The Flash Season 6 (Part 2): 5 Theories On The Identity Of The New Big Bad
The villain we've all been waiting for might FINALLY be upon us...
The second half of The Flash's sixth season kicked off with a midseason premiere that served as something of a reboot for the show. Though fans knew going into it that Season 6 would essentially be divided into two 'graphic novels' - as showrunner Eric Wallace referred to them - few of us anticipated how different things would be, because it isn't just the season's storyline that has changed in the post-Crisis world, it's the whole complexion of The Flash's universe.
One of those recent changes comes in the form of the season's overarching villain. While the first half set up Ramsey Rosso's Bloodwork to be a major threat - which he was - the character's defeat in the pre-Crisis midseason finale left the show in need of a new Big Bad for the remainder of the season.
As the writers are still in the process of building the second half's foundations, there are still a number of intentional question marks in regards to its new villain. Yes, it appears that they're already leaning in one direction but, with the grounded reporter-heavy format the show has adopted, all may not be what it seems. On that note, let's explore the possibilities...
5. Reverse-Flash
As long as he's on the loose, no list of potential Flash Big Bads would be complete without Eobard Thawne, so we may as well jump straight into it by looking at why his return this season is more likely than ever.
The main villain of Season 1, Thawne has recurred throughout the show's run as he's often relied upon to infuse the show with a little bit of that early grit and vitality should it become a little stale. We saw this work wonders last season when he manipulated Nora into helping him escape Death Row at Iron Heights prison in 2049 and gifted an otherwise lacklustre offering with a season finale that would easily rank among the show's best ever episodes. And this breakout resulted in his eventual escape from Team Flash.
In spite of his promise to see Barry at his next Crisis, the Reverse-Flash never returned during Crisis On Infinite Earths for the long-teased showdown that the crossover was supposed to deliver, so without that particular endgame hanging over it, we're all left a little bit confused as to when he'll return. After all, if the purpose of the Season 5 arc wasn't to free him for Crisis, then what was it?
Taking all that into account, it would make relative sense if Thawne were revealed to be the Big Bad of Season 6B (or even Season 7). And, after Nash Wells laid eyes upon an alternate version of Harrison Wells (all of which are supposed to have been wiped out), it's possible that he's already made his return.