Spoilers might be closer than they appear.

(Photo: Cate Cameron/The CW)
(Photo: Cate Cameron/The CW)

The Flash 2×07: Gorilla Warfare brings us back Flash’s classic nemesis, the mind-controlling gorilla named Grodd. Although CGI can make him as impressive as the real thing and then some, I’m glad that Grodd for the most part is shown in shadows. It gives more gravitas to his demeanor and his presence gains a little more mystery. Although there’s some great performances in this episode, you can’t ignore the threat of Grodd. He’s out to make more of his own kind. For that end, he kidnaps Caitlin Snow. The showrunners could’ve easily make this one into a trove of King-Kong-inspired scenes, but fortunately we’re not here for the cheese.

Barry is trying to get back on his feet. He’s healing quite fast, but he’s ability to run is hampered. There’s some mental trauma that is holding him back. Time to bring in the cavalry, in the shape of Henry Allen (John Wesley Shipp). Henry is just what the doctor ordered, and sometimes I forget Barry’s old man is another scientist himself. It’s good to see him steal a scene with his charisma and infuse some confidence back into his son.

The other side of the coin might be “Harry” Wells (Tom Cavanagh) who slowly drops the hard-as-nails façade and is starting to act a little less antisocial. In this episode, he cares about Caitlin enough to wear the Reverse Flash costume so he can convince Grodd he’s Eobard Thawne, his “Father” of sorts. Unfortunately, he still gets knocked into a wall as he misses a beat by saying “please”, something the real Eobard said to Grodd. He still manages one more impersonation so he can pump drug darts into the gorilla.

I actually enjoyed this episode. No cheesiness with Linda, and all business as Henry, Harry and the STAR Labs gang act as a team. Makes you wish Henry could stick around.

Highs/Lows/HenryRules:

  •  Harrison “Harry” Wells impersonating Harrison “Eobard” Wells for Cisco. A plus, but it got a bit creepy there. Makes me feel Cisco misses that connection, albeit of course, not the actual Reverse Flash. Harry does seem to a little more willing to cooperate after this episode.
  • Grodd was an actually serious villain, although technically he’s just CGI. Caitlin will feel guilty for sending him to Earth-2 but he was destructive with murderous intent.
  • I like Joe in this episode and the moments between the Wests and the Allens. When Joe tells Iris about sometimes dreaming he had had a son of his own, you can see the turmoil as Iris remembers what her mother told her about her child, Wally West.
  • HENRY! You gotta give it to John Wesley Shipp. He still can give you the feels as he talks heart to heart with Barry, even if the middle of battle, to get him back on his feet halfway. The other half was up to Barry, who of course makes his father proud.
  • Cisco might have discovered the future Hawkgirl. I’m not sure how I feel about that costume yet. We’ll see.
  • I want a Caitlin-centered episode. She was close to the action this week, but as the damsel in distress. I want to see her taking charge.

That will do for now.