Contains Spoilers!
The episode begins with Barry in his cell. There is pandemonium around him which annoys him enough to flash around and chuck everyone back in their cells without being noticed. Barry is bound to bump into some old faces while he is incarcerated, and the first person he has an awkward encounter with is Axel Walker aka The Trickster, who approaches Barry to trade murder skills. Axel ends up taken to see the nurse after eating some bad dessert who turns out to be his mother, retired villain, Prank. She breaks him out of prison for some Mother and Son bonding while they cause a stir throughout the city. After a little altercation, Barry makes a friend in Big Sir (or Dave as his friends call him).
Ralph shines throughout this episode, I guess that’s obvious when you think of the title. I love his character and I hope and pray he’s sticking around for more than just this season. With The Flash out of action he takes on the role of Central City’s top crime fighter which draws him press attention. He finds himself deemed the city’s funniest new hero and named The Stretchy Man by a reporter. He’s not overly keen on the name and looks to Cisco for a better one. One thing is for sure – he needs a new suit that doesn’t make him look like a giant piece of blu tac.
Axel isn’t happy when he catches Ralph on tv and rushes off to find him. Soon enough he’s back in the Trickster costume, causing havoc. He wants ‘The Stretchy Man’ brought to him. Now all the new found attention and admiration has got to Ralph’s head a little bit. He’s cocky and runs straight into danger. At first, Axel is irritated at his inability to inflict pain on Ralph until he throws acid at him, causing Cisco to come and ‘Vibe’ Ralph away from danger in pain. Ralph really reminded me of Jim Carey in The Mask in this scene. Even screaming in pain he was making me laugh.
Prank and Trickster end up recreating a game show called Wheel of Misfortune and demand that The Stretchy Man comes to save some innocent citizens. To show they mean business they melt Mr Beebo. I’m sure you’ll all remember Mr Beebo from a previous episode of Legends of Tomorrow where he ended up worshiped as a God by a group of Vikings. Loved the little crossover continuity here!!!! Also I need a Mr Beebo teddy!
Cisco has made Ralph a new suit but he is scared to go back for round two. He stretches himself into Barry’s cell to ask for some advice. Well actually he goes to ask Barry to break out and deal with The Trickster for him. Barry gives Ralph a pep talk which does the trick and off Ralph runs in his brand spanking new suit to save the day. Outside he meets the press again and is given a new superhero name … The Elongated Man.
I loved this episode but mostly because I love Ralph. He’s a great character and is like all the best bits of Barry Allen magnified. There’s obviously a story unravelling for Barry while he is in prison so that will be interesting to see play out. The episode ends with a mystery, nerdy girl paying for Cisco and Ralph’s coffee. I’m sure this wasn’t a random encounter either!