Line #100 Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS3E5FlashAndSubstance


1	The Flash gets a museum opened in his honor, courtesy of the grateful residents of his native Central City. Meanwhile, four members of his RoguesGallery take it upon themselves to kill him on the eve of the opening. Batman and Orion, who've been invited to the ceremony, must now help the Scarlet Speedster repel the villains -- and they get to witness just how Flash operates on his home turf as a superhero.
2	----
3	!!Tropes:
4	* AdaptationalPersonalityChange:
5	** In the comics, the Rogues have a strict ThouShallNotKill policy that is strictly enforced by Captain Cold and their relationship with the Flash is akin to WorthyOpponent and even FriendlyEnemy at times. Here, [[EvilIsPetty not so much]].
6	** Wally and Linda Park didn't actually have a good first opinion of one another, while this version of Linda is an obvious fangirl from the start.
7	* AreYouPonderingWhatImPondering: This exchange:
8	-->'''Mirror Master:''' Here we are, the hardest men in town and we all have something in common.
9	-->'''Trickster:''' [[CloudCuckooLander Bilateral symmetry]].
10	* BadGuyBar: The Rogues all hang out in one, and its location is well-known to the Flash.
11	* BatmanGambit: Batman fires a flare--not to hit the villains, but so it will enter the mirror and show Flash where he needs to go to escape.
12	* BoomerangComeback: Captain Boomerang sends a swarm of exploding boomerangs at Flash. He snatches them out of the air and throws them away.
13	-->"That should do it!" ''(the boomerangs come right back at him)'' FacePalm "DUH!"
14	* BreakOutTheMuseumPiece: By no means an antique, but Captain Boomerang [[StrippingTheScarecrow snatches a boomerang from a mannequin display of himself]].
15	-->"Hey, been lookin' for that."
16	* ButForMeItWasTuesday: The Rogues are gunning for the Flash's head, which is taken seriously by everyone ''except'' the Flash.
17	-->"Dude, the bad guys went down and nobody got hurt. You know what I call that? A really good day."
18	* CallBack: Several abound in this episode.
19	** The Flash Museum shows a display of Flash racing around the world with Superman. This took place in the ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' episode, "Speed Demons."
20	** Flash's Lightspeed Bar standee, which Orion destroys when it startles him, references the episode "Eclipsed."
21	** Captain Boomerang's involvement in "Task Force X" is mentioned when Boomerang himself tells his fellow villains that he got a deal that "got (his) sentence down to five years," and again when Batman tells Flash that Amanda Waller had informed him about Boomerang leaving the team.
22	** The mayor at the award ceremony mentions the Thanagarian invasion.
23	* TheCameo:
24	** Wally's boss in the crime lab looks suspiciously like Barry Allen. He's later seen again ignoring Mirror Master's criticisms and insults while picking up the latter's pieces.
25	** The BadGuyBar features several costumed characters aside from the four main Rogues: the Top, Thinker, Doctor Alchemy, Mr. Element, the Turtle Man, etc. One of them is also the DCAU Weather Wizard.
26	* CantActPervertedTowardALoveInterest: Linda Park, Flash's main love interest in the comics, drops several hints to him that she's into him, but he initially misses them, although this seems to be more because he was too busy focusing on preparing for an attack by his rogues. At the end of the episode, he realizes this and sheepishly starts fixing this.
27	* CelebratingTheHeroes: Central City opens a museum dedicated to the Flash in this episode.
28	* CompositeCharacter: This episode consolidates many of Barry Allen's characteristics (such as being a forensic scientist in Central City) into the DCAU version of the Flash, Wally West (who, in the comics, was a police mechanic in Keystone City, which is across the Mississippi from Central City).
29	* CurbStompBattle: Batman takes on Captain Cold, Mirror Master, and Captain Boomerang all by himself. He nearly gets killed, but does manage to help free The Flash.
30	* CutLexLuthorACheck: Just like in the comics, the Flash's Rogues have access to amazing technology...that they used to commit petty robberies. The episode begins with them whining about their financial woes.
31	--> '''Captain Cold:''' If I don't "visualize" a mortgage payment soon, the wife'll have me bagging groceries for a living.
