Ep 16. Failure is an Orphan

In The Flash season 5 episode 16, titled "Failure is an Orphan," the aftermath of the tragic events of the previous episode is explored in depth. Barry Allen is forced to come to terms with the loss of his daughter, Nora West-Allen, and the team must find a way to prepare for the looming threat of Cicada's dagger.

The episode begins with Team Flash reeling from the loss of Nora, with each member dealing with their grief in their own way. Barry, in particular, is struggling to come to terms with his failure to save his daughter, and his guilt manifests in his refusal to leave the Time Vault where Nora's costume and belongings are stored. In an effort to snap Barry out of his depression, Iris West-Allen suggests that they work together to find a way to stop Cicada and the dagger.

Meanwhile, Cisco Ramon, Ralph Dibny, and Caitlin Snow are working to find a loophole in Cicada's powers. They discover that the villain can sense when a metahuman is around, but he can't pinpoint their exact location unless he's within close range. The team decides to use this weakness to their advantage; they hatch a plan to lure Cicada to a location far away from Central City, where they can take him down without putting innocent people in danger.

As they put their plan into action, Barry reflects on his failures as a hero. He realizes that he's been so focused on saving the people close to him that he's lost sight of what it means to be a hero. He confides in Iris that he's afraid of failing again, but she reminds him that failure is a part of being a hero, and that it's what they do with their failures that defines them.

The team's plan to take down Cicada goes awry when the villain unexpectedly shows up in Central City. They're forced to pivot and come up with a new plan, all while avoiding detection from Cicada's powers. As they race against the clock, the stakes are higher than ever before. If they fail, the entire city could be at risk.

In the end, the team is forced to make a difficult decision that will have lasting consequences. They're reminded that being a hero isn't about always getting it right; it's about doing what's necessary, even when it's hard.

"Failure is an Orphan" is a poignant episode that explores the emotional fallout of the season's central conflict. It's a reminder that heroes aren't invincible, and that even the most powerful among us can be brought to their knees by loss and grief. The episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the implicit message that even in our darkest moments, there's always hope.