To celebrate 100 episodes, The Flash is doing something it’s been very fond of over five seasons. Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) is going back in time–again–and will hopefully not screw up the timeline–again. In a trailer for the momentous episode, “What’s Past is Prologue,” it’s revealed that Barry will be revisiting the biggest villains from the show’s past, and he’s not doing it alone. This time, his speedster daughter Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) is along for the ride.
The Flash isn’t simply relying on old faces for its 100th episode, though. Instead, as Tom Cavanagh–who directs the installment–told GameSpot at the 100th episode red carpet event, “What’s Past is Prologue” is more about the show’s future than anything else.
“I do have to say I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that [the fans] figured into it in a massive way because you can you know, you want to have a certain celebration on the screen,” he said. “You do not want to be indulgent. You also don’t want to do a greatest hits episode because in some ways it’s almost too easy.”
So instead of letting the show’s past be the star, every element Barry sees once more helps to push forward a multitude of current plots, from the battle against Cicada (Chris Klein) to his relationship with Nora. “The idea that the writers had to have Norah and Barry Allen go… back in time to get a few things that they need to defeat the current villain, I thought it was genius,” Cavanagh admitted.
And in the end, it’s true to how he and the rest of those involved view the show as; a comic book come to life. “The thing that got us to 100 was trying to do a comic book every time out,” he explained. “You know, we succeed and we fail but we’re always trying. And to not do that for the 100th felt wrong.”
The 100th episode of The Flash airs Tuesday, December 4 on The CW. After that, the “Elseworlds” crossover, which sees The Flash, Arrow, and Supergirl meet up with Batwoman (Ruby Rose) for the first time kicks off on Sunday, December 8. Make sure to check out our photos and teasers for the “Elseworlds” event.
