MTR Network

It’s the end of February and not only does that mean that we made it to see Black Panther in theaters but we’re also around to watch it smash all the box-office records. Truly amazing. This Mailbag was a fun one because while we obviously do have some Black Panther talk in it, we actually got some pretty diverse emails and discussions going. Loads of fun and you’re not going to want to miss it.

Topics:

  • Emails
    • New Segment: The Pull-List
    • If we could develop powers what would we want?
    • Kriss & Dpalm need to watch Legion
    • Our feelings on the Injustice Comics
    • Favorite alternative versions of characters?
      • Age of Apocalypse
      • Planetary
      • The Boys (shhh…don’t tell anyone)
    • Kriss is adamant that he’s seen at least 1 full season of Young Justice
    • We sing praises to Dan Slott
    • Potential Black Panther 2 plot points
  • Quick Hits
    • Black Panther continues to break records
    • Joss Whedon is off of Batgirl
    • Marvel’s Refresh – do they need better PR or should they just keep their head down and keep doing what they’re doing?

Subscribe to the Super Tuesday Recap podcast so you don't miss an episode. We record Mailbag episodes at the end of each month. If you have a question/topic, email us at Mailbag@MTRNetwork.Net

 

Direct download: T_ChallaFirst_of_his_Name_Breaker_of_Records_-_Mailbag_5.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 11:39pm EDT

We're back with another Character Corner. This time we're doing double the trouble with two classic X-Men villains: Apocalypse and Mister Sinister. It's actually pretty fitting that we do these two at this point. We recently did an episode on the Summers brothers, Scott & Alex. And we're also planning on doing an episode on Cable and the rest of the Summers bloodline. Throwing Sinister and Apocalypse in between those two seems pretty fitting considering how tied these villains are to the Summers clan. So in this episode we skip over some stuff but only because we'll be diving into more detail when we do that other episode.

The interesting thing about Apocalypse and Mister Sinister is how due to their longevity they've been incorporated into almost everything. Some for the good and some for the bad. But their tale is one that spans generations and overall, is pretty damn good. So sit back and give this episode a listen to find out just out evil these two are.

And for the record, we should make it very clear, neither of these characters are #VillainAgenda. They're just pure evil. It's like Hitler and Josef Mengele. 

Oh and Louise Simonson is a national fucking hero. Put some respect on her name.

Key Issues:

Apocalypse

  • X-Factor Volume 1
    • Issue #5 – First Cameo
    • Issues #6 – First full appearance
    • Issue #15 = First appearance of The Horsemen
    • Issue #24 – Archangel revealed as Death
    • Issues #65 – 68
      • First appearance of the Dark Riders
      • Infects baby Nate Summers with techno-organic virus
    • Cable Volume 1
      • #75
    • X-Cutioner’s Song
    • Cable Vol 2 #19 – Resurrected
    • Age of Apocalypse
    • The Twelve
    • Uncanny X-Force

Mister Sinister

  • Mutant Massacre
    • Uncanny X-Men #213 – Sabretooth first mentions the character
    • Uncanny X-M3n #221 – First appearance
  • Inferno
    • Uncanny X-Men #241 – Reveals that he cloned Madelyne Pryor from Jean Grey
    • X-Factor #39 – Cyclops “Destroys”
  • Classic X-Men #41 – 42
  • X-Factor
    • #74 & #75 – The Nasty Boys
  • X-Cutioner’s Song (1992-1993)
  • X-Men #23 – Brothers
  • The Further Adventures of Phoenix and Cyclops
  • Cable Annual 1999
  • Gambit Ties
    • X-Men Volume 2 #6 – Sabretooth suggests that he has ties to Remy
    • X-Men #41 – 45
    • Uncanny X-Men #350
    • Gambit #13 – 23
      • Explains some of Sinister’s new powers including shapeshifting (got them from experimenting on Courier)
    • X-Men 99 – 103
    • Messiah Complex
      • Mystique “kills” him
    • X-Men Legacy #211 – 214
      • Xavier Ties
    • X-23
    • Uncanny X-Men #544
    • Uncanny X-Men #14 - 17 (AvX Tie-In)

If you like this episode and want to hear more, make sure you subscribe to the Character Corner Podcast (We're now on Spotify!)

