Season 1 of The Flash featured Reverse-Flash as the big bad, and he was a more personal antagonist for Barry. This season we have Zoom, who has only been in a few episodes, but has already caused so much damage and trouble for Team Flash. What are your thoughts on this deadly speedster so far, and who do you think/should be underneath that mask?
Andy Behbakht: I love that Zoom is someone that isn’t connected with Barry, thus not having any personal history with him, like Eobard had. I still think it is Henry Allen of Earth-2 who is Zoom, which would make it so compelling because think about it: not only would Barry have to face one of his toughest opponents ever, but he has to face something that looks like his beloved father. Episode 6, where Zoom completely humiliates The Flash to Central City, was one of the most chilling TV sequences I have ever seen on a superhero series. At this point, I doubt Zoom is anyone from the comics, like Hunter Zolomon or someone like that. I think it would be better from an emotional standpoint if it’s an evil version of one of the established characters, like Henry, from Earth-2.
Sean Colletti: Zoom has been genuinely frightening this season, which is partially the character design but mostly the way he’s been able to get into Barry’s head and break him down so easily. With superhuman powers, certain characters are harder to challenge than normal humans, who bruise and bleed like anyone else. To see Barry lose in a physical match against Zoom was definitely powerful, but seeing Barry have PTSD, essentially, from that encounter makes Zoom feel like an even greater adversary. As far as who is under the mask, I have no knowledge of Flash lore, so at the risk of sounding stupid months from now, my best guess is Barry Allen from Earth-2. It seems like an obvious reveal at some point–that the person who has been most thorough at dismantling the Barry we know is another version of Barry. Regardless of what happens, though, Zoom has given this season of The Flash huge stakes for viewers to invest in.
Jasef Wisener: Zoom has been so much more of a threat, in my opinion, despite the fact that he doesn’t have a personal relationship with Barry, and I’ve absolutely loved getting to see the havoc he’s already caused. I can’t wait to find out more of him through the rest of the season. As for who’s underneath the mask, I’ve been leaning toward Barry’s dad for a while, either the Earth-1 or Earth-2 version, but I think we need to learn a lot more about him before we can really make a good guess on his identity.
Blaise Hopkins: I really love how they have adapted Zoom so far this season. While I’m not necessarily too worried about who it turns out to be (because there are so many possibilities still on the table), I personally like the idea that it’s Eddie. In the comics, Zoom’s identity is Hunter Zolomon, a former friend of Wally’s who becomes paralyzed and begins to hate Wally when he refuses to run back in time and change the outcome of things. I think that this lines up with Eddie quite nicely for a number of reasons: 1. They both were a part of law enforcement. 2. Both personal friends of the Flash, not just knowing him as the hero. 3. Would have reason to hate him for not altering their fate by running back in time.
I think that The Flash writers could be setting Eddie up to be a combination of Cobalt Blue and Hunter Zolomon’s Zoom (which is why the character is blue). His body was sucked into the wormhole, which leaves tons of possibilities open, and I think it would easily be plausible for him to have been sucked back in time and spit out onto Earth-2 with newly discovered speed-force powers. He would basically hate and blame Barry for everything that’s happened and is now getting his revenge and eliminating all speedsters.
Nick Hogan: Analyzing Zoom’s physical traits, my working theory is that it’s Earth 2’s Henry Allen, or a bulked-up Barry. Of course, perhaps my favorite element of this show is that there are 100+ theories and any of them are possible. Zoom very much poses the same kind of personal threat that Reverse-Flash did, just not necessarily to Barry. He’s still one of the scariest villains on TV this season.
Tiffany Chang: I’m intrigued by Zoom. To me, he’s pretty much the DC Comics version of the Evil Queen from Snow White because he wants to be number one, and if he can’t be the only speedster in town, then he will stop at nothing to ensure that he gets what he wants. I also want to know how he took Jay’s speed force from him and why he would keep Harry Wells’ daughter Jesse hostage and make the good doctor do what the evil speedster tells him. I think Zoom might be an incarnation of Reverse-Flash or it might be Hunter Zolomon (according to the comics). It could also be an evil twin version of Barry. Just throwing it out there.
Chris King: While there appears to be no personal connection between Barry and Zoom as of right now, that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one the most terrifying villains on television. Similar to Damien Darhk in this season of Arrow, Zoom works so well as an antagonist because of how cruel, vicious, and menacing he is. He doesn’t just make threats; he takes action, and it’s always thrilling to watch (even when it’s also horrifying, such as when he paraded a beaten and broken Barry around Central City for all of its citizens to see). If the rest of The Flash‘s second season can continue to solidify Zoom’s presence, he could easily become the show’s best villain yet, and there’s been a lot of terrific evil-doers on this series in only a season and a half. Also, if I were a betting man, I would go with a theory that some of our other writers have already cited: Zoom is Earth-2’s Henry Allen or Earth-2’s Joe West. And if Zoom is not Henry or Joe, then it’s got to be Earth-2’s Barry Allen.
