Looking back, the Arrowverse really was a groundbreaking effort to create a full-blown superhero universe on television – and honestly, it’s been the most successful one so far. I think it worked because it found a great balance. They managed to adapt DC comics faithfully, even on a TV budget, but weren’t afraid to embrace the really wild and fantastical stories and ideas from the comics that might have been considered too over-the-top for TV in the past. Take Arrow, for example – it started out super gritty and realistic, but then gradually introduced more and more amazing, fantastical storylines, and it totally worked!
When The Flash debuted on The CW in 2014, the network’s superhero universe—known as the Arrowverse—was ready to fully embrace the fantastical storylines and style of comic books. The Flash immediately took advantage of this new creative freedom, particularly in its first season, which focused on Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) learning to control his powers as a metahuman connected to the incredibly powerful Speed Force. Even more impressively, Season 1 featured a compelling mystery that captivated fans and included numerous red herrings to keep online viewers guessing until the final reveal.
“The Man in the Yellow Suit” Delivered The Flash’s Greatest Twist
Season 1, Episode 9 of The Flash, titled “The Man in the Yellow Suit,” significantly altered the show’s direction. Before this episode, the series had built suspense around two key dangers for Barry Allen and the S.T.A.R. Labs team. The first was the Reverse-Flash, a mysterious, fast villain who would occasionally appear to challenge Barry or steal advanced technology. The second was Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), the head of S.T.A.R. Labs, who was previously revealed in Episode 1 to be a deceptive manipulator from the future.
The Flash cleverly misled viewers with a surprising twist. Initially, the show presented Harrison Wells as the main villain, then spent several episodes developing him into a complex character who seemed to be trying to prevent a catastrophic future event. In the first half of Episode 9, a scene showing Reverse-Flash attacking both Wells and the police appeared to disprove the theory that Wells was Reverse-Flash. However, the episode’s final scene revealed that speedsters can be in multiple places simultaneously, meaning fans couldn’t trust what they saw and Wells’ true identity remained a mystery.
Tom Cavanagh Was The Flash‘s Secret MVP
It wasn’t much of a surprise to dedicated viewers of The Flash that Tom Cavanagh consistently outshone his fellow actors. Already a seasoned performer with experience in both television shows like Scrubs and Eli Stone, and films such as Freddy vs. Jason and Gray Matters, the role of Harrison Wells/Reverse-Flash allowed Cavanagh to truly showcase his range. He seamlessly shifted between the serious, dramatic portrayal of Wells and the wildly energetic or subtly threatening performance of Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash.
It’s rare for an actor to convincingly play both a hero’s trusted mentor and a captivating villain – Liam Neeson in Batman Begins is a prime example. Tom Cavanagh achieved this across the entire Arrowverse, not only mastering that range but also portraying multiple versions of the character (or entirely new ones) in shows like Arrow, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and Superman & Lois. He became so closely associated with the franchise that it felt central to his career, and he was a fantastic face for it at public events. Importantly, he always seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the work, respectful of the source material, and appreciative of the fans.
The Arrowverse had some truly incredible moments, but it’s tough to top the reveal of Wells as Reverse-Flash, or the suspenseful ending of the episode “The Man in the Yellow Suit.”
You can currently stream every season of The Flash on Netflix.
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2025-12-10 02:42