The Flash Predictions

So with the Flash returning next week I thought I would do a post stating my predictions for the series. In order to minimise confusion I will refer to the Flash as Barry Allen.

The mid-season finale introduced the character of Reverse-Flash, the man responsible for the death of Nora Allen (Barry's mother). Reverse Flash reveals to Barry that this is not the first time they have met but instead that they have been in competition for several years. It is also observed by Cisco that there were both red and yellow flashes seen prior to Nora's death, indicating that Barry himself was there. This makes me believe that time travel exists within the show. Reverse Flash claims that his powers are not alike that of Barry's but are instead the opposite, which indicates that rather then moving himself through time at an accelerated rate, he can alter the rate at which time moves around him. I believe that the suit is what gives him these abilities, making him a similar character to Professor Zoom.

This means that it would make sense for Reverse Flash to be Harrison Wells. He is seen to have possession of the suit, the ability to walk and look into the future through his technology. Despite this I don't think he is the Reverse Flash. Firstly it is just too obvious and simple and secondly I doubt he would go to such great lengths to create and protect Barry/Flash only to set out to destroy him. Besides this the producers have stated that they wish to follow the storyline of the comic books as accurately as possible.

Therefore I think it is either Iris West or Eddie Thawne.

The comics have the character Eobard Thawne as one of the Reverse Flash's and Eddies recent hatred for the Flash combined with the recent bashing Eddie took from the Flash, and Barry's feelings for Iris give him motivation. He was also the only one of his squadron left unharmed when Reverse Flash attacked them at Star Labs. His character has not really been explored yet and very little is known about his past. I don't know how he would come to obtain the Reverse Flash suit, but I am guessing it somehow involves time travel. Personally however I think the Eddie storyline is a little too convenient.

I think Iris West is the Reverse Flash. The comics have her brother Daniel West as one of the Reverse Flash's however he does not exist in the TV show potentially leaving the role open to her. Iris has the motivation; Nora's death led Barry to live with her which obviously had a pretty major impact on her life, it was also in this situation that Barry fell in love with her. When Reverse Flash attacked Star Labs both Detective West and Eddie were left conscious, both of whom are people she cares about. Iris has also shown herself to be quite a large fan of the Flash, perhaps when she discovers it is Barry she becomes bitter and wants to destroy him? Or maybe this leads her to becoming an even bigger supporter and she becomes the Reverse Flash in order to help him maximise his potential? If she were to work with Harrison over this it would explain how she obtains the suit.

I guess we shall find out next week!

Thin shaming and the body acceptance debate

Recently (possibly due to it being bikini season) I have noticed a lot of thin shaming occurring across social media hidden under the pre-tense of promoting positive body image. 

 

Memes such as the above, along with slogans such as "real men like curve, only dogs go for bones" have featured heavily as of late on my Facebook timeline.

THIS IS STILL BODY SHAMING!

 I understand that eating disorders are on the rise and that we live in a society where women feel extreme amount of pressure to be a size 6 and have a thigh gap. I understand what this image is trying to promote. While its positive to encourage the idea that women don't have to diet and torture themselves thin, to assume that all thin women are thin by choice is an incorrect and a sweeping generalisation.

 

To tell someone they must be a size 14 in order to be considered a "real woman" is wrong. As is telling someone that no man will want them because they "aren't curvy enough". These sorts of attitudes are hypocritical and no better then fat shaming. Telling someone they are too thin is not different to telling someone they are too fat! Just because thin women are currently seen as being in a position of privilege does not mean that it is okay to take shots at their self esteem in order to boost your own. Maybe some people out there are a size 14 and are perfectly healthy but there are also people out there who are a size 6 and are just as healthy. Health is not a dress size. The way to promote positive body image is not to slam anyone who is a different size or body shape to the majority of society or the current aesthetic.

 

IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROMOTE BODY IMAGE YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR ALL SIZES. YOU CANNOT TELL WOMEN THEY MUST BE A CERTAIN SIZE IN ORDER TO BE DESIRABLE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIZE THAT MAY BE.

 

Just remember, while being a size 6 is unattainable for some women, being a size 14 is just as unattainable to others. While going on a diet isn't necessarily going to make you thinner, eating more isn't necessarily going to make you larger.

 

 

 

 

 

Side note:

I have also seen online stores slammed for the decision to stock a size 4/6 as people are claiming this promotes a prepubescent female form as ideal. The law of supply and demand means that stores will stock whatever there is a market for. As online stores ship all around the world they have much larger market to cater to. The average size of women will vary greatly from country to country, as well as with socioeconomic rank. While the size 4/6 may not realistically apply to you, it may very well be appropriate for women in other countries.