The Flash Season 3, Episode 6 Recap: “Shade”

By Tim Adams | Nov 18, 2016

On this week’s episode of The Flash, Wally West starts to have dreams of his time as Kid Flash in the “Flashpoint” universe.

The Flash may want to forget he ever created “Flashpoint,” but Wally West is starting to remember his time in the alternate world in the episode titled “Shade.”

We begin with Wally having “Flashpoint” dreams that show him as Central City’s protector, Kid Flash. This frightens Joe West because Wally is displaying the same symptoms as Magenta and The Rival, and both of them are either dead or in jail because of Dr. Alchemy. I’d say that’s a pretty solid argument made by Joe.

More from TV

Back at the Central City Police Department, Barry Allen is promoted to CSI Metahuman Investigator full-time. This is great news for Barry, but the look on Julian Albert’s face shows he won’t be congratulating Barry anytime soon. I’m sure he was eyeing that position for himself.

H.R. (Harrison Wells from Earth-19) is still annoying Cisco Ramon back at S.T.A.R. Labs. As much as H.R. wants to go exploring this new Earth, he can’t since he shares the same face as a wanted criminal. H.R. finds a solution to this problem a little later in the show.

Joe and Wally finally have a heart-to-heart regarding their relationship, and it’s all based on Wally’s “Flashpoint” visions. Wally believes Joe doesn’t trust him with superpowers the same way Joe trusts Barry. It comes down to their unique father-son relationships, where Joe helped raise Barry and wasn’t there for Wally. This prompts Wally to go off on his own, which worries Joe.

It’s around this time that our villain, a giant black shadow, makes it’s appearance when it kills a guy in public. The Flash has had some odd villains, but “Shade” may top the list.

Image Courtesy of The CW

Remember when I said H.R. would find a way around stepping outside the walls of S.T.A.R. Labs? He does just that by creating a device that changes his appearance to everyone except #TeamFlash. He might not be such a fraud after all.

After Wally returns, Joe confesses that he doesn’t trust how Wally is getting his powers, but he does trust Wally. With the good must come some bad, as Wally has another vision, but this one leaves him physically ill.

Caitlin Snow finally tells Cisco about her developing powers and fears of turning into her dark persona, Killer Frost. She asks Cisco to vibe her future to see if her fears come true. Cisco agrees and is shocked to see himself and Killer Frost battling it out. To spare Caitlin, Cisco lies and says he didn’t see anything.

Thanks to the use of lights and wrist-power-dampeners, The Flash is able to defeat Shade. While this is going on, Wally is secluded in a cell at S.T.A.R. Labs so Dr. Alchemy can’t reach him. This doesn’t stop the mysterious hooded figure, as he starts communicating telepathically to Wally.

Cisco finally lets #TeamFlash in on what’s been going on with Caitlin. Barry blames himself since Caitlin didn’t exhibit these powers before “Flashpoint.” Something tells me Caitlin will use this as motivation when she turns on Barry and becomes Killer Frost.

Instead of waiting for Dr. Alchemy to attack, #TeamFlash decides to use Wally as bait to draw him out. As my number one suspect to be Dr. Alchemy, Julian is conveniently missing. During the altercation with Dr. Alchemy, Wally touches a glowing rock and is turned into some sort of cocoon. Out of nowhere, the God of Speed, Savitar, makes his stunning appearance.

Next: Catch up with a recap of 'Monster'

Highlight

Though it plays only a small part in “Shade,” I’m really enjoying the blossoming relationship between Joe and District Attorney Cecile Horton. H.R. even starts putting the moves on Cecile during a group movie night, and Joe’s reaction is priceless.

Closing Thought

Dr. Alchemy makes his presence felt by directly targeting Wally West. I have no idea what happened to Wally at the end of the episode. Savitar shows up with no explanation or warning, and his situation will need monitoring going forward.