The Flash Season 1 Episode Guide
The Flash season 1 episode guide has everything you need to know about the CW TV series, including all of our reviews!
The Flash season finale is almost here! While you try and catch up, this is your one stop location for trailers, reviews, and plot details for every episode of The Flash TV series on the CW.
Click the title of each episode to get taken to our full review.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 1: “Pilot”
Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) was just 11 years old when his mother was killed in a bizarre and terrifying incident and his father (John Wesley Shipp) was falsely convicted of the murder. With his life changed forever by the tragedy, Barry was taken in and raised by Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin), the father of Barry’s best friend, Iris (Candice Patton).
Now, Barry has become a brilliant, driven and endearingly geeky CSI investigator, whose determination to uncover the truth about his mother’s strange death leads him to follow up on every unexplained urban legend and scientific advancement that comes along. Barry’s latest obsession is a cutting edge particle accelerator, created by visionary physicist Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) and his S.T.A.R. Labs team members, Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes), who claim that this invention will bring about unimaginable advancements in power and medicine. However, something goes horribly wrong during the public unveiling, and when the devastating explosion causes a freak storm, many lives are lost and Barry is struck by lightning.
After nine months in a coma, Barry awakens to find his life has changed once again – the accident has given him the power of super speed. Thrilled with his new powers, Barry learns how to control them with the help of Dr. Wells and his team. However, keeping his secret from his best friend Iris (Candice Patton) is proving to be harder than he thought, especially when Joe’s new partner, Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett), catches her eye. When another meta-human attacks the city, it’s time to put Barry’s new powers, and himself, to the test.
David Nutter directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kresiberg and Geoff Johns and teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns (100).
The Flash Season 1 Episode 2: “Fastest Man Alive”
BARRY HAS FUN WITH HIS NEW POWERS BUT A SETBACK MAKES HIM QUESTION HIS ABILITY TO BE A HERO — Barry (Grant Gustin) escorts Iris (Candice Patton) to a university gathering honoring scientist Simon Stagg (guest star William Sadler). When six gunmen storm the event, Barry changes into The Flash and tries to stop them. While he does save a man’s life, he passes out before he can capture the robbers, which frustrates him. As Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) scramble to find out what’s wrong with Barry, Joe (Jesse Martin) comes down hard on Barry for taking the law into his own hands and risking his life. Barry realizes that it wasn’t six gunmen but a metahuman named Danton Black (guest star Michael Christopher Smith), who can make multiples of himself. Meanwhile, Iris becomes even more intrigued by the “red streak.” David Nutter directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg & Geoff Johns (101). Original airdate 10/14/2014.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 3: “Things You Can’t Outrun”
THE FLASH BATTLES THE MIST, CAITLIN TELLS BARRY ABOUT RONNIE — As Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team at S.T.A.R. Labs work to capture Kyle Nimbus (guest star Anthony Carrigan), a.k.a. The Mist, a dangerous new meta-human with toxic gas powers, they revisit the painful night the particle accelerator exploded and killed Caitlin’s (Danielle Panabaker) fiancé, Ronnie (guest star Robbie Amell). Meanwhile, Joe (Jesse Martin) decides to finally visit Henry (John Wesley Shipp) in jail after all these years, but things take a dangerous turn when Kyle shows up looking to punish Joe for arresting him years ago. Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) and Eddie (Rick Cosnett) continue to hide their relationship from Joe.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 4: “Going Rogue”
WENTWORTH MILLER GUEST STARS AS DC COMICS’ VILLAIN CAPTAIN COLD; FELICITY FROM “ARROW” CROSSES OVER INTO CENTRAL CITY — The Flash (Grant Gustin) stops a robbery but the culprits get away after shooting a guard, and The Flash chooses to save the man instead of following the criminals. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) shows Barry a book of suspects and Barry identifies Leonard Snart (guest star Wentworth Miller, “Prison Break”) as the leader of the group. While investigating the case, Barry gets a surprise visit from an old friend – Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards, “Arrow”), who heard about his new abilities and came to check them out for herself. She joins him at S.T.A.R. Labs to help stop Snart after it’s revealed that Snart his gotten his hands on a stolen “cold gun,” which could kill The Flash. Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) is furious when he finds out that Cisco (Carlos Valdes) built the cold gun without telling anyone and now it’s missing. Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) is getting the silent treatment from Joe because of her relationship with Eddie (Rick Cosnett). Finally, The Flash and Captain Cold have an epic confrontation. Glen Winter directed the episode written by Goff Johns & Kai Yu Wu (#104). Original airdate 10/28/2014.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 5: “Plastique”
