Warning: Spoilers for The Flash season 8, episode 13
In the midst of killing her off, The Flash already set up Killer Frost’s Team Flash replacement via Mark Blaine’s Chillblaine. Played by Jon Cor, the former Arrowverse villain and Killer Frost’s main love interest has thus far only had a recurring presence in the series. He’s helped them in the past, but is hardly considered an ally to the Scarlet Speedster.
Chillblaine played a major role in the final battle with Deathstorm and the swan song of Danielle Panabaker’s Frost, who met her end in The Flash season 8, episode 13, titled “Death Falls”. After getting some encouragement from Mark, Frost completed her “Hellfrost” transformation and successfully took down Deathstorm in a dramatic final showdown. Unfortunately, her efforts came at a great, unexpected cost. The toll it took on her body resulted in Frost’s death. Now, Team Flash has been forced to once again endure the tragic loss of one of their own. The episode’s ending is indicative of a rough grieving period for several characters, not the least of which being Caitlin.
Though it will likely be a while before Team Flash will move on from Killer Frost’s death, it may not be long at all before someone takes her spot on the team. In forming ties between Team Flash and Chillblaine, The Flash laid the groundwork for him to become a member of the team in the episodes to come. Frost effectively invited him into their inner circle by casually spilling Barry’s secret identity. He was also given a taste of what Allegra called “superheroing 101” when he helped monitor Killer Frost’s battle with Deathstorm. The way he was welcomed into S.T.A.R. Labs and the decision to let him know Barry’s secret certainly gave the impression that the show was getting him ready for a bigger role, not unlike how it’s groomed other characters to join Team Flash.
Mark’s reaction to how things work at S.T.A.R. Labs further strengthens his chances of joining Team Flash. What they do clearly impressed him and could make him willing to fight alongside the Flash. That would make sense, especially given what his role was in season 8’s Reverse-Flashpoint timeline. In the future Thawne created, Chillblaine and Killer Frost fought side-by-side on Team Flash as a husband-and-wife duo. This proves that despite his history as a villain, he does have the potential for heroics in the Arrowverse.
With his cryo-gauntlets, Chillblaine could join Barry in the field. Since he and Frost both have ice-related powers, Mark could be an asset to the team in The Flash season 8 in the same way that Frost was. His similarities to her aside, another metahuman Team Flash member may even be necessary now that she’s gone. Since Allegra doesn’t generally accompany him on missions, Frost was his only super-powered ally. Based on the setup offered in “Death Falls”, that void left by Frost’s death could be immediately filled. The next few episodes could explore what Chillblaine’s Arrowverse future will be without Frost. Joining Team Flash and protecting Central City may be how he decides to honor her legacy.
The Flash releases new episodes on Wednesdays on The CW.