"Running to Stand Still" is the mid-season finale in preparation for Christmas and what's to come. Last year, we were greeted to a intense, thrilling and chilling introduction and face-off between Barry and the Reverse Flash. This time, we are given three familiar villains coming back along with Zoom, but is this Christmas episode a worthy present?
Right off the bat, this episode starts off with the Christmas references and quips along with the light hearted tone. There were also plenty of pop culture references to catch and were sometimes impossible not to smile at.But references aside, the episode did a great deal in putting some closure in the first few episodes in the season so far. Some subplots finally got their merit for being in the story such as the West family subplot and somewhat Patty's as well. The set-up for a larger event is also present in the episode with the Zoom subplot finally fulfilling it's role in what's to come in Barry's life which parallels to the first season. The three villains in the episode kind of felt underwhelming. Captain Cold wasn't really there and was just a ticket for him to escape, and it was nice to see the Trickster and Weather Wizard back, but that's just it, after that (if you've seen other Flash episodes before) you know what happens to them in the end and it doesn't really seem surprising or striking at all. Other than that, the episode felt like it was a great set-up for the upcoming episodes. It had some great drama, especially with the subplots (Patty and West family) and it's certainly going to keep audiences wanting for more. Although compared to last season's mid-season finale, this one is relatively weaker, but nothing says a Flash episode in Christmas is bound to be as great as last year, it still has the same Flash vibe we all know and love
Verdict: 8.6/10