KELLY FRYE GUEST STARS AS DC COMICS’ PLASTIQUE AND CLANCY BROWN GUEST STARS AS GENERAL EILING — After a bomb goes off downtown, the army, led by General Eiling (guest star Clancy Brown), rolls in and takes over the case, much to Joe’s (Jesse Martin) surprise. Suspicious, Joe tells Barry (Grant Gustin) that he and his friends at S.T.A.R. Labs should look into the army’s involvement. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) informs the team that Eiling was experimenting on his men to turn them into super soldiers. Cisco (Carlos Valdes) confirms one of Eiling’s soldiers, Bette Sans Souci (guest star Kelly Frye), was at the bomb site. The Flash tracks her down and realizes that she’s not setting off the bombs, she is a meta-human who can blow things up just by touching them. Meanwhile, when Joe learns Iris is writing about “the streak,” he tells Barry to make her stop. Barry realizes Iris won’t listen to him so he decides to have The Flash pay her a visit. Dermott Downs directed the episode written by Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing & Brooke Eikmeier (#105). Original airdate 11/11/2014.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 6: “The Flash is Born”
GREG FINLEY GUEST STARS AS DC COMICS’ VILLAIN GIRDER — The Flash (Grant Gustin) faces a new meta-human named Tony (guest star Greg Finley, “Star-Crossed,” “Secret Life of the American Teenager”), who can turn himself into girded steel at will. While Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) are concerned about Barry’s safety, Cisco (Carlos Valdes) comes up with a plan to take Tony down. Meanwhile, Iris’s (Candice Patton) blog on The Flash gets her into trouble, and Eddie (Rick Cosnett) witnesses Tony’s abilities firsthand and begins to ask questions that Joe (Jesse L. Martin) doesn’t want answered. Joe asks Dr. Wells to help him solve Nora Allen’s murder. Millicent Shelton directed the episode written by Jaime Paglia & Chris Rafferty (#106). Original airdate 11/18/2014.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 7: “Power Outage”
THE FLASH GETS A VISIT FROM DC CHARACTERS FAROOQ AND THE CLOCK KING — The Flash (Barry Allen) goes up against Farooq aka Blackout (guest star Michael Reventar), a metahuman who can harness electricity. During their battle, Farooq zaps The Flash and siphons all hiselectricity, leaving The Flash without his speed. Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) work to reverse the effects on Barry, but their efforts are disrupted when Farooq comes banging on S.T.A.R. Labs doors in search of Wells, who he blames for his accident. Without Barry’s powers to protect them, the group must figure out a way to save themselves from the metahuman. Meanwhile, Tockman (guest star Robert Knepper) manages a coup inside the Central City police department and takes several people hostage, including Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Iris (Candice Patton). While Iris is sure The Flash will save them, Eddie (Rick Cosnett) has a trick up his sleeve. Larry Shaw directed the episode written by Alison Schapker & Grainne Godfree (#107). Original airdate 11/25/2014.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 8: “Flash vs. Arrow”
Barry (Grant Gustin) is thrilled when Oliver (guest star Stephen Amell), Felicity (guest star Emily Bett Rickards) and Diggle (guest star David Ramsey) come to Central City to investigate a case involving a deadly boomerang. Excited about teaming up with his friend, Barry asks Oliver if he’d like to help him stop Ray Bivolo (guest star Patrick Sabongui), the meta-human Barry is currently tracking. Bivolo causes people to lose control of their emotions and has been using that skill to rob banks. Unfortunately, the superhero partnership doesn’t go as smoothly as Barry expected. When Oliver tells Barry he still has a lot to learn, Barry sets out to prove him wrong by attempting to stop Bivolo alone. However, when Bivolo infects Barry and sets him on a rage rampage, everyone is in danger, and the only one who can stop him is the Arrow. Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) is furious when Eddie (Rick Cosnett) tries to get a task force to stop The Flash, Joe and Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) agree the Arrow is a bad influence on Barry, and Caitlin and Cisco deal with a new team in S.T.A.R. Labs.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 9: “The Man in the Yellow Suit”
