This won’t be a huge shock to anyone, but the first episode of “The Flash to television was chock full of Easter Eggs. Here’s everything we noticed on “The Scientist”:
Lightning: This is the Flash’s symbol, so naturally there’s a lightning storm throughout Starling City once Barry Allen is introduced. It also ties into his origin: Barry is doused with chemicals while simultaneously struck by lightning, which naturally gives him super-speed powers. Because science.
Science Showcase: Barry is first glimpsed exiting the train station, trying to ward off the rain with a copy of “Science Showcase.” The first appearance of Barry Allen in the comics? October 1956’s “Showcase #4.”
Chemicals: “They have nitric acid next to hydrazine? Manganese on top of acetone? This is the definition of dangerous!” Allen says to Felicity Smoake. This again is a reference to the accident that gives Allen his powers, and just to drive the point home there’s a lightning strike right after he says the line.
Kord Enterprises: A fleeting reference to a Queen Consolidated rival may tease something even bigger. Kord Industries is run by Ted Kord, who is known by his hero name Blue Beetle. Like Oliver Queen, he’s a powerless vigilante (and scientist) who uses his money to fight crime. We first glimpsed a logo for “Kord Industries” in the last episode of season one, though in the comics the company is known by both names.
Barry Allen’s Secret Origin: Midway through the episode, Allen recounts his secret origin story, which links up perfectly with the the comics. Just like on the show, Allen watched as his mother was murdered by a blurry figure, finding himself blocks away from the scene. His father was accused of the crime and locked away for years. And in the comics, he still searches for her killer. Pretty good setup for a TV show, huh?
The Blur: Sadly, this doesn’t point to a “Smallville” crossover with a murderous pre-Superman. It’s a reference to Professor Zoom, a.k.a. The Reverse Flash. He’s a fellow speedster who usually has the power to travel through time, and a penchant for wanting to teach Barry lessons by killing people around him, to make The Flash a “stronger” hero. Yeah, it’s pretty twisted.
Cyrus Gold: You wouldn’t know this unless you read the credits (or blurbs for upcoming episodes), but the super-strong madman working for Brother Blood is named Cyrus Gold. In the books Gold dies in a swamp, and comes back to life as the constantly resurrected strong-man Solomon Grundy.
S.T.A.R. Labs: The particle accelerator teased pretty much since the first episode this season is run by S.T.A.R. Labs, which stands for Scientific Technological Advanced Research. It’s basically the “good” mad science research lab in DC Comics, usually helping Superman out of his latest jam. It’s also been mentioned, but never seen, multiple times on “Arrow.” Chances are we’ll see them next week.
Director Singh: David Singh is the head of the crime lab Barry Allen works at in Central City. If the call home Allen makes is any indication, we’ll also get to see a television version of the results oriented C.S.I. specialist. Oh, and in the current continuity, he’s in a secret homosexual relationship with former Flash villain turned sometimes hero Pied Piper. We’ll see if that makes it to TV, too.
Deathstroke’s Secret Origin? In a flashback sequence, Queen’s friend Slade Wilson is injected with a substance called Mirakuru that seems to kill him. In the comics, Wilson is injected with a super soldier serum that grants him enhanced strength, reflexes and regenerative abilities. This leads to Slade taking on the super-villain identity Deathstroke. Interesting note: Mirakuru grants the same abilities. We’re guessing Slade isn’t dead.
Ra’s al Ghul: At the end of the episode, Oliver’s mom Moira scares off bad guy Malcolm Merlyn by invoking the name of Ra’s al Ghul. We know he’s the leader of the League of Assassins, both in the comics and the show. We also know his daughter Nyssa al Ghul will show up before the end of the season. But if you mention his name that many times, the man himself has to show up, right? In the movies, he’s dead. In the comics, he’s able to revive using a mystical pool called The Lazarus Pit. So will we have a Liam Neeson cameo in our future?
“Arrow” airs Wednesdays at 8 PM E.T. on The CW.
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