For much of the season, ‘The Flash,’ has done a tremendous job balancing action between character development. Sometimes, the main storyline is no more than filler as character development takes the front row. This latter way of doing things is often used as a catapult to propel both character and story arch forward in new directions. “Crazy for You” uses this template and changes the narrative for Barry, Caitlin and all the rest as personal decisions affect their relationships and the secret behind one character’s fate if finally revealed.

After Barry saves a couple from a fiery car crash and watches their teary reunion, it sparks his longing for that someone special to come into his life. Caitlin, too is feeling the same pressures though she hides it well. Cisco—despite looking into Ronnie’s disappearance and entertaining the idea of trusting Hartley’s word—tells Caitlin that, in order to get over her lost love (aka FIRESTORM), she actually has to try and get over him.

On the subject of getting over, the main metahuman story revolves around teleporter Shawna Baez who breaks her beau Clay Parker out of Iron Heights prison. Barry does the forensics work for the jail break, getting a quick reunion with his dad in the process. Back at the lab, Wells and Caitlin ID Baez from her DNA and, later, discover her abilities are limited on her being able to see where she’s going. Though Baez wants to get out of town with Clay, he owes some cash to a well-known bad guy by the name Marcus Stockheimer. Until he pays Marcus, Clay knows he can’t leave town just yet. He talks Shawna into robbing an armored car and Barry finds his way on the scene. He and Shawna have a little game of meta-human tag before Clay nearly puts a bullet into Barry’s neck. The distraction is enough for the couple to escape and Barry’s left with a nice little divot of skin where the bullet took a centimeter of flesh. Spending a bit of time with Caitlin, Barry comes to terms with the fact that he’s not living his life; he’s doing his Flash and forensics thing but is still pining away at Iris. He and Caitlin agree to have some fun and they find themselves at a karaoke bar where Caitlin gets completely smashed. Though Caitlin has a good night off, Barry’s time out pays dividends when he meets the very attractive and very interested Linda. She makes it clear the ball is in his court, now all Barry has to do is call.

Barry and Peek-A-Boo…round two

While Barry and Caitlin are enjoying their night out, Cisco has his own mission: get the truth behind Martin Stein and Ronnie Raymond’s disappearance. Despite every instinct and ounce of common sense telling Cisco not to trust Hartley, he does so anyway, releasing the Pied Piper based on the latter’s knowledge of that night. Cisco discovers the stunning news that Martin Stein and Ronnie Raymond are now two beings sharing a single body. Moments after seeing the proof in video, Cisco’s one-upped by Hartley and Wells’ former protégé escapes. The next morning Barry and an extremely hung over Caitlin arrive at the lab to the news of Hartely’s escape. When Cisco admits to failing Ronnie the night of the explosion, Caitlin absolves him of any guilt, reminding her friend that Ronnie would have said “you did the right thing.” But absolution must wait for a bit after Barry gets a call that his father has been stabbed.

When Barry visits his dad in the hospital ward, Henry admits to giving Joe more information on Marcus Stockheimer, information leading to his arrest (a bust that Clay and Shawna were barely able to escape from). Barry does end up getting the next hit on Marcus’s list from Julius—the cronie responsible for his father’s condition. Using the newest information on Shawna’s weakness, Barry’s able to take her down, though Clay leaves her behind.

A job well done in hand, Barry and Caitlin admit they both truly need to move on from past loves. Barry, though he ends up visiting Iris as Flash to help on the fugitive Clay Parker, makes a move on Linda Park who just so happens to be the sports reporter at Iris’s new job.

Iris meets Linda Park, Barry’s newest love interest.

After what can be assumed as successful date number one, Barry again sits down with his father as the elder Allen recuperates from his injuries. Henry Allen shows his son the photo of the Flash Iris was able to snap and makes a few less than subtle hints about the speedster’s identity. When Barry scoffs at being the red streak, Henry Allen shares with his son a few heartfelt words…

“If the Flash were my son, I’d tell him a few things. First off, I’d tell him it’s a dangerous work, so be careful. Then I’d tell him he’s a hero who’s saving a lot of lies. But the most important thing for him to know, I feel, is that his father’s proud of him.”

Epilogue:

Two maintenance workers are investigating a disturbance in the sewers when they come across a monstrous surprise by the name of Grodd.

A Future Peek

  • Let’s, for a second at least, ignore the fact that DC villains have some of the cheesiest names out there (Peek-A-Boo? Really?!), Shawna Baez’s inclusion in tonight’s episode didn’t offer much in the way of her character. True, her teleportation effect was very well done but we discovered next to nothing about her save for the fact that she’s still in love with a man that left her high and dry. Based on her personality though, there’s a real possibility we’ll be seeing more of her in the near future but this time fighting on the side of truth, justice and all that jazz.
  • Well, well, well. It looks like Barry’s finally seen the light and has decided to move on from his Iris pining to another reporter type in Linda Park (played by ‘Vampire Diaries’ alum Malese Jow). Based on her reaction, Iris didn’t take the news of another woman in Barry’s life too well. Seems like that’s always the case but, personal affinities for Jow aside (loved her in ‘Diaries’), her Park character will stir up a bit of friction in Barry’s relationship with Iris.
  • Now we know with 100% certainty what’s going on with Ronnie Raymond. Will this new info allow the group to communicate with their former friend and will he eventually join the STAR Labs crime fighters? Or will his split persona relegate him to a sometimes hero with an identity crisis always in the background. What we can say for sure is that the Ronnie Raymond/Martin Stein/FIRESTORM entity will play a major role going forward.
  • Speaking of major roles, how about that Grodd teaser?! This isn’t the first time I’ve said this but ‘The Flash’ has been masterful in its introductions of DC characters, both large and small. They have taken the lessons learned from shows like ‘Smallville,’ ‘Arrow’  and ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ and, for twelve episodes at least, has been one of the most exciting shows to watch this season. Not just for the Flash but also to see what exactly they will do next. The second half of the season promises to be even more solid than the first half as we continue to be graced with more of the DC world as a whole. Now, if only the movies are as fun and entertaining as their small screen counterparts.