BARRY COMES FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE MAN IN THE YELLOW SUIT/AMANDA PAYS RETURNS TO THE FLASH — Barry (Grant Gustin) finds himself face-to-face with his nemesis, the man in the yellow suit, a.k.a. Reverse Flash, who killed his mother. Barry is frustrated when the Reverse Flash escapes, but Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) come up with a plan to trap him. All they need is bait, so they turn to Dr. Tina McGee (guest star Amanda Pays) from Mercury Labs to help. Meanwhile, it’s Christmas at The West household and Iris (Candice Patton) is in full holiday cheer. Eddie (Rick Cosnett) gives her a surprising gift but also leaves her with a question that could change her life. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) joins the search for the man in yellow and ends up in the crossfire. Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) finds Ronnie (Robbie Amell). Ralph Hemecker directed the episode written by Todd Helbing & Aaron Helbing (#109). Original airdate 12/9/2014.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 10: “Revenge of the Rogues”
WENTWORTH MILLER AND DOMINIC PURCELL (“PRISON BREAK”) TEAM UP AGAIN AS CAPTAIN COLD AND HEAT WAVE CHALLENGE THE FLASH TO AN EPIC BATTLE — Leonard Snart AKA Captain Cold (guest star Wentworth Miller) returns to Central City with a new hotheaded partner in tow – Mick Rory AKA Heat Wave (guest star Dominic Purcell). The duo plan to steal a multi-million dollar painting, but Cold has another agenda while in town – to set a trap for The Flash. Snart and Mick kidnap someone close to The Flash and threaten to kill them unless The Flash shows up for a battle of fire and ice. Barry tells Joe (Jesse L. Martin) he isn’t sure he should take on Snart again after the casualties that happened the last time they fought. Meanwhile, Barry asks Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh), Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) to help him double his training efforts so he’s ready for the Reverse Flash when he returns to Central City. Iris (Candice Patton) deals with the aftermath of Barry’s confession, and Cisco makes the CCPD a new shield. Nick Copus directed the episode written by Geoff Johns & Kai Yu Wu (#110). Original airdate 1/20/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 11: “The Sound and the Fury”
BROADWAY STAR ANDY MIENTUS GUEST STARS AS THE PIED PIPER — Dr. Wells’ (Tom Cavanagh) former protégée, Hartley Rathaway (guest star Andrew Mientus), returns to seek revenge on his mentor after being affected by the particle accelerator explosion. Now able to manipulate sound waves, the brilliant Rathaway is a dangerous threat to both Wells and The Flash (Grant Gustin). Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) is thrilled when she’s hired by the Central City Picture News as their newest cub reporter. Unfortunately, her editor (guest star Tom Butler) pairs her with a veteran reporter, Mason Bridge (guest star Roger Howarth), who wants nothing to do with her. Cisco (Carlos Valdes) recalls his first day on the job at S.T.A.R. Labs when he met Hartley and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker). Joe (Jesse L. Martin) asks Eddie (Rick Cosnett) for a favor but asks him to keep it a secret from Barry. John Showalter directed the episode written by Alison Schapker & Brooke Eikmier (#111). Original airdate 1/27/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 12: “Crazy for You”
LOVE IS IN THE AIR — Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) decides that she and Barry (Grant Gustin) need to move on from Ronnie (guest star Robbie Amell) and Iris (Candice Patton) and find new loves so she takes him for a night out at the local karaoke bar. Caitlin doesn’t have any luck making a love connection but Barry meets Linda Park (guest star Malese Jow), a sports reporter for the Central City Picture News, and asks her out on a date. When Barry tells Iris he has a date, Iris is surprised by her reaction. Meanwhile, Cisco (Carlos Ramon) considers Hartley’s (guest star Andy Mientus) dangerous offer and the team searches for Shawna (guest star Britne Oldford), a meta-human with teleportation powers, who just busted her boyfriend Clay (guest star Micah Parker) out of Iron Heights. When Henry (guest star John Wesley Shipps) snoops around in an attempt to help Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Barry solve the crime, he ends up in the infirmary after getting roughed up by inmates. Rob Hardy directed the episode written by Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing (#112). Original airdate 2/3/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 13: “The Nuclear Man”
ROBBIE AMELL AND VICTOR GARBER GUEST STAR AS FIRESTORM — After Ronnie (guest star Robbie Amell) attacks a physicist (guest star Bill Dow), Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team realize they need to go after Caitlin’s (Danielle Panabaker) fiancé who is now a dangerous meta-human. They deduce the best way to track Ronnie is to find Dr. Martin Stein (guest star Victor Garber) who was working on a project called F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. Barry struggles to balance his duties as The Flash and his relationship with Linda Park (guest star Malese Jow), and Joe (Jesse L. Martin) enlists Cisco’s (Carlos Valdes) help to reinvestigate the murder of Nora Allen (guest star Michelle Harrison). General Eiling (Clancy Brown) returns to Central City. Glen Winter directed the episode written by Andrew Kreisberg & Katherine Walczak (#113).
