This was another fairly mixed episode of "The Flash," continuing from last week's. Some of the things that I definitely think worked this time around was that Cecille - a character who have had almost nothing to do in this season - has finally gotten a storyline that is interesting and could add some new tension to the plot. It also gave Joe some reason for concern, not only because of his girlfriend's new and mysterious powers, but because he is finally realizing that he is going to be a father soon. We have already seen Joe deal with that realization once when he found out about Wally, which was a big thing, so it'll be interesting to see how he deals with a new little one. I also don't believe the explanation that the baby is fine, and I think it will have an impact on the progression of Season 5, when it's revealed that the new little baby is actually a secret metahuman.
The big pull of this episode is the storyline that Barry's fellow inmate Ratchett was framed for the murder of a security guard. I didn't really like anything about this particular arc, because it was sloppily written and it got lost in coincidences. Everything that happened in that specific storyline, happened because Ratchett was at the wrong place at the wrong time, which then leads into the fact that the criminal who actually committed the crime has become a metahuman, and that he so happens to be the same guy who managed to go free. It was very lazy writing, and I think the writers needs to up their game going forward.
However, I will say that I was very happy to see more time with Barry in jail. The first scene where he is playing games with some of the inmates, was a great and funny little scene that didn't disappoint. Other than that, there weren't that many other scenes that showed Barry's relationships with the other prisoners, but I do think that one scene did something to build up the anticipation of what is going to happen in some of the upcoming episodes. I am really happy that the writers are taking their time with this storyline, and aren't rushing it along like they did with other storylines, most noticably the "Flashpoint" storyline.
Even though I wasn't that impressed with the villain of the week this time around, I do think that the subplot of Cisco and Dibny being shrunk gave some big laughs and some great cultural references. It reminded me of the tone that made me fall in love with the show to begin with, and also reminded me of the episode last year when Barry lost his memory. It puts that light tone to the forefront, which is something that is needed sometimes. This season has been a good mix of both, and I hope to see that continue through the remaining episdoes.
Some of the nitpicks with this episode were that the therapy storyline has gotten too much screentime already. I don't think it's necessary to constantly go back to that part of the show, and I think this should be the last visit we make to that couch.
I also had some problems with Richard Brooks, who plays Warden Wolfe. I don't think he gives it his best in this episode, nor in any of his other appearances this season. He isn't convincing in this role, and I don't know if it's because his acting abilities ain't the best. I like the material that he is given, so it may come down to the fact that he simply ain't that good of an actor to have in this role.