The Flash (TV Series) Running to Stand Still (2015) User Reviews

Mark Hamill has still got it !!

[rsathyanitt · 9/10 · 16 December 2015]

I was expecting a lot from this episode, since it was the mid-season finale, and the episodes that have lead to this one were all very engaging. And boy did I enjoy this !!

It starts with a bang. Zoom comes for Harry, and his saying "Merry Christmas" is the creepiest wish you'll ever hear. In fact all the villains in the episode get to say Merry Christmas. Mark Hamill, as the trickster, is simply superb. You can notice a very apparent Joker inspired madness in the writing, and it's super fun. Take this for instance - The villains(Weather Wiz, Cap'n Cold) decide to kill the Flash, and the trickster goes "it was more of a new year's resolution, but, hey, I am flexible". The plan to capture the Flash is smart, and how team flash saves the city is even more imaginative. The climactic reveal is the only let-down in the episode. Zoom's "reason" for coming after Flash is a huge downer. That aside, this was one entertaining episode.

The Holiday Blues

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 8 December 2015]

I understand people who don't like CW shows because they can be a bit melodramatic at times and tend to have b-list actors, but I think what The Flash and Arrow are doing is far superior to those complaints. This episode is a prime example of how to properly execute an emotionally fueled plot with terrific performances all around. It may not be the smoothest episode but it was hard not to get the feels multiple times this week. Everyone was on top of their game.

In typical CW fashion, the mid-season finale is a Christmas/holiday themed episode, which I believe has happened every time for both Flash and Arrow. We'll see if Arrow does the same tomorrow night. Overall, I think this was the best acted episode of the season and probably of the series in general. I think the most stunning example of this was Candice Patton's performance as Iris. I've been harsh on her numerous times in the past but I have to give credit where credit is due. She was really good when the writing called for her to be emotional and I actually enjoyed watching her on screen. Keep it up Flash writers.

Tonight we had a trio of villains and four if you count Captain Cold's brief role. The Trickster is obviously the character we all wanted to see again after Mark Hamill's memorable appearance last year, and I wasn't let down tonight. We didn't get as much of him as last time, but there plenty of fun moments and Liquorice to go around. And by the way, is he not basically playing the live action Joker? He uses his fantastic Joker voice, I love it. I know Cold was meant to add a little bit more gravitas to the episode but other than having him released from prison so that he could be in Legends, I didn't see any point of having him in the episode. Plus, I feel like there have been like 4 different times he has had a 'set up' moment for his character to be a more likable guy in Legends, so this just felt like a rehash for his character.

It was nice to see Mark Mardon come back as the Weather Wizard, especially because his presence meant an expanded role for Patty as she was out to get revenge for her father's murder. This story line seemed similar to a few years back when Roy would go on ROYd rage and Oliver 'calmed him down' by revealing himself as the Arrow. I really thought this episode would have been the moment for Barry to reach Patty by revealing himself to be the Flash to stop her from killing Mardon, but I was wrong. There's really no need to keep it a secret anymore. Nonetheless Shantel VanSanten was very convincing throughout the episode. Yet another great performance from tonight.

There was a large focus on the West family tonight, which I'm usually on the edge about, but Iris and Joe were very good tonight. Their side story about meeting Wally was a touching moment and nicely timed with the Christmas theme. It's interesting to think about Wally West possible role going forward. The last thing I should touch upon is Harrison's sub plot. I like the direction they took Wells this year and having him being a jerk but a likable jerk with reasons for why he's doing what he's doing. I also can't help but think they are taking him down a far too similar path by having him help Zoom build Barry up, only to take him down. Here's hoping it's different enough.

+Performances across the board

+Iris

+Touching West sub plot

+Patty's arc

+Seeing Mark Hamill

+Christmas themed

-No real need for Captain Cold

9.6/10

Zoom Identity Watch (Predictions)

Jay Garrick - 33%

Wally West (Earth 2) - 10%

Barry (Earth 2) - 20%

Barry's dad (Earth 2) - 37%

Feliz Navidad

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 9/10 · 9 December 2015]

It seems The Flash writers can't help but to raise the stakes more and more with each episode, and also tease us with some of the cool things that will come after the winter's break the show is going to take. This episode was nothing short of amazing, and it was especially because of every actors top notch acting.

