The Flash (TV Series) Finish Line (2017) User Reviews

Then they pulled the rug out from under everybody.

[fredschaefer-406-623204 · 7/10 · 24 May 2017]

The finale of Season 3 of THE FLASH wrapped up the Flashpoint story line for the fans with a final showdown with Scarface Barry aka Savitar, in a way that probably satisfied most fans. First off, Iris West was saved and it was revealed that HR had died in her place in a switchero telegraphed in last week's show. With Iris alive, it becomes a race to kill Savitar before he puts his plan B into effect; a plan that hinges on Cisco reworking one of his do-hickeys so that the villain becomes a God. There is a sequence where it appears that Bad Barry might be having a change of heart, only to have it all be a fake out, before the showdown, where there is a neat bit of business when The Flash shoves his evil doppelganger from the Savitar suit and then shatters it. It's a real comic book moment brought to life the kind of thing us true fans love. But it is almost ruined when The Flash stupidly turns his back on the villain and has to be saved by Iris at the very last moment. I do like it that they didn't wrap up the Kaitlyn/Killer Frost plot line so neatly, although giving her one of those "Goodbye, I've got to go find myself" sendoffs has gotten to be a cliché. Even for a show that has become a little too much the CW and not enough DC Comics, the end of Savitar was satisfying.

So we got Barry and Iris back together, happy and in love and planning to get married, but there was still 15 minutes left in the show and I knew we were going to get the rug pulled out from under us. And sure enough, right on time, there was a Speed Force Apocalypse which can only be prevented by a sacrifice, one that Barry makes without batting an eye. To me, this rings totally false, as Barry Allen says his goodbyes to the people who mean the most in the world to him and calmly walks off with the avatar of his mother. This is switching emotional gears way too fast, not to mention ramming a lot of plot through a too small hole. I know the producers are setting things up for next season, but a plot turn such as this deserved at least a full episode of its own to work through.

Overall, Season 3 was something of a disappointment, my favorite episodes were the alien invasion crossover, and I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that we had another Big Bad who also a Speedster. This has gotten old, I know it's common to make the villain a mirror of the hero, but after Scarface Barry, this trope has gone as far as it can go. They've used the voices of Tony Todd and Tobin Bell in the past as the voices of Zoom and Savitar, how about giving these great actors roles in front of the camera.

The Flash continues to be the best CW show

[RahulM007 · 9/10 · 6 June 2017]

The season 3 finale of the Flash had shocking moments and one extremely obvious reveal. The Flash does not disappoint when it comes to season finales. Props to the writers and producers for making the Flash a likable and watchable show.

Every season finale of the Flash was shocking to watch. It is quite surreal that the fourth season of the Flash is on the way. It seems just yesterday that the first episode premiered on the CW. When I first heard that the Flash will have its own TV show, I did not care and did not find it extremely interesting. However, after watching the first nine episodes, I decided to continue watching it.

The season 3 finale did have its flaws, but that did not stop them from delivering a stellar season finale. The reveal that H.R. was the one that died instead of Iris has been known to be particularly obvious and extremely dull. The character of H.R. had grown on me. I was excited to see him in season 4. This will not happen. But who knows? Maybe he will come back in a other way. Barry could be talking to H.R. in the speed force.

Every season of the Flash manages to introduce another Harrison Wells character. Tom Cavanagh is a great actor and fits perfectly to the role. Earth 2 Wells will stick around for some episodes of season 4. This could mean that no new version of Harrison Wells will be introduced. Could this be true?

In the season 3 finale, Savitar teased the name of a possible season 4 villain. His name is Defoe or "The Thinker." He is a mind control villain and a not a speedster. Andrew Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti confirmed that the season 4 villain will not be a speedster. I am excited how they introduce the villain in season 4 and hope that it will be as good as the previous seasons. My favorite season of the Flash will still be season 1 because of the villain and the story line.

I was not fond of the way Savitar got killed. Iris should not have shot him. This came to a surprise to me. It would be better if Barry vibrates his hand into Savitar's chest. However, Leonard Snart(aka Captain Cold) would not be fond of the idea that the Flash is becoming a killer. Captain Cold told Barry that his goodness is want makes him the Flash and better than Savitar.

The ending scene was shocking and unpredictable. I thought that Jay Garrick would enter the speed force once more, but apparently I was completely wrong. Barry had to take Savitar's place in the speed force. If no one is in the speed force then it is unstable. This results in Central City witnessing a terrible "earthquake." Will Barry come back next season or will he remain in the speed force? Wally West will take his place while Barry is away. It is pretty obvious that Barry is coming back, but the question is when. Maybe this is the Flash's rebirth?

