THE FLASH - Season 5.2

REVIEW:  THE FLASH - SEASON 5, EP. 2 - "Blocked"

Episode 2 of The Flash jumped right back to the West household for a little truth---which I wasn't expecting.  I had thought after the Season 5 premiere, "Nora", that the secret of Nora's arrival would be kept secret by both Barry AND Nora.  Surprise, surprise.  They wasted no time in this episode for Barry and Nora to confess the REAL reason why she's there.  Everyone was fairly surprised...and Cisco actually being ANNOYED, considering he practically maxed out his credit card to buy the parts necessary to get Nora home (which begs the question---where in the HELL do Cisco and Caitlin get money from?!  Is STAR Labs pulling down ANY profit from research grants, etc?  How in the hell are they able to support themselves?  Everyone else on that team has a job OUTSIDE of STAR Labs, so it's just a little something that bugs me, and boggles the mind all at once).

This episode really sees Joe step up as the father we all know him to be---listening to his kids, and yet, doling out the kind of advice to not only Barry, but to Iris AND to his wife Cecile as well, shows just what an integral part he is to this team---NOT just being a cop.  It's cool to see him say WHY Nora came back once the truth was revealed, and be totally understanding.  To see him be supportive of that, as well as seeing as to WHY Iris feels so upset when she feels the cold shoulder from Nora.  Joe telling her to keep busy allows Iris to go and do what she does best---be the investigative reporter we know her to be.  You also had to laugh when you hear Barry lay down his thoughts about trying to teach Nora, but being bad at it, and having her not listen to him.  Joe's nodding is comical, because, if you're a parent, you've been there before, and know all too well.  Having him remind Barry that it's okay to NOT always know the right thing, but to make the effort nonetheless is what parenting is all about--and that it's okay to be scared.  Cecile hearing that in the wake of her fear losing her power, and thus her connection to Jenna, was powerful in and of itself, and allows Cecile to be more accepting of letting her powers go.

Seeing Chris Klein's first appearance as Cicada and in his civilian role is both haunting and mysterious at the same time.  We see him as somewhat a frail man, but also see in his flashbacks that his slaying of Gridlock was not easy...Gridlock didn't go down without a fight.

Block was someone who broke out of Iron Heights and decided to use her unique powers to inch in on a gunrunner's territory.  Her powers aren't like any we've seen, and DID present problems for Team Flash...mostly Barry, in trying figure out HOW to stop her.  In the end, she was easily defeated by Nora, who figured out that the more Block used her powers, the more tired and weaker she got.  So, using her super speed, she managed to win the day by applying that strategy.  And, in the end, saved her Dad as well.

Cicada's appearance at the end, and basically laying waste to Team Flash by robbing them of their powers, shows what an incredible threat he is.  And just as he was about to lay the death blow to Barry, Nora shouting out "DAD!" seemed to stop Cicada dead in his tracks.  Later on, once Team Flash was back at STAR Labs, and Iris...thanks to her stellar investigating, found out more about their assailant, had them LISTEN to Cicada's sound as he was heard in the video that killed Gridlock and injured the security guards that Cicada injured in his attack.  It was then Nora let everyone know that it sounded like a Cicada.  Which begs to wonder as to whether or not Nora KNOWS who he is, and just how they'll be able to stop him.  

On the side of the main plot, we see that it's difficult for Cisco to just let go of Gypsy, and despite Ralph's 27 steps to mend a broken heart, it won't quite be that easy.  On the other side, we see the mystery begin to unravel just a bit with Caitlin when we see Cisco vibe her and the death certificate to see that the name on it was forged by her own Mother.  It gives Ralph a chance to put his PI talents to work, because I see Caitlin wanting answers.

Once again, the dynamic between Barry an Nora is just delicious.  It's comical and sweet...especially wanting to actually SEE him work on the job as a CSI.  Her lack of understanding that HE isn't privvy to the technology that SHE possesses in the future is humorous, but we also continue to see how much of a daddy's girl she is.  She's still learning the father/daughter dynamic just as much as she is...but both realize that this time together is precious for both of them.  Jessica Parker Kennedy is such a delight to watch, and her chemistry with the cast is stellar.  

Overall, I enjoyed this episode, as it has just enough humor, drama, and fun, and it isn't weighted down.  They're giving us just the right amount of balance that I like to see, without it being brooding, or overbearing.

Hope you liked my review.  Leave a comment, and until next week...keep on running!