Starring: Grant Gustin (“Arrow”), Candice Patton (“The Game”), Jesse L. Martin (“Law & Order”), Rick Cosnett (“The Vampire Diaries”), Danielle Panabaker (“Justified”), Carlos Valdes (“Arrow”) and Tom Cavanagh (“Ed”)
Genre: One-hour drama
Premiere Date: Tuesday, October 7, 8 p.m., The CW
Direct Competition: “NCIS” (CBS), “The Voice” (NBC), “Utopia” (Fox), “Selfie”/”Manhattan Love Story” (ABC)
Premise (in 140 characters or less): A book smart twenty-something is struck by lightning, which grants him the supernatural ability to run faster than the speed of light.
Initial Response: Of all of this year’s new comic-based programs, “The Flash” is most sure of what it wants to be.
Conclusion: “Gotham” takes itself too seriously, and “Constantine” isn’t strong enough to come off as slick as it does. Unlike those programs, “The Flash’s” identity appears fully realized from the get-go. This is a superhero drama that’s light on its feet and often humorous. It doesn’t need to be anything more than that to be a decent show, and an asset for the CW. There’s a wildly talented cast at play, including a capable leading man in Gustin, and appealing supporting players in Cavanagh, Martin and Panabaker, but the show feels like it’s being made for a super-specific, teenaged audience. It’s an amusing pilot, and among this year’s better hour-longs, but it’s not for me.
Side note: Valdes’ character wears two different “Big Bang Theory” t-shirts in just the pilot. Three cheers for corporate synergy?
Watch Live, DVR or Skip?: Watch live if you’re already a fan of “Arrow,” or if you just happen to be a sucker for anything related to comic books. Unless you’re a fan of standard CBS fare, or tired reality show competitions, there’s no better option Tuesdays at 8.
