. Cisco fails miserably in his first attempt.


dr light linda park flash season 2 supervillain poster image picture wallpaper

The villain-of-the-week sent by Zoom to kill Flash is Dr Light (Malese Jow). When the Flash encounters the supervillain, he is shocked to realize that she is the alternate version of Linda Park, whom Barry dated briefly in the previous season. Taking advantage of the Flash's indecisiveness, Dr Light blinds him.

Barry's temporary blindness does not stop him from going on a date with Patty Spivot (Shantel VanSanten). This was a genuinely hilarious sequence and due credit to Grant Gustin for pulling this off so nicely.

Just about the same time, Jay Garrick and Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) keep an eye on Linda Park. They take this measure since Zoom's previous assassins have murdered their doppelgangers on our Earth.

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Just as they are about to get intimate, Dr Light appears and is about to kill Linda. Iris West (Candice Patton) shoots off Dr Light's helmet. The supervillain does kill an innocent bystander before fleeing the scene.

Once Flash recovers from the loss of his sight, Dr Harrison Wells recommends that Flash capture Dr Light in order to bring Zoom to this Earth. Wells has already deduced (using his app) that Cisco himself has developed superpowers. He forces Cisco to use his powers on Dr Light's helmet and he is able to find out her location in the third attempt. Flash creates a Speed Mirage” to trick Dr Light and subdues her. 

This is not the first time that the show writers have used Cisco's new found powers to locate a hostage/criminal. It stuck me that he is the equivalent of Cerebro”, the device used by Professor Charles Xavier to track down mutants.

flash hawkgirl kendra saunders cameo harrison wells patty spivot iris west season 2

In the closing scenes, Cisco, Barry and Caitlin frequent the same store they had done earlier. This time, Kendra herself obligingly provides her phone number to Cisco. She explains that she is new to the city and is apprehensive of all the meta-humans running around.

Cisco celebrates his success with Barry and Caitlin. Since he too has meta-human powers now, Cisco looks for a name. Caitling suggests Vibe and Cisco is taken up with it. Unknown to them, Dr Harrison Wells is spying on them. 

The final scene is again set in Earth 2. Zoom (voiced by Tony Todd) is forcibly keeping Wells' daughter, Jesse as his hostage.

This was an OK episode. The absence of Victor Garber's Dr. Martin Stein was strongly felt. On top of that, this alternate version of Harrison Wells is a bit gruff and less humorous. Same goes for Dr Light. Perhaps, the show writers want to differentiate between the two alternate version of characters this way.

The casting of Tony Todd as the voice of Zoom is promising. Tony Todd is a terrific actor especially in the horror genre. He would definitely lend the necessary gravitas and an edge to Zoom's voice.

Yet another enjoyable aspect of the episode was the reference to Atlantis. Jay Garrick mentions that he has a friend (presumably Aquaman) from Atlantis and that on Earth 2 Atlantis is above water.

Speaking of Jay Garrick, he is apprehensive about Flash facing the Zoom and takes his leave. When Caitlin wonders aloud later if she will ever Jay again, Barry replies that as a true hero, Jay would appear at the right time.

The preview for the next episode indicates that Zoom will be paying a visit to our Earth. Hopefully, that episode will pick up the steam.

Recommended watch to fans of The Flash/DC Comics.

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Image Sources: Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, The CW Television Network

Thursday, October 29, 2015

The Flash Season 2 Episode 4 "The Fury of Firestorm" - Recap and Review

flash season 2 costume poster wallpaper image picture screensaver

After a somewhat boring episode 2, the series returns to its former glory with a great episode. Dr. Martin Stein (Victor Garber) is not doing well, now that Ronnie Raymond (Robbie Amell) is gone after sacrificing his life.

Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) has two potential replacements in mind: Henry Hewitt (Demore Barnes) and Jefferson 'Jax' Jackson (Franz Drameh). The two people could not be more different - Henry is an egotistic and ambitious scientist while Jax is a laid-back and self-effacing mechanic. Guess who will eventually replace Ronnie?

Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) is in favor of Jax and Caitilin prefers Henry, since he happens to be a scientist too. However, Jax is reluctant and this helps Henry Hewitt get the first shot at becoming the fire-spouting superhero. Hewitt is disappointed when he is unable to successfully merge with Dr Stein.


flash firestorm poster wallpaper picture image picture

There are numerous subplots in this episode. Patty Spivot (Shantel VanSanten) informs Barry that she believes that a shark has been seen walking on land. Barry is skeptical of this fact.

