Cicada, the name of a real villain on a TV show in 2018, has finally revealed his powers on The CW’s The Flash. And no, it’s not making a really annoying sound you hear only in the summertime.
In “Blocked,” the second episode of The Flash Season 5, Team Flash is in flux as Barry Allen/The Flash (Grant Gustin) struggles to help XS (Jessica Parker Kennedy) hone her skills as a speedster, Cisco (Carlos Valdes) gets over being dumped by Gypsy, and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) shook by the possibilities over her father’s fake death certificate. This leaves the team vulnerable to their first loss of the season, as Cicada (Chris Klein) mops the floor with the gang.
As expected, some of Cicada’s powers are channeled in those lightning-shaped daggers of his. In the comics, Cicada’s daggers helped siphon an individuals’ life force, which Cicada used to become immortal and build a cult following. It seems the television series is taking tremendous creative liberties, as Cicada isn’t a cult leader, but a street fighter. And his daggers don’t just siphon energy, but (temporarily?) blocks meta-human powers.
Before Cicada goes on the offensive, his dark force daggers appear to “steal” the powers away from Barry, Cisco, and Ralph (Hartley Sawyer), aka Elongated Man. But back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Cisco is able to vibe Caitlin’s dad’s death certificate (which, by the way, Caitlin sees her mother writing it). It seems Cicada’s daggers are only effective when in the vicinity of meta-humans.
Chris Klein as "Cicada" on 'The Flash.'
Obviously Cicada’s powers will be further revealed as The Flash continues this season. While not an imposing threat like the Reverse-Flash, Zoom, Savitar, or even The Thinker, Cicada is the first time a Flash villain feels dangerous.
The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
