Warning: Spoiler Alert for the Season 1 Finale of "The Flash"
Barry Allen lost a close ally in the season one finale of the hit CW superhero show "The Flash." Rick Consett's Detective Eddie Thawne heroically took his own life to save his friends and put an end to Reverse Flash's sinister plan.
Eddie quickly developed a friendship with Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) despite the fact that they were both in love with the same woman, Iris West (Candice Patton). Fans knew Eddie was in serious danger a few episodes back when he was kidnapped by Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) who turned out to be Eobard Thawne AKA Reverse Flash and a distant relative of Eddie's. Eddie ended up taking his own life so that Reverse Flash would never exist, saving his friends in the process.
Series co-creator and executive producer Andrew Kreisberg said that Eddie's fate had been decided long ago, beginning with the deliberate choice of Eddie's last name. "It was there to be done if we decided to go in that direction," Kreisberg said. "The show tells you where it wants to go. Despite how much we adore the character of Eddie and truly adore Rick as a professional and a friend, this was what was best for Eddie and all the other characters, what was best for the show."
The character's "stunning, emotionally gut-wrenching" death "brings the show to a high point at the end of the season," Kreisberg explained. "Having someone do the ultimate sacrifice ups the life-and-death stakes. At the end of the day, he dies knowing he is a hero, he eliminated Eobard from existence."
Although tragic, the show has to be commended for making such a bold creative choice and killing off a popular character. Marvel, while incredibly successful on both the big and small screen, has been criticized for its lack of dramatic stakes. Clearly, DC's "The Flash" is trying to avoid that same trap.
But Eddie's death was not just a shocker for shock's sake. It will result in far reaching implications that will be felt in season two. "Eddie was a large part of everyone's life," Kreisberg said. "He and Iris spent a year and a half together, and he died for her. Joe has lost a partner, and Barry has lost a friend. Eddie's death will have a major impact on all of their lives as they cope and figure out how to move forward in season 2."
Aside from Eddie's death, the season one finale had other big moments, such as Barry's travels through time. During his journey, he sees images from both his past and future. One particular image was especially eye-catching: Danielle Panabaker as Killer Frost. Similar to The Flash himself, blink and you might have missed it last night.
Killer Frost is a famous DC villain who can manipulate ice (if you didn't get that from her name than this is the wrong show for you). In "The Flash," she is Dr. Caitlin Snow (foreshadowing!) who works for S.T.A.R. Labs. She may emerge as a primary antagonist for our lightning quick hero going forward.