This episode is definitely worth watching. I'll admit that it is not as explosive as the season 1 finale. But it is still great. Watch it!

Really drags out the ending

[midnightcub · 8/10 · 11 July 2019]

I like the morality of conquering hate with love. Taking responsibility for your actions. Redemption. But it also accidentally makes the point that some people are expendable. Some you have to save. Others you can live without. Also what kind of hero takes 8 minutes to say goodbyes while people are dying all around him? Overall, not bad. But still, some serious flaws.

What the Hell is wrong with you people!

[baapoo · 10/10 · 1 July 2017]

Okay, what is wrong with you guys and why this negativity towards this brilliant episode and yeah rating it 10/10 is a bit a lot but I have to because of this negativity towards it. Well lets clear one thing that this is my opinion and if you think otherwise it's okay but if you are blaming the show for poor writing or anything else then you are wrong buddy yeah this is not the best show on the TV and this will never be but see this as this is and you will love it. So many people have a problem with the H.R twist which actually was brilliant but you know what I also before this episode wanted for iris to die but this twist made up for me, this was a nice twist and right way to say goodbye to H.R Wells and other things were nice but little bit here and there but this series like other series have flaws. Anyway watch this episode and see it as it is a fictional story for you to enjoy and you will enjoy.

Note:

(I am sorry if I offended anyone in anyway and sorry for my English)

The Flash - S03E23 Finish Line

[j_forbesy · 9/10 · 24 May 2017]

We are finally here. The big ending. I have very much enjoyed this season of Flash and this episode was prepped to be a great finale, and it was.

I'll start by saying how this finale went down was fairly predictable. I think many of use assumed three things would happen, that being HR was Iris, Iris doesn't die, and Barry ends up in the speedforce. So as far as twists and turns, this finale didn't throw up too much, but I didn't think it needed to.

What I really loved about this episode was the humanisation of Savitar. We have got bits and pieces of it before, but this was really the first episode that I felt that our Barry could be this Savitar. I'm not sure if it helps because I have just come off finally playing the first Injustice, but I think Savitar's arc of being a destroyed Barry worked really well and it really showed this episode.

While there isn't too much to say on the bulk of the episode because it was mainly action sequences, I'll just run through a few things I really enjoyed this episode. Getting Jay and Gypse back was great, especially seeing them fold into the team nicely. The return of Earth 2 Wells was a nice thing to have because I suspect he is going to be around a bit longer. And finally, Iris killing Savitar. I know I have seen a few people have this as a negative, but for me it is a massive positive. There is something poetic that Iris was the key to all this and in the end, she was the one to end Savitar.

Now on to the bit I am going to take mostly out of this finale, what is going to happen for season 4. I think we got a few good hints as to where they are going to take this season, and they have me extremely excited. Firstly, I don't know anything about Devoe except that he is not a speedster, which is something I, like many people have been looking forward to. Secondly, Wally as the Flash will be great. We saw a glimpse of it in Flashpoint but I think that we aren't going to get Barry back til at least after the crossover so it is going to be great seeing more of Wally as The Flash. Which leads me into Barry being trapped in the speedforce. I don't think anyone is thinking he will be gone forever. From a comic book angle, it makes sense, but for a TV show that has now grown an audience that is in love with Grant Gustin, I don't see them ever writing him off the show unless it is necessary for off-screen reasons. And finale, Killer Frost is no longer Caitlin which really excites me. I have always really liked Caitlin as a character but I've like Killer Frost more, so it is going to be cool seeing more of a blend between them and Killer Frost being a form of anti-hero at the start of the season.

Overall, I though this was a very fitting conclusion to this season. I find with Flash, the thing I am talking about after the finale is the teases for next season, and this finale was very much in that vein. I'm really excited to start getting stuck into trailers and panels promoting season 4 because they have set some hints that have great potential.

9/10

Average Episode Rating: 9/10 - I thought this season was fantastic. I think whether the Savitar dragged out reveal work for you or not really plays a factor into your overall feel for this season. I though this season really utilised all the characters and I don't think it missed many beats. Only slight negative was some confusion over how Savitar is possible, but I think it was pieced together good enough that I can give it a passing grade. This season places ahead of season 2 for me, but I don't think it hits the heights of season 1.

Great, but could be better...

