TV Review: "Godspeed" and "Snow Pack"

There were a few reasons to lump these two reviews together. One is that they very much are two very linked parts of the season's story on The Flash. The other is that in the former episode, Ralph is present, but does little more than stand around with the rest of Team Flash.

Not to diss "Godspeed," which marked the directorial debut of Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow/Killer Frost). It was a fairly solid episode. But the focus in it was on Nora's (Jessica Parker Kennedy) origins in the future as she discovers she's a speedster when she runs across the villainous Godspeed (BD Wong) and why she turned to Eobard Thawne (Tom Cavanagh) for advice. For me, a fan of Ralph, it was a little disappointing to see him present but nearly unused.

As it leads into the next episode's main story, "Godspeed" ended with Barry (Grant Gustin) returning Nora to the future, forbidding her to return, claiming he'll sense it in the Speed Force if she does. But this is The Flash and there's still a few more episodes before the finale. So that takes us into the plot of "Snow Pack"

Iris (Candice Patton) is upset with Barry on how he treated Nora without consulting her and winds up teaming up with Ralph to use a time sphere to find Nora in the future, while Nora seeks a way to return to the past without her father sensing it.

Meanwhile, Caitlin's mother Carla Tannhauser (Susan Walters) is attacked by Icicle, the metahuman alterego of Thomas Snow, Caitlin's father (Kyle Secor). Soon, it becomes clear that Icicle is trying to activate icy methuman abilities in his ex-wife and daughter. It's up to Barry with the help of Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Sherloque (Tom Cavanagh) to prevent Icicle's plot.

This episode set up some good material for further episodes and both episodes had great acting by the entire cast, with Grant and Candice particularly having some meaty moments. But Hartley's Ralph was delightful and got a couple good moments to use his powers this week.

Viewers in the US may view "Godspeed" and "Snow Pack" at no charge during a limited availability window on the CW website and app. With the current licensing agreement, the entire fifth season of The Flash will be available on Netflix in June, 2019. Digital versions of the episodes may be purchased on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Google Play and other retailers of digital video content. Blu-Ray and DVD copies of the season are expected to be available for sale in or by September, 2019.

Non-US viewers should check their local listings, the websites of the channels that air The Flash, and digital video retailers