Francine West (Vanessa Williams), the ex-wife of Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin), reveals that she is dying of a fatal illness. She wants to spend time with her daughter, Iris West (Candice Patton) before she passes away.

To top it all, Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) seems to be back....

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As I had remarked in my review of the first episode The Man Who Saved Central City”, Victor Garber makes a great Dr. Martin Stein. He brings warmth and humor to the role. This episode benefits greatly by focusing on Dr Stein.

Both Demore Barnes and Franz Drameh are excellent as Henry Hewitt and Jefferson 'Jax' Jackson respectively.


flash killer shark man poster grant gustin shantel vansanten wallpaper image picture

The other crucial aspect is the growing affection that Barry feels for Patty Spivot. This almost costs him his life, when he is ambushed by the hulking Killer Shark as he is admiring Patty from afar. Patty tries to save Barry by shooting at the behemoth but bullets have no effect on him. A stranger steps up just in time to save the day. He turns out to be none other than Harrison Wells himself.

Speaking of Killer Shark, he is more of a DC Universe supervillain rather than being more of a Flash archenemy like the Reverse Flash or Captain Cold or Gorilla Grodd. Fans of DC Comics based adaptations would remember seeing an animated version of King Shark (voiced by John DiMaggio) in Batman: Assault on Arkham (B:AoA). B:AoA is by the way, hands down one of the best DC Universe Animated Original Movies and is definitely worth a look.

The episode also featured strong aspects of horror. In addition to the Killer Shark, the transformed Franz Drameh as Firestorm sports ghostly white eyes. As a fan of the horror genre, I enjoyed these touches.

On the acting front, most of the cast members score well. The exception would be Candice Patton who goes a bit overboard as Iris West in her scene with her mother, Francine West.

*---------------------------------- Potential Spoilers ahead ------------------------------------------*








Shantel VanSanten is shaping up to be a strong presence as Patty Spivot. After watching her character in the season opener, I was not sure if she would be an ally or a foe for Flash. This episode gives ample evidence that Patty Spivot may be more than what meets Barry's eyes. She is the one who provides him the information about a walking shark man. It is when Barry comes to watch her that Killer Shark attacks him. This made me think that Zoom had sent her to help ambush the Flash. I am curious to see if my hunch proves to be right...





*---------------------------------------- End of Spoilers -------------------------------------------------*

Recommended watch to fans of The Flash/DC Comics.

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Image Source: Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, The CW Television Network, The Flash Wiki

Thursday, October 8, 2015

The Flash Season 2 Episode 1 "The Man Who Saved Central City" - Recap and Review

grant gustin flash season 2 costume poster wallpaper image picture screensaver

The Season 2 opener starts with a quick recap of the first season: Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) develops powers of superspeed as a result of the explosion at S.T.A.R. Labs. His mentor, Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) turns out to be the villainous Reverse Flash/Zoom. Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett) sacrifices his life in order to stop Reverse Flash from killing Flash.

In Season one's cliffhanger ending, Flash is seen racing to save the city from destruction. Turns out that the real hero of the day was Ronnie Raymond (Robbie Amell). Come to think of it, the fiances of both Iris West (Candice Patton) and Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) lost their lives (willingly) to save Barry Allen.

In the present day, Barry faces a new challenge in the form of the imposing Al Rothstein (Adam Copeland). This menacing fellow has super strength, can increase his height greatly and absorbs energy.


flash atom smasher season 2 villain poster wallpaper screensaver image picture

Right when the Central City Mayor is about to felicitate Flash on Flash Day, Rothstein arrives and easily bests Barry in their first confrontation. Flash blames himself for Ronnie's death and withdraws onto himself.

Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) convinces Barry to stop feeling guilty and to take help from others. Flash's usual support team of Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes) and Caitlin Snow has a new addition: Dr. Martin Stein (Victor Garber).

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Dr Martin proves his credentials by naming the new villain “Atom Smasher”. Cisco is instantly impressed. Not to be left behind, Cisco designs a Flash-Signal, after having read about such signals in some comic books.....

This time, Flash is able to beats Atom Smasher by overpowering him with too much energy in a power plant.


flash season 2 cast poster wallpaper image picture screensaver

In a secondary plot, Harrison Wells releases a video in which he confesses to have murdered Barry's mother, Nora Allen (Michelle Harrison). Barry is able to secure the release of his jailed father, Henry Allen (John Wesley Shipp).

