The Flash kickstarted its ninth and final season with an action-packed time-loop episode that set the stage for much of what's to come over the course of the next twelve episodes, including one of the show's biggest and most dangerous villains: Red Death (Javicia Leslie).
However, despite the quick tease, showrunner Eric Wallace tells TV Line that fans will have to wait a bit before they learn more about the evildoer's master plan. He teases,
“You’ll find out in a couple of episodes. There’s a reason why this speedster has shown up here. I’m trying to say this without spoilers, but it’s pretty heavy duty.”
“We’re not doing the Metal Knights storyline from the comic book, or any DC Comics Metal- or Dark Metal-related storyline, so we’re not using Bruce Wayne or anybody like that,” Wallace makes clear. Instead, “We’re using kind of a completely different character, and our Red Death will have their own new origin.”
As for that big Caitlin/Frost mystery, it looks like we won't have to wait too long for some answers as next week's installment will directly delve into who - or what - Caitlin has become now that she's awakened from her slumber. Wallace continues,
“It is not Frost, and it is not Caitlin. She’s not lying. However, her appearance at this time is not a coincidence. Heroes rise up when the universe needs them to appear, so there’s a reason why Danielle [Panabaker] is coming out of that crystal coffin right now. Because as we’re going to find as we go closer and closer to the series finale, her character is very wrapped up in the season finale. She’s the right hero for the absolute right time.”
Check out the new promo for season nine, episode two, titled "Hear No Evil," below:
The main cast of The Flash season nine features Grant Gustin ("Barry Allen/The Flash"), Candice Patton ("Iris West-Allen"), Danielle Panabaker ("Dr. Caitlin Snow"), Danielle Nicolet ("Cecile Horton"), Kayla Compton ("Allegra Garcia"), Brandon McKnight ("Chester P. Runk"), and Jon Cor ("Mark Blaine/Chillblaine").
"Hear No Evil" - (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, V) (HDTV)
NEW KID IN TOWN - Barry (Grant Gustin) feels guilty for what happened to Caitlin and Mark (Jon Cor) comes up with a plan which makes everyone skeptical. Meanwhile, Red Death looms in Central City and commands that failure is not an option. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) asks Cecile (Danielle Nicolet) to make a choice which leads Cecile to think about the greater good. Allegra (Kayla Compton) and Chester (Brandon McKnight) take a step in a new direction. Lastly, old friends pay an unexpected visit to S.T.A.R. Labs. Eric Wallace directed the episode written by Jonathan Butler & Kristen Kim (#902). Original airdate 2/15/2023.