32	* DecoyDamsel: Flash rushes to help a crying little girl but it turns out to be an illusion trap set by Mirror Master.
33	* DeusExitMachina: Wally really wants the rest of the JLU's Big Seven to join him at the museum opening. But J'onn is gone and the other founders are currently on missions, so it was just down to Batman. Fortunately for Wally, Batman accepts the invitation.
34	* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu:
35	** Captain Cold manages to hold his own against Orion, defeating him by freezing him on the spot. For the record, Captain Cold is a normal human with no super-powers of his own and who relies on a cold-gun to fight, while Orion is one of the ''New Gods'' and has fought in close combat with Darkseid on at least one on-screen occasion.
36	** In general, the three villains prove themselves to be quite a match for The Flash, Batman and Orion individually. Until the heroes fight together, that is, and hand the Rogues their asses.
37	* DrinkBasedCharacterization: PlayedForLaughs -- after Mirror Master declares the Rogues to be "the hardest men in town", they order:
38	-->'''Captain Boomerang:''' Arnold Palmer. ''(lemonade and iced tea)''\
39	'''Trickster:''' Cherry cola.\
40	'''Mirror Master:''' Decaf soy latte.\
41	'''Captain Cold:''' Milk.\
42	''([[HypocriticalHumor The others look at him oddly]])''\
43	'''Captain Cold:''' ''(embarrassed)'' My ulcer's been acting up.
44	* DudeWheresMyRespect: The Trickster feels this way after the guys reject his plan.
45	-->"I mean what's so special about a 'disco of death?' Heck with 'em! I'm an artist! They're just robbing banks. Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang...probably would have gone for it if I was a captain..."
46	* EvilIsPetty: The Rogues decided to take out the Flash on the day of the Flash Museum's grand opening because they blame him for their current money troubles (i.e. they would all be rich if the Flash wasn't always stopping their heists).
47	* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: Batman fires a flare gun at the Rogues, only for it to bounce off the walls and into the Mirror Dimension. The oblivious Rogues gloat at how Batman missed, except that the flare was actually meant for the Flash, who was lost in the Mirror Dimension.
48	* FateWorseThanDeath: Mirror Master is satisfied with trapping the Flash in his Mirror Dimension, thinking it's enough to get him out of the Rogues' hairs once and for all.
49	* FirstNameBasis: The Flash seemingly knows near every single denizen of his CityOfAdventure by ''name''. He calls out to several of them throughout the episode. Superman is known to be amicable with the people of Metropolis, but ''Flash'' takes it to another level, due to how friendly he is with the people of Central City.
50	* TheFriendNobodyLikes: The Trickster for the other Rogues. When they're all at the bar you can tell that they're just tolerating his presence rather than actually enjoying his company.
51	* FriendlyEnemy: Flash with Trickster; they play darts together! In fact, their interaction provided this trope's page image at some point. It's also a source of confusion for the battle-hardened Orion.
52	* GoodCopBadCop: Batman opts for this when questioning Trickster. He plays good cop and, upon getting no answers, tells bad cop Orion to take over. Flash intercedes and instead calmly talks to Trickster.
53	* GracefulLoser: After Orion says something has to be done about the Trickster, Flash tells him to turn himself in once he's finished his drink.
54	-->'''The Trickster:''' ''[happily]'' Got me again, Flash!
55	* HarmlessVillain: The Trickster, to the point that none of the Flash's other rogues take him seriously.
56	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Captain Cold is defeated when Orion sprays him with water just as he fires his cold-gun, causing him to freeze himself.
57	* HumbleHero: For all of his past boasting, Flash is sincerely appreciative of the honor he's receiving and thanks the townspeople.
58	* AnIcePerson: Captain Cold.
59	* InkSuitActor: The Trickster's design was partially based on Creator/MarkHamill, who played the character on the 1990 ''[[Series/TheFlash1990 Flash]]'' series, and reprises the role here.
60	* InsaneEqualsViolent: Inverted with the Trickster - the mentally ill Rogue is the most harmless (although given that it's indicated that he only goes out and does supervillain stuff ''because'' of his mental illness it might be more 'played with' than 'inverted'). It's a pointed contrast to ComicBook/TheJoker, with whom the Trickster [[Creator/MarkHamill shares a voice actor]].
