The Flash - Plastique

While searching for the person responsible for a recent bombing in Central City, the Flash (Grant Gustin) runs across Bette Sans Souci (Kelly Frye) a metahuman and former soldier hunted by the U.S. Military for her unique ability to infuse explosive properties into objects she touches. Discovering the woman isn't a would-be super-villain but someone struggling to deal with powers beyond her control, Barry introduces Bette to the Star Labs crew hoping they might be able to help her. Sadly, Barry discovers once again that not everyone can be saved... even by the Fastest Man Alive.

Continuing to fill-in the wider DCU began in Arrow, "Plastique" introduces Clancy Brown as General Wade Eiling in an inspired casting choice. Originally a Captain Atom villain, the character is used to further explore the murky nature of government programs in the DCU, offer us another piece to the puzzle of Dr. Harrison Wells' (Tom Cavanagh) past (which itself briefly introduces us to another classic Flash villain first teased in the show's pilot episode), and open the door to explore Eiling's past and even (please, oh please) introduce Captain Atom as well.


Although he still seems to rely a bit too much on the assistance of Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) for math and science issues he should be able to figure out on his own, the episode also continues to explore what our hero can do with his speed such as running up the side of a building or racing across a river. The effect of alcohol on Barry (having his metabolism burn it up before it can effect him) is an interesting touch as well that could be laying the groundwork for a future episode.

The episode's B-story pushes Barry and Iris (Candice Patton) farther apart due to her obsession with "the Steak" (a name that needs to be killed off immediately) and Barry siding with Joe (Jesse L. Martin) in trying to discourage her new hobby. It will be intersting to see how long the show chooses to keep Barry's connection with the Flash secret and whether or not Barry chooses to reveal his super-speed or Iris discovers the secret all on her own.