It’s not so much a question of will, but when The Flash will get his speed back. It could be an episode or two until we see The Flash regain his connection to the speed force. After Cisco Ramon (aka Vibe) opened the breach to Earth-2, Zoom (Hunter Zolomon) came swooping in and kidnapped Wally West. The Flash was forced to give up his speed in exchange for his brother’s life. To make matter’s worse, Zoom snatched Caitlin Snow and took off. To my dismay, it doesn't look like we’ll be seeing the Zoom-Flash battle continue in tonight’s episode, “Back to Normal.”
A promising photo and Arrow scene (above) sees Barry speeding to Star City to attend the late Black Canary’s funeral during tomorrow’s Arrow episode, “Canary Cry.” Since Arrow is a week behind The Flash because of scheduling (according to EP Aaron Helbing), it’s unclear if this is a hint that Barry will get his speed back by the end of tonight's episode.
The next episode, “Rupture,” will see Zoom’s return to Earth-1. Barry has got to have his speed back by then. While the team figures out how to help in ‘Back To Normal’, we’ll be introduced to yet another victim of the particle accelerator explosion: a metahuman named Griffin Grey who’s set on getting revenge on Harrison Wells.
Season 2 Episode 19 "Back to Normal" Synopsis
A meta-human with super strength named Griffin Grey mistakes Harry for Earth-1 Harrison Wells and kidnaps him, demanding that Wells cure him from his current condition. Realizing another brilliant Wells could help track Griffin’s location, Barry asks Jesse to help. Meanwhile, Wally corners Joe about The Flash.
The CW released a clip of Barry’s rough encounter with Griffin Grey. Cisco reminds Barry that since he hasn’t regained his power, he can only take one of Grey’s super punches. The synopsis also reveals Barry somehow finds Earth-2 Harrison Wells’ daughter, Jesse. It looks like she’ll be filling in for her father and Caitlin Snow, who are both MIA at the moment. However, this raises a larger question, could this be the beginning of Jesse Quick? Seeing Barry has no powers, Central City needs a temporary speedster. Jesse is a genius, just like her Dad, so she may have some kind of formula that can give her speed temporarily, or that can rejuvenate Barry’s speed cells. After all, she is the daughter of the man who invented the Velocity-9 serum.
The next episode’s synopsis appears to be written under the assumption Barry has his speed again, as it sees Barry contemplating whether he should defeat Zoom once and for all. How could he even consider doing that without his power? A photo tease from Season 2 episode 20, “Rupture,’ gives us a good look at the titular Earth-2 villain’s getup. Rupture (aka Dante Ramon) is the brother of Reverb (aka Vibe’s Earth-2 doppleganger). It’s not a coincidence Cisco learns more and more about his powers each episode and I think at this point it’s a given that Vibe will have a large hand in helping The Flash take down Zoom.
Even the title of “Back To Normal,” suggests Barry won’t be getting his speed back until “Rupture” airs May 3, but that doesn’t mean we won’t learn more about how the speed force works. Cisco, Jesse, and Wells are going to be working around the clock. I find it hard to believe Team Flash had no plan when they transferred all of Barry’s speed to Zoom. Harrison Wells must of had some kind of trick up his sleeve and Jesse and Cisco should be able to figure it out. Another option is some kind of speed-force recharging device like Eobard Thawne’s wheelchair from Season 1. Worst-case scenario, Team Flash could also replicate the particle accelerator explosion.
Season 2 Episode 20 “Rupture” Synopsis
Zoom arrives back on Earth-1 intent on taking over Central City. Barry and Wells come up with a plan to stop Zoom once and for all but it’s extremely dangerous. Unsure if he should take the risk, Barry reaches out to both fathers for advice. Henry is adamantly opposed to Barry risking his life again but Joe thinks he can handle it which puts the two men at odds with each other. Meanwhile, Cisco is shocked when he vibes the Earth-2 villain Rupture, who happens to be his brother Dante’s doppelganger. Rupture came to this Earth seeking justice for Reverb’s death. Iris decides she’s finally ready to open up to Barry about her feelings for him.
The following episode “The Runaway Dinosaur,’ which airs May 10, also suggests Barry has reconnected to the speed force. The synopsis for Season 2 episode 21 says Barry is “gone” and “fighting to return to his old life.” An old classmate turned metahuman returns from the ‘dead’ while Barry is out of Central City. Team Flash will have to face Tony Woodward, (aka Grider, a living Iron Man) themselves.
Season 2 Episode 21 "The Runaway Dinosaur" Synopsis
With Barry gone, the team must figure out a way to handle the return of an old enemy – Girder. Realizing Girder is retracing his steps from his last attack, Iris volunteers to act as bait to trap him in S.T.A.R. Labs. Meanwhile, Barry fights to return to his old life.
The CW hasn’t released any clues for the remaining two episodes of the season. The only thing we know so far is that Season 2 episode 22 will see Arrow’s Black Canary actress, Katie Cassidy, as Earth-2 metahuman Black Siren (according to TV Line. ) Zoom actor Teddy Sears also previously revealed we will find out the identify of ‘The Man Behind The Iron Mask’ in the season finale, which airs May 24.
How will Barry get his powers back? Let us know in the comments below!