[teamvortex-79193 · 10/10 · 3 June 2017]

***SPOILER*** I absolutely love that they decide to let Iris take the final shot and show that not every villain has to be beaten by Barry. Also, I think they did a pretty good job on the ending overall. However, I didn't like the last scene's SFX, and I think they should've done a lot better on that. Another thing to add is that I think they should have not done the "trying to make Savitar go good" move, and just stuck with the original plan. 9/10

Can't wait for season 4

[sonicalgame · 10/10 · 24 May 2017]

This season final was of the best ones ever , didn't even think how it could ended like this , i actually thought they are gonna solve their problem by fixing the savitar in the first place but whooops , he was just tricking us ! The way Barry jumped into the savitar suit and made the suit color red was awesome . we has some great fights , even though the battle with black flash could be done better but it was a lack of time .

I really hope to see Barry return and ofc he would come back and willing to see jess quick in the next season as a main hero .

Wooohooo run Barry RUN !

A disappointing, cheat of an episode.

[rsathyadav · 6/10 · 24 May 2017]

So, you show an amazing teaser - touching, melancholic, and set to wonderful music The hero is totally down and out. The audience feels it. And you describe the episode like so - With nothing left to lose, Barry takes on savitar. And then, 30 seconds into the episode shits on the teaser, and cheats everyone who wanted to see what they saw in the teaser.

There's a good way to surprise, and there's cheating. I couldn't possibly mention the word cheat enough. Yes, I expected the obvious "twist", but I really hoped they would be more honest with the story telling. What was with the "invitation" in the climax, instead of punishment for everything he'd done until then? Nothing made sense emotionally. Captain cold's advise couldn't possibly have mattered less ultimately, and I really wanted it to be that kind of a finale, an honest one.

To their credit, they explained the time stuff reasonably well. The finale was well executed in terms of visuals, and Savitar's plan. The dialogues in episode 9, and 15, and the ones about the stone/husks made so much more sense after you come to know the Savitar reveal. On rewatching the season a little while ago, I felt they had planned this season quite well, unlike season 2. So, Zoom can create so many time remnants, even kill them just like that, but he needs Barry to provide enough energy to the pulsar? What a load of bull.

But, as much as this finale made tried to make fans happy, it just failed miserably. It was passable, but not the touching, emotionally fulfilling conclusion the teaser promised us. Also writers, and this is really important, if you have 3 speedsters against 1 villain, don't make just one fight him ! It's so lame to even think of reasons to temporarily handicap them.

A disappointing end to an IMPORTANT, interesting enough season of The Flash. If you don't feel the way I feel, watch the 3x23 teaser again, and you will feel how I do.

Woow !

[goranalavuk · 10/10 · 24 May 2017]

This is by my opinion best and exciting season , i didn't read the comics but i watched 1990's flash when i was a kid/teenager since were i live we have occasionally some comics from the flash in Politikin Almanac. Thank you for keeping the spirit alive and with modern technology it's successful translate into current or modern time (2014- 2017) , big respect to Tom Cavanagh for directing most action episode ever , maybe there's some plot holes and not related with comics but i never expect to be 1:1 , this ending episode was sum up of all flash episode and have all elements for TV screenplay , drama , action , comedy and entertainment , and finally show that the main character isn't BA it's all about team flash . i'm glad that chemistry with the actors growing each episode . I believe season 4 will raising the bar of excitement and the others. thanks to all persons involved for creating this beautiful series and 3rd season. Run Team Flash Run !

p.s. more crossovers ! :)

Rushed to the finish line, left the view in the dust.

[ollereberg · 6/10 · 24 May 2017]

This episode had a great plot, plenty of engaging material for the audience to sit on the edge of their seats, biting their nails. Unfortunately, the delivery of the plot was disappointing to say the least. The plot twists would have been great, if they gave us time to process them, highlight the emotional impact of those twists. Instead we are quickly pushed to the next big plot point and left with a feeling of "Okay, I suppose it wasn't that big of a deal after all". Big expected clashes between the Flash and Savitar, between Killer Frost and Cisco were short and underwhelming. Instead of spending an extra 2-3 min on each fight scene, giving the audience some proper action and excitement worthy of a season finale, the episode director seemed more concerned with saving the budget for season 4. A lot of this would have been a lot more digestible, had it not been for the fact that the entire season leading up to this episode, hadn't been one massive build up, promising us a thrilling conclusion. It feels a bit like going to a movie that you've been super excited to see because of the amazing trailers, only to find out that the shots in the trailers are the only interesting parts of the movie. The creators behind the Flash TV show knows how to work the audience, how to perfectly time the drama and the action, this is the very reason why so many love the Flash. But that means they should've known that a season finale like this would turn out incredibly underwhelming.

