The Flash – The New Rogues

By: Stacy Miller

Team Flash seemed to be preoccupied with thoughts of uncertainty in the latest episode The New Rogues. The episode begins at Star Labs with Joe (Jesse L. Martin) showing the team the video surveillance of Doctor Alchemy’s murder of Edward Chariss a/k/a The Rival. As they can’t figure out what Doctor Alchemy’s plan is, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Jesse (Violett Beane) work on her speed training. Barry makes an observation regarding his role in developing Jesse’s speedster abilities. “Oh my God, I’ve become Oliver,” he says referring to “Arrow’s” Oliver Queen and his training of new team members. I’m glad to see that Barry can use what he’s learned as a speedster to help the next generation of heroes.

We meet the Meta Human criminals of the episode via a flashback to the night of the particle accelerator accident. We see Leonard Snart (Wentworth Miller) getting angry with Sam Scudder (Grey Damon) and Top (Ashley Rickards) for not following his orders. Leonard and Sam’s physical altercation leads to Snart pushing Scudder towards a mirror at the moment of the particle accelerator accident. So, Scudder goes inside the mirror. Now, three years later, Scudder has escaped and is seeking revenge against Captain Cold. Unfortunately, since he can’t find Snart immediately he breaks Top out of prison so they can go on a Central City crime spree.

Barry and Iris (Candice Patton) are kissing on the couch when they are interrupted by Joe. Barry is very uncomfortable being caught making out with the daughter of his foster father. Iris suggests that Barry talk with her father. Joe later tells Barry that he has no problem with them as a couple, but this still doesn’t set Barry’s mind at ease.

Barry and Iris aren’t the only couple exploring a romantic relationship. Jesse and Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) consider taking the next step in their relationship. But like Barry, Wally has some doubts. The love lives of Team Flash is the least of their problems as Scudder and Top’s crime spree gets their attention. Cisco (Carlos Valdes) is annoyed when Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) names the new villain who can travel through mirrors (Scudder) as Mirror Master. Come on Wells, don’t you know that not only catching but naming the Meta Humans is Cisco’s job! Barry and Jesse speed off to stop the Meta Humans as they are robbing a bank. As she is inexperienced, Barry urges Jesse to hang back but she doesn’t listen as she wants to show she is a capable speedster. Unfortunately, Top’s ability is to create vertigo in her victims and she causes Jesse to tumble off the building. Luckily, Barry saves her life. However, Mirror Master traps him inside a mirror. Jesse feels guilty for messing up, but Wally tries to assure her that it could happen to anyone.

Meanwhile, Wells, Cisco and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) work on a device that will allow him to contact all the other multiverse Harrison Wells. As Harrison wants to return home, he knows that Team Flash will need to have a suitable Wells to take his place. So, Harrison sends a riddle into the void and the candidates for the replacement Wells answer. They include a Southern gentleman Wells, a British gent Wells and a Mime French Wells (Wasn’t too sure about that one and his use). Cisco and Caitlin decide on the Harrison Wells from Earth 19. He’s hip and cool and goes by the name H.R., but our Harrison Wells has his doubts. Yes, doubts reigned supreme in this installment of The Flash.

After the team frees Barry from the mirror, it is back to capturing Mirror Master and Top. Mirror Master is lured to a place where he believes he is meeting Snart, but it is just a hologram and voice technology to sound like Captain Cold courtesy of Team Flash. It’s a shame that Wentworth Miller’s Leonard Snart couldn’t have been on more scenes as he’s a cold villain who’s super cool. Top tries to use her vertigo on Jesse again, but this time the speedster doesn’t succumb. Thankfully, Barry is able to put Mirror Master into a reflection loop.

As the episode closes, Wells and Jesse prepare to return to their Earth with H.R Wells staying behind. I really like this version of Harrison Wells and Tom Cavanagh again proves what a talented actor he is.

The final scene of the episode finds Caitlin taking a shower when the water suddenly starts freezing. When she steps out, Caitlin notices that her lips are blue and she cuts out the white streak in her hair. It looks like Killer Frost is coming out and there may be nothing Caitlin or Team Flash can do to stop it.