Pop-Culturalist.com

“My name is Barry Allen. And I am the fastest man alive. When I was a child I saw my mother killed by something impossible. My father went to prison for her murder. Then an accident made me the impossible. To the outside world I am an ordinary forensic scientist, but secretly I use my speed to fight crime and find others like me. And one day, I’ll find who killed my mother and get justice for my father. I am the Flash.” — Barry Allen

After hearing Barry Allen’s opening monologue, I was instantly hooked. I still get chills from hearing it. And, if you haven’t watched this adorable clip of a young fan reciting the monologue to the cast at Paleyfest, you need to check it out.

The Flash is unquestionably one of my favorite shows on television. It’s the one show I have to watch live. Here are the top five reasons why we can’t stop watching The Flash:

Grant Gustin
Grant Gustin, who played bad boy Sebastian on Glee, was not on my potential list of actors to play the scarlet speedster. He played a villain so well on Glee, I wondered whether he would be able to play the good guy. In many ways, Grant is not the traditional superhero but neither is Barry Allen. The pair is redefining our preconceived concept of what it means to be a superhero. And, I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this iconic role. Grant Gustin is Barry Allen.

Barry’s Relationship with his Fathers
My favorite relationship or relationships on the show involve Barry and his fathers — both adopted and biological. Every scene is packed with life advice, sure to make you shed a tear. These are scenes you want to rewind and watch over and over (and believe me I have). Neither father tries to minimize the others’ role in shaping who Barry is. Instead, they acknowledge each others’ contributions.

His Team
Behind every great superhero is their team. From the comedic Cisco to the brilliant Caitlyn, each character contributes to Barry’s development as the Flash. The show does a fantastic job creating story lines for these supporting characters, so much so that we’re as invested in their success as we are with Barry’s.

Crossover Episodes with Arrow
Finally, if you’re still not convinced that you should be watching The Flash, every season the show has crossover episodes with Arrow that span two nights. The production is bigger and the episodes seamlessly flow together. They never feel forced and leave you completely blown away. Also, who doesn’t love a bromance? There’s no better one than Oliver and Barry.

Photo Credit: Nino Muñoz / The CW