The Flash Season 7 Ruins Killer Frost’s Recovery

The second episode of The Flash’s seventh season saw the much-needed return of the original Team Flash. Cisco arrived in time for Nash Wells’s somber memorial, and Killer Frost returned in heroic fashion, sending a cold frosty blast at Eva. Barry had called Frost to join him and Cisco as they attempted to confront Eva, in order to collect dark matter particles that would allow them to open a portal to the Mirrorverse and rescue Iris. Frost joined them at the risk of her own recovery from a separate attack. In the process of helping their friends, Caitlin and Frost absorbed damage from multiple sources, including Barry Allen himself, interrupting their recovery and potentially harming their symbiotic relationship.

When she first discovered she was a meta-human containing dual personalities, Caitlin struggled to come to grips with Killer Frost. After declining a possible cure, Caitlin decided she would try to coexist with her colder counterpart. An attack from The Thinker drove Frost deep into seclusion, leading to Caitlin’s discovery that Killer Frost had been with her since Caitlin’s father Dr. Thomas Snow experimented on her as a child. When Killer Frost reemerged, she and Caitlin agreed to share their body, bringing out the best qualities in both.

Killer Frost and Caitlin were severely affected by the changes brought about by the creation of Earth-Prime. They faced a new version of an old nemesis, Dr. Light, who injured Caitlin/Frost so seriously she allowed her mother, Dr. Carla Tannhauser, to take them away for treatment. “The Speed of Thought” marked their return as actress Danielle Panabaker returned from maternity leave. In this episode, Killer Frost’s presence proved to be integral to the story, not only giving the episode some of its strongest, most thrilling moments but also opening the door to a devastating new storyline for the characters when Barry’s new, emotionless persona allowed her to be harmed.

During her returning battle with Eva, Frost appeared to not be at full strength. The Flash, in an out-of-character move caused by the Artificial Speed Force’s leeching of his emotions, chose to allow Frost to take a hit from Eva’s light weapon, saying it was more important he protect the device which held the dark matter particles they collected. The blow left Frost unconscious. Cisco berated Barry for putting their friend at risk and began to doubt the state of The Flash’s now enhanced mind. Barry again put Caitlin/Frost in danger by using an untried, untested drug he created on her at Star Labs to revive her. Had he had his emotions and empathy he might have stopped to consider what effect his drug cocktail would have on whatever was already in her system to facilitate her healing.

Killer Frost was left with no choice but to risk herself further with an injection of Velocity X to give herself Flash-like speed. Since Barry was becoming more emotionless and a greater danger to others, she tried to stop him by turning into Speed Frost, matching The Flash in speed, and generating her own visually impressive ice lightning. Ultimately, her efforts were fruitless, her body strained by another exertion and drug that combined with her prior injuries and treatments will likely endanger her recovery further.

Once again, on The Flash, Team Flash is burdened with the consequences of Barry trying to fix things on his own without the guidance of his friends. This time the fallout of his actions will likely result in long-term harm to Killer Frost and Caitlin. The combination of Velocity X and the experimental drugs in her blood could affect Killer Frost’s powers or even the existence of her and Caitlin as a single entity. Almost certainly, while Killer Frost’s return to The Flash was both needed and welcomed, the price will be a costly one for her to pay.

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