How do you defeat a meta-human whose touch causes his victims to decompose at an accelerated rate? That’s the dilemma facing Team Flash in “Untouchable”. Warning, spoilers ahead…
Just when it looked like the Flashpoint timeline was a thing of the past, the lingering effects of that timeline resurfaces when a villain named Clive Yorkin comes to town with an eye for revenge. It turns out that when Julian was Alchemy, Yorkin was a residual of his alter ego. As cool as his power was, the central focus in this episode was the further development of Wally West as Kid Flash. Before we get to Wally though, the team must figure out how to defeat Yorkin.
After Julian finds a rapidly decayed body that has only been dead for 8 hours, he tells Joe and Barry that this is the work of a “meta”. The body is then taken to STAR Labs for further investigation by both Caitlin and Julian. During their investigation they see the body turning to ash. This confirms Julian’s meta theory. Julian feels responsible for what is happening now but Caitlin immediately puts a squash to that reminding him that he was not in control of his actions. It’s becoming very clear that these two may develop feelings for each other as the chemistry between grows with each episode.
For the first time since learning her potential fate, Iris confesses to Barry her fears of the future. Barry does his best to reassure her that he will not let anything happen to her. Things take a terrible turn and a wrinkle into Barry’s plans when Yorkin attacks Joe and his family at Jitters only to be temporarily stopped by Kid Flash. Realizing that the best revenge against Joe is through his family, Yorkin arrives at Barry and Iris’ apartment. Iris was able to hit the panic button on her phone to signal everyone at STAR Labs that she was in danger. Wally decides to race over to save her but is too late as Yorkin touches Iris’ arm and she begins to decay. Wally rushes Iris back to the lab where Caitlin uses her frost abilities to slow down the decay till the team figures out a way to reverse the effects.
In order to defeat Yorkin, Barry teaches Wally about phasing which he’s slightly reluctant to do based on fear of failing. Barry having pushed himself beyond his own limits phased through an entire train to save everyone on board including Joe and another target on Yorkin’s radar. Knowing Iris’ life was on the line, Wally mustered up enough courage and was able to phase his blood into Yorkin’s body, essentially neutralizing him and ending the threat he posed. This allows Julian and Caitlin to save Iris. I continue to be amazed by just how good the effects are on this show. It puts many big screen films to shame. Great seeing both Flashes take center stage to bring down the villain.
The two biggest story-lines that interest me now revolves around Joe and Caitlin dealing with her Killer Frost persona. For Joe, more and more this season feels like a goodbye. We all know nothing is going to happen to Iris, It would be anti-climatic if something does happen and the season turns into a waste. But losing Joe, in many ways representing the conscience of Barry much in the same way Alfred is to Batman, would be devastating to everyone and have lasting effects for seasons to come. Did I also mention how brilliant Jesse L. Martin is as an actor? I hope I’m wrong and no one dies but too many signs to the contrary. As for Caitlin, I like seeing a glimpse of Killer Frost. And now that her and Julian seem to be headed to a possible romance, Frost’s story is only just beginning.
The final scene with Wally practicing his phasing through a wall in the same manner that Reverse-Flash perfected, makes me wonder about Wally’s hero future. That’s for another time though as Jesse Quick returned to Earth-1 seeking help for her father as he was kidnapped by Gorilla Grodd.
We’re roughly at the mid-point of season three and the Barry/Wally relationship continues to develop in a big way. There’s a lot hinging on Barry training a young and somewhat naïve Wally as they race against time to save Iris from Savitar. In many ways Barry is doing for Wally what Harrison and Jay has done for him. Throw in Gorilla Grodd and Gorilla City next week and this season has a lot of promise that we hope can be fulfilled.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
