Marvel might be out classing DC in the theater, but in the tv front they are complete oposites. Marvel has Agents of Shield, which while good, has yet to build the type of following most DC shows end up with. Most recent being "Arrow". With the success of this show DC has decided to bring out 3 new shows based on other comics, Flash, Constantine, and Gothom City before the batman. All 3 have a pilot episode that has been released, and today I finally got to sit down and watch "The Flash". This variation follows Barry Allen played by Grant Gustin, who was introduced in "The Arrow" sometime in season 2. Barry as a young boy watches his mothers murder, but represses or simply does not understand what really happened that night. The show does not deal with it to much in the first episode, but it does start to unravel some of the mystery behind it. Barry's father is charged with the murder, and Barry makes it his life goal to see him free. This leads him into police work, where he acts as a Crime Scene Investigator. The episode goes over all this very quickly, and we move onto the present and the rest of Barry's story very quickly. The pacing on the show was rather well done, and never seemed to get bogged down while presenting quite a bit of information.
There is a accident that puts Barry in a coma for 9 months, and he of course wakes up with super powers. They do not explain his powers, where they come from and how they work. Though to be fair that is something they can continue to explore as the show goes on. For now he is getting the hang of using them, and we are seeing him grow into his full potential. This episode is about him finding out about what happened to him, and the consequences it created. He is not the only super powered, or "Meta-Human" to come out of the disaster.
We get to see Barry teamed up with a few others who try to help him learn to use his powers. Somebody to build his tech and gadgets for him. And two scientist who help him understand how and why things are helping him. It feels like they are trying to recreate the success they found in Arrow when creating a team in that show as well. The Flash actually feels a lot like Arrow as it continues. Heck we even see Arrow show up in this episode. Also like Arrow, The Flash is filled with nods to the comics that fans will surely enjoy. Seeing a torn cage with the name Grodd on it for example. On the negative side, you will know who the murderer is, thus killing what I assume is the big build for the end of season one. Still the nods are nice, and really help draw in the long time fans.
Flash creates lightning when he runs, he is a blur of energy. I was curious how well they would handle the speed in the show, and am glad to say they did a good job with it. Flash still leaves his trail behind him, and he is covered in lightning while running. They do use some slow motion effects to show things from his perspective, and it worked rather well. Everything in the show just made me more excited to finally see the rest of what they came up with.
The Pilot episode has a good story, and doesn't waste to much time on the origin. It gives it the attention it needs, but then moves straight into the present. We get to see Barry adapt to his powers, and start to become the hero he wants to be. The show ends on a high note and serves as a contained story of its own. Filled with some nods and references that fan will enjoy, and great effects, there really isn't much to complain about here. If they can keep this up, The Flash will find success.
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