Grant Gustin’s portrayal of Barry Allen in The Flash has been widely acclaimed, yet he himself recognizes that the series occasionally strayed from its core narrative. Prior to the advent of the DCU, The CW’s Arrowverse stood as one of the finest representations of a shared universe within the DC Comics franchise. However, there were instances throughout the show’s run where the storylines became muddled and less engaging for viewers.
Despite its ups and downs, I have always considered The Flash as one of the standout series in the Arrowverse. The casting of Grant Gustin was indeed spot-on, as he encapsulated the essence of Barry Allen, a character characterized by hope and resilience. His relentless pursuit of speed, coupled with his dedication to saving loved ones and maintaining a semblance of normalcy in his life, made for a riveting watch. Nonetheless, there was one specific scene that seemed particularly outlandish and, in hindsight, demonstrated a lapse in judgment regarding the show’s direction.
Grant Gustin Speaks Out on a Controversial Scene from The Flash Season 7
Gustin’s Instincts Proved Valuable
In Season 7, Episode 18, titled “Heart of the Matter Part 2,”Barry confronts one of his most formidable foes, Godspeed. After a chaotic chase through the city, he receives unexpected support from Thawne, and together they prepare to take on Godspeed. However, things take a puzzling turn when Godspeed summons lightning, using it as a weapon reminiscent of a lightsaber. This prompts Flash and Thawne to pull out their own “lightsabers” in an all-too-obvious homage to Star Wars.
Gustin, after nearly a decade embodying the character, felt this scene was overly absurd. During a panel discussion at Comic Con Liverpool, he revealed that he had proposed changes for a more conventional speedster duel, but the production team declined his suggestion. In retrospect, his concerns were entirely justified.
The Flash’s “Lightsaber”Moment: A Curious Creative Choice
The Flash is No Star Wars: Questioning the Lightsaber Inclusion
This scene stood out as a perplexing misstep in the narrative logic of the show. Godspeed, Flash, and Thawne are all speedsters, far removed from the Jedi lore. Lightsabers exist merely as toys within their universe, making the visual treatment of wielding lightning as an actual weapon feel profoundly misplaced. Instead of cleverly showcasing their speed abilities, Barry and Thawne resorted to drawing lightsabers with dramatic sound effects that echo the Star Wars saga.
While The Flash is rooted in fantasy and sci-fi, incorporating advanced technology and even musical elements, this particular instance felt like a misguided attempt to cater to a different fanbase. Ultimately, it detracted from the episode’s immersion and contradicted the established strengths of the characters. Eliminating this awkward scene could have led to a much more satisfying conclusion to the storyline.
Grant Gustin’s Suggestions Could Have Enhanced The Flash
A Seasoned Actor’s Insights Deserve Attention
By the time this scene aired, Grant Gustin had developed a profound understanding of Barry Allen’s character and motivations. Unfortunately, his creative input was not always acknowledged sufficiently by the creators. Had they heeded his advice and replaced the lightsaber duel with a more traditional speedster confrontation, it might have alleviated the awkwardness of the moment.
While there had already been multiple speedster battles throughout the series, the attempt to innovate with lightsabers ultimately failed. A better alternative could have been introducing unique team-up maneuvers between Flash and Thawne or reflecting Godspeed’s own powers back at him. In reality, almost any concept would have surpassed the decision to include this ill-fated lightsaber scene.