The Flash (TV Series) Tricksters (2015) User Reviews

You Always Did Look Good In Red

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 31 March 2015]

I love the CW show-runners for Flash and Arrow. They consistently give us the fan service of either bringing in characters we crave, having great guest stars, or just the coolest teases comic book fans can ask for. I just have so much admiration for Greg Berlanti and everyone else who runs the shows. Tonight they did just another great thing by adding Mark Hamill as the Trickster. He sort of reprised his role? Obviously this show and the 90's Flash show aren't related, but I think this episode did a fantastic job at passing the torch if you will.

Not only did I think the Trickster was perhaps the best villain of the season, but we also had the best flashbacks of the season. It saw the true Harrison Wells, with his then wife, be abducted and killed by Eobard Thawne from the future to ensure his return to centuries from now. We also saw the full scene in which Reverse Flash kills Barry's mother. These flashbacks did a great job in finally making sense of the Wells character. 17 episodes in isn't too late, but it was definitely becoming frustrating. We now know how he became Wells and pretty much why he needs Barry to get better. But since Barry cracked the Speed Force does that mean Wells no longer needs to protect Barry? Does he now need to kill Barry in order to return? No matter what goes down at the end of the season I think it's safe to say season 2 will miss the Wells character.

I loved how this episode essentially broke the 4th wall by having that Hamill Star Wars reference and having both Flash shows sort of exist. You can kind of hear that Joker voice in Hamill's laugh at times as well. They even had pictures of Hamill as the original trickster in the background. The entire episode just had such a reminiscent feel to it. But the main focus of the night was on the fact that Barry is finally realizing who Wells is underneath this caring man. Grant Gustin did a great job at showing just how heartbroken Barry is of this news. I don't know how I feel about bringing Eddie into the fold but I think it's safe to say that this season is on full throttle the rest of the way. Speaking of which that trailer to the rest of the season was incredible. But it also gave so much away. We saw another huge Arrow crossover type episode on the way which we didn't necessarily know about. It had been rumored but never confirmed. So as always, I cant wait till next week.

+4th wall breaking

+Hamill was terrific

+Speedforce

+Passing the torch

+Trailer

+Wells character finally makes sense

9.6/10

I Am Your Father

[SpoodermanDerp · 10/10 · 1 April 2015]

"Tricksters" is an all around, fun, exciting, intense and emotional ride. With brilliant performances and such a light-hearted tone yet it advances the plot and gives us more insight on questions we want answered.

The episode kicks off right after the intriguing pre credits scene of the previous episode. As Barry and Detective West try to find out more about Harrison Wells, a trickster comes to town and causes havoc. It's very fitting to have such a villain especially in April Fool's day. Mark Hamill guest starring in the episode is one of the highlights because he just nails it. With his outstanding voice and acting, it's very hard not to think of the Joker when he acts. The Trickster is easily one of the best villain, or should I say villains the Flash has had and I hope they return like the Rogues normally do too. What I also liked about this episode is the in-your-face references made. From a Breaking Bad reference, to of course a Star Wars one, and even a Speed reference, all these add to the pure fun that this episode contains. Even though at it's light hearted tone, the episode still continues to intrigue us more particularly the use of flashbacks explaining the Reverse Flash and Eobard Thawne. There's also the ongoing trust issues between Barry and Harrison Wells and how he begins to doubt him and I thought it was perfectly executed. Thankfully, Iris didn't seem much of an nuisance in the episode that much. The slow motion scenes and visuals we're amazing. 17 episodes and the visuals remained intact and spectacular, kudos to the Flash effects staff. The climax was also well done, it was intense and introduced us to a little friend called the Speedforce.

Overall, a fun episode, brilliant performances, excellent- you get the rest. I'm hoping the next episode will be even better +The Tricksters, +Mark Hamill's performance, +So Many Awesome References, +Flashbacks, +Trust Issues with Harrison Wells, +Slow Motion Visuals, +Speedforce.

