While Barry investigates the appearance of a new speedster, Allegra tries to protect her friend Lydia from a couple of old foes.
Tropes Featured in this Episode:
- Bring It: Allegra towards Sunshine and Dr. Light, when they retreat and threaten retaliation.
- The Bus Came Back: Allegra's friend Lydia, as well as Sunshine and Dr. Light return.
- But Now I Must Go: After the events of the season, Caitlin sends the team a message, letting them know she needs to step back to figure things out.
- …But He Sounds Handsome: When Taylor wants to start an investigation on the (from her perspective) mysterious light meta, Allegra says that maybe she doesn't want to be ID'd.
- Call-Back: When Barry finds out the speedster is Dr. Meena Dhawan, he geeks out and mentions he read her book "Quantum Gravity & The Universe" three times. That book showed up back in the Season Seven premiere "All's Well that Ends Wells".
- The Chains of Commanding: Allegra's insecurities of being a leader are explored, with her gaining new strength and resolve in the end.
- Color-Coded for Your Convenience: Dr. Dhawan's lightning is silver.
- Consulting a Convicted Killer: Barry goes to Thawne for help with finding the new speedster.
- Continuity Nod:
- Thawne is being kept in the prison within Lian Yu.
- August Heart and Speed Force!Nora are mentioned as well.
- A Day in the Limelight: While Barry still investigates his own case, the focus of the episode is on Allegra.
- Evil Is Petty: Thawne throws a huge temper tanthrum when Barry suggests that the new speedster might be on their way to replace him.
- Hold the Line: Allegra battles Sunshine and Dr. Light and it's quite clear that she's way over her head, despite giving a good losing performance. However, she's only doing this so an interview exposing the Arañas gang to the city can air.
- How the Mighty Have Fallen: Thawne is in a very sorry state. As he puts it in his own words, it now takes him the same time to cross his tiny cell as he once took to circle the entire globe.
- Internal Reveal: Not only do Taylor, Vanya and Aariz learn about Allegra's past, they also learn that she is the Light Meta that has been helping the Flash.
- It's All About Me: Taylor advocates for giving Lydia to Sunshine and Dr. Light to save her own skin.
- Kick the Dog: Thawne just cannot resist rubbing Frost's death into Barry's face.
- Mythology Gag:
- Meena's company FastTrack Labs is named after her future codename in the DC Rebirth era.
- Allegra's tactic of using her powers to project a glow over her face and thus hide her identity is exactly what Black Lightning is said to have done in his own series.
- My Greatest Failure: While contemplating her failures in leadership, Allegra brings up an incident from her criminal days where she almost got one of her girls killed for a worthless loot.
- Never My Fault: Thawne still only blames Barry for his failures, with the latter quickly pointing out that he is responsible himself for losing his speed.
- New Powers as the Plot Demands: Coupled with Took a Level in Badass, as Allegra is shown to be able to heal herself with her powers after being shot in the abdomen by Dr. Light.
- Overshadowed by Awesome: Dr. Dhawan has figured out how to move at the speed of sound and throw lightning, putting her at the same level Barry was back in season two. Needless to say, Barry is well beyond that point now.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Barry gives one to Thawne.
- The Reveal: One of the plots involves a mysterious speedster causing problems. When Barry finally catches up to them, we see who it is: Dr. Meena Dhawan, the CEO of FastTrack Labs.
- Shout-Out: Chester compares Allegra's leadership skills to Janeway, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Angela Davis.
- Some Kind Of Forcefield: Chester puts one up to protect Lydia from Sunshine and Dr. Light.
- Spotting the Thread: Taylor, who isn't very happy about Allegra and her leadership in general, is very quick to figure out that something is wrong and subsequently uncovers Allegra's connection to the Arañas gang.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome:
- Caitlin needs some time for herself after what Barry did.
- Allegra's co-workers are extremely skeptical about being sent to investigate a story when Allegra offers only one source, without even fact-checking it.
- Time-Passage Beard: Thawne sports one during his imprisonment on Lian Yu.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: Allegra is shocked to learn that the Arañas is killing people en masse now, considering that they used to be a carjacking gang.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Taylor starts to go this route after being saved by Allegra.
- Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Sunshine and Dr. Light beat it when the interview exposing them is broadcasted.
- We Will Meet Again: Before retreating, Sunshine and Dr. Light vow to return and get revenge against Allegra. She responds with Bring It.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Vanya calls out Taylor for considering to give up Lydia.
- The Worf Effect: For once completely averted, with Barry being easily able to outpace Dr. Dhawan.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Chester gives Allegra one, which boosters her self-confidence in her leadership skills.
