The Flash - The One with the Nineties

The Flash offers up a time travel / time loop storyline when Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Chester (Brandon McKnight) get trapped in 1998 after laying sensors to track movements of other Force manifestations like the Speed Force who has shown up in the form of Nora Allen (Michelle Harrison). "The One with the Nineties" features the most obvious 90s jokes such as a Blockbuster, fax machines, and the outlandish clothing of the decade. The reset also brings Chester into contact with his father (Milton Barnes) giving him insight into the man he never had while growing up prior to the pair running into the Force behind events (Christian Magby) whose anger eventually effects the rest of the team as well.

Along with introducing a new Force (which apparently is going to be the new season's thing), it also provides Chester a chance to stand-up to the baddie of the week as well as look back on his past with fresh eyes. This proves to be one of the better aspects of a gimmick-heavy episode. As Barry (Grant Gustin who only appears bookend scenes to open and close the episode) recovers from his recent battle, Iris (Candice Patton) spends a little time with the Speed Force helping her understand Barry a little better (setting up a larger storyline for next week's episode). We also see evidence of some of the struggles with Caitlin and Frost (Danielle Panabaker) struggling to live as two separate people in the same apartment which, along with Frost facing her super-villain past, will be another thread for the show to explore in the next few weeks.