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History Recap / TheFlash2014S4E4ElongatedJourneyIntoNight

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* KnightTemplar: Years ago, the CCPD investigated the murder of a woman, whose husband was the primary suspect. They couldn't find any hard evidence, but Ralph was so sure he was guilty of the crime that he planted a knife with the man's fingerprints on it so they could arrest him. To this day, Ralph remains convinced the guy was the perpetrator.



* KnightTemplar: Years ago, the CCPD investigated the murder of a woman, whose husband was the primary suspect. They couldn't find any hard evidence, but Ralph was so sure he was guilty of the crime that he planted a knife with the man's fingerprints on it so they could arrest him. To this day, Ralph remains convinced the guy was the perpetrator.



* {{Squick}}: Ralph's elasticity is treated as this in-universe, like when Iris freaked when she walked into [=STAR=] Labs and saw his elongated leg, Joe [[VomitDiscretionShot puking]] when Ralph sneezed his face off, and everyone visibly cringing when Barry punched Ralph in the face...and his face ''absorbed Barry's hand''.

to:

* {{Squick}}: Ralph's elasticity is treated as this in-universe, like when Iris freaked when she walked into [=STAR=] Labs and saw his elongated leg, Joe [[VomitDiscretionShot puking]] when Ralph sneezed his face off, and everyone visibly cringing when Barry punched Ralph in the face... and his face ''absorbed Barry's hand''.



* TookALevelInJerkass: Last time we saw Mayor Bellows, he seemed like an average politician. Now he's openly corrupt wanting to kill anyone who dares cross him -- Ralph for blackmailing him for cheating on his wife and Barry and Joe for just asking questions.

to:

* TookALevelInJerkass: Last time we saw Mayor Bellows, he seemed like an average politician. Now he's openly corrupt corrupt, wanting to kill anyone who dares cross him -- Ralph for blackmailing him for cheating on his wife and Barry and Joe for just asking questions.

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* AbsurdlySharpBlade: Breacher uses a special knife to cut through the forcefield that Cisco trapped him in.



* BrickJoke:
** Cisco interrupts an intimate moment with Gypsy by asking for her real name. At the end of the episode, before Gypsy and Breacher leave for an assignment, it was the latter who said it: Cynthia.
** When Ralph learns his office has been bombed, he celebrates, because he can now collect insurance. When Barry meets with him at TheStinger, having restored the office, Ralph complains that [[UngratefulBastard he can't collect the insurance anymore]].



* ContinuitySnarl: Subverted: Ralph was mentioned as one of the people killed by the Particle Accelerator during "[[Recap/TheFlash2014S1E7PowerOutage Power Outage]]". As it happens (and it's unclear if this is a result of Flashpoint or not), he's alive and well

to:

* ContinuityNod:
** Breacher meets Harry, and the former nearly mistakes the latter for H.R. before Harry cleared it up.
** Cisco uses the forcefield trap he originally intended for the Reverse-Flash to trap Breacher, complete with a hologram of himself (likely inspired by Thawne's own speed mirage trick).
** When Ralph reveals the name of the client who sent him on Mayor Bellows' tail, Barry instantly recognizes the name. He even briefly flashes back to the moments when [[TheCameo Abra Kadabra and Savitar]] also mentioned it: [=DeVoe=].
* ContinuitySnarl: Subverted: Ralph was mentioned as one of the people killed by the Particle Accelerator during "[[Recap/TheFlash2014S1E7PowerOutage Power Outage]]". As it happens (and it's unclear if this is a result of Flashpoint or not), he's alive and wellwell.



** It's minor compared to the others, but Iris says that she finally knows how its like to have {{Intangibility}} when she and Barry escape Ralph's office before it goes sky-high.



** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!" He says it again at the end along with his trademark nose twitch.
** Mayor Bellows mentions he was a cop before he became mayor.

to:

** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!" He says it again at the end along with his trademark [[CharacterTics nose twitch.
twitch]].
** Mayor Bellows mentions he was [[Series/TheFlash1990 a cop cop]] before he became mayor.



* TheResenter: Ralph to Barry. It was already bad enough that Barry got him kicked off the force, but Ralph's hatred of him grows once he learns how "good" Barry has it these days. Not only does Barry still have his job, he also has a beautiful fiancée, a fancy lab, and money, while Ralph's social life is in shambles and he's barely scraping by these days. Then he learns Barry is a Superhero...
-->'''Dibny''': ''(To Barry)'' I used to like The Flash, now I have to hate The Flash!



* ShoutOut: After Ralph uses his powers to give himself abs, he says he looks like "[[Creator/LiamHemsworth a]] [[Creator/ChrisHemsworth Hemsworth]]".

to:

* ShoutOut: ShoutOut:
**
After Ralph uses his powers to give himself abs, he says he looks like "[[Creator/LiamHemsworth a]] [[Creator/ChrisHemsworth Hemsworth]]".



