By [ad_1]
As The Flash begins to show signs of its advancing age, the Arrowverse series may be building a new superhero team without Barry Allen.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Flash Season 7, Episode 14, “Rayo de Luz,” which aired Tuesday on The CW.
As The Flash Season 7 resolved its lingering storylines from the abruptly impromptu conclusion to Season 6, it quickly became clear that the long-running Arrowverse series was at a crossroads. Even with the series renewed for an eighth season, several of its original cast members have since departed from the show, most notably Carlos Valdes’ Cisco Ramon. And as the series continues to navigate its uncertain future, Team Flash may quietly be forming a new ensemble to protect Central City without Barry himself.
After forming a surrogate family in the form of new Forces appearing throughout Central City, Barry and Iris decide they wanted to have a family of their own and go on a remote getaway to avoid any distractions. And while the Scarlet Speedster was away and Killer Frost went on a journey of her own, Chester P. Runk led a new iteration of Team Flash, proving that Central City has more than just the Flash and Frost as superheroes to keep it safe from evil. And with these new heroes more than earning their stripes in this baptism by fire, the new Team Flash potentially sets the stage for a future for the Arrowverse without the Flash himself.
In lieu of Barry and Frost’s absence, Allegra contended with the return of her estranged cousin Esperanza to Central City. Still holding the supervillain mantle of Ultraviolet, Esperanza sought to kill Allegra and the doctor that transformed her into a villain in the first place. Joined by Sue Dearbon, Allegra took inspiration from Barry to try to redeem her cousin rather than simply defeat and detain her. In the process, Allegra revealed her own super-powered potential and demonstrated that she was far stronger than Ultraviolet when she literally showed her the light and set the stage for Esperanza’s atonement as she and Sue saved the day together.
While Barry eventually returned to Central City after his reproductive recreation, the Scarlet Speedster found the matter of defending his hometown well in hand without his active participation. And with The Flash always something of an ensemble piece and the Flash family about to get even bigger, with the impending introduction of Barry and Iris’ time-displaced grandson Bart Allen, The Flash may be assembling the pieces to replace Barry and Iris, should series stars Grant Gustin and Candice Patton similarly decide to leave the show.
While Barry Allen inspired a generation of Arrowverse heroes who follow his moral lead, the original Arrowverse speedster’s race may be coming to an end as The Flash series itself grows a bit long in the tooth. However, if The Flash continues to lose key personnel and new heroes like Allegra and Sue continue to step up, it suggests a way for the Scarlet Speedster’s legacy to live on without him. And while the prospect of Barry Allen and, by extension, Grant Gustin leaving the Arrowverse is an unhappy one, with shows like Black Lightning and Supergirl coming to a close, it appears to be more inevitable than ever while a new Team Flash waits in the wings for a chance to go center stage.
The Flash stars Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Jesse L. Martin, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes and Tom Cavanagh. New episodes air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
About The Author
[ad_2]
Offers free spin