Verdict: 9.8/10

The best right after E15

[antuntkalcec · 10/10 · 1 April 2015]

This week brought us another great episode, so close to the masterpiece that was episode 15. This show was amazing since the beginning, and it still just keeps getting better. In this episode, we get to see the 90's Trickster, Mark Hamill, who was perfect then and again is now. His voice is very similar to his Joker portrayals, which I love even more. I'll try to keep this review spoiler-free but let's just say that there is something interesting (to say the least) involving Eddie and Wells respectively. Perfect episode.

+Eddie and Wells +Trickster +Henry Allen +Trickster's awesome Star Wars reference that was hilarious and the highlight of the episode

Spectacular

[thomasleetruong · 10/10 · 7 September 2018]

An amazing episode, an outstanding performance done by Mark Hamill. I could not stop smiling ear to ear with his performance as the "trickster".

Possibly the best episode yet!

[mh37434 · 10/10 · 2 April 2015]

This episode has got to be one of the best episodes of the series so far. It has one of the best villains ever, the Trickster, played once again by Mark Hamill, who I might add has played the role three times before, twice in the '90s series and once in Justice League Unlimited. The guy is just a natural sick, demented and twisted practical joker. His voice is so well-known as the Joker, and he just plays these types of roles so well.

Axel Walker was a character from the comics I never cared for and I was glad that he was just a sidekick in this episode. In my opinion there can only be one Trickster, and that is James Jesse himself. I gotta say, I liked the Star Wars in-joke, when Trickster told Walker that he was his father, which is the same thing Darth Vader told him about thirty some odd years previously. I'm talking about Luke Skywalker I mean, whom Mark Hamill played. There was a lot of allusions to the old '90s Flash series once again in this episode, as there has been in others. For one thing, Trickster's persona is more in line with the way he was in that series then he is in the comics, he's far more like the Joker then he is in other incarnations of the character. And another thing, there was even an online newspaper article that showed actual screenshots from the '90s Flash TV series. I was glad to see that.

I'm looking forward to seeing more episodes with him and I hope he gets tired of Walker and he kills him or something. Yeah, that'd be hilarious!! I think it would be cool if he found out about the Reverse-Flash too, and an episode where he joins the Rogues, much to the irritation of the other Rogues. But it doesn't matter really, he is every bit as cool as a solo villain.

I hope that the Supergirl series that comes out this fall with be in the same universe as this show, they can use the same actor the played Oswald Loomis in an episode of Supergirl where he becomes the Prankster! Now that would be cool. And the previews for upcoming episodes which showed Arrow, Firestorm and Atom seemingly all together...seriously? Are we really gonna have a Justice League spin-off. I already heard that there will be a "Brave and the Bold" type spin-off some time next year, but what if Justice League is also something they are planning. They have plenty of characters they could use as members of the team. It'd be awesome.

Anyway, there was a subplot in this episode that was also totally cool, which showed how Eobard Thawne, aka Reverse-Flash (I really hope they call him Professor Zoom eventually) became Harrison Wells, by killing the real Wells and replacing him. All in all, it was pretty darn exciting and I can't wait for more. So much to offer in a Flash series! We have barely even seen Grodd yet for crying out loud! I can't wait!!

What the Heart Wants

[masercot · 9/10 · 9 March 2018]

I so wanted Mark Hamill to be good in this. Turns out, he WAS. You could even hear a little of the Joker in that demented voice of his. This episode starts explaining the murder of the Flash's mother in earnest; but, still leaves us ignorant of what exactly is going on. Is Wells bad or good? What is his connection to the "Reverse Flash"? Did he kill the reporter or will that turn out to be someone else?

And, if anyone ever does develop super speed like that, I hope it's a nurse because those shots looked like they hurt...

I was wondering why the guy who plays the older trickster was so good.

[sotojorge-51169 · 10/10 · 17 May 2017]

It's Mark Hamill a.k.a. the voice of the joker and Luke Skywalker. The actors on this show are usually not very good so I was surprised when the OG trickster was revealed. I nearly lost it when he said "I am your father" this was my favorite episode so far. The only thing I didn't like was when he mentions breaking bad season 5. How was he able to see it if hes been isolated in a cell for years? Aside from that and the cringe worthy performance of the younger trickster this is a perfect episode.