Every Hero Has A Finish Line

[dia-94044 · 10/10 · 25 May 2017]

spoilers*********. Wow. another great flash episode but not the best finale. it was amazing and sad. watching HR breath his last breath was terrible. unfortunately they didn't really care about his death and moved on fast. the plot fumbled a bit but provided many mixed bags. the end of Savitar was nice. iris killing him before he murdered his past self. savitar was finally defeated and was erased from existence as the time paradox caught up to him. what was interesting was that at the end the speed force was going crazy since Jay Garrick got out and needed a new speedster to make it stable. the lightning going crazy was only really eye-catching by comic book nerds because in the comics the lightning hits the people of central city which makes them speedsters. the flash might make them meta-humans as well as bring back villain of the week thing back. Barry sacrificed himself to the speed force which was very heroic and his goodbyes were heartbreaking. well lets hold ourself together and anxiously wait 4 the 4th season....

• Two-Face reference

-Another Wells gone

-Caitlin or Killer Frost, or both?

-Heroic Sacrifice

-Barry in savitar suit and it being destroyed

• A new series of meta-humans?

• Season 1....9.3/10......season 2....8.9/10......season 3....8.5/10

Doesn't hold a candle to S1 Finale.

[patrickgamer6902 · 7/10 · 23 May 2017]

I didn't expected this from the Flash. Seems like they are going the Arrow route. The editing was really unbalanced.

The beginning started off good but it went downhill from there mainly the 3rd part. They just dumbed down Savitar to a child who was crying to his parents for a Toy. Really? He trusted Cisco!! I mean he had no other plan than kill Iris or becoming a 'speed force God'. Till the last 5 minutes I was hoping Savitar had set some plan in motion for Season 4 but no, it had to be the speed force who had a missing prisoner looking for it with a shower of 'lightning'.

And how can Barry become way faster in one episode that he defeated Savitar ? Such wasted potential. Now the other problem I had with this whole season was the use of Wally, I mean he was the most underused character in the whole season. I was hoping he would have his moment in this episode but, oh well... No.

The bad aside this episode had some really well performances especially from Grant Gustin. He was so good in doing both Savitar and Barry Allen. Candice Patton stretched her acting skills also in this episode. H.R's death was satisfying. Caitlin had a good run this season and I would be interested in seeing her being the anti hero type next season. Vfx were quite well done for this episode.

Still it doesn't hold a candle to high bar set by the S1 Finale. That one had some real tension and the stakes seemed high. Even S2 finale did justice to it's villain. I am not sure how I feel about next season.

6.7/10 .

Run Barry, run away from these awful writers.

[GomezAddams666 · 5/10 · 25 May 2017]

I have loved this series since episode one first aired. Being completely honest I entered with reservations but the show won me over in a heart beat from their very first episode and even throughout his missteps I have been rooting for the Scarlet Speedster ever since, even chanting the emblematic "Run Barry, run".

Without spoiling much I can say that Season Three dealt with the "Flashpoint Paradox", they played it beautifully from the very beginning, The Flashpoint Paradox in the series deals with Barry going into the past to stop Eobard Thawne (Reverse Flash) from killing his mother, but when Barry achieves it he inadvertently screwed with the time line and unleashed new threats into the present and the future. As a result of him messing with the speed force he cursed his friends with tragedies and he unleashed the god of speed, Savitar, whose whole purpose is to take vengeance on the future Barry Allen by murdering Allen's loved one, Iris West.The whole season was gearing towards saving Iris from being murdered in front of Barry by changing the past and thus affecting the future, and they managed to easily seamlessly from task to task.

And without spoilers I can say that the last episode messed it up, as if the writers who have proved to be excellent had no idea what to do with their own paradox they got themselves into and simply messed it up. I won't say if Iris was saved or not but I will say that the solutions to the paradox presented failed to land, they seemed written out of desperation and somehow insulting to the lore and the fans, and left me utterly disappointed.

With pain and regret I have to give this episode 5 out of 10.

I just hope, really hope that Barry Allen, The Flash is fast enough to save season four.