The Flash Season 1 Episode 14: “Fallout”
GENERAL EILING TARGETS FIRESTORM — After the nuclear explosion separates Ronnie (guest star Robbie Amell) and Dr. Stein (guest star Victor Garber), Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team believe both men are safe. Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) is thrilled to have her fiancé back and prepares to resume their life together while Dr. Stein returns to his wife. However, when General Eiling (guest star Clancy Brown) targets Firestorm, Ronnie and Dr. Stein must decide if they are safer together or apart. Meanwhile, Mason Bridge (guest star Roger Hayworth) tells Iris (Candice Patton) that there is something secretive going on at S.T.A.R. Labs and Dr. Stein gives Barry some important information about time travel. Steve Surjik directed the episode written by Keto Shimizu & Ben Sokolowski (#114).
The Flash Season 1 Episode 15: “Out of Time”
LIAM MCINTYRE GUEST STARS AS THE WEATHER WIZARD; CISCO REALIZES DR. WELLS IS HIDING SOMETHING — Mark Mardon aka The Weather Wizard (guest star Liam McIntyre) appears in Central City intent on avenging his brother Clyde’s death, and sets his sights on Joe (Jesse L. Martin), who shot Clyde. When Mardon attacks Joe and Barry (Grant Gustin), Barry is able to super-speed them to safety but Mardon gets away. Barry warns Joe not to go after a meta-human alone but Joe doesn’t listen and ends up in grave danger. Meanwhile, Cisco (Carlos Valdes) looks into the night the team captured the Reverse Flash and realizes something doesn’t add up and begins to wonder whether Joe was right about Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh). Barry and Linda (guest star Malese Jow) end up on an awkward double date with Eddie (Rick Cosnett) and Iris (Candice Patton). Thor Freudenthal directed the episode written by Todd Helbing & Aaron Helbing (#115).
The Flash Season 1 Episode 16: “Rogue Time”
CAPTAIN COLD AND HEAT WAVE RETURN TO CENTRAL CITY; PEYTON LIST GUEST STARS AS LISA SNART — The Flash (Grant Gustin) learns that Captain Cold (guest star Wentworth Miller) and Heat Wave (guest star Dominic Purcell) have returned to Central City. This time Snart has brought along his baby sister Lisa (guest star Peyton List) to help wreak havoc on the city. John Behring directed the episode with story by Grainne Godfree and teleplay by Brooke Eikmeier & Kai Yu Wu (#116). Original airdate 3/24/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 17: “Tricksters”
MARK HAMILL (“STAR WARS”) REPRISES HIS ROLE AS THE TRICKSTER — A copycat killer who goes by the name “The Trickster” (guest star Devon Graye) starts setting off bombs in Central City. In order to stop the villain, Barry (Grant Gustin) and Joe (Jesse L. Martin) meet with the original Trickster, a criminal mastermind named James Jesse (guest star Mark Hamill), who has been imprisoned for 20 years. Things quickly go from bad to worse when the Tricksters unite and take Henry (John Wesley Shipp) prisoner. Meanwhile, Iris (Candice Patton) asks Eddie (Rick Cosnett) for help with a case, and flashbacks show how Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) came up with the idea for the particle accelerator. Ralph Hemecker directed the episode written by Andrew Kreisberg (#117).
