The Flash: The Best Character In Each Season
The Flash has many great characters, and one character always seems to stand out every season. Fans usually love these specific characters as well.
The eighth season of The Flash is now well underway, bringing back Barry, Iris, and Team Flash for a new adventure - but not every character from the beginning is still in the show. From friends-turned-villains to other-universe allies, The Flash's cast often rotates - yet every season, one character is a standout. The characters might stand out for their story arc, their heroics, or even their great quotes.
If a character is the clear stand out of the season, then it's their season. The best character of each season can be a hero or a villain - and because season 8 is still getting going, the best character has yet to be discovered...
Season One: Cisco Ramon
Cisco Ramon is a fan-favorite character, and he could easily be picked as the best character of any season. Pretty much any negative fan opinion about Cisco is an unpopular one. He stole the show from the beginning, making him the best character of season one. Cisco brought the nerd references regularly, he wore the best nerd shirts, and he had an excellent arc regarding Dr. Wells/Eobard Thawne. He had had a crisis of his own when Thawne killed him, but the moment was erased from time. Cisco remained haunted after this, showing his dramatic side in addition to his humorous side.
Cisco also has the best quotes on the show. He also notably names most of the villains from the Flash's famous Rogues. In discussing Mark Mardon's ability to control the weather, Cisco says, "You'd have to be a Weather Wizard. Ooh, I've been waitin' since week one to use that one."
Season Two: Hunter Zoloman / Zoom
When Hunter Zolomon appears in season two, he first pretends to be Jay Garrick, an alternate version of the Flash. In reality, he is Zoom, an evil Speedster from Earth-2. Zoom not only tricks the whole team, but he delivers Barry a terrible blow by killing his father. Zolomon seems like such a good ally as Jay, and he turns into a terrifying villain as Zoom. This is why he steals the season.
Zoom also knows how to terrorize Central City. When Barry gives up his speed to save Wally from Zoom, the team makes a Flash hologram to make it seem like he's still around. Zoom tells the citizens, "Central City, the Flash you’ve seen in your streets is a fake. A hologram meant to give you hope. But there is no more hope, there is no more Flash, and there’s no one left to protect your city from me."
Season Three: H.R. Wells
H.R. Wells was a variation of Harrison Wells that assisted the team in season 3. He wasn't as smart as the other Wells variations, but he was certainly a team player. He also often carried around drum sticks in every situation. In one of The Flash's saddest separations, H.R. gave his life to save Iris from Savitar, making him a true hero. He seemed not to contribute too much to the team, but after all of Barry's visions of Iris dying, H.R. bravely took her place and the place of the best character of the season.
H.R. was often hilarious, including when his ineptitude was showing. In an episode where the Flash faces an extremely tall creature, Cisco tells him, "Barry, we're gonna do Empire." H.R. quickly adds, "Empire of the Sun, Barry." Cisco chastises him by saying, "What?! Empire Strikes Back!" H.R. concludes, "What? Empire Strikes Back, Barry."
Season Four: Barry Allen / The Flash
Barry Allen is the hero of the show, but he really shines in season 4. Team Flash has to deal with Clifford DeVoe, the Thinker. Not only does the Thinker cause all manner of trouble for the team, he actually puts on an act of innocence in order to discredit Barry. And Barry has to deal with it all. Throughout the season, he shows why he's the bravest character on The Flash. Barry has multiple reasons to quit during the season, especially when he's sent to prison. But he never gives up, and that makes this his season.
When the Thinker takes over another body, he frames Barry for the murder of DeVoe. The Thinker still shows up in his new body to see Barry, and he tells Barry he knows what he's thinking. Barry responds, "Well, I want you to hear me say it. I'm gonna figure a way out of this. And when I do, I don't care whose face you're wearing. I'm coming for you. You haven't beaten us yet."
Season Five: Nora West-Allen / XS
Nora West-Allen is the daughter of Barry and Iris, and she comes from the year 2049. Also a Speedster, she takes on the name XS and fights alongside her father. She also questionably seeks guidance from Eobard Thawne in the future. But through the mystery of her background and her heroic attempts to live up to her father's name, Nora makes the season hers.
Nora is just as heroic as her father, and her heroism is captured in a monologue she gives. She says, "I always wanted to be a hero, to use my extraordinary abilities to help people. That's why I came here. To meet my family, stop Cicada, help fix the Flash's legacy, and save him from disappearing in the future. I believed I could do the impossible, but I never imagined it would turn out like this."
Season Six: Joe West
Joe West is the rock of Team Flash, and he's always there for everyone. Joe is a great father to Iris, Wally, and Jenna. He's a wonderful husband to Cecile. One of the saddest things about Barry is that he grew up without a father, and Joe is a surrogate one to Barry. Joe is also a source of guidance for everyone on the team. In season 6, he investigates Joseph Carver, a businessman involved with the villainous group known as Black Hole.
When Carver knows Joe is on to him, he tries to have Joe Killed, forcing Joe to go into witness protection. Joe resists witness protection at first, but he eventually chooses it to protect his family. Amidst all that he's done as a cop, this seasons shows Joe doing his bravest work on behalf of Cecile and Jenna. Even as attempts are made on Joe's life, he puts his wife and daughter first. He tells Barry, "I'm not worried about me, Barry. I can't lose Cecile and Jenna."
Season Seven: Iris West-Allen
Iris begins season 7 trapped in the Mirrorverse. After escaping, Iris must handle the Speed Force staying with her and Barry in the form of Barry's mother. The Speed Force attacks Iris at one point, and then Iris finds out she has a connection to the four Forces. And that all happens by episode 9.
Iris eventually meets her future son, Bart, and she's reunited with Nora. Iris also mysterious phases in and out in the season, and she's given super speed to help fight the Godspeed clones. Through a wild season of events, Iris stays strong. She also knows how to connect to characters who need help. With Iris in this season, some characters wouldn't make it to the end. One example is Psych. She tells Psych, "Before you had those powers, before you became a force, you were a person. I'm talking to that person right now. I have friends. I have a team. They can help you fight this monster that's inside of you. We can help you regain control of your body."
