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So, are you up to speed on The Flash?

The CW finally debuted its long-awaited Arrow spinoff this week, with Grant Gustin making his second appearance on the network as Barry Allen, following a couple guest-starring stints on Arrow Season 2.

We learned a great deal about Allen on The Flash Season 1 Episode 1, such as the fact that his mother was killed in a bizarre incident when he was 11 years old and his dad was falsely imprisoned for the murder.

Barry was therefore raised by Detective Joe West and grew up to a brilliant, motivated CSI investigator.

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Watch The Flash Season 1 Episode 1 Online

We then cut to the public unveiling of a particle accelerator created physicist Harrison Wells and his S.T.A.R. Labs team, only to see Barry get struck by lightning as the result of a devastating explosion.

 

Following nine months in a coma, Barry wakes up to find his life has changed once again, in a way no one could have seen coming:

The accident has given him the power of super speed, giving him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel.

Barry now has the legs AND heart of a hero, though he comes up against many obstacles in his quest to save the universe. For one thing, Barry isn’t the only meta-human created as a result of the lab explosion… though he is one of the few who use his new abilities for good.

Unlike Arrow (which we love!), The Flash isn’t based in a dark world.

Thanks to the bright, engaging performance of Gustin, there’s a feeling of hope and optimism that radiates throughout the premiere, which, it should also be noted, simply looks terrific on a visual scale.

Other members of The Flash cast include Candice Patton, Rick Cosnett, Jesse L. Martin and Tom Cavanagh. All leave strong first impressions on the opener and all leave us wanting more.

We’ll get it every Tuesday night on The CW at 8/7c.

What did everyone else think of The Flash premiere? Grade it now and watch The Flash online via TV Fanatic if you missed it:

Here is your first look at The Flash Season 1 Episode 2: