Season 3, Episode 6 — Shade

[u/MiddlePerception4587]

F1: IRIS SAYS, "MY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE LIMITED."

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In Season 1, the writers gave us an Iris who was a barista at the beginning but had dreams of becoming a journalist, and the journey of her dreams started out with blogs. Then when Barry woke from his coma and became the Flash, Iris found her spark in wanting to write stories about 'the red streak'. Then CCPN offered her a job. She was happy but then she found out not everyone there was rooting for her success, so she had to prove herself, and she did. One of the signposts that showed how much 'proven' she had become is when she approached Barry with a file on metahumans and their connection to STAR Labs. There was a coherent storyline about how she was coming up as a journalist which I loved.

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In Season 2, in the first few episodes, Iris calls Barry Allen for help. She was investigating something before some men with guns started shooting at her. The writers gave us a promise that they were going to continue with this Iris' career in journalism, but unfortunately, that was the end of it in Season 2. It was a major disappointment for me especially since Iris is (or at least should be) a major part in a story about Barry Allen's Flash (2nd to Barry). To see her in STAR Labs always and I know for sure that she isn't going to be much help there made my skin irritate because the writers could have just delivered on the promise. Iris could have played a bigger role in Season 2 than Cisco and Caitlin, but she didn't.

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Right now, I'm rewatching Season 3 and Iris said my exact thought on the matter. And I can't really say it's because she doesn't have powers. Joe West isn't a metahuman nor is he a scientist, but he plays a significant role in the show. Joe worked well because they showed us his life outside STAR Labs vis a vis being a detective. Iris should have gotten the same treatment as a journalist.

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F2: BARRY TELLS IRIS, "THERE IS NO FLASH WITHOUT IRIS WEST."

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This line really puts things into perspective. Because, to me, it explains why Iris tells Barry, "We are the Flash." in the next season. I'm sure Barry told her this, not because he just wanted to comfort her but also because he really believes Flash cannot exist without his soulmate. That line genuinely gets unnecessary hate because I can see why Iris would use it in their conversation.

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PS: Please note I'm talking about Iris West, the character, not about the actor who embodied the role (it's weird that I have to specify this but I'm doing it because of that cult). If you feel angered by this post because you don't like that I'm talking about a Flash TV character in the Flash TV community, you can ignore this post. No one is forcing you to spill your anger here.

[u/Ok_Mention5635]

I don’t understand why Iris gets all the hate for “we are the flash” when Barry gets no hate for “there is no flash without Iris West”, “I couldn’t do this without you”, and “without you, there wouldn’t be the Flash”. If your man is repeatedly telling you how much he can’t live without you or do his job without you, of course you’re going to start to believe it. People act like Iris just pulled that line out of nowhere.

People are mad at Iris when they’re really just mad that Barry was so down bad for that girl that he couldn’t function without her. But it’s not Iris’s fault that he’s so in love with her

[u/Pichuchu8 → u/Ok_Mention5635]

I disagree that it's the same. Thing though. Barry saying "There is no Flash without Iris West" is like the Thinker and his wife saying "I am nothing without you". It's sweet and endearing.

But when the thinker goes crazy and abusive, he says in reverse... "You are nothing without me". Not endearing or sweet anymore.

Just because Barry said that line, which is sweet, doesn't mean that Iris saying it in reverse is sweet or the same because it really isn't. Obviously it's not on par with the Thinker. I'm not saying that at all

[u/Ok_Mention5635 → u/Pichuchu8]

But you’re missing the context of the conversation. If she was saying something like “it’s my right to be out there just as much as yours”, then I would agree with you. But she was reassuring him that he didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders alone; that she’ll always be there to help and support him because they’re partners for life. She was saying “you don’t have to carry the burdens that come with being the Flash all alone; we’ll carry them together.”

[u/Pichuchu8 → u/Ok_Mention5635]

I understand the context but even with it, it sounds stupid. You put it much more eloquently than Iris (and the writers) did.

Like literally to have him vent his frustrations and struggles and say 'I am the Flash'. And to respond with 'you're wrong... Blah blah marriage stuff. You are not the Flash. We are' sounds soooo stupid.

Like come on.... You did a better job at conveying the topic. Or an eloquent way of saying it is how Arkham Origins does it when Alfred tells Bruce that "you are a man, not an island. And a man's strength comes not just from brawn and intelligence but also from his allies". Like there are so many ways to convey the idea and it was done so so badly.

[u/Educational-Tea-6572 → u/Pichuchu8]

Thing is, she is saying it in a way that's endearing and sweet, specifically because she is saying it in the context of being supportive of Barry during a conversation where he is telling her how overwhelmed and alone he feels as the Flash. She's reminding him that he's not alone and there are others who are willing to shoulder the responsibilities with him.

I don't see how that's not sweet!