We start with Zoom and Wells spending some nice time together, and then we jump to a prison break, Liam McIntyre's Weather Wizard deciding that Mark Hamill's The Trickster and Wentworth Miller's Captain Cold deserved some fresh air for Christmas. His plan? That the three team up to kill The Flash.

It is always nice to see these three actors, and even if the team doesn't fulfill its potential, I think the episode more than delivers in its action and "villain of the week" part. I love Mark Hamill's gleefully acting as The Trickster, even if the hair may be a huge part of my loving the character.

But what makes this episode especial is the moments between characters. Everyone involved in the show has done a great job to make us care about these characters, and here almost every actor has their special moment. And Grant Gustin has grown as an actor during this year and a half since the show started and it shows. You many not cry, but your eyes will brim with tears.

The only downside may be the unnecessary Weather Man-Patty feud.

Pretty awesome. And so much more to come...

A Very Rogue Christmas

[erickd201 · 9/10 · 15 December 2015]

So that wasn't what I expected. Didn't really feel like a mid season finale but was a very fun episode nonetheless. Mark Hamill is absolutely perfect as the Trickster. Every scene he was in he stole. Wentworth Miller is great as always though I would've liked to see more of him on this episode. Weather Wizard showed an improvement this time around. I enjoyed him in Out Of Time but his persona shined through here a little more. One of the weaker points of the episode was Zoom's true motivation. He's a speed force vampire essentially. Trying to build Barry up to steal his power which is all well and good except Thawne was basically doing that last year. The only difference was Thawne was trying to get home and Zoom well...he wants to be faster. Hopefully there's more to it when Zoom confronts Barry again.

Pros: Mark Hamill as the Trickster

Cool action scenes...

Especially the ones with Weather Wizard

Introducing Wally West

Cons: Zoom's ultimate goal

Needed more Captain Cold

Overall Score: 8.9/10

It's Beginning To Look A lot Like Christmas

[SpoodermanDerp · 8/10 · 9 December 2015]

"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

Excellent

[fennec-39192 · 9/10 · 11 May 2021]

Excellente episode très émotionnel avec l'histoire autour du fils de joe qui s'avère être nulle autre que Wally west et également autour de spivott sinon la petite apparition de snart qui vole le show comme d'hab et super tandem avec mardon et le trickster côté harry Wells c'était également très bon.

Fun, I guess

[okraievskyi · 8/10 · 9 September 2022]

I really... I really don't have much to say about this episode. But I decided to review every Flash S2 episode, so I'll at least try. I liked the villains' plot and I liked the Wally West subplot that could potentially be very interesting in future episodes. I liked Patty's story arc, and her dynamic with the Flash while not knowing that he's Barry is really interesting. I also like the Dr Wells ongoing story, it's really different from the S1 Dr Wells. In S1, he was the mastermind, while in this, he can do nothing against the big bad. I didn't like Zoom appearing at first since I would've preferred him to stay mysterious, but I liked it at the end. I loved the acting of the villains, even though Snart's actor's acting could be a little too much sometimes. Overall, a fairly enjoyable episode.

Running to Stand Still

[SpideyVerse23 · 9/10 · 29 January 2023]

This episode packed in a lot of storylines and somehow did justice to all of them.

Mark Mardon decides to break Captain Cold and the Trickster out of prison to go after the Flash. But, Captain Cold bows out of this plan and warns Barry about this. Meanwhile, Patty is ready to get revenge on Mardon for killing her father. This plot felt adequate and just what I expect from this show.

Iris decides to tell Joe about his son who Francine hid from him for many years. We got to see some good moments between Barry and Iris and Joe so I was happy with it.

Zoom comes to Earth-1 to make an offer to Harry to betray Team Flash in exchange for his daughter.

Ranking/Reviewing every Flash episode: Running to Stand Still

[lbramson · 9/10 · 11 June 2023]

The Trickster, Captain Cold, and Weather Wizard have a comic booky plan of dressing up like Santa and putting bombs in kids' Christmas presents. This is a weird episode, all the other Christmas episodes include the main villain, but Zoom only appears for 3 minutes max. As a result, I have fun with this episode, but not as much as I should. I still love this episode with all my heart! This was the introduction to Wally West. Harry walking up to that kids door and saying "gIvE mE yOuR pReSeNtS" gets me everytime! The second mid-season finale isn't nearly as good as the first but it does capture the Christmas Spirit!

