The Flash: 7 Things That Season 1 Has Done Right (And 3 It Hasn't)

1. The Not-So-Secret Identity

Another staple of the comic genre present in The Flash is the concept of the hero's secret identity. For the sake of protecting those whom he loves from his enemies and himself from the authorities, Barry Allen must live a double life. Unfortunately, the secret identity is an area in which the show has elected to play fast and loose, and Barry comes across as arrogant and childish as a result. Instead of escaping and capturing a mugger on the sly, Barry merrily calls attention to himself and laughs at the thief. Instead of sticking to the bare bones of vigilantism, he races around Central City helping painters and making matches and whooping in joy. Instead of getting his own lunch, he uses his superspeed in the police precinct to steal the lunch of the police captain off of his desk right in front of him. In broad daylight. Unless Barry's carelessness is part of a long game that is going to spectacularly backfire on him to re-teach him the lesson that Oliver Queen tried to impart over the crossover, his carefree approach to his secret identity is going to lose any and all charm. Honestly, as much as Barry Allen is one of the most endearing superheroes to grace the small screen in recent years, it was awfully satisfying to see the Arrow punch him in the face. As that's probably not what the producers were going for, a bit of tweaking is in order.