The Flash season 9 ending explained: Who is [SPOILER]?

The Flash season 9 premiered with an epic opener that set the stage for the final run. It also left us with some identity questions. 

The Flash is back! Words fans of the Arrowverse series have been waiting to hear for a very long time, but ones that are also bittersweet. Yes, The Flash is back, but it’s for the last time, as the veteran CW series is preparing to say goodbye.

The season 9 premiere aired on TV screens this week, setting the stage for its final adventure. It was a fun episode, one that finally placed the spotlight on Barry and Iris West-Allen, giving the core couple more screen-time together than they have had in years. It also threw a fun time-loop into the mix, introduced new villains, and even teased us with some references to other Arrowverse characters.

But it wasn’t all super powers and time loops in Central City, as The Flash season 9 premiere ended with a double whammy that left viewers asking about the identities of two new individuals.

*** This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS from The Flash season 9 episode 1 ***

Who is the Red Death in The Flash season 9?

DC Comics fans were likely thrilled to see The Red Death appear in the season 9 premiere of The Flash. Appearing before Owen Mercer, a.k.a. the new Captain Boomerang (Richard Harmon), the evil speedster made their mission clear: Render The Flash alone without any allies to help him.

If you noticed that Bat symbol at the end, you weren’t alone. In the comics, the Red Death is a corrupt version of Batman who steals The Flash’s speed and becomes a killer. He’s a villain that Flash fans were hoping to see adapted on the show someday, with the show itself actually making a reference to the evil speedster in season 5.

If you’re wondering who this version is, well, that’s even more exciting. It was confirmed a number of months ago that Batwoman star Javicia Leslie would be appearing in the ninth season of The Flash, suggesting that she would be playing a corrupt version of Batwoman herself Ryan Wilder. She will also reprise her role as Earth-Prime’s Ryan Wilder in the season as well.

Get ready Central City, The Red Death is coming!

Who is Danielle Panabaker playing in The Flash season 9?

We knew this one was coming. Danielle Panabaker has played both Caitlin Snow and Killer Frost throughout all of The Flash‘s run, but when Frost died in the previous season, Caitlin took it upon herself to resurrect her – perhaps back in her original form by sharing Caitlin’s body. But the entity that emerged from that chamber revealed to us that she wasn’t Caitlin nor Frost but someone new.

We met this new character in the closing moments of the season 9 premiere. Sporting a denim jacket and blue highlights in her hair, she introduced herself to Barry and revealed that she wasn’t Caitlin or Frost. Barry’s confusion prompted him to ask her who she was, but the episode concluded before we could get an answer.

This new persona seemed friendly, so she may not be a villain (we’ll see) but it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of role she plays in the final season. It’s also worth noting that the most recent poster for The Flash season 9 features Panabaker as Caitlin, so it’s unlikely we’ve seen the last of her.

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Are you excited about The Flash season 9? Are you looking forward to finding out more about The Red Death and Danielle Panabaker’s new character? Let us know in the comments below!