'The Flash' Season 2 Ep 1 Recap: Grant Gustin's Barry Allen 'The Man Who Saved Central City!'

The CW network airs the Season 2 premiere of The Flash. In Episode 1, after the events of of the first season finale, will Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), the scarlet speedster, become known as The Man Who Saved Central City?

As the scarlet speedster fights off Captain Cold (Wentworth Miller) and Heat Wave (Dominic Pucell), Firestrom joins in the fight. Back at the lab, Barry meets Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett) and Harrison Wells (Tom Cavangh), who starts walking again. In reality though, Barry is alone in S.T.A.R. Labs, six months have passed since the singularity. 

As Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) and Barry investigate a murder, he mentions the Flash will be given the key to the city. Back at the precinct, Cisco (Carlos Valdes) is in charge of the meta-human task force. Iris (Candice Patton) spots Barry trying to fix up her broken down coffee shop. The two are still in mourning after Eddie's death, but iris wants him to join the rally.

In the flashback, the Flash runs into the wormhole as the city falls apart. Containing the singularity, Firestorm (Robbie Amell) kisses Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and blows himself up. The Flash is only able to save Martin Stein (Victor Garber) in the aftermath.

During the rally, as the Mayor speaks, the crowd cheers seeing the scarlet speedster. The Flash then saves the Mayor from a lying object. The Atom Smasher shows up and starts fighting the police. Cisco's powers start kicking in as the Atom Smasher grows in size. The Flash then grabs some gas tanks and starts an explosion. 

Iris feels that they need to stop letting Barry push them away. At Mercury Labs, Cisco meets up with Caitlin, but she doesn't want to return. Barry meets with a lawyer who mentions the living will of Harrison Wells. Barry is the owner now of S.T.A.R. Labs and must watch a special video. 

Barry returns to the lab and finds this friends there. Cisco hugs Martin after he comes up with the name of Atom Smasher. After they discover his hideout, the Flash is beaten to a pulp by the Atom Smasher. Cisco hacks his way into the alarm system and causes a distraction.

After waking up, Joe reminds Barry that he is killing himself, his friends chose to help him. He needs to rebuild himself. Barry then pays a visit to Caitlin, telling her how Ronnie died saving him. Caitlin blames herself for not leaving Central City with him.  The two watch the video Harrison Wells left and confesses to murdering Nora Allen. 

As Joe talks about Henry's release from prison, Barry asks for help from everyone, including Caitlin. The Atom Smasher sees the flash symbol in the night sky. The Flash forces the Atom Smasher to follow him to a power plant. Cisco then turns on the reactor core, which stops the meta-human. 

After the Flash asks why, the Atom Smasher reveals Zoom sent him. Barry celebrates the release of Henry Allen (John Wesley Shipp) from prison. As Martin gives a toast, he asks everyone to move forward. 

Henry asks Barry if he can be the Flash if he's around. When he needs him, Henry will be there for him. But Barry needs to be the hero for Central City. Barry odds and tells him it's okay to leave. Back at the lab, Cisco shows Barry his new costume. 

Jay Garrick (Teddy Sears) shows up  and warns everyone they are in trouble.  

Readers, what did you think of The Man Who Saved Central City?