Direct download: Apocalypse__Mister_Sinister_-_Character_Corner.m4a
Category:Entertainment -- posted at: 12:03am EDT

Whole lot of content dropping here at MTR, including our brand new interview series on UDPod, but today is a plain old sports show with a plain old guest. Best man and my wedding, and NegroCon 1.5 attendee Mike is my gues today, and we cover everything from the surprisingly good All Star Weekend, naturally disappointing pre-draft opinions, and the creeping apathy surrounding the Winter Olympics.

Topics:

The Homie Mike

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Direct download: All_Starring_-_Unanimous_Decision_84.m4a
Category:Sports -- posted at: 11:28am EDT

Kriss is joined by Rich (@RichJones15) to talk about the last couple of crazy weeks. From the high of Black Panther to the lows of yet another mass shooting in America. 

Topics:

Direct download: More_of_the_Same_-_Insanity_Check_598.m4a
Category:Entertainment -- posted at: 6:28pm EDT

Legends of Tomorrow continues to shine and what better way to prove that than a good ole fashion time loop episode? But wait! It's not a regular time loop episode, instead it's really a clever way of doing some character development for Zari as well as moving some interpersonal relationships on the Waverider forward. Here I Go Again proves that the Legends of Tomorrow writing room really knows how to work an ensemble cast as well as make good use of their shortened season.

Of course now we need Mick's Sci-Fi romance novel to be real. Oh and the Legend of Sara Lance continues!

Make sure you subscribe to Super Tuesday Recap so you don't miss an episode. And our next Mailbag episode is being recorded this Sunday so make sure you send in your emails (MailBag@MTRNetwork.Net)

Zari finds her place on the team when she gets caught in a time loop that results in the Waverider blowing up over and over again.

Direct download: Legends_of_Tomorrow_S3E11_Here_I_Go_Again__-_Super_Tuesday_Recap.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 11:09pm EDT

We’re back with episode 2 of our Oscar 2018 Award Show. This time we’re breaking down the categories for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography.  We have a lot of opinions on the Best Supporting Actor category as we think there are some significant names missing from the list. How the hell did Jason Mitchell not get nominated for Mudbound? No love for Armie Hammer? Did Woody Harrelson get nominated for the wrong movie? Should the Academy expand the actor/actress categories to match the number of nominated Best Pictures?

Just like the first show, we break down each category by

  1. Who we’re rooting for
  2. Who we think deserves to win
  3. Who we think will win

Nominees:

Best Actor

  • Timothee Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name
  • Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread
  • Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out
  • Gary Oldman – Darkest Hour
  • Denzel Washington – Roman J. Israel, Esq

Best Supporting Actress

  • Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project
  • Woody Harrelson – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
  • Richard Jenkins – The Shape of Water
  • Christopher Plummer – All The Money in the World
  • Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outisde Ebbing, Missouri

Best Cinematography

  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dunkirk
  • Mudbound
  • The Shape of Water

Best Film Editing

  • Baby Driver
  • Dunkirk
  • I, Tonya
  • The Shape of Water
  • Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

 

Direct download: Award_Season_2018_2_-_Best_Supporting_Actor__Cinematography.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 12:06am EDT

Dope Talk is back, and this time we're joined by Susan Simpson from the Undisclosed Podcast and the 45th Podcast. We talk about how she got into podcasting in the first place, how they find the cases featured on Undisclosed, and how in the word you keep track of all the psychosis pouring out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave these days. Plus, we get to the bottom of a missing turtle mystery 20 years in the making.

Twitter - @TheViewFromLL2 - ViewFromLL2.com

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Direct download: Dope_Talk_2__Attorney_Podcaster_Susan_Simpson.m4a
Category:Sports -- posted at: 5:53pm EDT

Ashanti (DocuDrunks and Scarestalgia) and I interview Devyn C. from Nyvedna Productions, a consummate cosplayer who made fabric to celebrate Black Panther and we discussed:

  • What got her into cosplay
  • What costumes she's created
  • How she gets inspired
  • How did cosplay translate into forming a business
  • Where she sees her business going in the future
  • Her Dora Milaje costume
  • Our current loves and hates
  • Our black women shoutouts
Direct download: Black_Girls_Cosplay_Too_-_Secret_Sauce.m4a
Category:Society & Culture -- posted at: 7:33am EDT

You know what time it is. Kriss and Phenom discuss (without spoilers) Marvel's Black Panther. Seriously, its better than it has any right to be and you're not going to be prepared. This is less of a review and more of just a non-spoiler discussion of why we loved it so much. We already know you're going to go see the film (we'll see some of you on Saturday!). 

  • The story's connection to present day struggles of Black Americans
  • #ErikKillmongerWasRight - We have a new Villain Agenda inductee
  • All the black female characters steal the show but particularly Letitia Wright's Shuri
  • Andy Serkis had fun making this movie, we can tell
  • The visuals and action were amazing
  • You're not prepared

We'll have several spoiler reviews coming out soon and don't forget to check out Kriss's solo video review!

Direct download: Black_Panther_Review.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 12:41am EDT

Shanna, D and Parrish spend way too much time anticipating seeing Black Panther and discussing which classic 70s and 90s figures should guest star on Black Lightning. 

An unexpected phone call unearths the long-buried need for Jefferson to investigate the murder of his father. Meanwhile, Annisa wrestles with the fact that her actions have dire consequences. Lastly, Jennifer learns the importance of controlling her temper - in all situations.

Direct download: Black_Lightning_1x05_-_The_Book_of_TChalla_1.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 12:17am EDT

Man...it's good to be back.

We forgot how much we loved Legends of Tomorrow until it came back. This is the best of the Arrowverse shows (Black Lightning doesn't count since it's not in the Arrowverse yet) and its not even close. We've always loved Sara Lance but what they do with her this episode is legendary. From seeing her and Ava flirt with each other, her seducing John Constantine and then tying in her previous death and loss of a soul...it's just amazing. The only thing better might be Mick spending the entire time watching a football game. 

And all that's before we get into the meat of the episode. It was a great return, they're handling their villain and story better than the other shows and we can't wait for more.

John Constantine pays the Legends a visit; they agree to accompany him to a present-day psychiatric hospital and are surprised to discover who Constantine is trying to help; Amaya and Nate once again come face-to-face with Kuasa.


We said we were going to do it and now we're making good on that promise. Kriss & Phenom kick off their Award Season 2018 show by talking about the actresses up for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the 2018 Academy Awards.  They also throw in a quick discussion about the films up for Best Visual Effects.

So here's how these shows will go. Kriss & Phenom will discuss each category by first discussing who they want to win, who deserves to win and who they think will actually take the prize home. You'd think that would be the same person for all three but nope. Particularly this year. This is a really competitive year among the nominees and it's going to be really interesting. We also discuss who we think shouldn't have been nominated and who got snubbed and left off. 

Nominees:

Best Actress

  • Sally Hawkins The Shape of Water
  • Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
  • Margot Robbie – I Tonya
  • Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird
  • Meryl Streep – The Post

Best Supporting Actress

  • Mary J Blige – Mudbound
  • Allison Janney – I Tonya
  • Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird
  • Lesley Manville -Phantom Thread
  • Octavia Spener – The Shape of Water

Best Visual Effects

  • Blade Runner 2049
  • Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2
  • Kong Skull Island
  • Star Wars the Last Jedi
  • War for the planet of the Apes

This episode is only available here, on Youtube and on the Movie Trailer Review podcast feed so make sure you subscribe so you don't miss a show.

Direct download: Award_Season_2018_-_Best_Supporting_Actress__Best_Visuals.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 5:55am EDT

Can LeBron turn a team of old parts into a young, hungry machine on the fly? He's sure gonna try. Is anyone really hyped for the Winter Olympics? More exciting than baseball's offseason. Did Philly fans live up to - or down to  - expectations? I mean, of course they did. Can I keepup this framing device? Probably not! We talk all of this and more with Nata Edwards from UpRoxx and tons of other places.

Topics:

Konata - @NataTheScribe - Uproxx - Jalen and Jacoby Interview

Direct download: Deadlines_Spur_Actions_-_Unanimous_Decision_83.m4a
Category:Sports -- posted at: 11:26am EDT

Going into break Arrow usually pretty strong but, The Devil's Greatest Trick is uncharacteristically weak for this show. We end up having a lot of questions about a lot of stupid choices made with this story.