61	* InsistentTerminology: When Mirror Master claims that the rumor of The Flash making him eat his own Laser Kaleidoscope is an exaggeration, he notes that it was a Laser ''Pistol'' anyway.
62	* IsThisThingStillOn:
63	-->'''Linda Park:''' Are we off? Jeez, he's [The Flash] a total babe. ''(fanning herself with her reading card)'' Like the entire track team at once. I can't believe you're not into him, Marla.\
64	'''Marla the camera person:''' ...Okay, now you're off.\
65	''(Linda [[FacePalm slaps the card on her forehead]] in embarrassment)''
66	* LactoseOverLiquor: Captain Cold orders milk, and when his fellow bad guys look at him he explains that his ulcer has been acting up. A bit of HypocriticalHumor on the part of the other rogues, who had placed equally innocuous orders (an Arnold Palmer[[note]]iced tea and lemonade[[/note]], a cherry cola, and a decaf soy latte) without anyone raising an eyebrow.
67	* LameComeback:
68	-->'''Flash:''' Mirror Master!\
69	'''Mirror Master:''' You're quick as ever.\
70	'''Flash:''' Yeah? Well you're...you're not really all there!\
71	'''Mirror Master:''' Oh, nice try. If you had another minute you'd probably think of a decent comeback.
72	** He does come up with a better one after the battle:
73	-->"While you're waiting for me to come arrest you, why not take some time and reflect on your mistakes! Hey, that was pretty good."
74	* LampshadeHanging: Wally has a drawer ''full'' of costume rings. He mentions to his companions that the trouble in using one is in trying to put the costume back ''in''.
75	* LiterallyShatteredLives: A family-friendly sort; Batman breaks a mirror Mirror Master was using to escape, trapping Mirror Master in that particular mirror's pieces. Later he's seen badgering the police to make sure they sweep up all the pieces.
76	* MassOhCrap: The BadGuyBar [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere instantly empties itself]] when Flash, Batman and Orion arrive, leaving only a blabbering, oblivious Trickster.
77	* TheMentallyDisturbed: Trickster, at least in this continuity, has super-villain delusions and relies on medication to keep himself in check. Flash actually has to point out to him that he's wearing his villainous costume for him to know he's had another episode of this.
78	* MistakenForAfterlife: Linda mistakes the Mirror Dimension for the afterlife before Flash corrects her.
79	* MookChivalry: Played straight and then averted. The Rogues (except Trickster) each try attacking Flash on his own, and then (except Trickster, who goes off to sulk after getting no respect from the others) decide to join forces instead.
80	* MyCard: Linda Park tries to give Flash her phone number at the museum opening. He [[FailedASpotCheck isn't really paying attention]], so he just autographs it and hands it back to her.
81	* MythologyGag:
82	** Several abound inside the Flash Museum alone, including the presence of Jay Garrick's (the first Flash in the comics) World War I helmet and Kid Flash's costume (Wally was the first Kid Flash in the comics). There's also the presence of the Flash's costume ring, which was used in the comics to store the hero's costume inside. Then there's Wally's CSI mentor/supervisor, who looks ''exactly'' like Barry Allen, and Wally mentioning his uncle is flying in.
83	** Continuing a RunningGag in the comics: the Flash Museum getting totaled, even on opening night.
84	** There's also a statue of the Turtle Man, Barry's first enemy in the comics. The actual Turtle Man can also be seen briefly at the bar.
85	** [[Series/TheFlash1990 Casting Mark Hamill as the Trickster, of course.]]
86	** Flash and Linda Park first meeting this late in the show and that he's previously expressed interest in other women before her debut can be a nod to how Linda was the last of his love interests to debut in the comics and ended up [[LastGirlWins being the one]].
87	* NeedleInAStackOfNeedles: Flash and Linda get trapped in the Mirrorverse, not knowing which mirror among the hundreds will take them back to the fight until Batman fires a flare.