An almost perfect episode *****SPOILERS

[larosat-32821 · 10/10 · 23 May 2017]

After an uneven season the penultimate and final episode made up for that in spades. Though expected the episode started with a great twist. Who really thought that Iris would die after two close deaths to Barry in the preceding finales? Bonus: the death of HR; the worst character in the Flash show, followed closely by Snart. Those two made every scene an annoying experience. Even his last speech was annoying but time to rejoice that he's gone. Fantastic ending with the speedsters battle though some more fisticuffs would have been welcomed. And finally that wrenching, emotional ending where once again; Iris and Barry's happiness seems a fleeting dream. I suspect next finale will end with their wedding and all manner of chaos will ensue. Still an emotionally charged action packed finale with spectacular effects ( for a low budget TV show ) that did not disappoint. At least Barry seemed at peace with his decision and penance but confident that he will defeat the Speed Force and come back to Iris. Can't wait.

Wasted Oppurtunity

[cbatukilic · 6/10 · 6 November 2020]

This episode could have been "The Rains of Castamare" of The Flash's. This whole season is a wasted oppurtunity. It could have been a true superhero series rather than a romantic soup. Iris had to be dead. I mean, killing HR? Really? Iris the most annoying character in the series. I mean, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Vikings etc. These series are brave series and that's why they are good (at least sometimes). But The Flash, and the whole CW Superhero Series(Except LoT)? No. They're lazy. They scaring from change. Iris had to be dead... Well. If you know the Flash comics, in some point Barry is gone lost and Wally becomes the Flash for a long while. But in the series ofcourse this doesn't happen. Barry will come back right next episode. As I told, they are scaring from change. Instead, they use romantic nonsense.

Awesome end to a very uneven season

[nachiketbhagwat · 24 May 2017]

Flash writers delivered again. Just when people think that they have dug themselves in a hole or they have left too much to explain, they come up with small ways to fix it. They found out Savitar is the future Flash, not the future just 3 weeks back but it did a lot in 3 episodes.

While it seemed like Iris's death will overshadow this episode and probably rest of the season, they explained it in 3 mins, made sense of the HR being on the roof top during Iris's death and completely changed HR into a hero. The writers took their time to make us like him, but he did so much in season 3, training Wally and helping Dr. Brand. When Wally said, thank you for believing me, you get choked up a little.

The whole season was about flashpoint but it didn't seem so for first 15 or so episodes. All the problems in this season were created by BA, and he made ultimate sacrifice for it. Hope he doesn't come back in the first episode of season 4, to see the world without Barry as the flash and also his return would be celebrated. Not sure, if Arrow came in the first episode after his death.

Season 7/10. Last episode 10/10.

Overdirectional. Good but it could have been better!

[asb_deutsch · 6/10 · 23 August 2017]

This episode will make Bruce Wayne laugh! Even Cisco terming Future Flash as Two-face was unnecessary and inexpressive. There wasn't even a nice dialogue in this episode!

Will Barry Allen return? Some questions remain unanswered. Savitar trusting Cisco and using the Speed Canon? Come one! Why didn't Flash "phased" Savitar in the previous episodes before? Is it because the future has changed and Flash can now do anything he wants? Why Black Flash is vulnerable to cold? How could Iris shoot a speedster? Totally ridiculous! Jay Garrick should have entered the speed force. Barry leaving Team Flash in the end was a bit forced!

The HR twist & turn was brilliant, never thought he could become a hero. My eyes are dilating for Season 4! My ratings (based on what i marked on IMDb):

Season 1: 200/23= 8.69 Season 2: 193/23= 8.23 Season 3: 188/23= 8.17

Average= 8.365

See you flash fans till October for Season 4!

Ranking/Reviewing every Flash episode: Finish Line

[lbramson · 7/10 · 12 June 2023]

Barry, Jay, and Wally team up to stop Savitar. This was a garbage finale that felt more like a cheat code than anything. This single handedly ruined the perfect ending of Infantino Street. Iris dying was insane, but no, we can't kill off a main character! So they did a bait and switch and killed off HR in the most stupid explanation ever! Barry also tries to bring Savitar to the good side and is surprised when he's still evil. This was the start of Barry talking down a villain like the incompetent moron he is. Savitar is the villain, what do you expect you dingus? It has cool finale moments but the problems listed bog it down severely. Worst finale so far!

7.1/10-Meh😐🙄

Season 3 Ranking: 23: Duet 22: The New Rogues 21: Magenta 20: Paradox 19: Monster 18: Finish Line 17: Attack on Central City 16: Dead or Alive 15: Untouchable 14: Into the Speed Force 13: Borrowing Problems From the Future 12: Attack on Gorilla City 11: Killer Frost 10: Invasion!