The Flash Season 1 Episode 18: “All Star Team Up”
ARROW’S FELICITY SMOAK (EMILY BETT RICKARDS) AND RAY PALMER (BRANDON ROUTH) ARRIVE IN CENTRAL CITY; EMILY KINNEY (“The Walking Dead”) GUETS STARS AS BRIE LARVIN — Barry (Grant Gustin) is surprised when Felicity Smoak (guest star Emily Bett Rickards) arrives from Starling City along with her boyfriend, Ray Palmer (guest star Brandon Routh), who flies in as the Atom. They’ve come to visit S.T.A.R. Labs as Ray needs help with his suit. Their timing turns out to be fortuitous because it’s all hands on deck after a meta human named Brie Larvin (guest star Emily Kinney) unleashes hundreds of robotic bees to attack and kill her former co-workers, including Dr. Tina McGee (guest star Amanda Pays). A group dinner with Barry, Felicity, Ray, Iris (Candice Patton) and Eddie (Rick Cosnett) turns into a disaster. Kevin Tancharoen directed the episode written by Grainne Godfree & Kai Yu Wu (#118). Original airdate 4/14/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 19: “Who is Harrison Wells?”
JOE AND CISCO TRAVEL TO STARLING CITY FOR ANSWERS ABOUT DR. WELLS — Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) head to Starling City to continue their investigation of Dr. Wells (Tom Cavanagh). While in town, the duo enlists the help of Captain Lance (guest star Paul Blackthorne), and Cisco meets the Black Canary (guest star Katie Cassidy), who asks him for a favor. Meanwhile, back in Central City, Barry (Grant Gustin) races to catch a meta-human named Hannibal Bates (guest star Martin Novotny) who can transform himself into every person he touches – which includes Eddie (Rick Cosnett), Iris (Candice Patton), Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and even The Flash. Wendey Stanzler directed the episode written by Ray Utarnachitt & Cortney Norris (#119). Original airdate 4/21/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 20: “The Trap”
THE TEAM SETS A TRAP FOR WELLS — Barry (Grant Gustin), Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker), Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Joe (Jesse L. Martin) set a trap for Wells (Tom Cavanagh). Cisco uses himself as prey which puts him in grave danger. Meanwhile, Eddie (Rick Cosnett) makes a decision regarding Iris (Candice Patton), which leaves Joe a bit unsettled. Steve Shill directed the episode written by Alison Schapker & Brooke Eikmeier (#120). Original airdate 4/28/20
The Flash Season 1 Episode 21: “Grodd Lives”
GRODD RETURNS! — Barry (Grant Gustin) must deal with the Reverse Flash’s (Tom Cavanagh) latest threat to a member of the group. To make matter worse, Dr. Wells unleashes Grodd on the city in order to distract Barry and the team. Joe (Jesse L. Martin), Barry and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) head down into the sewers to catch Grodd but the gorilla quickly gets the upper hand after he kidnaps Joe. Iris (Candice Patton) and Barry have a heart to heart talk. Dermott Downs directed the episode written by Grainne Godfree & Kai Yu Wu (#121).
The Flash Season 1 Episode 22: “Rogue Air”
STEPHEN AMELL, ROBBIE AMELL, WENTWORTH MILLER, LIAM MCINTYRE AND DOUG JONES GUEST STAR — As Wells (Tom Cavanagh) once again gets the upper hand on the S.T.A.R. Labs team, Barry (Grant Gustin) realizes he needs to make a big move and reaches out to an old foe, Captain Cold (guest star Wentworth Miller), for help. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) warn Barry that Cold can’t be trusted. True to form, Cold has his own agenda that involves the meta-humans trapped in the containment cells. As things seem to be going from bad to worse, The Flash gets reinforcements – Arrow (guest star Stephen Amell) and Firestorm (guest star Robbie Amell). Doug Aarniokoski directed the episode written by Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing (#122). Original airdate 5/12/2015.
The Flash Season 1 Episode 23: “Fast Enough”
EPIC SEASON FINALE; VICTOR GARBER AND ROBBIE AMELL GUEST STAR — Wells (Tom Cavanagh) presents Barry (Grant Gustin) with a life-changing choice. Dr. Martin Stein (guest star Victor Garber) and Ronnie Raymond (guest star Robbie Amell) return to help the S.T.A.R. Labs team with this final fight. Dermott Downs directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Gabrielle Stanton & Andrew Kreisberg (#123). Original airdate 5/19/2015.