There’s a lot going on in the world today, and an unprecedented number of people are practicing self-isolation for their safety and the safety of others.
With people scrambling to find shows to binge while at home, we’ve pulled together a list of episodes of The Flash that are absolutely Must See TV if you want to catch up on the most popular superhero series on television.
Season 1, Episode 1: “Pilot”
If you’re going to launch into any series, it’s a good idea to watch the episode that started them all. The Flash pilot lays the groundwork of the series – from Barry’s mom’s murder and his father’s wrongful conviction, to his crush on childhood friend Iris and the discovery of his powers. Pilots can be rocky, so the fact that this one was so solid and compelling makes it a stand-out.
Season 1, Episode 6: “The Flash is Born”
While Girder isn’t the most important villain of the series, this episode raises the stakes in the search for Nora’s killer. Joe’s investigation into Nora’s death brings him into the Man in Yellow’s sphere, amping up the tension and bringing the threat right into the West home. As an added bonus, this episode spins the “damsel in distress” trope on its head, as Iris is threatened by the Villain of the Week and – as she will more often than not throughout the series – is instrumental in taking down the villain and saving herself.
Season 1, Episode 8: “Flash vs. Arrow”
From an Arrowverse standpoint, and for those who never saw Barry’s introduction on the series Arrow, this episode helps establish the interaction between Oliver and Barry as heroes, which obviously comes into play in future crossovers. But if I’m totally honest, my favorite part of the episode is in the flirtation between Iris and the Flash. No Chill Barry is one of my favorite Barrys, and this episode had him at his No Chill Best. Also, his monologue about her smile? Chef’s kiss!
Season 1, Episode 9: “The Man in the Yellow Suit”
This episode had it all. A Flash/Reverse Flash standoff. The return of the love of Caitlin’s life, Ronnie Raymond. Barry’s confession to Iris regarding his feelings. Also, we find out the identity of the man in the yellow suit. The Flash has had many good episodes, but this was one of its best.
Season 1, Episode 15: “Out of Time”
Every Westallen fan has probably seen this episode multiple times, as it’s the episode in which Iris reveals to Barry (prior to discovering his secret identity) that she loves him in return. It’s also the episode where Barry accidentally travels through time, a plot device that would come into play in the future, with much greater consequences. Thankfully, the scene where Barry tries to prompt Iris to confess her feelings again – one of the most adorably cringeworthy in the show – is spared for the next episode.
Season 1, Episode 17: “Tricksters”
Any episode with Mark Hamill is an episode worth watching, in my book. But what makes this episode bingeworthy is the revelation of how Eobard Thawne took on his current face and identity, and what exactly he’s still doing in the past, having failed to kill Barry many years before. It seems antithetical that the Flash’s nemesis would spend so much time and energy ensuring that he would get become the titular hero sooner than he had in the original timeline, and this episode finally lets the audience in a little bit more on his master plan.
Season 1, Episode 20: “The Trap”
The Flash burned through plot in the first scene with a speed it has never again replicated. Perhaps that should really be the lesson the series takes from the popularity and positive reception of the first season – have a good villain with a compelling story, and then don’t be afraid to tell that story. Don’t drag it out unnecessarily for 10 episodes! In this episode, the series once again took a familiar trope and spun it on its head, realizing it would be a disservice to the show to keep Iris in the dark for no good reason, finally letting her discover the Flash’s secret identity, and embracing her as not only the love of his life but a member of the team.
Season 1, Episode 21: “Grodd Lives”
There are a number of episodes that hint at Iris being Barry’s lightning rod, but this was one of the first. When Flash is under Grodd’s mind control, Iris is the only one who can get through to him. How can you resist swooning at that? Also, for a moment of understated comedy, Joe offering Grodd a banana simply cannot be beat.
Season 1, Episode 23: “Fast Enough”
If you’re going to bingewatch The Flash, you have to watch the “resolution” of the Reverse Flash storyline. (He does come back, of course, so it’s not exactly a resolution that sticks.) Not only does this episode have the battle between Flash and Reverse Flash that the entire season built to, but it has a beautiful moment of self-sacrifice on Iris’s part as Barry ponders going into the past to save his mom – a consideration that (spoiler alert!) will come into play again in a later season.
