The Flash Review (S1E12): 'Crazy for You'

In an hour full of ideas it certainly felt like they were laid out to be completed later. The introduction of another villain, Papa Allen playing prison detective, Cisco letting Pied Piper loose, a potential new love interest and karaoke nights with Caitlin seemed like a lot to handle. Not that 'Crazy for You' wasn't fun, but it did feel a little disjointed. Nonetheless, The Flash still graded a solid B grade because what worked, worked really well. 

Shawna Baez (dubbed Peek-A-Boo by Caitlin no less) is a thief with the power to teleport and is blindly in love with a no good felon boyfriend. And that's about all the development we get. Luckily, she was played by Britne Oldford who provides some energy and spunk to the thankless role of disposable villain of the week. Her eventual incarceration in the STAR Labs prison at least could help turn her motivations around into maybe an ally after her beloved boyfriend left her high and dry. Here's hoping we see more of Peek-A-Boo down the line. 

Her return is almost assured since the prison is like a revolving door. When we last saw Hartley Rathaway he had offered to help find Ronnie Raymond if Cisco let him out of jail. It went as poorly as you'd expect, but not before getting some valuable information about what happened to Ronnie the night the particle accelerator blew. We also got to see a very decent display of brawling and smarts from Cisco when Hartley tried to get away the first time. It was the second time we should have seen coming and we did. 

Anyway, it turns out Ronnie was fused with Dr. Martin Stein into Firestorm. They explain is at quantum splicing, but I insist it was born out of expository necessity to set up next week's episode. Hartley got away, but Cisco got a little closer to finding Ronnie in hopes to make amends for locking him in the accelerator. 

Henry Allen in prison digging up some vital intel while putting his life in jeopardy never really gets fleshed out because we hear about what he did but never see it on screen. It's a shame too because John Wesley Shipp has great presence and conviction in his duties as Barry's imprisoned dad. This is exemplified by their last scene as Papa Allen tells Barry what he would say to the Flash if he was his dad. Seemed like he knew Barry was indeed the Flash but didn't say it. But what he did say was heartfelt and emotionally 

resonate.  These Flash father figures get me everytime.

The highlight of the episode was the lonely single's night at a karaoke bar for Barry and Caitlin.  What initially seemed like a forced coupling turned out to be quite charming. Danielle Panabaker's drunken cuteness was just too adorable to dislike whatsoever. The Grease duet sealed the deal for me. It turns out that Grant Gustin still has his Glee singing chops. Barry gets a number from Linda Park (Malese Jow) who just happens to work at Iris' newspaper. 

Later, Barry takes Caitlin home and helps her undress for bed and while that sounds risque it's all very innocent and endearing. The next day, Hungover Caitlin and Barry share a mutually flirty moment, but it's unlikely the two will be paired romantically so please refrain from starting that shipping tumblr campaign. Especially, since Ronnie will be back next week (See below). 

And that Grodd tease was amazing!