** The BulletTime stunt Barry pulled when the Mayor's police detail tried killing him and Joe is basically ripped straight from Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast.
* {{Squick}}: Ralph's elasticity is treated as this in-universe, like when Iris freaked when she walked into [=STAR=] Labs and saw his elongated leg, Joe [[VomitDiscretionShot puking]] when Ralph sneezed his face off, and everyone visibly cringing when Barry punched Ralph in the face... and his face ''absorbed Barry's hand''.

to:

** The BulletTime stunt Barry pulled when the Mayor's police detail tried killing him and Joe is basically ripped straight from Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast.
''Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast''.
* {{Squick}}: Ralph's elasticity is treated as this in-universe, like when Iris freaked when she walked into [=STAR=] Labs and saw his elongated leg, Joe [[VomitDiscretionShot puking]] when Ralph sneezed his face off, and everyone visibly cringing when Barry punched Ralph in the face... and his face ''absorbed Barry's hand''.



* TheResenter: Ralph to Barry. It was already bad enough that Barry got him kicked off the force, but Ralph's hatred of him grows once he learns how "good" Barry has it these days. Not only does Barry still have his job, he also has a beautiful fiancée, a fancy lab, and money, while Ralph's social life is in shambles and he's barely scraping by these days. Then he learns Barry is a Superhero...
-->'''Dibny''': ''(To Barry)'' I used to like The Flash, now I have to hate The Flash!


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* YourCheatingHeart: Seems to be a recurring type of clientele for Ralph.
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There is nothing to point out that he faked his death.


* ContinuitySnarl: Subverted: Ralph was mentioned as one of the people killed by the Particle Accelerator during "[[Recap/TheFlash2014S1E7PowerOutage Power Outage]]". As it happens (and it's unclear if this is a result of Flashpoint or not), he faked his death.

to:

* ContinuitySnarl: Subverted: Ralph was mentioned as one of the people killed by the Particle Accelerator during "[[Recap/TheFlash2014S1E7PowerOutage Power Outage]]". As it happens (and it's unclear if this is a result of Flashpoint or not), he faked his death.he's alive and well

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* FramingTheGuiltyParty: What Ralph tried to do (at least, ''he'' believed they were guilty). [[RealityEnsues It got him kicked off the force.]]
* InternalReveal: Barry learns that [=DeVoe=] has finally come to Central City.

to:

* EatingTheEyeCandy: While Iris assures Barry [[SingleTargetSexuality she only has eyes for him]], both she and Caitlin are in agreememt Pre-Disgraced Cop Dibny reaches Oliver level of hotness.
* FramingTheGuiltyParty: What Ralph tried to do (at least, ''he'' believed they were guilty). [[RealityEnsues It got him kicked off the force.]]
force]].
* InternalReveal: InternalReveal:
**
Barry learns that [=DeVoe=] has finally come to Central City.City.
** Iris, Barry and Caitlin learn that Cecile and Joe are expecting a child.



* TheReveal: While not so surprising for comic fans, Cisco learns Gypsy's name is Cynthia, though he would never use it, for fear of his life.



* TheResenter: Ralph to Barry. It was already bad enough that Barry got him kicked off the force, but Ralph's hatred of him grows once he learns how "good" Barry has it these days. Not only does Barry still have his job, he also has a gorgeous girlfriend, a fancy lab, and money, while Ralph's social life is in shambles and he's barely scraping by these days.

to:

* TheResenter: Ralph to Barry. It was already bad enough that Barry got him kicked off the force, but Ralph's hatred of him grows once he learns how "good" Barry has it these days. Not only does Barry still have his job, he also has a gorgeous girlfriend, beautiful fiancée, a fancy lab, and money, while Ralph's social life is in shambles and he's barely scraping by these days.days. Then he learns Barry is a Superhero...
-->'''Dibny''': ''(To Barry)'' I used to like The Flash, now I have to hate The Flash!
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None

Added DiffLines:

* FramingTheGuiltyParty: What Ralph tried to do (at least, ''he'' believed they were guilty). [[RealityEnsues It got him kicked off the force.]]

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He has Ralph's hair, face, nose twitch and trademark of "smelling" mysteries. Really the only thing imported from Plastic Man is his shady past.


* CompositeCharacter: The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead, though this leaves the only real remnant of Ralph Dibny being [[InNameOnly his name]].

to:

* CompositeCharacter: The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles borrows heavily from that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead, though this leaves the only real remnant of Ralph Dibny being [[InNameOnly his name]].instead.