88	* NiceMeanAndInBetween: Flash is the nice, being the AllLovingHero and showing sympathy to a troubled villain. Orion is the mean, being far more eager to bust heads and not getting Flash's softer approach (though he does lighten up in the end). Batman is the in-between, demanding Flash take these death threats seriously but fully respecting his general approach to fighting crime.
89	* NoMedicationForMe: Trickster has gone off his meds, only taking them when he "feels down". Flash talks some sense into him about that, pointing out that he'd donned his supervillain costume without realizing it.
90	* NoodleIncident: Mirror Master gets called out on ''two'' embarrassing incidents during the Rogues' talk in the BadGuyBar.
91	* NotSoHarmlessVillain: Yes he actually did nothing in the episode, but the Trickster's ramblings about a DeathTrap just after his fellow Rogues abandon him? It's actually a CruelAndUnusualDeath.
92	* ObliviousToLove: For a guy who's known for hitting on the ladies at every chance, Flash is amazingly oblivious to Linda Park's not-so-subtle crush on him; when she finally gets to outline it to him, he's a bit embarrassed and covers with a joke.
93	* OffscreenVillainDarkMatter: Addressed after Captain Boomerang's attack on the Flash fails. He tries to get the other Rogues to chip in for the cost of the giant boomerang he used, noting that he has high expenses compared to someone like Mirror Master who can just "pull another mirror out of your blinkin' arsenal."
94	* OnlySaneMan: After two elaborate death traps fail, Captain Cold points out they're being stupid and should just gang up on Flash at the museum opening.
95	* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Batman accepting Flash's invitation to the museum opening is treated as this. Flash is actually quite stunned.
96	* PetTheDog:
97	** Flash has no problem snarking at his enemies, but he treats the Trickster kindly because he's aware of his mental history. Even the other villains don't treat him with that amount of respect.
98	** Another is that we see Flash doesn't just concern himself with big heroics, but also small things like promising to help a lady paint her fence because for him it'll be done in a minute.
99	** Batman has his own moment of this when he agrees to attend the opening of the Flash Museum. He subsequently intimidates Orion into petting the dog as well.
100	* RunTheGauntlet: The Rogues initially scheme to take potshots at the Flash one at a time. First was a trap by Mirror Master at a condemned roller disco, and shortly after that Captain Boomerang at the press conference. Eventually Captain Cold decides that they should just attack him all at the same time.
101	* SadClown:
102	** [[WrongGenreSavvy Orion]] thinks the Flash is this, saying that "[he plays] the fool to hide a warrior's pain". Immediately [[DefiedTrope defied]] by Flash himself, who really ''is'' every bit the happy go lucky guy [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin he comes off as]]. Turns out that not only is it part of his charm, it effectively makes him TheHeart of the Justice League.
103	** The Trickster himself. After his plan is rejected, he has a drink at the bar and bemoans how he's treated. His conservation with Flash also demonstrates how confused the guy really is.
104	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: The various Rogues were just chilling out in their hangout. Once Flash, Batman, and Orion enter, they all head for the nearest exits.
105	* StuffBlowingUp: The Trickster comes up with a ridiculous plan to grease the bottom of fake vomit and get the Flash to run over it so he slides into a wall of spikes. "And then...'''Everything explodes!'''"
106	-->''[beat]''\
107	'''Captain Cold:''' ...you know what? [[MookChivalry Taking turns]] is dumb.
108	* TemptingFate: Orion disses Flash and mentions that he'd never going to anything like the museum opening. One DeathGlare from Bats later, and...
109	--> '''Orion:''' ...it's not black-tie, is it?
110	* TrappedInAnotherWorld: When Flash and Linda Park end up in the mirror dimension, the only way out is to find the right mirror to go through, which could take years even with SuperSpeed. Fortunately, they see Batman's flare jumping out of one mirror, allowing them to get back in the battle.
111	* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Linda accidentally sets the Flash up for an ambush when using her compact, which the Rogues use as a portal into the museum under the noses of Batman and Orion.
112	* VillainCred: As Captain Boomerang looms over a prone Batman, he gloats that "this'll make my rep forever."

Context Recap / JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS3E5FlashAndSubstance