The Flash Season 2: 7 Ups And 5 Downs From 'Versus Zoom'

8. Not Killing Barry

The Flash Versus Zoom
The CW

Sure, if Barry Allen was killed off then it would be difficult at this point to see how The CW’s The Flash could carry on. Granted, Jesse Quick is out there somewhere, Wally West is now a semi-regular part of the show, but neither are ready to become speedsters just yet. Regardless, it felt absolutely senseless that Zoom didn’t kill Barry Allen when he had the chance at the end of Versus Zoom.

Ever since debuting at the start of Season 2, we’ve constantly seen how Zoom is an utter b*stard who doesn’t care about anyone. His simple target is to get Barry’s speed up, steal said speed, and then kill Barry.

In this latest episode, Zoom finally succeeds in the first two. Then, with his hand around the throat of a powerless Barry Allen, the heartless, clinical Zoom instead opts to let his rival live due to some soppy words from Caitlin Snow.

Again, this was something that just felt like total BS. If put in this position, Zoom would’ve unquestionably killed Barry. Instead, the problem here falls on the writers, for they shouldn't have written this villain into such a position.

I suppose the good thing is that it’s not like Barry’s going to become a threat to Zoom again by getting his speed back at any point…

Now for what the episode got right...

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer and Presenter, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund and Eli Roth to Kevin Smith and the Russo Brothers, to Kevin Conroy and Frank Miller, to Bret Hart and Sting, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, and Brian Flynn, to many, many more. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is a long-standing season ticket holder and an FSA Award-winner for his time co-hosting the Fearless in Devotion podcast.