The Flash, Episode 11 “The Sound and the Fury” Broadcast January 27, 2015
Written by Alison Schapker & Brooke Eikmeier
Directed by John F. Showalter
“Previously on The Flash” Harrison and Joe have a confrontation, Barry tells Caitlin she doesn’t smile enough, and Firestorm flies off. In the present, Barry chases three motorcycles around town, maneuvering them to all meet head on. The members of the Royal Flush Gang come to a stop before they collide, and the Flash whizzes in, taking their keys so they can’t start up their bikes, and the sounds of closing sirens tells him his job is done. Later, Iris reveals to Barry and her dad that she’s been offered a job at Central City Picture News. It’s a dream come true for her. At his home, Dr. Wells leaves the façade of his wheelchair, puts on some loud opera music, and pours himself a drink. A call comes in on his cell and upon answering it a glow emits from his phone. His blaring opera music halts. A voice says, “We both know what you did,” spurring the doctor to go to a safe and get a pistol. A voice sounds, “It’s time to pay the piper,” and the vast glass windows above Wells begin to shatter. Using his super speed abilities, the doctor escapes, but tumbles to the ground, winded. He lifts his head, wondering what just happened. Cue opening title.
That morning the police, including Joe and Barry, arrive. Wells apologizes, saying the police shouldn’t have been summoned for a prank call. Both Cisco and Caitlin arrive expressing concern, but are discounted by Wells who rolls off to book a hotel. On the phone, Wells has a flashback to two years earlier at S.T.A.R. labs. He’s playing chess with Hartley Rathaway, who loses to the doctor. Cisco arrives for his first day on the job and is taken down a peg by Rathaway for his attire. With the new hire gone, Wells assures Rathaway, “Hartley, you’re still my guy. And nothing and no one is ever going to change that.” Back in the present, Eddie and Joe find it odd that with all the broken glass, Wheelchair bound Wells is unscratched. Using super speed Barry reassembles the glass, discovering that no object broke the structure–they shattered of their own accord. Barry can’t understand why Harrison doesn’t want any help. “Because I already know who did this. Hartley Rathaway…the prodigal son…and he has returned.” Cue first commercial break.
Rathaway was a good villain as the Pied Piper. In the comics the Piper is dressed in green and white togs and blows on an actual pipe that’s a sonic weapon. For the series, the costume was ditched for just a dark green hoodie and gloves that have the sonic weapon abilities. Actor Andy Mientus was fantastic as major jerk Rathaway. It’s easily apparent why no one at S.T.A.R. Labs liked him. His ego allows no room for anyone else. His sparring with Cisco was good, and his treatment of Caitlin brutal. I especially liked how the explosion effected him. This episode had quite a bit going for it, with Iris trying to fit in at the new job, Joe’s suspicions, Barry trying not to suffer from hero loss, and Cisco and Caitlin cementing their partnership. The scenes with Tom Cavanagh as Wells were great, and his dialogue with Rathaway was excellent, when not forcing the foreign languages. The effects were impressive in the end, with the Flash doing some major league rescuing.
The good: The script, the Pied Piper, Caitlin taking some major emotional hits, Cisco flying (!), Barry being too cocky, Joe working secretly, Andy Mientus, and the special effects team.
Fun lines: “Who knows, maybe people in the future would like to know how all this happened,” “We both know what you did,” “The Chosen One,” “You don’t,” “No. They’re gonna hear you get your ass kicked,” “I know his secret,” and “Gumption.”
The bad: The foreign languages were a quick crutch to show two characters’ intelligence–it was cheesy. The chess analogies. If one were to take a drink each time one were made, they would be on the floor before the end of the episode. Again, too easy a writing device to show intelligence.
The final line: Not perfect, but pretty darn close. A good introduction for another member of the Rogues Gallery, and lots of information given on the Reverse Flash. Very enjoyable! Overall grade: A
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