Summary
Each season of The Flash had highs and lows, but every season had at least a few great episodes.
Crossover episodes such as "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3" and "Elseworlds, Part 1" were certainly exceptional. However, The Flash's most memorable moments extend beyond its ties to the Arrowverse.
Throughout its duration, The Flash consistently served as a solid cornerstone of the Arrowverse, seamlessly blending beloved DC Comics characters with captivating original narratives. It has undoubtedly left a significant imprint in the realm of superhero adaptations.
Each season of The Flash offers a standout episode that encapsulates the essence of the show, which aired from 2014 to 2023. The Flash transitioned from being a spinoff of Arrow to becoming one of The CW's flagship series, seamlessly merging beloved DC Comics characters with original narratives within a broader universe of superheroes. Apart from its interconnectedness within the Arrowverse, The Flash also flourished as an independent entity. While certain seasons received more acclaim than others, the show's impact on the Arrowverse and the realm of superhero adaptations cannot be overlooked.
Spanning over 20 episodes per season, The Flash experienced both peaks and valleys, much like other shows within the Arrowverse that endured for more than five seasons. Despite its occasional recurrence of villains and recycled storylines, The Flash still managed to deliver breathtaking moments. Presented here are the finest episodes from each season of The Flash, skillfully capturing their unique allure.
9 The Flash Season 1, Episode 15, “Out of Time”
The Flash's first season was filled with extraordinary episodes, including noteworthy ones like "The Man in the Yellow Suit" and "Flash vs. Arrow." However, one particular episode that stood out not only within the show but the Arrowverse as a whole was episode 15 of The Flash season 1, titled "Out of Time." In this remarkable installment, Caitlin and Cisco uncover the shocking truth that Harrison Wells is the Reverse Flash, only for the villain to execute Cisco in a tense and emotionally charged scene. Thawne's revelation of his nefarious plan just before his heinous act against Cisco ranks among the most captivating moments in The Flash, despite Barry unintentionally resetting everything by traveling back in time.
8 The Flash Season 2, Episode 6, “Enter Zoom”
The Flash season 2 took some time to find its footing. After a highly successful and self-contained first season, the show had the daunting task of crafting a new story that could match the excitement of the search for the Reverse Flash. While the inclusion of the multiverse concept in The Flash season 2 led to a number of "villain of the week" episodes, the introduction of Zoom was a brilliant move. Although it seemed nearly impossible for any new adversary to surpass the Reverse Flash from season 1, Zoom was more than prepared to rise to the challenge. In episode 6 of The Flash season 2, Zoom made a powerful statement by nearly killing Barry Allen.
7 The Flash Season 3, Episode 22, “Infantino Street”
6 The Flash Season 4, Episode 8, “Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3”
In The Flash season 3, the central storyline revolved around preventing the death of Iris West, a future event that Barry Allen was determined to change. While the repetition of attempts to alter the future became monotonous throughout the season, "Infantino Street" effectively utilized this concept. Episode 22 of season 3 followed team Flash in the crucial moments leading up to Iris' demise, intensifying the suspense and adding higher stakes to the season's conclusion. The reunion of Flash and Captain Cold was particularly thrilling, especially considering Snart's fate in Legends of Tomorrow season 1.The crossover episodes of The Flash play a crucial role in the show and should not be underestimated. While these episodes bring together characters from other Arrowverse shows and delve into storylines that extend beyond Barry Allen's supporting cast, they still hold immense significance within the series. One standout example is "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3," which many consider to be the best episode of The Flash's fourth season. Witnessing alternate versions of beloved Arrowverse characters battling the heroes felt like witnessing a living comic book, not to mention the dynamic interactions between Team Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, and the Legends. The eighth episode of The Flash's fourth season is a thrilling, action-packed addition that undoubtedly deserves a place on this list.
5 The Flash Season 5, Episode 9, “Elseworlds, Part 1”
The absolute best episode of The Flash's fifth season was undoubtedly the exhilarating crossover event, "Elseworlds, Part 1." What set this episode apart from the usual crossover formula was its timing. Typically, these team-ups with other series occur in episode 8, but this time, the mid-season finale of The Flash kicked off the crossover, taking us on a thrilling journey through the Arrowverse's multiverse and laying the groundwork for the epic Crisis on Infinite Earths event. One of the highlights of this episode was witnessing the body-swapping antics between Barry Allen and Oliver Queen, showcasing the unbreakable bond between these two iconic Arrowverse characters. To make things even more spectacular, the inclusion of Earth-90 Flash, Supergirl, and Superman in the crossover elevated the excitement to a whole new level.
4 The Flash Season 6, Episode 9, “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three”
After six long years, the Arrowverse finally fulfills its tease of the "Flash vanishes in crisis" headline. In a five-episode crossover event, the Arrowverse brings to life DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths comic book series. Within this monumental event, The Flash takes center stage in its third part, titled "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three". It was a fitting choice to highlight Barry Allen's significance, considering his crucial role in the original comics. The decision to have Barry Allen from Earth-90, portrayed by the iconic John Wesley Shipp, face his demise in this crisis undoubtedly pays homage to the Flash's esteemed legacy. Undeniably, the ninth episode of The Flash season 6 shines as the pinnacle of the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
3 The Flash Season 7, Episode 2, “The Speed of Thought”
2 The Flash Season 8, Episode 18, “The Man in the Yellow Tie”
The Flash season 7, episode 2 delved into a fascinating exploration of Barry Allen's powers - specifically, the speed at which the Flash can think. While this concept had been previously addressed in Flash comics, the show had yet to tackle it. In "The Speed of Thought," Barry's accelerated thinking was a direct result of his artificial speed force powers, leading to an intriguing episode. Although Frost's transformation into a speedster received mixed reactions, her return was undeniably thrilling. This particular episode focused heavily on Barry Allen amidst a complex season, making it even more satisfying in retrospect.
In a nod to The Flash season 1’s memorable episode, "The Man in the Yellow Suit," "The Man in the Yellow Tie" featured the unexpected reappearance of the Reverse Flash, albeit in a unique way. According to logic, Eobard Thawne was meant to be arrested on Lian Yu. However, when Barry Allen began investigating a new device that allowed access to the speed force, he encountered a certain Dr. Eobard Thawne. This encounter raised questions about the true identity of this Thawne, setting the stage for the most remarkable episode of The Flash season 8. It delved deeper into how Flashpoint and the Crisis influenced the show's multiple timelines. "The Man in the Yellow Suit" also concluded Diggle's captivating "Green Lantern" storyline, bringing the narrative to a satisfying close.
1 The Flash Season 9, Episode 10, “A New World: Part 1: Reunions”
The ninth and final season of The Flash had a standout episode that differed from the others. While the series finale of The Flash was perplexing and arguably disappointing, "A New World: Part 1: Reunions" was an exceptional episode that brought the show full circle. The enigmatic tale of the Flash who rescued young Barry Allen from the Reverse Flash on the night Nora Allen perished was one of the Arrowverse's most significant mysteries. In episode 10 of The Flash season 9, this unidentified future Flash's identity was finally unveiled. "A New World: Part 1: Reunions" served as a heartfelt tribute to The Flash's first season and ranks among the show's finest episodes.