The Flash Season 4: 7 Theories On How Barry Allen Will Return
3. Iris Is His Lightning Rod
OK, let's say that Barry Allen is going to return. The true Earth-1 Barry Allen and not as Black Flash. How would he actually be able to escape the Speed Force? Even Savitar and Jay Garrick couldn't do that. The reason is because neither of those speedsters had a Lightning Rod.
The concept of a Lightning Rod comes from the comics, when Wally West disappeared into the Speed Force. Eventually, he returned but the only way he escaped is because he had an anchor - or Lightning Rod - drawing him back to reality. What was this anchor? His love for his girlfriend Linda Park. Yes, love really conquers all.
Seeing as The Flash has repeatedly emphasised the importance of Barry and Iris' relationship and how they are destined to be together, it would be a surprise if the show did not introduce the idea of Iris as Barry's Lightning Rod here. It would be a neat, comic book canonical, way of explaining Barry's return to the world and would also tie into the show's central romance.