The Flash Season 3, Episode 5 Recap: “Monster”

While The Flash chases after a mysterious monster rampaging across Central City, Caitlin Snow turns to her mother for help with her new powers.

The Flash‘s “Monster” episode dealt a lot with Caitlin Snow, as we were introduced to her mother, Dr. Carla Tanhauser. Meanwhile, Barry must investigate the appearance of a new monster that is terrorizing Central City.

Speed Force-Induced Summary

Caitlin Snow is desperate to find a cure for her developing powers, so she turns to her mother, Dr. Carla Tanhauser. The two aren’t on the best of terms, as their interactions are more on the “icy” side.

There’s a new Harrison Wells on the scene, and Cisco Ramon remains skeptical of him. This is a logical feeling to have, considering how many times The Flash has been betrayed by a new friendly face. Wells, adopting the nickname “HR,” attempts to make a good first impression on #TeamFlash by preparing everyone coffee. H.R. is already learning the key to winning over new acquaintances on our Earth is caffeine.

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“Monster” sees the return of CSI Julian Albert, who is shown tattling to the police chief on Barry Allen’s tendency to break the rules. Thankfully, Barry has some goodwill with the chief and gets off with a warning. Luckily just in time, because there’s a humongous monster loose in the city. By the time The Flash gets to the scene, the monster disappears.

Back at Dr. Tanhauser’s lab, we see Caitlin undergoing a set of tests to gauge the range of her ice powers. We learn from her mother that Caitlin can absorb a large amount of energy. This prompts Dr. Tanhauser to discuss with her associate the advantages this can bring to her research.

Barry wants a truce with Julian. He’s tired of the two of them bickering and not getting along. There is about a year’s worth of backstory to Barry and Julian’s relationship, but, because of “Flashpoint,” it’s only been weeks for Barry. Julian reveals that Barry stole a case from him, which was the cause of a lot of their tension. Barry wants a clean slate and offers to shadow Julian on their next case. He even offers to give Julian free reign over his lab. The two eventually find a pattern in the monster’s movements across the city.

Speaking of relationships, Caitlin and Dr. Tanhauser’s is revealed. We discover Caitlin’s father died from an illness her mother couldn’t cure. Dr. Tanhauser became cold and it drove Caitlin away. I wonder if that has anything to do with Caitlin’s icy abilities.

Image Courtesy of The CW

When it’s time for Caitlin to leave, Dr. Tanhauser’s associate tries to detain her. Bad idea. She looks to zone out, with her eyes glossing over as she starts to freeze the man’s wrist. Dr. Tanhauser pleads with Caitlin to stop — she’s not a killer. Caitlin relents and leaves.

HR is one unique dude. It’s revealed that he’s a fraud when he admits he isn’t a scientist. He can barely turn on a computer, though he was the number one entrepreneur on Tech America. After some horrible Empires Strikes Back references, HR shows his usefulness by helping the team reveal the monster is a hologram.

The Flash races to the scene of the next monster sighting, where the police are assembled to shoot the monster down. Since it’s a hologram, any bullets will travel right through it, potentially harming bystanders. The Flash is able to prevent this, but Julian has tracked down the person behind this illusion. He shoots before learning the perpetrator is really a kid. Luckily, The Flash is able to save the youngster.

We learn why Julian dislikes metahumans so much. He was meant to inherit the Albert legacy, but decided he wanted to be a scientist instead. Right when he was nearing the top of his class, metahumans popped up. A new phenomenon he knew nothing about or studied in school. Look at Julian trying to become a sympathetic figure! He’ll probably still be revealed as Dr. Alchemy.

Dr. Tanhauser has the results of Caitlin’s tests, and they’re not good. In a video message, she reveals that the more Caitlin uses her powers, the harder it will be to reverse the effects. In a fit of rage, Caitlin freezes her desk and computer.

Next: Catch up with a recap of 'The New Rogues'

Highlight

The highlight of “Monsters” was getting a larger focus on Caitlin and her mother. Caitlin’s hovered in the background for the majority of the previous two seasons, accept when her husband Ronnie Raymond was around. Plus, with the secrecy surrounding her powers, she could be set up as a potential threat for The Flash.

Closing Thoughts

Another episode comes to a close without an appearance by Dr. Alchemy. He’s set to play a role in the next episode, but for now, we’ve learned valuable information regarding Caitlin Snow and Julian Albert. Both of their stories are primed to influence The Flash going forward.