If there’s one thing that sets The Flash apart from the myriad other superhero TV shows available these days, it would have to be the dense bench of rogues available for Barry Allen to face off against. From Captain Cold to Reverse Flash, the Scarlet Speedster has gone up against some of the coolest live-action DC villains ever used. Kevin Smith’s episode of The Flash should prove no different. Although very few details have come forward about the legendary director’s upcoming episode of The Flash, it now seems that one of the series’ most underrated villains will make a return: Girder.
Based on a new episode synopsis released by The CW, it seems that that Barry’s old bully Tony Woodward a.k.a Girder will make a return to the series:
Kevin Smith Directs – With Barry (Grant Gustin) gone, the team must figure out a way to handle the return of an old enemy – Girder (guest star Greg Finley). Realizing Girder is retracing his steps from his last attack, Iris (Candice Patton) volunteers to act as bait to trap him in S.T.A.R. Labs. Meanwhile, Barry fights to return to his old life. Kevin Smith directed the episode written by Zack Stentz.
The interesting thing to note is the fact that Earth-1’s Girder very clearly died during the events of The Flash Season 1. When another meta-human attacked S.T.A.R Labs, Harrison Wells a.k.a Eobard Thawne released Girder from his holding cell inside of the particle accelerator and offered him freedom if he killed the building’s attacker. The ensuing battle ended up killing Girder, but in his final moments it appeared that he had redeemed himself by protecting Barry.
With that in mind, it seems entirely likely that the Girder we will see in the upcoming episode of The Flash might not be the exact same one we have seen before. Whether this means he will come from Earth-2, or from the past (time remnants, anyone?) remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Girder was an awesome and underrated villain during the first season of The Flash, so to have him back is a more than welcome moment.
Considering the return of such a personal villain for Barry and Iris, and all of the terrible things that have gone down in recent episodes, Kevin Smith’s episode of The Flash is shaping up to be quite the adventure. The filmmaker even went so far as to admit that he considers this episode of The Flash to potentially represent the best thing he has ever directed over the course of his lengthy career. That’s a big promise, Mr. Smith, but we'll hold you to it.
We will keep you up to date with any and all details related to Kevin Smith’s upcoming stint behind the camera of The Flash; the episode will air sometime next month on The CW.
