Running to Stand Still hits the ground running as Harry is chased through STAR Labs and while he might have some sick slide skills, they’re just no match for Zoom; who wishes him a Merry Christmas before we cut to festive credits.

Already, this episode has got me smiling and I’m locked in for a fun sleigh ride as Mark Marden breaks out both James Jesse and Leonard Snart for a kwanza killing spree and Flash is right at the top of their kill-list. Naturally, Snart is having none of it because A) he and Barry have a deal and B)…

He’s a total sweetheart. God damn Wentworth Miller, man. He’s one of the best things about this god damn show. He gives Barry a heads-up and leaves Mark Hamill to carry the rest of the episode because Marden is just there and is tied with Patty’s character development. It’s cool, and she boots the Flash in a cool moment, but Marden’s a rubbish villain.

Hamill is going full Joker this time and he doesn’t even care. And neither do I frankly. He’s a pure delight.

Back with Harry, Zoom’s obviously gotten to him and he’s visibly struggling with his conscience. Cavanagh has all these little looks throughout out the episode that shows he really doesn’t want to but an all-too-real threat to his daughter cajoles him into helping Zoom. Cavanagh’s really on form this episode but while most of it is tense, he does get a couple lines of dickish humour.

But, obviously, the biggest thing to happen this week was the introduction of Joe’s biological son; Wally West. Keiynan Lonsdale is best known for the Divergent movie series and some show called Dance Academy. He’s not doing much but you can tell he’s going to be a big part of the season to come.

All in all, this was a far superior winter finale, not only for being Christmas themed but also because The Flash is always more entertaining to watch than SHIELD and this episode just proves it. Be sure to come back in January for more Flash Facts!

The Flash continues to trounce the competition and it’s own sister show with no real effort needed.

Enter Zoom is an episode of two halves, really. The first half, while still dramatic has lots of fun comedy bits, probably lulling the audience into a false sense of security. Linda taking on the mantle of Doctor Light is the main comedy schtick, with a montage and a failed plan. It’s very James Roberts. All fun and games until shit kicks off.

This week has our first real look into Harry Well’s daughter, Jesse. Boy are they not even trying with that little bit of dialogue… Still, it’s nice that she’s not the doting daughter and is strong and independent from the get-go. Can’t wait to see her transformation into her name sake. Also cool that the Arrow of Earth-2 is Robert Queen as opposed to Oliver.

Flash Fact: The comic-verse Jesse Quick is a legacy character, being the daughter of Golden Age heroes Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle, both mantles she’d adopt for herself, given that Earth-2 seems to be home of the Justice Society, it’s fitting that she’s there.

Zoom.

Damn. Just… Damn. I knew Tony Todd was going to add some gravitas to the new villain but props to the suit actor (if you know who it is, let me know) for making Zoom truly menacing.

Monstrous, even. Monster is the right word for Zoom. Seeing him in action was genuinely terrifying. He’s faster than Barry, stronger than Barry and worst of all…

He knows it. Zoom is a sadist through and through and it shows in his every act. He parades Barry’s limp body around like a damn trophy! It’s absolutely brutal.

And even though Team Flash gets one good shot in, Zoom’s assault leaves Barry paralysed from the waist down (that back-cracking noise during the fight was a bad omen).

Enter Zoom lives up to the hype for establishing the villain and showing just how badly Barry is outmatched. Sure, we know he’ll be back on his feet soon enough (He’s walking 6 months into the future on Arrow) but damn… And it’s only going to get worse as next week sees the return of the big ape on campus in Gorilla Warfare.