  • You call Barry as an Uber Service but not to search for the bomb (or the individuals you need to find)?
  • Why is Renee allowed to pop off at the mouth like he's not a snitch?
  • Someone send William to boarding school before he gets killed. He was afraid so HE WENT TO WHERE THE GIANT CITY DESTROYING BOMB WAS?
  • Ricardo Diaz is now some criminal mastermind but before that, he was skipping town just like everyone else cause he couldn't stop Cayden James? Huh? What?

The Flash and Arrow are both struggling right now. We know they can do better and we hope the run up to the end for both shows is much better.

We also talk about the Venom trailer and how it was exactly how we thought it would be. Watch Kriss' reaction video to the trailer here.

Cayden James launches a full out attack when he uncovers a secret about the Green Arrow that puts him over the edge.


Last show before Black Panther drops and Kriss brings on a special guest, the host of Secret Sauce, Latoya. Kriss talks to Latoya about starting her business, the challenges she's faced and what the scariest thing of the whole thing has been. Then it's on to the topics of the week and let's just say, white moderates need to do better.

Topics:

Make sure you subscribe and listen to Secret Sauce and also check out Treats and Temptations:

Direct download: White_Moderates_Will_Be_the_Death_of_Us_-_Insanity_Check_597.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

On this week's Supergirl, we have a case of Kara and Alex being the epitome of the 53% and Mon El joining in as the other half of the Trump supporting squad to break down the door of a sister who was minding her own business and jamming to some 90s tunes. Mon El also gets a CW pep talk from J'onn about his conflicting feelings for Kara and Imra.  Lena also seems to know what the deal is with Samantha, which causes some to wonder...what side will Lena fall on?

On Black Lightning this week, Lady Eve has a heart to heart while it seems she's dissecting/embalming a formerly dead individual who comes back to life.  What you know about that #BlackGirlMagic?  Of course, she had to balance that out with a little bit of an ism, talking to Tobias about being an individual with albinism and being magical.  At the same time, we have Jefferson trying to figure out who is supplying the kids at the school with the pill form of the super soldier serum and Anissa feeling herself while taking on some of those same individuals.

Find us on Twitter:

@TheMTRNetwork

@TheDrIsIn2015

@shittybonmots

Direct download: Supergirl_3x13__Black_Lightning_1x04_Review_-_Radios_Stay_Snitchin_1.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 5:50am EDT

We have so many questions with this episode. But first, we talk about Kriss & Dpalm's #VillainAgenda2020 plans. Hey, they're now making fully functional Batman suits, hoverboards and flamethrowers. We're trying to get in on the ground floor of franchising out super villains.

But onto this episode of The Flash. True Colors could have been and should have been a much better episode. But much like many of the episodes that have happened since coming back from break, the writing is lazy and rushed and things just don't make sense. Oddly enough, while some will definitely not like the amount of Ralph in this episode, he's not the problem. 

  • Why didn't the judge ask for them to check the morgue to see DeVoe's body?
  • How do you have a super secret meta-human wing to a prison but leave an unalarmed manhole exit?
  • WHERE WERE THE FUCKING GUARDS?
  • Why was Marlize sitting at the table with the prosecutor?
  • Why have Harry making it a big deal that they haven't freed Barry then this week when they do...he's back on Earth-2?
  • What was the whole point of introducing Wolfe just to kill him unceremoniously this episode?
  • WHY IS IRIS WEARING A BATHROBE TO GO SEE BARRY?

And there's a lot more that doesn't make sense. It's frustrating because big picture, we liked what this episode was doing. We just don't like how it was executed and that's becoming a problem AGAIN for The Flash. 

We end the episode discussing all the trailers that have been released the last couple weeks:

  • Ant-Man and The Wasp
  • Deadpool 2
  • Infinity War
  • Jessica Jones
  • Solo
  • Venom (upcoming)

Make sure you subscribe to Super Tuesday Recap on iTunes/Stitcher/Google so you don't miss an episode.

Direct download: The_Flash_Season_4x13_True_Colors_Review_-_Super_Tuesday_Recap.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 10:50pm EDT

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We're trying new things here at UDPod in 2018, and one of those new things is periodically, we'll be running an interview series on this feed, where I get to sit down and talk to the interesting people in my life. Up first is singer/songwriter Matt Palmer who's latest project Get Lost is both a love letter to pop music and a challenge to the form. Capitalizing on the visual album format, Get Lost has got two chapters in the books, and he's excited to share his journey to this ambitious project.