Throughout the episode, a man is seen shadowing Barry and taking his photographs. This stranger turns out to be Jay Garrick (Teddy Sears). As fans of DC Comics will know, Jay is the first Flash. He warns Barry about an impending danger.

This was a strong opening episode to Season 2. The best parts featured Victor Garber's character and his interactions with Cisco. They were funny and the cast enjoys a good chemistry with each other.

Atom Smasher reminded me of Bane in terms of his imposing physicality, mask and the long coat jacket costume. And to top it all was the not-so-subtle reference to the Bat-Signal. As a fan of Batman and the DC Universe, I enjoyed it very much.

Recommended watch to fans of The Flash/DC Comics.

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Image Source: Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, The CW Television Network

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Flash Season 1 Episode 2 "Fastest Man Alive" - Recap and Review

Grant Gustin as Barry Allen The Flash in CW The Flash Season 1 Episode 2 Fastest Man Alive

As seen in the previous episode, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) developed superhuman speed as a result of the explosion at S.T.A.R. Labs. Barry used his new found powers to stop erring fellow metahuman Clyde Mardon (Chad Rook).

Barry's support team consists of S.T.A.R. Labs CEO Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), tech whiz Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes) and bioengineering expert Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker). Other than these three folks, only Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) knows The Flash's secret identity. 

Barry continues to use his metahuman abilities to save people. At the beginning of the the episode, he saves people caught in a fire in a building. But he starts to get exhausted whenever he exercises his superspeed.

Barry works on a robbery that seems to involve more than one perpetrator. But security cameras capture one person only.

Guest star William Sadler as Simon Stagg in CW The Flash Season 1 Episode 2 Fastest Man Alive

Well known philanthropist Simon Stagg (William Sadler) is awarded the Man of the Yearaward. A gang of robbers gatecrash the event. When one of them shoots at the Security Guard (Seth Whittaker), Barry saves his life. But this effort drains all of his strength. 

Joe makes Barry promise that he will not use his powers again to stop the bad guys. Barry works on a specially made treadmill to rectify his recent lapses.

The attack on Stagg was an inside job. Stagg's bodyguard is in cahoots with a disgruntled former employee Danton Black (Michael Smith). Danton has a difference of opinion with his accomplice and kills him using his ability to make clones of himself.

Grant Gustin and Danielle Panabaker as Barry Allen The Flash and Caitlin Snow in CW The Flash Season 1 Episode 2 Fastest Man Alive

Danton's primary target is Stagg. He makes another attempt on his life, right when he is with Detective Joe. Joe is outnumbered by Danton's multiple copies of himself. Hearing about this ongoing assault at the police headquarters, Barry rushes to the rescue. 

Barry does succeed in saving Joe's life, but gets beaten up badly by Danton. He is attended to by Caitlin. Joe realizes that it will take more than just Central City cops to stop Danton. He asks Barry to do his thing. Harrison advises Barry to look for the weakest of the Danton clones and knock him unconscious.

In a side plot, Iris West (Candice Patton) is curious about the Red Streak as The Flash is referred to in the media. She creates a news alert for him on her smartphone.

Grant Gustin as Barry Allen The Flash in CW The Flash Season 1 Episode 2 Fastest Man   Alive

The episode improves on the pilot. The Flash versus Multiplex/Danton Black fight scenes have been executed well.

On the acting front, Jesse L. Martin continues to be the most impressive. He has significant screentime with Grant's Barry Allen. Barry has doubts about his effectiveness as a crime fighter. Being the surrogate father figure, Jesse's Detective Joe encourages him to believe in the impossible and helps him defeat Multiplex.

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Joe also decides to look into the murder of Barry's mother more closely and promises to unravel the mystery behind her death.

Tom Cavanagh shows some range as Harrison Wells begins to show his true character. In the closing scenes, Harrison kills Simon Stagg to prevent him from disclosing/exploiting his knowledge about The Flash.

Rest of the cast are adequate, if not outstanding.

Batman The Dark Knight vs Mr Freeze Dr Victor Fries DC Comics

Danton working to cure his wife from a degenerative heart disease reminded me of the origin story of the Batman villain, Mr Freeze/Dr Victor Fries. Dr Fries was also working on his wife's deadly degenerative disease, before he became the supervillain Mr Freeze.

Recommended watch to fans of The Flash/DC Comics.

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Image Sources: Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, CW Television Network