* InNameOnly: Ralph is more similar to Plastic Man than Elongated Man, making his name all that's really left of the former.
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None


The group run into Ralph Dibny, a former crooked cop turned low-rent thug who Barry clashed with back in his early days on the job. Thanks to the Thinker, he now has super-stretchy skin and the gang decide to try and convince him to be a hero. Meanwhile, Gypsy's dad drops by for a visit and takes an instant dislike to Cisco.

to:

The group run into Ralph Dibny, a former crooked cop turned low-rent thug private eye who Barry clashed with back in his early days on the job. Thanks to the Thinker, he now has super-stretchy skin and the gang decide to try and convince him to be a hero. Meanwhile, Gypsy's dad drops by for a visit and takes an instant dislike to Cisco.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* ShoutOut: After Ralph uses his powers to give himself abs, he says he looks like "a [[Creator/ChrisHemsworth Hemsworth]]".

to:

* ShoutOut: After Ralph uses his powers to give himself abs, he says he looks like "a "[[Creator/LiamHemsworth a]] [[Creator/ChrisHemsworth Hemsworth]]".

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to:

----



* BlackComedy: Gypsy's dad trying to kill Cisco; he does this with all of her boyfriends.



* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph (not to say Ralph is really any better) -- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.

to:

* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph (not to say Ralph is really any better) -- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.thing to do, so he wants Ralph to be the "bad guy" to justify his actions.

Added: 124

Changed: 87

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* CompositeCharacter: The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.

to:

* CompositeCharacter: The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.instead, though this leaves the only real remnant of Ralph Dibny being [[InNameOnly his name]].


Added DiffLines:

* InNameOnly: Ralph is more similar to Plastic Man than Elongated Man, making his name all that's really left of the former.

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* ArchEnemy: Ralph clearly views Barry as his to some extent. Barry returns the sentiment, though obviously he doesn't hate Ralph as much as he does Reverse-Flash or Zoom.
* BothSidesHaveAPoint: Ralph and Barry's problem stems from this. Ralph planted evidence to convict someone he strongly believed was guilty. While a noble sentiment, Barry is right to point out that this is illegal, and no matter how convinced Ralph was, there was still no legitimate proof the guy actually had done the crime.



* ItsPersonal: Variation: as Barry reveals, Ralph was thrown off the force because he committed perjury by planting a knife that had the fingerprints of a murder victim's husband on it. Barry only examined the knife (and found out it was planted) because he was reminded of his mom's death, and he needed to be sure.

to:

* ItsPersonal: Variation: as Barry reveals, Ralph was thrown off the force because he committed perjury by planting a knife that had the fingerprints of a murder victim's husband on it. Barry only examined the knife (and found out it was planted) because he was reminded of his mom's death, and he needed to be sure. The similarity between what Ralph did and what happened with his mother and father is the underlying current of Barry's belligerence in this episode.



* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.

to:

* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph- Ralph (not to say Ralph is really any better) -- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.


Added DiffLines:

* LovesMyAlterEgo: Platonic version. Ralph is one of the many admirers of the Flash. When he finds out that his ArchEnemy Barry Allen is said hero, he begins lamenting the fact that he has to hate the Flash now.


Added DiffLines:

* TeethClenchedTeamwork: Ralph and Barry may need each other, but that doesn't mean they have to like each other. They can barely stand to be in the same room together, bicker constantly, and nearly come to blows several times throughout the episode. In fact, they ''did'' come to blows at one point -- the only reason why it didn't turn into an actual fight is because Barry's fist got stuck in Ralph's face, inconveniencing both.
* TheResenter: Ralph to Barry. It was already bad enough that Barry got him kicked off the force, but Ralph's hatred of him grows once he learns how "good" Barry has it these days. Not only does Barry still have his job, he also has a gorgeous girlfriend, a fancy lab, and money, while Ralph's social life is in shambles and he's barely scraping by these days.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!" She says it again at the end along with his trademark nose twitch.

to:

** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!" She He says it again at the end along with his trademark nose twitch.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!"

to:

** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!"mystery!" She says it again at the end along with his trademark nose twitch.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Barry suggests Plastic Man, the hero who Ralph's backstory resembles rather more than the comics' Elongated Man, as his superhero name.
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None

Added DiffLines:

* KnightTemplar: Years ago, the CCPD investigated the murder of a woman, whose husband was the primary suspect. They couldn't find any hard evidence, but Ralph was so sure he was guilty of the crime that he planted a knife with the man's fingerprints on it so they could arrest him. To this day, Ralph remains convinced the guy was the perpetrator.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** When Joe and Barry visit Ralph in his office he says "I smell a mystery!"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* InternalReveal: Barry learns that [=DeVoe=] has finally come to Central City.