9: Abra Kadabra 8: Cause and Effect 7: The Once and Future Flash 6: The Present 5: Shade 4: Wrath of Savitar 3: Flashpoint 2: I Know Who You Are 1: Infantino Street

Season 3 was the weakest so far, but I still loved it! I loved the darker tone so much! It started out slow but turned into an ambitious season. My biggest issue was that the MAIN VILLAIN is only prominent in about 7 episodes out of 23 which is weird. The show is still very good tho!

What was that..?

[trelopedo · 5/10 · 25 May 2017]

The death of HR instead of Iris was probably the most anticlimactic twist I have ever witnessed, and it was also very poorly executed.

But OK, Iris did not die at that precise point of time. What exactly was stopping Savitar from phasing his hand through her heart when he was at STAR labs and she touched her face? Or even put on his armor and go finish the job once and for all. Instead, he left a stupid "speedforce bomb" behind and claimed that this "took out a few of them" to Cisco.

Do I also need to address the issue that the God of Speed dies by a bullet? ..shot by Iris?

Why did Jay exactly "escape" the Speed Force, didn't he already know that this would create havoc since the Speed Force jail, for some reason, needs an occupant? Having him in the episode was pretty pointless.

Black Flash "catches a cold" and dies?

The ending was quite fitting, nobody really tries to stop Barry, they all got tired of this s**t.

Anyway, despite being a lame episode overall, I still enjoyed most parts of it.

Btw, I hate Wally as a Flash, his moves look weird.

+the acting of Grant Gustin, especially as Savitar.

Not even close to Season 1 and 2 finales

[samu_ld · 3/10 · 24 May 2017]

The episode already had a bad start with H.R dying instead of Iris, it really freaked me out that they spent like 15 episodes trying (and failing miserably) to save Iris but in the end H.R with his pen (facial transmogrification device) was the one who really did something, and despite she knowing H.R for only 3 episodes i felt bad for Tracy.

They turned Savitar from a badass to a dumbass in this episode: why the hell would he go and try to fix things with Team Flash? The guy that did many terrible things and terrorized people for years suddenly has a change of heart? And why would he of all people trust Cisco to alter the Speed Force Bazooka? Oh writers...

Barry and the other Flashes fighting Savitar was pretty epic but when Iris shoots him in the back...Oh man, it was dumb, cringe worthy and destroyed the whole climate of the battle, how the hell did she even hit him, like he moves at hundreds of miles per hour, he's the God of Speed!!! I'M SO MAD,AND FURIOUS WHY WOULD ANYBODY TURN THEIR BACK ON THE MAIN VILLAIN LIKE THAT, RESTRAIN HIM WITH POWER-DAMPENING CUFFS OR SOMETHING OMG!!! THIS SHOW MAKES NO F***** SENSE AT ALL.

This season was just meh, and the whole "Saving Iris" theme just didn't work for me, the characters really made selfish and questionable choices (especially Barry) for one person's sake, and i know that she's the love of his life, blah blah blah cut the drama crap, but what about the people of the city who need help? The show just totally lost it's focus...It was bad.

• H.R's dies to save Iris

• Trying to convince Savitar to get back to the good side

• Julian mysteriously coming up with a cure for Caitlin

• No explanation to the Philosopher's Stone

• Savitar's decisions/goals

• Iris and Barry's scenes (zzz...)

• Iris kills Savitar (Awful, just awful)

• Barry having to take Savitar's place in the Speed Force

+ Grant Gustin's acting as Savitar

+ Jay's return

+ Final battle

+ Earth 2 Wells staying to help Team Flash

3.5/10 - Average episode and very, VERY disappointing finale

Disgusted...

[bapple37 · 3/10 · 26 May 2017]

Geez! They just could NOT give Barry and Iris a break. Barry delivered all of the wedding invites and then this foolishness. They just got their heads out of their respective butts and were in a mutually happy place. Let them plan the wedding. Let them get married. Give them some domestic bliss over the hiatus. The fans can see the coming storm. But let them think all is well. THAT would've been a decent wrap up...

That's it? Ouch. What a disappointing way to end a season.

[AdamDroge · 5/10 · 24 May 2017]

Last week's episode of "The Flash" was absolutely brilliant. We started off with a fun heist sequence with Barry teaming up with Snart, breaking into ARGUS and fighting off King Shark to get the final piece needed to finish the speed force bazooka, which didn't work in the first place because Future Barry is always 10 steps ahead due to the fact that he is, well, Future Barry. So despite their efforts to save Iris, she dies anyways because the plan failed and now Barry is broken, Iris-less and needs to find a way to stop Future Barry from causing more damage. It's going to be a great finale, right?

