Lightning strikes every Tuesday and down comes the weekly column the next day. We are back Flash fans for the next episode of The Flash on The CW. This issue will cover season four episode thirteen “True Colors.” The time has come for the scarlet speedster to strike again and begin his legal escape from prison.  

Recap

Dwarfstar made his first strike on Central City while Barry was stuck solving a long lost case with his newest cellmates. Cecile revealed her metahuman powers; the ability to physically read the minds of everyone around her. The warden of the Iron Heights discovered that he had The Flash cornered in his most unsecured cell block. The warden captured Barry and Amunet returned, interested in purchasing the previous meta-humans that team flash had locked away below Iron Heights.

Episode 4X13 Review “TRUE COLORS”

After three seasons of recurring Prison Break stars being on The Flash, we finally received our first real Prison Break inspired episode…. without any of the characters you wanted to see break out with Barry. Michael and Lincoln might be busy stopping time anachronisms, but that did not stop The Flash from making a climatic breakout. Its oddball cast of villains provided an interesting setup. While it was not the combination that audiences expected, the roster certainly worked in the end. The Flash has a reputation for reusing characters in different situations from their first appearance and this time was no exception.

The prison breakout involved using the skills and personality of each character rather than their powers. Due to the dampeners, Cisco established within Iron Heights, the escapees had to take a long way out. The one thing this episode fails to do is focus on the escape. The getaway is cleverly crafted and shows the unique characteristics of each character, but it is a lot shorter than it should be. Dibny and team flash received far to much time this episode; the time that Barry and the metahumans deserved as they have had a decline in screentime over the course of the last few episodes. Barry’s crime-solving investigation skills once again prove as a worthy contender for story influences. Barry’s CSI detective side has been extremely lacking over the last two seasons. Season four attempts to continually climb back to the top by using the shows most recognizable and story-driven factors. By no surprise, they continue to work. It’s the characters previously established skills that audiences want to see more of an episode thirteen delivers. It is extremely satisfying to see the routes of the show retake over its core. The episodes prison story arc did not require sporadic miracles; something we want to see more often.

Ralph Dibny received a new set of powers; far to fast even for Flash’s speed. Ralph Dibny might be a great character that has had a more relevant part to the story then Julian, Tracey, and H.R. had during the previous season, but his new powers have been flying out of nowhere. Rather than having a character whose powers slowly evolve throughout the season, Ralph has been gaining his powers when the plot requires them. It is bothersome that the show has been rapidly developing its characters powers. They are able to fully grasp the use of their powers in less than an episode when meanwhile characters like the protagonist took story arcs to develop the basics. The overall outcome of Ralph’s powers was greatly used, but the point still stands that characters deserve time to develop, not sporadic miracles.

The Devoe family finally received more screen time after a two-episode absence. Devoe continued to go on a slaughter spree as his short appearance annihilated previously established characters from the first half of the season. His plot continues to expand over the course of season four. Barry Allen managed to escape checkmate through the shapeshifting of Ralph Dibny, but Devoe will most likely be able to recuperate and continue his quest to conquer the metahumans within the city limits. The story requires more time in order to expand. Devoe is receiving less screen time every single time he walks on screen. The villains typically receive more time to shine during the back half of the season, but so far Devoe is the first villain that has got practically nothing. I’m anxiously waiting to see what the writers will come up with. It’s about time we see the villain share some light on his grand scheme. Amunet, on the other hand, continues to be a villain with little relevance to the season’s main story. Her main purpose this episode helped provide, the evolving Ralph Dibny, purpose and development. The minor villains should always help provide character development and help establish ground for the newcomers, not steal the main villain’s purpose. This was the first time where her appearance felt welcoming. This was the first time a minor recurring villain actually felt exciting since Leonard Snart.

Overall this was an extremely well-done episode and definitely one of the best this season. The Flash needs to continue diving back into what originally made an excited and engaging show. Season four may be doing a fantastic job getting the show back on track, but it has a long way to go from being what it originally was. The Flash continues to be well worth your time; every episode is entertaining and worth tuning into every Tuesday. My one hope is that by the end of the season, its outcome will be satisfying and its successor will have enough to start with a bang just like its second and third season originally had.  

Next Week’s Teaser

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