ZOOM
Although THE FLASH sometimes struggled with villain-of-the-week syndrome, the main overarching conflict between Barry Allen and Harrison Wells was easily one of the season’s highlights. After the (seemingly) ultimate defeat of Wells during the Season 1 finale, it was hard to imagine anyone could top that level of delicious villainy. Turns out fans didn’t have to wait long to find out as the new Big Bad was revealed at San Diego Comic Con to be none other than iconic Flash rogue Zoom, who appears to be hailing from another dimension. Zoom is also a speedster, although his time-travel powers work slightly differently than Barry’s Speed Force abilities.
Like the Reverse-Flash before him, many characters have gone by the name of Zoom, which means both fans from the comic books and those who only follow the show are probably in store for another season long game of Guess-Who’s-Behind-That-Mask. If it’s anywhere near the level we’ve seen previously, it’s safe to say we’ll all be frantically biting our nails and scouring the online discussion boards for weeks to come.
DOCTOR LIGHT
While an Easter Egg from ARROW Season 2 hinted at the existence of Arthur Light, executive producer Gabrielle Stanton confirmed the Doctor Light seen soon on our TVs will actually be Kimiyo Hoshi, the female bearer of the title. Showrunner Andrew Kreisberg has been vocal about his desire have more diversity in the casts of both ARROW and THE FLASH — which no doubt played a factor in her inclusion — Doctor Light is set to become the first Asian super heroine in CW’s DC universe.
Her origin story (scientist gets mystic abilities from magic space energy) seems like it could be nicely tweaked to fit the particle accelerator storyline the show has used to explain the existence of superpowers. It’ll certainly make a nice change of pace for Barry to have a meta-human to fight with instead of against.
MAMA WEST
While viewers were treated to several flashback scenes to Iris and Barry’s childhood last season, they were never able to catch a glimpse of the elusive Mrs. West. And there wasn't any real mention of what happened to her. Now, in Season 2, it seems we’re finally in for some answers with the recent casting announcement of Vanessa A. Williams (Soul Food) as the West family matriarch.
Actor Candice Patton has hinted there’s a big reveal in store for her character Iris when she learns she’s been mislead about what happened to her mother for years. Hopefully there isn’t a rehash of last season with Joe continuing to constantly lie to Iris, a storyline that was tediously dragged out, this definitely seems like a mystery worth exploring!
JESSE QUICK
DC’s premier female speedster is also slated to make her television debut this season played by Violett Beane (Slash). In the comics, Jesse Chambers is the daughter of two Golden Age superheroes who works to honor her parents’ legacy. Meanwhile, in the show, press releases seem to suggest she is a perfectly average student who gets caught up in Barry’s feud with Zoom. It remains to be seen whether she will suit up anytime soon, so Jesse’s sardonic wit and cynical personality will be a refreshing change from the relentless idealism that often characterized in 'Team Flash.'
WALLY WEST
Okay, so you probably saw this one coming. Doesn’t make it any less true! Fans have been lobbying since day one to get Wally onscreen. Many, in fact, were surprised when the show was first announced it would star Barry Allen instead of Wally West. While he may started off as Barry’s teen sidekick, Wally quickly came into his own as a character. He’s one of DC’s beloved superheroes which makes it all the more surprising and exciting that actor Keiynan Lonsdale (Divergent) will be the first actor to portray Wally in live action. Quite apart from his long-standing popularity, the fact Wally also has key connections to characters like Iris, Linda Park and more than one incarnation of Zoom means that he will be the person to keep your eye on this season.
Of course, these characters are just a hint of what’s in store — I'm also looking forward to seeing Jay Garrick, Patty Spivot, Atom-Smasher and all the surprise characters the show will inevitably throw at viewers!
Of course, these characters are just a hint of what’s in store — I'm also looking forward to seeing Jay Garrick, Patty Spivot, Atom-Smasher and all the surprise characters the show will inevitably throw at viewers!
THE FLASH returns to the CW on October 6.
Written by Kaitlin Roberts, THE FLASH Beat Writer