Twitter - @MattPalmerMusic - MattPalmerMusic.c0m - Two Gay Matts

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Direct download: Dope_Talk_1__Singer_Songwriter_Matt_Palmer.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 8:38am EDT

Oh my god, they really did it. They killed the Pats in such ridiculous fashion it almost doesn't feel real. But it is real. And it's spectacular.

Topics:

  • LOLPats

Sponsors:

Sign up for Loot Crate through our affiliate link!

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The Poole Law Firm – “Solutions, not excuses…”
Shop at our Amazon Store to support the site

Contact Us:

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Direct download: Super_Bowl_Party_-_Unanimous_Decision_82.m4a
Category:Sports -- posted at: 7:48am EDT

Stray bullets are flying everywhere this week.  Random assassins caught strays on Supergirl, where Lillian Luthor returns to avenge her daughter, attempting to take out Morgan Edge.  On Black Lightning, in the wake of Lawanda's funeral, Tobias plans to make a statement during a planned march.

The shows continue to be good, but we took some issue with some of the directing choices on Black Lightning this week that caused some confusion.  This did not take away from our enjoyment of either episode.


As always, Agents of Shield is at it's most fucked up when its either going into a break or coming out of one. Honestly, this might be a really deadly 3 episode arc since this episode goes into a month long break, then we come back from one then have the 100th episode. Expect a lot of tears forthcoming. 

In this episode, we were right about YoYo being the seer, Coulson is dying and while the Agents make it back to their timeline, it's not without some casualties.  Dek and Enoch go out like heroes while Pebbles...I mean Flint, might just end up putting the world back together piece by piece.

Some things we have to think about going forward:

  • How much is Daisy going to hate Coulson for forcing her to come back?
  • Does Daisy ever get her powers back?
  • What's killing Coulson and how does trying to save him lead to the beginning of the end?
  • What parts of the time loop do we see? Will Mack and Coulson end up dead? Does Simmons die? 

We truly have no idea what's going to happen next and it's so exciting.

The team has one final chance to return to their timeline, but their actions may have deadly consequences.


The theme of Arrow Season 6 has to be "Oliver is right" or "Just listen to Oliver". It's easy to pin down why people might not be too happy with this season because it feels like a rehash of previous seasons. But the truth is, we're getting a season that shows not only the growth of Oliver Queen but also why he's in charge. Yes, the new team is annoying and they are making a bunch of bone headed mistakes but these are mistakes that Oliver used to make and he's trying to show them the right way. Growth is Oliver not putting an arrow in Renee (he deserves it) or rubbing it in to Dinah that she made the wrong call to go after Vincent instead of stopping the bomb. The team is going to learn some harsh lessons real soon.

Oh and sorry Quentin, Earth-2 Laurel is now a full villain. Ain't no saving her now.

Oliver continues to battle Cayden James; when Dinah and Oliver have a major disagreement, one of their own is put in danger.

Direct download: Arrow_Season_6x12_Review_All_For_Nothing_-_Super_Tuesday_Recap.m4a
Category:TV & Film -- posted at: 2:29pm EDT

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Kriss is joined this episode by Aaron from the Black Astronauts Podcast network. This is yet another different Insanity Check where we drop some of our more familiar segments and just have a conversation. Kriss and Aaron give advice to new podcasters and creatives on how to build a community. They also talk about some of the tax and financial information that we don't learn as kids but probably should.

This is another informative episode that you're not going to want to miss.

Topics:

  • Advice to people following their creative passions
  • Playing the long game
  • We need to teach financial literacy at a younger age
  • The new tax bill and how it could affect you
  • Getting money back for Taxes isn't actually a great thing
  • Father almost beats up Larry Nassar in court
  • Why Uma Thurman is angry (fuck Quentin Tarantino)
  • Monique's Netflix deal was way worse than her being underpaid

Check out the Black Panther gear we have in our Amazon Store!

