Early on in The Flash season 3, Wally West was seen living the dream as Central City's resident speedster in the Flashpoint timeline. But after Barry set things straight (mostly), Wally was reduced to would-be speedster status, even showing some signs of the green-eyed monster when the inter-dimensional Jesse Quick stopped by and showcased her powers and slick new costume. Since then, the question of when will Wally West become Kid Flash was somewhat overshadowed by the growing concern over whether or not he should.

That's just some of the personal drama the series has been kicking up so far in its first five episodes. And considering those episodes have also featured the likes of the New Rogues, a return for Wentworth Miller's Captain Cold, the introduction of Mirror Master, and the ever-growing threat of Dr. Alchemy, The Flash is off to a busy start. But just as things seem to be settling into place, as far as placing one meta-human threat after another in front of the Scarlet Speedster, a whole new dramatic angle is brewing with Wally's need for speed. And as a new promo demonstrates, the lengths to which Wally will go to achieve his dream suggest will put him and perhaps others on Team Flash in danger – or at least make them very suspicious of his pursuit of the Speed Force.

As it turns out, "dream" may be the most appropriate word, as the promo for season 3, episode 6: 'Shade' suggests that Wally will be overcome by some visions of his alternate self in his Kid Flash (but don't call him that) getup. Those dreams seemingly prompt Barry to come clean about his experiences with Flashpoint and how the hiccup in the time stream affected Wally and perhaps prompted his lingering desire to become a speedster. It's one thing to want to become a meta-human, and as Iris says, "All Wally wants to do is help people," but it's another thing altogether to have lived the dream only to have it taken from him. It could be, then, that Wally's need is less about his aspirations of becoming a superhero speedster and more about the missing Speed Force acting like a phantom limb, an actual part of him that's gone missing.

That certainly would bring some added depth to the character, and it would make his quest to become Kid Flash somewhat tragic, should it be achieved with the help of Dr. Alchemy. The promo for 'Shade' doesn't hide the possibility that Alchemy plays some part in Wally's ongoing story, and in fact it drops some not so subtle hints that Dr. A will have a corruptive influence on young Wally – whether he's fully aware of it or not.

It stands to reason, then, that Wally's path to becoming Kid Flash may also be the road to ruin for the character – or at least one that will see him placed on a much-needed redemption arc after the events of 'Shade.' The 20-second promo is naturally vague when it comes to the circumstances of Wally's distress and whether or not he will actually become Kid Flash in the current timeline, but the mere hint of a Faustian bargain between the cloaked, power-granting figure and member of the West clan sure makes for some interesting possibilities.

-

The Flash returns on Tuesday, November 15 with 'Shade' @8pm on The CW.

Source: The CW (via CBM)