PSYCHE!!!

This show has no guts. And I get it. If you kill off main characters then you ruin the potential for future story arcs. Just look at what "Arrow" did with Laurel. Which I'm still mad about, by the way. But in a weird twist of emotional events, I bought the Iris death. It meant something to the plot and it packed an emotional punch. So of course they wipe it clean in the first few minutes. Because this show has no guts.

Our huge twist in the beginning is that it's not Iris that died. It's H.R. Because he secretly planned this thing with Iris where they digitally switch spots. Iris looks like H.R. and H.R. looks like Iris.

Here's the big problem with killing off H.R. He is literally the most expendable member of Team Flash. Why do I say that? Not because he's the one that has no powers or brains, even though that is true. It's because the show has a different version of Harrison Wells each season. Seconds after H.R. dies, Harry from Earth 2 is there, so we don't miss a beat with this character. In fact we have a better version, because I really like Earth 2 Harry. Yes, I did like H.R. this season and he had a great arc. But "The Flash" literally wiped out that huge emotional weight that it brought in our most recent episode. Because this show has no guts.

And because we've ran out of time to drag our feet and stop Savitar, he instantly goes from being one of the smartest villains to one of the stupidest villains. Did he really think Cisco was going to rebuild the speed force bazooka exactly like he wanted? And what's this whole thing about him wanting to become a god? I'm really tired of villains wanting to take over the world or the universe for no good reason. Yeah, he's butt hurt because he's just a time remnant and Team Flash rejected him. So ruining their lives makes sense. But turn yourself into a god? Please.

Speaking of dragging our feet, Barry decides they are going to try to love Future Barry into being good again. Because that's going to work out. And it made no sense, anyways. He just tried to kill your fiancé. And both Barry and Iris are just going to forgive that? And surprise! Plan fails when Barry realizes that it's impossible for Future Barry to be good because that would require Future Barry to be all fine and dandy with watching Barry and Iris get married. What about him? He has those memories of loving Iris, too. So yeah, dumb.

We finally get to our final showdown and the actual fight was kinda cool. Cisco, Gypsy, Killer Frost, Barry, Jay Garrick all fighting against Savitar. Barry stealing the suit was awesome. He should've kept that thing. But I'm sure destroying it was very cathartic. Then Iris being the one to shoot Future Barry was a cool way to finish him off. But it still had no emotional weight to it. Overall it was kind of a confusing villain to begin with. Decent idea to have a version of Barry be the villain, but poorly executed and thus a lot of missed opportunities.

But wait, we still have like 10 minutes of show left. What are we going to do now? Are we just going to leave season 3 with a beautiful, happy ending? No way. So what's our cliffhanger?

Oh. Speed force is mad. Because they freed Jay Garrick and now they need a prisoner. So out of left field, we have a tacked on ending where without a second thought Barry decides to so goodbye to all of his friends and go into the speed force. No more Barry Allen on this show.

Or so the show wants us to believe. Which I don't for one second. As I say every time Oliver Queen "retires" from being the Green Arrow, this show is freaking called "THE FLASH"!!! We can't have "THE FLASH" without THE FLASH!! Remember Flash Point from this season? Specifically do you remember how long that lasted? One episode. They could've made it a whole season in Flash Point or at least half of the season. But they didn't have the guts. So they gave it one episode and we were back. I guarantee to you that this whole idea of Barry being the prisoner of the speed force will last one episode, maybe two, into season 4. Then he'll be back.

I mean, it would be cool and gutsy to see Kid Flash and Jesse Quick take over for a whole season without the Flash. Send Grant Gustin on a year-long vacation. But in a world where Flash Point lasted one episode and Iris stayed dead for like one minute, do you really think this show has the guts to go without their star for longer than an episode or two at most?

This was a disappointing finale to a very rocky season. Maybe we can just forget this all happened and hope for a better season 4 with sharper writing and a simplified plot?

Telegraphed, Uneven tonally, and just Disappointing

[ThomasDrufke · 5/10 · 23 May 2017]

I don't know if it's because Arrow is doing essentially the same storyline (the hero creates and is represented as the villain) or because they are doing it miles better, but this season of Flash really crapped the bed. Especially towards the end. There were certain things this season did incredibly well, and I'll still defend that it was the right decision to make Barry his own villain, but there were so many missed opportunities and poorly executed aspects of this season.

