After nine seasons filled with thrilling adventures and heartfelt character development, The Flash, the beloved superhero television series and the last Arrowverse series running has reached its series finale.
Known for its compelling storytelling, exhilarating action sequences, and dedicated fan base, The Flash’s finale promised to deliver an epic conclusion filled with twists, turns, and emotional moments. In this review, we delve into the thrilling finale of The Flash and assess its impact on the series as a whole.
The Flash’s finale, aptly titled “A New World, Part Four,” the last episode propelled viewers into an intense and high-stakes battle between the Scarlet Speedster, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), and the resurrected character of Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett) who, embodying the Negative Speed Force assembled iconic villains from Barry’s past to gain control of the timeline and destroy the Flash forever.
The Team Anti-Flash included Godspeed (Karan Oberoi), Savitar (Gustin), Eobard Thawne (Tom Cavanagh) and Zoom (Teddy Sears). There to battle them were alternate-Earth Flash Jay Garrick, played by John Wesley Shipp, the star of the 1989 series Khione (Panabaker), Virtue (Nicolet), Allegra Garcia (Kayla Compton), Mark Blaine/Chillblaine (Jon Cor) and Chester P. Runk (Brandon McKnight).
The two groups face off, and one by one, Team Flash helps defeat the speed force villains. Just as they’re about to defeat The Negative Speed Force once and for all, it absorbs the speed from the villains.
Knowing he must stop the Negative Speed Force but not wanting to kill Eddie who saved his life before dying, Barry finds himself at a standstill. Khione urges him to find a new balance between the two Speed Forces that doesn’t ultimately end in destruction or violence.
REELated:
Barry offers a solution to Eddie: remain the avatar for the Negative Speed Force but don’t give into the darkness. Eddie eventually complies, destroying the blue crystal possessing him.
As the clock ticked down, the fate of Central City hung in the balance, amplifying the tension and raising the stakes to their highest point yet.
Once Central City was safe again, Iris gave birth to their daughter Nora. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) briefly flexed his singing skills and proposed to Cecile (Danielle Nicolet). The finale also brought back Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker).
Barry finally closed the episode on an optimistic note by sharing his powers but speaking to his baby Nora about a future world “where nothing has to be impossible as long as we believe in it
One of the defining strengths of The Flash has been its emphasis on character development, and the finale didn’t disappoint in this regard. Throughout the season, viewers witnessed the growth of Barry Allen and his team of allies, facing personal challenges and grappling with their roles as heroes. The finale offered closure for some character arcs while setting the stage for new journeys.
In particular, Barry’s growth as a hero and his unwavering determination to protect his loved ones shone brightly. Grant Gustin’s portrayal captured the essence of Barry’s resilience and selflessness, delivering a heartfelt performance that resonated with fans. The emotional beats within the finale showcased the depth of relationships, highlighting the bonds forged throughout the series.
True to its nature, The Flash’s finale delivered on its promise of adrenaline-fueled action sequences. With speedster battles, explosive special effects, and creative use of Barry’s powers, the finale left viewers on the edge of their seats. The choreography of the fight scenes, combined with the seamless visual effects, added an extra layer of excitement and immersion to the episode.
Where other season finales left several intriguing questions and cliffhangers in its wake, setting the stage for the upcoming season, this one closed the door on Gustin’s interpretation off Barry while opening the door for Ezra Miller to pick up the mantle of the Scarlet Speedster.
With The Flash gone and renewal decisions on Superman & Lois and Gotham Knights still up the air, we could be looking at the end of an era on the CW as new owner Nexstar takes full control.
Bottom Line: The Flash’s series finale, “A New World, Part 4,” delivered a thrilling and emotionally satisfying conclusion to an eventful season. With its compelling character development, pulse-pounding action sequences, and a tantalizing setup for future storylines, the episode exemplified the show’s ability to captivate its audience.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
