The Flash – We are The Flash

By: Stacy Miller

Captain Singh (Patrick Sabongui) is at Jitters leaving a voicemail on Barry’s (Grant Gustin) cell phone to let Allen know that due to Iris’ (Candice Patton) blog posts on DeVoe (Neil Sandilands) there is good news about Barry getting his job back. Suddenly, the call cuts out as all power is affected by DeVoe’s control over technology: The Enlightenment has begun!

At Star Labs, Barry tells Cisco (Carlos Valdes) that they need power. “It’s happening isn’t it?” Joe (Jesse L. Martin) asks as he enters with Cecile (Danielle Nicolet). Barry answers that DeVoe has replaced the satellite that he (Barry) destroyed with one from Star Labs. Joe explains that he and Cecile were on their way to the hospital when the car stopped; it was fortunate that Star Labs was nearby. Cecile’s labor pains have been coming more frequently. Caitlin reminds Barry of the dangers to Cecile and the baby if he would attempt to run Cecile to the hospital. Caitlin assures that she has everything she needs to deliver the baby at Star Labs if necessary. The lights come back on, and Caitlin takes Cecile to examine her.

Cisco shows Barry that DeVoe must have anticipated about the second thinking cap being build and was planning to use Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) as a guinea pig. Iris brought help against DeVoe: Marlize (Kim Engelbrecht).  Marlize explains to Team Flash her plan to have Barry take over Clifford’s mind to find the good that is still instead of her husband. “I know this is hard to imagine but there was a time when Clifford was nothing but good when he wanted to help the world. But it is the dark matter infused in his brain that changed him. So yes, I do believe that there is still good in him we just have to find it,” Marlize says.  “How long before are minds are wiped?” Cisco asks. “When the Permeation Grid reaches 100%,” Marlize answers. It is currently at 24%. “How do we get me inside his mind?” Barry asks Marlize. “We have to find a way to get your consciousness inside his,” Marlize answers. Cisco reminds that every time he’s tried to vibe DeVoe he’s been unsuccessful.  “I don’t think it’s your powers we need. It’s hers,” Marlize says looking at Cecile. The Permeation Grid is now at 43.3%. Marlize explains that she’ll amplify Harry cerebrum inhibitor to Ms. Horton’s brain waves. And Barry will sit in DeVoe’s chair and wear The Thinking Cap. The part of the brain that contains good memories will be where they will find the good part of DeVoe.

When Barry arrives in DeVoe’s mind, he sees Clifford approaching the bus before the bus Metas were created. “Guys, I’m in,” Barry tells Team Flash.  He’s on the 405 Bus where it all began. Marlize says that it’s the nexus of Clifford’s memories.  She tells Barry to go to their (Marlize and Clifford) old house. Barry finds the house empty. But they have another problem.  Cecile’s contractions are getting stronger and if she has the baby, she loses her power and Barry is trapped inside Clifford DeVoe’s mind forever.  Caitlin realizes that the inhaler she gave Joe contains a drug that slows down contractions so she goes to get the inhaler.

Wanting to help Barry, Harry puts on The Thinking Cap even though he risks frying what’s left of his brain. “I’m not losing anyone else tonight,” Cisco vows.  Harry tells Cisco to tell Barry to go to Oxford where DeVoe and Marlize had their first date.  But when Barry arrives, all he sees is a picnic blanket and music playing on a car radio. Marlize says it is the place of their (hers and Clifford) first dance. But there’s no DeVoe. Barry is shocked to see Ralph. “Rookie?” Ralph asks, equally surprised to find his friend inside DeVoe’s mind. Barry and Ralph share a hug. Team Flash are surprised that Ralph is there and alive.  Barry explains why and how he is there and asks Ralph whether he’s seen the Good DeVoe. “No only the evil chair floating variety, he visits me all the time,” Ralph answer. Suddenly, DeVoe appears. He says that he calculated Team Flash’s attempt to reach his goodness, but there will be no defeating the Big Bad just yet. “You’re inside my mind and there’s no escape. Run Mr. Allen, run,” DeVoe warns.

Back at Star Labs, Cecile tells Team Flash that she heard DeVoe’s thoughts. “He’s coming for us,” she says.

Inside DeVoe’s mind, Barry tells Ralph that he has to get him (Ralph) out of there but first has to find the Good Devoe.

