The Flash has set up the rest of the season in prior episodes when they sent the future Savitar killing Iris plotline into high gear. I thought every episode from here on out would be solely about progressing that plot point, but I’m glad that that plotline took a backseat in “Dead or Alive.â€
Dead or Alive is an interesting episode in the fact that they didn’t really delve all that much into Barry’s plights, but instead we received a strong episode centered around HR Wells and Cisco.
HR earth hopping from Earth-19 to Earth-1 and its implications have been seldom discussed, but we finally get to learn that what HR did was illegal on his Earth and, of course, punishable by death. We meet a very Cisco-like character in Gypsy, and she is the bounty hunter who is set to bring HR back to Earth-19 for his eventual execution. But, in typical Game of Thrones fashion, Cisco invokes his right to trial by combat to save HR.
The fact that Cisco is willing to stand up, and risk his life for HR, shows the growth his character has achieved throughout this season. He is one of the few characters that can match the rollercoaster of situations that Barry Allen has gone through. From struggling to get over his brother’s death itself, to reconciling things with Barry, Cisco has seen his fair share of heartbreak, but now, it is finally time for him to stand up for the team.
Cisco would never be your first champion in a fight to the death match, but he finally realizes that he has to be the “Harrison Wells.†Harrison Wells was the one the team used to look to, but now he must slide into that role. Now, this HR is the one that counts on him for help, and he definitely steps up to the task here.
The Gypsy/Vibe fight definitely delivers, and that is partially due to the fact that they play so well off one another. The chemistry is definitely there, and no, it isn’t just Cisco “vibing†on Gypsy. Their battle is one that opens up breaches and sends them tumbling through various other Earth’s including a very Apokalips-like world and Supergirl’s Earth-38; although we didn’t get a cameo from her. Unlike on Gypsy’s Earth, Cisco doesn’t kill her, and instead, they make a deal that will keep HR permanently on Earth-1.
The other interesting plotline dealt with Iris attempting to make a mark just in case the STAR Labs crew isn’t able to save her from Savitar. Iris is chasing down a lead on some futuristic weapons tech and employs the help of Central City’s newest infatuation, Kid Flash. Things seem to be going all-up for Kid Flash. It was nice seeing the brother-sister combo start working together, even if it didn’t end particular as they had liked.
With Kid Flash getting more and more momentum throughout the season, we also find out that he will be the one that saves Iris. As has been mentioned various times since Wally first started running with his powers, he has the potential to be faster than Barry. It will be interesting to see Barry in a protege role and taking a step back to be the “Harrison Wells†for a change.
