Before dealing with that metal man, however, theres the much more pressing matter of Barrys predicament.
Only, this isnt Joe.
This is the actual Speed Force taking on Joes visage.
Credit: Katie Yu/The CW
Theres a speedster blur running around outside, and he has to catch it.
Or, again, the Speed Force-as-Iris.
They need to test him, however, because he rejected his gift.
And he almost gets that chance when a tornado breaks out on the water nearby.
Cisco reaches out for Barry and asks him to take his hand and come home.
Force Iris tells him he could return home right now but he would do so without his powers.
So Barry turns down the invitation and chases after the blur once again.
Even with all of those other lives saved as a result, could someone actually reconcile that choice?
Shes the Speed Force, and Barry knows it.
That doesnt stop him from being shaken by seeing her again.
The scene finds its greatest power via Grant Gustins spectacular performance.
But Speed Mom tells him he has to find a way to do so.
Even with his powers, he cant stop the horrible things the universe will inevitably throw his way.
No matter how strong he is, the pain of loss is something hell never outrun.
But being able to deal with it?
To draw strength from working through it and overcoming that suffering?
Hell be all the stronger for it, be the man he wants to be with his powers.
Barry remembers every word of it.
In that moment, the Speed Force recognizes Barry is ready to be granted his powers yet again.
Only this time, its not Cisco who asks Barry to come home.
Everyones happy…for about three seconds.
Labs as he was chasing his last love down.
Barrys return brings with it more than just an easy defeat of a meta.
Hes also able to spark Jesse back to life.
Yet when he tests him by dropping a mug of coffee, Wally doesnt react with blinding speed.
He just wonders why Joe would waste a perfectly good cup of joe.
Barry cant quite explain his help to Jesse.
Its the Speed Force at work, which he and Harry both recognize.
Everything wonderful and awful that has happened to them has made them who they are today.
He is the Flash because of it all, and hes learned to accept that.
He makes sure he wastes no more time in telling Iris how much he cares about her.
They never had anyone just right for them.
But they did, as far as Barry is concerned.
The sound of your voice will always bring me home, he tells her.
Zoom has an army to fight the Flash.
Well, he has acceptance and a powerful group of loved ones.
Its a safe bet that latter army can take on whatever chaos Zoom throws their way.