Direct download: Shutting_the_Fuck_Up_is_Free_-_Insanity_Check_596.m4a
Category:Entertainment -- posted at: 6:19pm EDT

*Note* Excuse the audio issues this episode. I was partly sick when recording this and didn't check my settings.*


We’re back! While our Summers Brothers episode was technically the first Character Corner of 2018, we recorded it in 2017, so this Lex Luthor episode is the first real episode of 2018. And you all are in for a treat. This episode is slightly different from our other Character Corners. We still go through the history of Lex but we spend more time really discussing and breaking down the core of the character. Unlike other DC characters, the core of Lex Luthor has strangely been consistent throughout his depictions. Sure his early first appearance in Action Comics #23 really set up as the ridiculous comic book villain stereotype, but the interesting thing about Lex is how his depiction mirrors the “stereotyped” bad guy of the era he’s in.  He’s been a ridiculous caricature of a bad guy in the 40’s, evil real estate billionaire, overweight and shrewd corporate exec and even a billionaire evil President. Each version might have a reworked background but for a DC character, he’s oddly enough very consistent in how he’s portrayed.
 
The basis of Lex is always his absurd hatred of Superman followed by his true belief that if not for Superman, he himself would be a good guy/hero. There are some really great non-canon stories that show this (Lex Luthor: Man of Steel and All-Star Superman for example). 
 
This is a great episode that you’re not gonna want to miss as we break down what makes Lex Luthor tick. Oh and Kriss makes it very clear, Lex doesn’t qualify for his “Villain Agenda”. Find out why.

Key Issues (we cover a lot more than what’s listed here):

  • Action Comics #43 - First Appearance
  • Non-Canon 
    • Lex Luthor: Man of Steel
    • All-Star Superman (Grant Morrison)
      • Issue #5 - Clark visits Lex in jail
  • The Man of Steel (1986) - John Byrne redesigns the character
    • Issue #4 - sets up a hostage situation on his own boat to try to hire Superman
  • The Death of Superman: Superman vol1 #149
  • Superman vol 2 #2 - Is told Clark Kent is Superman, doesn’t believe it
  • President Luthor
    • President Luthor: Secret Files & Origins
    • Our Worlds at War
    • Superman - Batman (Jeph Loeb)
      • Vol 1 - Public Enemies - Whole series is great, first 6 issues deal with the end of President Lex 
  • Superman: Birthright (Mark Waid)
  • Infinite Crisis
  • Fifty-Two
    • Issues 34 & 35 - Turns off the Everyman powers for citizens and makes it “rain bodies” on New Years 
  • New Krypton saga
    • Superman: New Krypton
    • Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton
    • Superman: War of the Supermen
  • Superman: The Black Ring
  • Forever Evil
  • Rebirth
Direct download: Lex_Luthor_-_Character_Corner.m4a
Category:Entertainment -- posted at: 12:18pm EDT

So since coming back from break we’ve been pretty hard on The Flash but Honey, I Shrunk Team Flash put the show back in the right direction. First, the preview for the episode didn’t really do it justice. This episode was more even toned and less campy than The Elongated Knight Rises. Speaking of that, this was the right amount of Ralph Dibny. He wasn’t the center focus like last episode, he wasn’t overbearing but he worked when used. 

There were three big things that worked for us with this episode:

  • While the episode doesn’t focus on Devoe, it begins and ends with Harry drawing the connections. First he’s upset that they don’t have a plan to get Barry out of jail and then at the end he starts drawing the connections between Dwarfstar and how this all can’t be random and has to relate to Devoe’s overall plan. So while Barry is “off the board”, the main story still has connections and moves forward.
  • The focus and heavy lifting was done by the Team Flash members we’ve always cared about. Cecile’s temporary telepathy gave us some good Joe West moments. Harry’s insecurity about not being smart enough to stop Devoe and feeling responsible for Barry being in jail was good as well.
  • Barry and hope. Barry Allen (or any Flash) and their overwhelming need to believe in hope despite all the terrible things that happen to them might seem like a flaw but it’s a key feature of the character and is straight from source material.

We definitely enjoyed this episode. There are still some issues (inconsistencies with Barry’s powers) and the end of the episode with Warden Wolfe should guarantee that Barry has to reveal his identity to the public (but it won’t), but overall, this puts The Flash back on track for us.

The team battle a meta who can shrink anything he touches; Cecile's pregnancy gives her temporary powers.


1