The Flash 8x9 : Phantoms review

 

             Be warned there will be SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it.

After last weeks stellar episode of The Flash can it continue that form this week as the mystery of a new serial killer in Central City continues. The episode opens up with Iris who is seen talking to Dion questioning him about the things she has been experiencing recently. She tells him of what happened and how forgetful she has been to which he mentions time sickness? he isn't sure what is going on with her and tells her that he needs to go talk about her with the other force holders. So Iris is pretty much left in the dark until the end of the episode which I will talk about at the end of this review. Back at Star Labs and everyone is knee deep in investigation mode still. Everything changes when Chester enters and tells them that he has developed a new piece of tech that once positioned onto the Star Labs satellite will detect any form of cold fusion within the city which will give The Flash time to get to the location and stop just whoever is doing all of this in the city. A smart plan sure and it does work as intended but upon arrival The Flash is still too late only finding a charred body once again. But he also comes across some sort of black flame that puts itself out and basically vanishes into thin air. One little piece of the flame remains on the body so Barry and Chester who're at the scene as part of CCPD preserve the flame in a containment unit to do further testing back at Star Labs. 

Speaking of Star Labs we're soon back there with Chester who is examining the black fire sample. It seems to come alive more and bursts onto the table he is it, it's also no longer in his containment unit. The flames begin to get worse and worse all coming to a fever pitch as Chester screams out in help. Turns out this was all just a dream however and upon waking up he is still pretty spooked by the situation. He pretty much lies to Team Flash by stating that he's alright but clearly he is not. Alegra goes to see him soon afterwards and the black flames begin to manifest and fester once again but this time it's no dream, this time it's real and it's not looking good for everyone inside of Star Labs. 

The episode draws to a close as Barry orders that Star Labs be put in full lockdown until the situation is brought under control. With the flames forming a center point in the Speed Lab The Flash and Frost go there while everyone else stays in the main room of Star Labs. Chester who is still feeling scared and anxious comes to the conclusion that the person inside of the black flame is the ghost of his father literally haunting him from beyond the grave. Could that be possible? well yes and no because Chester's father does appear before everyone in the main room as the fires rage in the Speed Lab as The Flash phases in place with Frost to buy themselves some time. As for Chester he is forced to confront his father but most importantly his grief and sadness to overcome what stands between him and death. Chester falters at first but after he gets boosted by his friends he overcomes his situation and tells the black flame to go to hell as it evaporates in front of his very eyes. This was a cool moment for Chester much like last season where his character got some good and deep exploration. It's not long before Star Labs is out of lockdown and everyone is back together. The team come to the conclusion that all the victims are connected after Joe had done some digging. It's all a pattern you see. It turns out that the black flame whatever or whoever it may be is feeding off of people's grief. It's an enemy unlike any the team have faced before. But the episode isn't over yet as we're soon back with Iris who is talking to Barry via face time as she is in Coast City on a major story about a Phantom in the area. It turns out to be a girl who Iris basically takes under her wing along with Sue Dearbon who returns to this show once again. This girl has the ability to walk through walls and shift things in and out of existence hence the name Phantom. Iris is seen talking to Barry as I've mentioned and he says he is proud of her and that he loves her. Also mentions how it's better she isn't in Central City as it's not safe right now. Well Iris may still not be safe as Dion soon arrives and tells her that he has some bad news for her. The episode unfortunately ends before we get to find out what is wrong with her. What could it be? I am definitely interested by not just Iris's situation but the whole scenario with the black flame is very intriguing. As for this episode it wasn't as good as last week but compared to what came after Armageddon this is far, far superior. Here's hoping this show can continue this vein of form as right now I am enjoying my time with it again. 

★★★