"The Flash" Pilot

   Barry Allen is Central City’s main man in the crime scene unit.   His past is troubled in that his father is imprisoned with the charge of his mother’s murder.  Barry’s father’s friend, Det. Joe West, fostered him alongside his daughter, Iris West.  Det. West works closely with Barry on all his cases. The groundwork is set for both resolutions in the past and action in the present and future.

  The writing and portrayal of Barry Allen is both wide eyed and fun.  He’s a young man who wants to be a do-gooder beyond his job which aids the police.  In a “be careful what you wish for” scenario, Barry awakes nine months after the lightning strike with super speed.  Currently, it appears only two major changes have taken place:  Iris (his foster sister for whom he wishes to have more) has a new boyfriend, and there is one or more beings with superhuman abilities.  Of course, both are troubling to Barry. 

  The pilot has a few Easter eggs that rudimentary followers of DC should recognize.  It also contains a brief visit to Starling City to get a ‘big brother’ talk from Oliver Queen, the Arrow.  All of these plotlines and little gems were well laid.  The character depictions were just enough to keep you interested and not wondering who or why this person was inserted.  The special effects looked terrific.  The slow motion perception of the real world by Barry, though not terribly original, was well handled. 

  Much like its predecessor “Arrow,” “The Flash” is fresh and different.  It doesn’t have the limited budget look that the middle seasons of “Smallville” portrayed.  It also avoids the dark and foreboding feel of “Arrow.”  You don’t have to watch Oliver empty his quiver to enjoy Barry running with sonic booms. 

   Barry’s mission is clear:  keep us intrigued (vindicating his father), entertained (growing into his powers with his ‘golly gee’ demeanor), and invested (his love for Iris and his dealing with new and different supervillains).

   Set your DVR, it’s going to be a fun run!