The Flash "Grodd Lives" Review

I'm starting to think that even the writers of Flash don't want us to like Iris because i'm pretty sure this is the most obnoxious that she's ever been. This is Grodd Lives, where Iris finds out that Barry is the Flash and is pissed at everyone for not telling her, meanwhile Grodd, a psychic gorilla has been causing havoc and even kidnapping Joe, all for the sake of distracting them while Wells finishes up on his masterplan, to go home.

Iris got a lot of focus in this episode and i swear, every conversation, every line of dialogue just makes me hate her more and more; "You save people everyday, and you can't think of a way to save my dad!?" WELL WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO HELP!? She's mad at Barry for not telling her that he's The Flash, here's a newsflash for ya honey, everyone has secrets! Even from their best friends, especially superheroes! and Barry doesn't have to tell you a goddamn thing, so stop acting like a self-entitled brat. Of course Joe tries to reason with her by telling her that it's dangerous to get her involved (And they're not wrong, just look at Eddie) and she responds by "if you told me then i could have helped, i could have prepared!" bitch, what the fuck can you do to help? Barry has superspeed, Caitlin and Cisco are scientists, Joe is high up in the police force, they all have ways to add to the team, you're a blogger playing news reporter. And yes, she does actually end up helping in the end through the power of bullshit, she gives him a pep talk...yeah, really unique addition to the team there Iris.

People say that she's the Laurel of this show, but that is doing a disservice to Laurel. Laurel doesn't complain nearly half as much as Iris, and being the Black Canary and a Lawyer makes her useful, Iris has no skills to add, no entertaining personality. I'm not being mean to her for the sake of being mean, but please tell me one thing that she adds to the show that no one else can fill, just one thing! Even down to her relationship with Eddie is fucked up now, she practically says that she's only with Eddie now because he's kidnapped "I can't be with you, Barry! The man I love is kidnapped!" "What about after I save him?" "Yeah sure." God fucking dammit Iris! This is the problem with having your worst character be the focus of an episode, it really hurts the episode a lot, hard to believe this woman ends up giving birth to my favourite incarnation of The Flash.

How about Grodd? Well, the CGI was butt-ugly, but hey, it's a TV budget, i can accept that, so what about the actual character? I liked him. The Grodd I know has always been a super genius who quotes Shakespeare and comes up with clever plans, but I guess this Grodd isn't there yet, nevertheless he was still a legitimate threat to Barry and they planted the seeds of what will go on to be one of his greatest villains of all time, I look forward to seeing Grodd again once he becomes more than a telepathic Caeser.

Also just a quick note: they really overdid Cisco with the movie references this episode, yes, he watches a lot of movies, but he's not Abed, stop trying to make him Abed. Another quick note: It was nice seeing a new side of Joe who was terryfied for his life, it would have been better if this were pre-established, but nevertheless I enjoyed it.

Like I said, having an episode focusing on your worst character is already going to be a risk, but having her do nothing but be spiteful, self-entitled, arrogant and overall pathetic does not help. Grodd was cool and Joe had a nice role to play in it, but Iris really needs an attitude check. 5/10.

-Danny