The Flash show-runner Eric Wallace has revealed the new motivation for returning villain Eobard Thawne AKA the Reverse-Flash. Introduced as the primary antagonist of the show’s first season back in 2014, Thawne has been the arch-nemesis of Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen from day one. Murdering Barry’s mother, framing his dad for the crime, then masquerading as the hero’s mentor Harrison Wells for years on end, Reverse-Flash was a formidable foe with the benefit of years of practice and knowledge of the speed force.
Since then, the two opponents have clashed several more times over the Arrowverse show’s seven seasons, most recently in the latest finale, season 7, episode 18: “Heart of the Matter Part 2”. In his last appearance, Thawne (as played by series mainstay Tom Cavanagh) helped his nemesis to defeat the villainous Godspeed in a speed-force triple threat battle. Following their brief team-up, Thawne attempted to dispatch Flash once again but was unable to outwit a more-weathered and faster Barry. Reverse Flash is now set to return in season 8, which has just kicked off with the five-part crossover event Armageddon.
Speaking to CBR, show-runner Wallace reveals that Thawne’s return will come later this season, after the current storyline. The writer says “We have three graphic novels this year in Season 8,” and explains that “they all spin out of Armageddon.” Wallace then goes on to confirm just why Reverse-Flash is out for revenge this time around, indicating that he's much angrier this time around. The show-runner also discusses that following Barry’s learning curve in the show, the new season will posit the question; “if you can’t outrun your foe, what do you to beat him?” Read Wallace’s full quote below:
“We have three graphic novels this year in Season 8. Knock on wood if we can pull off this gargantuan feat, but they all spin out of 'Armageddon. […] So at the end of last season, Reverse-Flash -- he's a pretty pissed-off dude. Why? Because The Flash is faster now […] If there's one question that 'Armageddon' answers, it's, 'Well, if you can't outrun your foe, what do you do to beat him?' That's where Eobard Thawne will start in 'Armageddon.' That's really the question for him, and that question gets answered throughout all of Season 8, in weird and unexpected ways."
The Flash season 8 is underway with the first ‘graphic novel’ story arc Wallace refers to - Armageddon. The five-part event currently sees Barry battling the alien Despero, played by Tony Curran, with help from several Arrowverse characters from across the CW shows. Season 8 is also set to see Rick Cosnett’s Eddie Thawne return, having been a big part of the show’s debut season. Cosnett is supposedly only returning briefly, but Wallace also told CBR that Eddie is not in Armageddon and will be turning up in the later episodes.
Fans of the DC show can look forward to a very different battle with Reverse-Flash this time round. With Barry now faster and stronger, he is much more of an equal to Thawne, so the villain will have to find new ways to outwit his nemesis. Who knows how dangerous an angrier and more desperate Eobard Thawne could be? The rematch could bring The Flash back to some of its earliest adventures, harking back to the much-missed stories of the show’s first season. Before then, Gustin’s Flash has to deal with the cosmic threat of Despero. The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET on The CW.
Source: CBR