‘Fast Lane’ The Flash 2.12 Recap

Warning: Our television series recaps contain spoilers of the episode being reviewed as well as episodes leading up to it.


“Who’s the best hacker in the world, people?”

“Felicity Smoak.”

Everyone’s favorite genius doesn’t make an appearance in this week’s episode of The Flash, but she’s there in spirit as Cisco asks Barry and Caitlin to stroke his ego and they quickly respond with a name that definitely isn’t his. Tonight’s episode, “Fast Lane” is just that—one punch after another of high-stakes action, filled with betrayal, heart-stopping moments, and determination.

Harry Wells says it the best: in a blunt conversation with Barry, he vehemently tells the speedster, “I will betray you,” and as we find out early on in the episode, he’s desperate for the return of his daughter. Zoom’s presence looms heavily over him and the stark betrayal that he exacts on Barry and Team Flash as a whole—attaching a device to Barry’s suit in order to steal some of Barry’s speed. As the episode progresses, Barry’s lack of speed and focus costs him precious seconds—seconds that could be used to save someone important to him from harm.

The Flash -- "Fast Lane" -- Image: FLA212B_0025b2.jpg -- Pictured: Grant Gustin as Barry Allen -- Photo: Katie Yu/The CW -- © 2016 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Flash — “Fast Lane” — Image: FLA212B_0025b2.jpg — Pictured: Grant Gustin as Barry Allen — Photo: Katie Yu/The CW — © 2016 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

The focus of the episode shifts often to Wally West, who is one of the most interesting characters on the show. Since his first appearance he continues to simultaneously intrigue and frustrate viewers with his impulsiveness and brashness. Wally continues on with his extreme rebellious streak, proceeding with the dangerous act of street racing even though he doesn’t need the victory money to support his mother anymore. When Iris and Joe follow him, disaster strikes. Wally’s car is totaled and while that’s bad and all, it’s Iris who is in immediate danger here: a shard of glass from the car goes flying towards her, slamming into her shoulder.

It finally feels like all of the Wests (read: Wally) are getting onto the same page and while it’s unfortunate that tragedy is what spurred it, it’s nice to see that Wally is perhaps on the path to accepting that Joe and Iris want to be part of his family as much as they want him to be part of their family. He has a sister and a father who care a lot about him, and perhaps now, following Iris’s near-death experience, he’ll be able to really welcome them into his life.

And, as always, it comes back to Zoom: the formidable villain that hangs like a dark cloud over everyone’s heads, who has trapped Harry Wells into working with him, and has the potential to absolutely destroy Team Flash and so much more. When Harry admits that he is the reason that Barry is feeling ‘slow’ (2% slow, and it makes a difference), the reaction is appropriate and immediate: Joe beats him down, locks him up, and they go to take on the villain of the week. Tar Pit, creatively named for his ability to turn into tar, is taken down by freezing the sticky substance and immobilizing him—quick, easy, and efficient. 

Tonight’s episode of The Flash ended on an excellent high note, setting up what could be one of the most interesting episodes of season 2. Next week we head to Earth-2 with part of Team Flash, as they search for answers and come into contact with their Earth-2 selves.

BRAND PARTNERS
Recent Posts