As we head into the second half of The Flash‘s second season, what are some things that you want to see more of in terms of characters and storylines?
Andy Behbakht: I hope the second half focuses a lot on the West family, especially now that Wally West has arrived, and sees wht his relationships will be like with Iris and Joe, as well as Barry at some point. I’m still holding on to what I have said before that I think Iris got sidelined way too much in the first half of the season by new characters and elements. That’s not what I want to see happen to a female lead that not only is performed by a great actor but also to a character that is a valuable member of Team Flash and the Flash mythology as a whole.
While I think Shantel VanSanten has been a good addition to the show and have had some good moments as Patty, I haven’t necessarily been onboard with this character so far. The second half should work on establishing her as her own character and not just as Barry Allen’s new girlfriend. Let her interact with more characters than just Barry and Joe; I wouldn’t mind see her interact with the main female characters and form some bonds with them. The same can be said about Jay, who I feel needs to start being a real mentor and not just Caitlin’s love interest, although I will say that I find that relationship quite sweet. I just want to see him and Barry run together, as well as more flashbacks of Jay on Earth-2!
Sean Colletti: I’ve kind of been blown away by how great a performance Shantel VanSanten is turning in as Patty Spivot. She’s so emotive in those nuanced ways where you can immediately tell what the character is thinking and feeling just based on body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Unfortunately, Spivot has received the short end of the plot stick this season, and if she’s going to go on being the one person who doesn’t know The Flash’s identity, the writers need to work in better ways to develop her and Barry’s relationship without relying on that mystery. VanSanten genuinely lights up the room with her smile, and the character just isn’t doing her performance justice right now. Apart from that, I always think of Barry, Cisco and Caitlin as the equivalent of Oliver, Diggle and Felicity on Arrow: the core of the team. Cisco has been tremendous this season, so more Caitlin stories would make me happy (Caitlin and Jay kissing made me very happy). Barry vs. Zoom is obviously the bigger picture concern for this season, but any sub-plots that come back to the core three and how they relate to one another are always going to be boon for this kind of series.
Jasef Wisener: I’m hoping that Jay gets a real purpose on the show other than Caitlin’s side-boyfriend, and I’m hoping that Patty gets a lot more exploration. She’s been a really fun addition to the season, and I want to see a lot more of her as we go on. And more King Shark!!!
Blaise Hopkins: I’m hoping to see further incorporation of Jay and also the slow inclusion of Wally. Wally is a huge character, and I really hope the Flash writers can offer some amazing scenes between him and Joe, while also utilizing Iris a lot more to connect with him and make him feel at home, eventually leading to him getting powers. Honestly, though, the show is doing a fine job with everything, and I know I can just sit back each week and The Flash won’t really let me down.
Nick Hogan: I obviously want to see more Henry Allen. John Wesley Shipp brings absolute perfection to that role. He makes me teary-eyed every single time, but I love it. In addition, to explore its own main characters more would greatly benefit the series. The season has still been pretty great so far, but there’s been a lot of focus on Captain Cold, Linda Park, Kendra Saunders, and crossovers (don’t get me wrong, I LOVE all of it) that has been drawing away from strong, capable players like Iris, Caitlin, Jay Garrick, and the like. With Wally now in the mix, focusing on the inner sanctum will make the show stronger.
Tiffany Chang: I want to see more of Harry Wells. Now that I know that he is going to help Zoom get Barry’s speed force, it would be interesting to find out if he will actually go through with it or act as a double agent of sorts and pull one over on Zoom once he gets his daughter back. In terms of the story arc, I want to see if there is a possibility of Jay getting his speed back somehow. If so, then he can help Barry out when he fights evil meta-humans. Two Flashes is better than one, yes? I also want to know more about what’s going to happen to Patty after the stunt she pulled when apprehending the Weather Wizard.
Chris King: I really want Barry to FINALLY tell Patty that he’s The Flash, because as we’ve seen on both The Flash and Arrow, keeping secrets from people you care about never turns out well, and it also leads to lazy, contrived drama. I’m also hoping to see Joe be as great of a father to Wally as he has been to Barry, Caitlin getting more storylines than simply her romance with Jay, Harry Wells turning against Zoom and finding another way to rescue his daughter, more of Patty in general because I think she’s been a great addition to the show and, as Sean mentions, Shantel VanSanten has been absolutely wonderful in the role, and more of Cisco being his awesome self.
The Flash returns with new episodes on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 8/7c on The CW. What did you think of the first half of The Flash Season 2? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more exciting round table discussions!
[Photos via The CW]
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