The Flash Review: “The Sound and the Fury”

A new villain has a vendetta against Harrison Wells, and he reveals one of his secrets. Meanwhile, Iris gets a job at a newspaper because of her Flash connection (and she briefly mistakes her editor for another DC character).

We also get Flash-backs, Arrow-like, to Cisco’s first day and the Pied Piper’s origins.

So there’s a lot to “The Sound and the Fury.” What does any of it signify?

Title: “The Sound and the Fury”

Directed by John Showalter
Written by Alison Schapker, Brooke Elkmeier

Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash
Candice Patton as Iris West
Jesse L. Martin as Detective Joe West
Rick Cosnett as Eddie Thawne
Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells
Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow
Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon
Andy Mientus as Hartley Rathaway / The Pied Piper
Tom Butler as Eric Larkin
Roger Howarth as Mason Bridge

Premise

The Pied Piper comes for Harrison Wells—and the Flash stands soundly between them. Dr. Wells, however, presents bigger problems than the Piper.

High Point

Andy Mientus does an excellent job depicting the Pied Piper, a villain with nuance and great story potential.

Low Point

The plot doesn’t really make sense.
The Flash captures the villain in front of the authorities. Somehow, S.T.A.R. labs gets custody of him for their secret illegal prison—despite the prisoner having no metahuman powers. Somehow, Rathaway knows this will happen, because his plan requires it to happen. S.T.A.R. also gets his gun, which they promptly leave unguarded. A superhero show will be far-fetched and it can be silly, but it shouldn’t be idiotic.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6 The Flash uses some new techniques against the Royal Flush Gang that would have helped him in past episodes. I hope the writers won’t forget about them in the future.

Effects: 5/6

Acting: 5/6 In addition to Andy Mientus, Tom Cavanagh stands out in this episode.

Story: 3/6

Emotional Response: 4/6

Production: 6/6

Overall: 4/6

In total, “The Sound and the Fury” receives 30/42

Lingering Questions and Thoughts

1. Comic book shows really raise the issue of why a gang like the Royal Flush would insist on being so very conspicuous while committing crimes. Thirty-some years ago in a certain Canadian town, a group of youths acquired the name “Grasshopper Gang” because they committed their low-level crimes dressed in green paramilitary outfits. Guess how long it took the police to collar them?

2. Did the Piper look a little too much like a certain Potter?

3. Shouldn’t the Flash’s high-speed rescues have some negative effects on the people?

4. Why does Benjy say that Caddy smells like trees? Why doesn’t she smell like trees anymore?

5 replies on “The Flash Review: “The Sound and the Fury””

  1. I actually thought this was one of the better ones.

    1) Aside from the low point they actually managed to give Flash a villain who could give him a fair fight.

    2) You could argue away the low point by pointing out the Pied Piper did his homework and not only knew about the secret prison, but knew Wells well enough that that’s where he’d end up.

    I find Wells an intriguing character. Most likely he’s a villain who wants to restore his own speed force by stealing Barry’s, but I’m not convinced that’s the case. I’ve been considering possibility that Wells is Barry’s real father. That would explain Wells’ speed and the paternal nature with which he treats Barry.

    That makes the murder of Barry’s mother and framing of his father one of two things. First it could be simply jealousy with Wells as the Reverse Flash killing his mother. But as we saw today Wells flashed red, so he could have been the Red trying to save Barry’s mother, but when Barry came into the room he left the fight to whisk Barry away to safety.

    • The villains were definitely the best part of this ep, with the Wells-related mysteries you’ve mentioned one of the most intriguing aspects of the show. Your theory about his identity might be wrong, but it’d make for a good twist.

      I just couldn’t get around the logic of the non-powered Piper ending up in their prison, and S.T.A.R. being allowed to take him. How the heck do these guys even run a private prison? I know we shouldn’t think too much about these things, but….

      • Even when in full team Flash mode Wells’ has a tendency towards Übermensch, I like the idea that he’s sincere and what we’ve seen as his villain side is just a continuation of the same. It should make things a bit more interesting when the secrets are revealed if Wells turns out to be a good guy who goes way too far.

        I think this explains part of the secret prison, an Übermensch would be pretty comfortable with the idea that the cops can’t handle meta-Humans so he’ll handle them instead. As for the Piper I suspect Well’s just wanted to shut him up as he clearly knew far too much. The big question as to how Star Labs can get away with it? Lazy writing :)

        • The one thing that makes sense are the ethics. As you say, Wells would have no ethical problem setting one up– just massive practical ones (his associates also go along a little too willingly). As for the show’s ethics, I suspect the private prison will be blowing up in Team Flash’s face at some point: maybe even as a cliffhanger season finale.

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