As we enter the third season of The Flash, a lot has changed for Barry Allen. Grant Gustin, who plays The Flash on the series, divulges more details about what’s to come…
On Barry’s decision to change the timeline
It was a pretty selfish decision, obviously, and he’s a little blind to it. He was sitting on that porch and they’d just defeated Zoom. Everything was essentially how it should be. Then Iris (played by Candice Patton) says to Barry what he’s always wanted to hear, but he still feels empty. Then he decides, “I need to change this. This isn’t how things should feel.”
Barry at the beginning of season three
When we see him in Flashpoint, he’s been in this timeline for a while now and he’s loving it. He’s taken a back seat. There’s another Speedster — Kid Flash, who is The Flash in this timeline— and Barry’s okay with that. He takes the year off and he is absolutely grateful for the fact that both his parents are alive and well, and standing in front of him. He’s enjoying this new life.
The new season’s script
I went into it with a lot of ideas because it’s Flashpoint and I’m well aware of that storyline. I saw the animated film Flashpoint Paradox shortly after I was cast in this role and I loved it. Knowing that we probably weren’t going to have Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman, I was thinking, “What are we going to do?” It’s great.
Barry’s sense of responsibility
I think that’s going to be a big part of this season. Time travel is still a relatively new concept for the show and for Barry. Before, it’s always been little shifts or it’s been accidental, but this was purposeful and it has an impact on everyone in Barry’s life. Moving forward from Flashpoint, he gets some words of wisdom and advice from another Speedster about messing with time.
Is he impulsive?
Yes, he is. Barry wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s stubborn. He’s not perfect, but he’s likable. He’d be dead right now if it wasn’t for Team Flash, and I think he knows that. When it’s come to big decisions, he’s been pretty stubborn — but I think he has learned a lot of stuff along the way.
Barry’s dynamic with Iris West
In Flashpoint, Barry never went to live with the West family, so they didn’t grow up together. They’re somewhat on each other’s radar, but Barry is going to have to try to force that relationship. He still knows the conversation on the porch that happened in season two and that kiss that happened, so he’s going to have to try to become part of her life, even though they don’t know each other right now.
Jay Garrick’s relationship with Barry
We’re definitely exploring that this season. It will be weird for Barry because he’s got his dad’s face, but it will be a cool relationship at least.
(The Flash season 3 airs Wednesdays at 7PM on Colors Infinity)