Meanwhile, Clifford DeVoe arrives at Star Labs. Marlize set up a force field so her husband can’t get through. He says that giving Marlize access to the chair’s booting ability was his first mistake. Iris adds that it’s the first of many.  DeVoe asks why they never thought about why he never sought Mr. Allen’s super speed as The Flash and his knowledge of The Speed Force.  It’s because DeVoe knew that Barry would eventually make it inside his (DeVoe) mind and he’d gain knowledge of everything Barry Allen knows, including The Speed Force. Marlize and Team Flash escape to DeVoe’s pocket dimension; it’s not an ideal solution but it buys them some time.  Cecile is able to relink with Barry.

Back inside DeVoe’s mind, Barry and Ralph find the good Professor DeVoe.  But unfortunately, he’s dead.  This is when Barry realizes why DeVoe kept Ralph alive inside his (DeVoe) mind. DeVoe needed Ralph’s powers but also needed Ralph to stay in control.  If Ralph goes inside the nexus of DeVoe’s mind, he can take control of his body back.

In Star Labs, Cecile’s labor pains are getting more intense as the inhaler medicine runs out. Joe blames Marlize for Cecile not being able to have a baby in a hospital like a normal parent and for everything that has happened to his daughter and friends. How could Marlize have thought this would be better for humanity? Iris reminds her father that they need to have strength in faith.

Inside DeVoe’s mind, Ralph realizes that DeVoe is reading their minds so that’s why they haven’t been able to fight him.  Ralph suggests filling their thoughts with something, anything else. Ralph decides to make his about various shrimp cocktails while Barry thinks about Iris.  DeVoe creates an army of DeVoe’s but Ralph is able to defeat the Attack of the Clones.

But DeVoe finds Team Flash in his pocket dimension.  He tries to control Joe’s mind to get Detective West to shoots himself in the head. But Joe’s mind is strong and it doesn’t work.  Then, DeVoe attacks Cecile. Fortunately, Ralph defeating DeVoe in his (DeVoe) mind saves Ms. Horton. He screams that he will not be defeated.  Marlize tells her husband that he underestimated Team Flash’s emotions for Mr.  Dibny. Ralph takes back control of his body.  Welcome back Ralph Dibny!

Cecile’s water breaks. Caitlin has delivered a baby before, but the last time was in med school. “We’ve got this,” Cecile assures Joe.

Meanwhile, Devoe uses artificial intelligence to power up his consciousness. “I told you The Enlightenment would come for you Marlize,” DeVoe tells his wife. “Goodbye my love,” Marlize says tearfully as she pulls out the power pack of the chair. Clifford DeVoe, body and mind is gone forever.

But Marlize notices that the satellite is breaking apart and falling fast to Earth.  Barry has to run at it in super speed and deliver a huge, well placed punch to stop it.  But when he does so, someone else is there to help to punch as well.

Barry returns to Star Labs just as Joe and Cecile’s baby cries for the first time. Marlize gives Cisco something that will help save his friend (Harry) and tells Iris and Barry that she has a lot to make amends for. Barry tells Marlize that they could use her help with other Meta Humans they face.  But Marlize thinks they have more than enough help.  She decides to go back to her original mission of helping people.

Cisco uses Marlize’s device to help Harry.  It works by stopping Harry from losing his mind completely but doesn’t restore his brain to its full capacity. Harry is now average and no longer a seven PhD genius. Harry thanks Cisco; he was always defined by one thing his intelligence now Cisco has given him a balance, which he is taking back to his Earth to visit his daughter Jesse.

Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) arrives at the West party to welcome the newest member of Team Flash: Jenna West.  Wally tells Joe that he left Team Flash because he felt as a speedster he’d always be in Barry’s shadow.  But as a Legend, he’s comfortable in his own skin.  When Iris makes a comment that they are next to-be parents, Barry starts panicking thinking she means now.  Iris tells her husband to relax because it’s in the far away future.  The doorbell rings and in walks the girl (Jessica Parker Kennedy) who spilled coffee on Ralph and Caitlin and was the server at Iris and Barry’s wedding. “Where did you get that jacket?” Barry asks the girl. “From her,” the girl answers, looking towards Iris. “No, mine was one of a kind.” “So was this when you let me borrow it,” the girl says. “Who are you?” Barry asks. “I’m your daughter Nora from the future. And I think I made a big, big mistake,” Nora West-Allen answers.

To be continued in Season 5 of The Flash…