9/10-Great!

Overly complicated side stories

[thetruearies · 6/10 · 10 December 2015]

To start out the Zoom/Wells story line is really starting to become tiresome. For him to be so adamant about needing Barry's help to turn around and work with Zoom is ridiculous. His daughter has always been in danger from Zoom, and with him being a bigger jerk than the original Wells - to paraphrase Cisco, it seems out of character for him to work with Zoom and not tell Barry. What would make more sense is for him to agree to work with Zoom then take Barry aside to tell him what Zoom wants and to shut the others out - even if it doesn't tell us anything more than he needs to talk to him about Zoom.

Next is the hiding information from each other story line. Iris hiding Wally with her being so big on everyone telling the truth, it doesn't make sense that she took so long to tell Joe. Barry hiding his identity from Patty is utterly ridiculous at this point with him telling Linda so easily. Also Patty making a big deal out of being honest after he healed from Zoom's attack should make Barry even more likely to tell her... This story line is turning them into hypocrites... It's like watching a Yoyo - One episode they make big deals about hiding information or lying, the next they do it again. Speaking of the hiding information, this episode really feels like they are making Iris and Patty into basically the same character with both of them being so big on honesty.

Adding the Christmas party where Wally shows up was a good way to bring Wally into the story line. It will be interesting to see where his character goes.

Also having Mardon and the Trixter working together was a good way to keep this episode rating from being a total flop and it was a nice twist that Mardon figured out how to fly.

Not up to the Mark....

[piyushmittal70 · 7/10 · 9 December 2015]

So this week we get to finally see Wally West.This episode did have its good moments but it just wasn't up to the mark for a winter finale .In fact it can be said it wasn't up to mark with some regular episodes.It didn't have anything going for it.Even though we had both Mark Mardon and the Trickster both of whose episodes were one of the highest rated of the last season it wasn't that exciting.It definitely was way worse than last year's winter finale .In fact in the end scene I was really hoping that Zoom should have revealed something about himself.From the teaser of this episode it seemed that the 3 villains were going to team up with Zoom or something but no it didn't happen , the whole time I was waiting for Zoom to do something big I mean its the winter finale give us more zoom instead of just 2-3 min of him every episode. Although the emotional moments like the Patty scene and telling Joe about Wally were done exceptionally and the VFX in the Barry running up the helicopter was real awesome... In fact Enter Zoom would have been a great episode for the winter finale and not this.. Here's hoping the Arrow finale is much better and from the looks of the teaser it sure is...

Good but could of been better

[kezer-64131 · 7/10 · 17 December 2015]

Overall a success for Season 2, While it added to the overall narrative i cant help but feel the episodes plot suffered for it. I feel while the ending was needed, i can see why the Interest is in a uproar over it. It is both simplistic while making sense but can leave viewers thinking, "Was that it?". It is partly overkill that we had to wait all episode for something the show runners were hoping to be a show moment but it just didn't pull off.

Captains cold involvement was completely unneeded, I feel he was only involved for maybe a later plot or the very least, to keep fans pleased with a major villain seeing as the trickster isn't exactly a "mainstream" Villain for the series.

The sub plot between Paddy and "the Weather Man" was really underused. We knew this moment was coming since Paddy was introduced and it was revealed she had a personal agenda with Mark. The episode doesn't really address this and it felt to me while watching it was a secondary plot which isn't what i wanted or expected when i heard about this "showdown" between two. Maybe doing this as a two part episode could of given more time to explore this but this would have needed to have been done during the second half of the season after Christmas so it would fit to the schedule.

Overall while i enjoyed it and couldn't help but feel it was a missed opportunity to develop the Paddy story line with Barry . I also feel slightly let down by the Zoom reveal but it does make sense when compared to the overall plot. Please do feel free to look for my video review on my YouTube channel "SolarRobinson" which contains greater detail involving spoilers.