* VomitDiscretionShot: Ralph ''literally'' sneezing his face off causes Joe to puke behind Barry.

to:

* VomitDiscretionShot: Ralph ''literally'' sneezing his face off causes Joe to puke behind Barry.Barry.
* WhamLine: Ralph's client who asked him to tail the Mayor? [=DeVoe=]!
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* LampshadeHanging: Given the CompositeCharacter nature of Ralph's character, Barry throws out "ComicBook/PlasticMan", which Ralph immediately declares stupid.

to:

* LampshadeHanging: Given the CompositeCharacter nature of Ralph's character, Barry throws out "ComicBook/PlasticMan", "ComicBook/PlasticMan" as a potential superhero name, which Ralph immediately declares stupid.
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None

Added DiffLines:

* LampshadeHanging: Given the CompositeCharacter nature of Ralph's character, Barry throws out "ComicBook/PlasticMan", which Ralph immediately declares stupid.

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* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph --- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.

to:

* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph --- Ralph- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.


Added DiffLines:

** The BulletTime stunt Barry pulled when the Mayor's police detail tried killing him and Joe is basically ripped straight from Film/XMenDaysOfFuturePast.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* NotSoDifference

to:

* NotSoDifferenceNotSoDifferent: Barry wonders this about him and Ralph -- especially since they now both are metas.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* JerkassBall: Barry really grabs it around Ralph --- mainly because as the Flash he's broken a ton rules in the name of saving people; he's unsure if getting Ralph kicked off the force for planting evidence on guy who was probably guilty was the right thing.


Added DiffLines:

** Mayor Bellows mentions he was a cop before he became mayor.
* NeverMyFault: Ralph blames Barry for ruining his life by having him kicked off the force for committing perjury and falsifying evidence.
* NotSoDifference


Added DiffLines:

* TookALevelInJerkass: Last time we saw Mayor Bellows, he seemed like an average politician. Now he's openly corrupt wanting to kill anyone who dares cross him -- Ralph for blackmailing him for cheating on his wife and Barry and Joe for just asking questions.
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None

Added DiffLines:

* ArcWords: "Good people don't destroy lives and call it noble."
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Added DiffLines:

** "Guess who has a hologram? [[Film/DieHard Ho. Ho. Ho.]]"
* {{Squick}}: Ralph's elasticity is treated as this in-universe, like when Iris freaked when she walked into [=STAR=] Labs and saw his elongated leg, Joe [[VomitDiscretionShot puking]] when Ralph sneezed his face off, and everyone visibly cringing when Barry punched Ralph in the face... and his face ''absorbed Barry's hand''.

Added: 310

Removed: 167

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* CompositeCharacter: The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.



** The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.


Added DiffLines:

* ShoutOut: After Ralph uses his powers to give himself abs, he says he looks like "a [[Creator/ChrisHemsworth Hemsworth]]".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

* ItsPersonal: Variation: as Barry reveals, Ralph was thrown off the force because he committed perjury by planting a knife that had the fingerprints of a murder victim's husband on it. Barry only examined the knife (and found out it was planted) because he was reminded of his mom's death, and he needed to be sure.

Added: 97

Changed: 92

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* VomitIndescresionShot: Ralph ''literally'' sneezing his face off causes Joe to puke.

to:

** A bottle of Gingold is found in Ralph's desk.
* VomitIndescresionShot: VomitDiscretionShot: Ralph ''literally'' sneezing his face off causes Joe to puke.puke behind Barry.

Added: 86

Changed: 268

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None


!!

to:

!!
!!Tropes:
* ContinuitySnarl: Subverted: Ralph was mentioned as one of the people killed by the Particle Accelerator during "[[Recap/TheFlash2014S1E7PowerOutage Power Outage]]". As it happens (and it's unclear if this is a result of Flashpoint or not), he faked his death.



** The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.

to:

** The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.instead.
* VomitIndescresionShot: Ralph ''literally'' sneezing his face off causes Joe to puke.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


The group run into Ralph Dibny, a former crooked cop turned low-rent thug. Thanks to the Thinker, he now has super-stretchy skin and the gang decide to try and convince him to be a hero.

to:

The group run into Ralph Dibny, a former crooked cop turned low-rent thug.thug who Barry clashed with back in his early days on the job. Thanks to the Thinker, he now has super-stretchy skin and the gang decide to try and convince him to be a hero. Meanwhile, Gypsy's dad drops by for a visit and takes an instant dislike to Cisco.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

The group run into Ralph Dibny, a former crooked cop turned low-rent thug. Thanks to the Thinker, he now has super-stretchy skin and the gang decide to try and convince him to be a hero.

!!

* MythologyGag:
** The Elongated Man's origin here more closely resembles that of ComicBook/PlasticMan: A former crook turned into a stretchy man who decides to become a hero instead.

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