I don't want to continue to compare the show to Arrow, but it's amazing to see just how much better that show is at balancing its characters and knowing when or when not to kill them. I figured this show was never going to kill Iris off, but how lame is it to see that (monumental) death be wiped away by one from H.R. Especially considering how manipulative and botched that whole experience was this season. Sure, the show must go on at some point, but I don't even feel like they gave enough time mourning H.R.

Complement that with the fact that Savitar's plan (or lack thereof) felt like second fiddle to the true villain of this episode (the speed force), was extremely disappointing. I always hoped there would be a big payoff to having Savitar sit out multiple episodes at a time or being manipulated by a lingering Iris' death, but the only thing this season gave us was a cool speed force sendoff. That sendoff is the only good thing memorable about this episode. Because that moment was earned through months and now years of Barry trying to fix the timeline so many times. Ending with Barry trapped in the speed force was telegraphed the entire season, but it at least meant something. It was emotional. That's more than any part of these last few episodes have been.

There was even a point where good Barry tried to redeem Savitar-Barry and keep him around for a while. What? Is that really the route we are taking on someone who tried to kill the love of your life and who JUST killed one of your new best friends? That's what we're doing here? Is this a joke? We spent nearly an entire second half of a season waiting to figure out the fate of Iris and then it gets swept away in a matter of minutes. In my mind, this episode was summed up in a matter of a few lines from Tracy, "You're about to have a really bad day". More like a really "bad episode."

There's really only a few things that this episode did particularly well. It had great performances from all parts and the decision they made to send Barry into the speed force and keep Caitlin uncured was admirable. I just wish everything wasn't so easy to figure out. Ending Savitar's run with a shot from Iris should have felt gratifying, but it was painfully cringe worthy. Also, Wally doing virtually nothing the entire episode? Sure, that's good. Overall, there is a minuscule amount of things that I really enjoyed about tonight. Most of it was really disappointing. Alas, there's always next year, right?

+Speed force retaliates

+Caitlin's decision

-Iris not being killed by Savitar/ HR twist

-Iris killing Savitar

-Feels like a season wasted with so many opportunities

5.7/10

Not good enough

[Jackbv123 · 4/10 · 26 May 2017]

I hated this season for reasons I explained in my review of 3.21. I hated Flashpoint. I hated Caitlin turning evil. I hated Barry turning evil. I also hate stories that build up an invincible god. I hate a plot device that makes no sense except they need it - that Savitar knows Barry's memories as soon as he has them.

And now I hate that the writers killed HR. That's how they cheated Iris' death. Do they really think that's acceptable - just killing HR.

And what about Caitlin/KF. First it's no I won't help my friends, I must brutally kill them. Only Gypsy's intervention saved Cisco. Then it's oh maybe I will save them. And finally, I don't know what I want but I won't take the elixir that makes me who I should be again. At least this last response is sincere. "No I'm not, I'm something else." (Meaning not Killer Frost.) And while we're at it, do they really think (real) Barry's decision at the end is acceptable? I guess this one is acceptable because as soon as next season comes they will fix it. And they will probably fix Caitlin's too.

I often think that with these comic book shows you only need to watch the last episode of the season. Everything that went before doesn't matter. The heroes fight all season long to stop the villain and make absolutely no progress. Any apparent progress they make is worthless. That's because the villain is invincible, s/he's a god. Absolute power. No hope. But somehow the writers cheat all that. Almost always it is the result of something we had no clue of before the last episode. And to get here, we had to follow a 22 or more episode arc where very little really happens.

Next season, I will probably turn on the first episode. I'll see what their new hope is. But I will probably stop there. I'm sick of it all. That definitely goes for Arrow too, and probably Supergirl as well.

Underwhelming

[ryanrogo-21193 · 4/10 · 20 March 2020]

Was I the only one that thought "Infantino street" was a perfect next step in the story of this show? The third season of the flash was already getting very repetitive with just another speedster-esk villain, and the death of Iris would have only helped redeem it in possible ways. However they have HR die instead which contributes to another thing I am not fond of in the show, too many wells'. Every season there is just a new one, and they they only get worse as the show goes on. In all the season three finale just kind of had me in a "meh" mood the whole time. I feel that if the whole season had lead up to a you can't change the future feeling and then carried out with it it could have lived up to other episodes, but that didn't happen. This show is definitely not as fun to watch as it was in the beginning.