The Flash Season 5: 4 Ups & 1 Down From 'Seeing Red'

3. Character Development

‘Seeing Red’ may have been overflowing with just about every type of fantastical metahuman imaginable, but that didn’t stop it from offering us some admirably deep storytelling. While Barry’s character arc headlined the episode (more on that later), the supporting and guest characters were also given their chances to shine in what was ultimately a really strong ensemble piece.

Cisco may not have been present this week, but his plan to create a cure for metahumans had lasting effects on Killer Frost, who worried that Caitlin may eventually decide to use the cure on herself. This provided the usually comedic (and sometimes immature) Ralph with an opportunity to play more of a dramatic, counselling role and, surprisingly, he slotted into it perfectly.

The pair’s insightful conversations allowed us to learn that the once-selfish Killer Frost wasn’t afraid of what would happen to her if Caitlin took the cure, she was afraid of what would happen to Caitlin if she wasn’t around to protect her. Similarly, Season 4 villain Norvak struggled with the idea of helping people as that’s exactly what he did before he was “gifted” with his unusual powers following the particle accelerator explosion. However, thanks to Ralph, he found it within himself to be selfless once again, saving the other metas before himself, and this time (also thanks to Ralph), he didn’t pay the price.

In the end, Caitlin and Killer Frost were closer than they had ever been, the newly-heroic Norvak had been successfully protected by the F.B.I. and Ralph was there to smile proudly at everyone’s immense progress, completely unaware that he had perhaps had the biggest character journey of them all.