The Flash Season 9 Made Its Biggest Mistake Already
Caitlin Snow (played by Danielle Panabaker) has been a mainstay of CWs The Flash.
But as the ninth and final season dawns, the showrunners have made the bizarre decision to get rid of her. Not that Panabaker is going anywhere – she's playing a new "sister" called Khione.
It's hard to see why they made this decision. Particularly when we know they're replacing a popular character with a brand-new one who will barely be introduced to viewers before it's all over.
It also means there is no proper conclusion to Caitlin Snow's character arc. She's simply not around anymore. It's a brave move that seems cruel to the actor and viewers.
Caitlin has been a complex character throughout her time on the show. Not only did she nurse Barry after he was struck by lightning, but she was also by his side as he learned all about his new powers and how to use them.
But she has also been romantically involved with some of the show's villains.
At the end of season 8, Killer Frost sacrificed herself to save Caitlin in what was a fitting end for her character. An action that was reciprocated. But as season 9 kicks off, the device that was supposed to restore Frost to life is revealed to have wiped Caitlin's memory.
So, the character is effectively dead. Her body is still intact, however, but is now occupied by Khione.
It all feels a little strange – which is not too much of an issue in the DCU. But more than that, it feels a bit unnecessary too.
Caitlin was a character who had plenty of arc left in her story – especially as there was only one series left to record when the decision was made. And Panabaker has clearly not left the series. So, quite why this turn of events came about remains something of a mystery.
There are very few lead characters that have been ever present and, as one of those, replacing Caitlin Snow with a brand new character also deprives fans of seeing a favourite go right through the series.
But an offscreen death that feels rushed and ill-thought-out is even more of a kick in the teeth.
We don't yet know the background to Khione and her story may well form an integral part of the finale. But you can't help but think that there was some other way of introducing her; one that saw her appear alongside Caitlin, not in place of her.