Oh My God.

[benmartyn243 · 10/10 · 31 March 2015]

just the original story with Dr wells was epic itself. the trickster was beautiful and the endings were so satisfying. The twists were so spectacular and left me wondering about existence. The Show is great itself but this episode was great. I loved the reference to Star Wars. I don't think it was a legit reference when mark Hamil says to the younger trickster, "I am your father." I am really happy for Barry's dad also. Although I don't know whether he was actually let out of jail. The flash finally suspects that Harrison is reverse flash. The ending where the real Dr wells died was mind blowing. I really thought the episode was great, funny, perfect and it really satisfied me come the ending.

Trickster/Breaking Bad

[simonator-31151 · 17 June 2018]

This is an excellent review but evidently the reviewer missed the line where the Trickster mentions that the prison allowed him to get cable TV in exchange for him not killing the guards.

I also loved it when Mark Hammill said to the young Trickster, " I'm your father."

Ranking/Reviewing every Flash episode: Tricksters

[lbramson · 10/10 · 10 June 2023]

Season 1 Episode 17 is one of the fan favorite Flash episodes. Barry fights the trickster played by the legendary Mark Hamill after he poisoned guests at a party and kidnaps Henry Allen. We also have flashbacks focusing on how Eobard Thawne got trapped in 2000. The main story is fun and it features MARK HAMILL for crying out loud but the disturbing flashbacks are the best part. Seeing Thawne kill Harrison Wells was shockingly dark and terrifying! I also love all the Star Wars references throughout. This is also a reveal episode as Eddie and Henry discover Barry's Indentity this time! Still a Top 20 episode 9 years later, 10/10 baby!

Tricksters

[SpideyVerse23 · 9/10 · 20 January 2023]

After the events of the previous episode, Barry and Joe have started looking into Harrison Wells but they haven't been able to find much to connect him to Barry's mom's death. Barry is unable to be in the same room as Harrison without shooting him angry looks and acting hostile to him.

The villain of the week is the Trickster, is played nicely by Mark Hamill as he reprises his role from the old Flash series which had John Wesley Shipp as the Flash. And there is a moment which is just fan service to all Mark Hamill fans.

We also get flashbacks to what exactly went down 15 years ago and it answers quite a few questions and raises just as many.

The ending was kind of surprising, but it looks like Eddie will be involved more in the plot with him also being related to Reverse Flash.

The Force is with this episode

[Fluke_Skywalker · 7/10 · 15 April 2016]

There are some very big reveals in this episode, but everything is subservient to Mark Hamill's appearance as The Trickster. Hamill famously played the character in the early 90s version of the series and returns here as a sort of ret-conned version. He's clearly having a blast and lifts the episode just by being there. I wish he'd gotten a little more time with John Wesley Shipp, who here plays Barry's dad but was The Flash himself in the original series. But, Hamill does get a 'Star Wars' joke and it's glorious.

As for the revelations, the mystery behind Harrison Wells is revealed--sorta. And Barry reveals his identity to Eddie. At some point you begin to wonder why these costumed heroes even bother with a secret identity when the go around unmasking themselves in front of everyone, but there is some nice dramatic potential to be had from it here considering the *other* thing we learned.

With a nice balance between humor, drama and plot advancement, The Force is definitely with "Tricksters".

Good flashbacks, mediocre main story.

[veracityyt · 7/10 · 1 April 2015]

I will keep this short, it is a 45 minute episode after all. There were some excellent flashbacks into Wells past, showing even more than what we were expecting to see in one episode. They really stepped up the game with revealing the missing details. This, however, is where the praise ends. The villain(s) are lame, the conversations are (as always) cliché, the police (and prison) are still pathetically amateur, and the explosion effects in the start are just laughable. Overall, it is a fairly mediocre but watchable episode, while the flashbacks made the episode slightly better, leading to an overall good watch. I was tempted to give a better score, but this episode has so many stupid things, even compared to the normal flash episode, that you can't help but think when they will learn from the Arrow how to do it properly.