The Flash: 7 Best Episodes So Far
3. Tricksters (Season 1, Episode 17)
Written By: Andrew Kreisberg
Directed By: Ralph Hemecker
One of the high points from the original 1990 series was Mark Hamill’s guest appearance as the Trickster. Seeing the amazing opportunity to bring him back, Tricksters positioned the character as half Hannibal Lecter and half Joker. Hamill straight up steals the show, throwing out Star Wars references and even getting some screen time with the original Flash actor, John Wesley Shipp.
Amidst all of the Trickster’s jail-breaking and hostage-taking antics there’s so more great stuff sprinkled in there. For one, Barry gets a new power, realizing he can vibrate through solid objects, one of his trademark skills in the comics. Then there’s Barry’s touching scene with his dad, who opts to return to prison after Trickster breaks him out, despite Barry’s pleas to set him free.
On the larger scale of the plot, a lot is going on as well. The opening scene alone provides a thrilling slow-motion fight scene between the Flash and Reverse-Flash on the night of Nora Allen’s murder. This is promptly followed with a look at Eobard Thawne’s real face. With Barry suspecting that Harrison is not who he says he is, this episode really helped ramp towards the endgame while still providing an entertaining hour of adventure.