The Flash Season 5: 6 Major Questions We Have For The Second Half

6. Will Joe West Return?

In case you've been wondering why Flash mainstay Joe West has been absent for the vast majority of Season 5, it's because actor Jesse L. Martin suffered a back injury last summer and, as a result, had to temporarily depart on a medical leave of absence.

The fact that the character had recently become a father allowed the writers to hide Martin's absence via various explanations about how Joe was busy looking after his newborn daughter Jenna. Furthermore, the heavy reliance on his wife, D.A. Cecile Horton, has made these multiple excuses seem much more plausible, while allowing her to shine at the same time. However, the show is expected to address his absence with a more long-term explanation in the back half of the season.

But does that signify that Martin will be gone for the remainder of the season, or just for the foreseeable future? While nobody wants the veteran actor to return to work before he's well enough, it is still possible that we'll see him appear at some point before the season comes to an end.

Either way, we wish Jesse L. Martin a very speedy recovery!