The Flash — “Failure is an Orphan” — Image Number: FLA516b_0385b.jpg — Pictured: Grant Gustin as The Flash — Photo: Jeff Weddell/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved

Please Keep In Mind That This Article Contains Potential Spoilers For “Failure Is Orphan” and Events That Occurred Prior

Just when we thought the Cicada storyline was coming to a close, the show goes and throws a curveball. After being convinced to take the cure, Orlin is healed, and Cicada no more. That is until his daughter from the future decides to spring into action and “save” her father. Talk about a twist that should have happened episodes ago.

I mean seriously, looking back on the season, this huge swerve should have happened no later than the halfway point. It really exposes just how drawn out this season’s arc has been. Clearly this is the version of Cicada that they were meant to go against in the first place—complete with an impressive and scary set of powers. Now I won’t lie and say that I’m not interested in this new direction, because I am very much on board. I for one was getting tired of Orlin leaping up in the air and escaping on borrowed time.

The Flash — “Failure is an Orphan” — Image Number: FLA516a_0340b.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Jessica Parker Kennedy as Nora West – Allen, Candice Patton as Iris West Allen and Grant Gustin as Barry Allen — Photo: Jeff Weddell/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved

As for Barry, he realized when it came to talking Orlin down, his angle should be less about the Flash. More importantly it should be about their fatherly connection—a lesson I thought Barry had already learned. I mean my first guess when it came to appealing to Orlin would have been connecting to his daughter. But for some reason Barry had to be reminded of this? Also, if you think about it, why did Orlin allow himself to be cured first? Wouldn’t he want to make sure that they would follow through and cure his daughter? You’d think she would be his first request.

It’s easy to continue getting fed up about how stretched out this season’s storyline has become, but despite its extremely slow progression, I still find Sherloque’s investigation into Nora to be one of the most intriguing aspects of this season. I started out this season thinking that there was no way that Sherloque would stand up against the likes of the Well’s that came before. I figured he would simply continue to be a gimmick, and never grow into more. I couldn’t have been more wrong. As potential goodbyes were being said I realized that I’ve grown quite fond of this Well’s iteration. This episode is the closest we have been to Sherloque’s accusations about Nora truly coming out and being focused on.

The Flash — “Failure is an Orphan” — Image Number: FLA516a_0183b.jpg — Pictured: (L-R) Candice Patton as Iris West – Allen, Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, Jessica Parker Kennedy as Nora West – Allen and Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow — Photo: Jeff Weddell/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved

Sadly, “Failure Is Orphan” was a mixed bag. While it teased the conclusion of Cicada’s threat, the show ended up prolonging it even more—albeit using an interesting twist to do so. Even if said twist should have happened much earlier. With the end of the season quickly approaching, hopefully the arrival of this new Cicada will usher in the culmination of the many other plot threads this season—mainly that of Nora and Thawne. I mean, Grace’s unexpected arrival certainly seemed to be enough to shake Thawne.

Bonus Notes:

  • After specifically being told via Peptalk that Orlin can’t see past his rage when it comes to The Flash, Barry still shows up in his flash outfit (still fully intent on exposing his identity anyways).
  • Thinking ahead, I will love if the writer’s credit the daughter’s hatred towards the team to her misguided run in earlier in the season via the dream world.
  • It was a nice idea to give Joe and Cecile some more attention. However I don’t really think we learned anything new. Also, they really had to play up Cecile to a ridiculous degree to even start the rift between the two of them in the first place.

You can catch new episodes of The Flash when they air on The CW network every Tuesday at 8pm EST