My review (cross-posted):
One of the things that I've enjoyed most about Arrow is Oliver Queen's episode-opening monologue, and I'm therefore glad to see that the tradition has been ported over to The Flash in its entirety (we got a couple of 'pseudo monologues' for the Pilot and last week's episode, but it was nice to see a full-on Arrow-style monologue accompanying tonight's episode, particularly given how exposition-heavy most of the episode itself was.)
I've liked both Caitlin and Cisco since the Pilot, but it was nice to see some flashbacks featuring them and to get a better sense of their individual personalities, particularly Caitlin. The Pilot does a pretty effective job of setting up that she's been damaged by the death of her fiancee, but actually getting to see a flashback to that event really helps explain exactly how damaged she is; it also helps to temper one of my most significant complaints from last week's episode, which was that the writers at times moved her away from filling the archetypal role of Barry's "female confidante" (i.e. Felicity), and there's a part of me that wishes we'd seen these flashbacks (or at least portions of them) last week. I'm also finding myself wishing that the writers will pair her and Cisco together romantically if she doesn't end up rekindling things with her not-quite-dead fiancee Ronnie.
I know there are people out there who will vehemently disagree with me, but Barry and Iris really don't belong together romantically in spite of Barry's unrequited feelings for her. The episode-opening scene of them walking out of a movie theater would've had a completely different feel to it if they were a couple and, IMO, would not have worked nearly as well as it did. In fact, most of their interactions both in this episode and in the previous episodes would not have worked as well as they did with the characters being a couple.
I love Jesse L. Martin as an actor, and he's really owning the role of Detective West. I love that he's both Barry's personal and professional confidante, and the fact that he's aware of what Barry can do - and of his 'extracurricular' activities - adds a ton of layers to the show that you really couldn't get any other way, particularly now that the writers have introduced the ongoing subplot of formally re-opening Nora Allen's death and conducting a brand-new investigation.
I'm so glad that Iris and Eddie aren't sneaking around anymore when it comes to their relationship and Joe's knowledge of it, and got a tremendous kick out of Joe admitting that he was already aware of the secret they'd been trying so desperately to hide, particularly since it allowed for some very fatherly and protective banter between the three of them. Joe's quip about things being very different if the doctor hadn't taken away his gun was a particular highlight of that exchange, as was his quip about trying to resist shooting Eddie since Iris is smitten with him.
I really want to know more about Henry Allen, particularly his past relationship with Joe. The scene where Joe went to Iron Heights to apologize for having him wrongly imprisoned and inform him that he was formally re-opening the investigation into Nora's death was really touching, even if it was 'ruined' by the arrival of the villain of the week, Mr. Kyle Nimbus (AKA The Mist)
Speaking of, I really liked him, and am hoping we'll see him again, especially since he's the first adversary Barry's faced that wasn't fatally neutralized. His metahuman ability was freaking awesome, and I love the way the actor carried himself, as it added a nice additional dimension of creepiness to the character and his vendetta. He also reminded me of one of my favorite Arrow villains, Seth Gabel's Count Vertigo/The Count, which is another reason I'm hoping we'll see him again at some point.
As cool as it is to have somewhere for Barry to put these superhuman enemies he keeps on coming up against, I can't help but get the feeling that the very existence of this place is going to come back to bite him in the rear sooner rather than later, and that Doctor Wells is going to be somehow responsible, particularly since the writers just keep on piling on the shady with him.
I've said in previous reviews that Iris is clearly meant to fill the same archetypal function as Laurel, but the last two episodes - particularly tonight's - have given her a very Chloe-esque archetypal role as well in the form of her interest in "The Streak", and I'm really intrigued to see where this particular subplot leads her.
This show continues to improve week-to-week, and is easily one of the best new things on TV right now. It's also a worthy companion to Arrow (which itself continues to improve week-to-week).
In closing, I can't wait for Felicity to visit Central City next week, although I do question why the writers are having Barry introduce her to Cisco and Caitlin and tell them that she works/worked with Oliver/The Arrow when they're already aware of this.