MOVIES

The Flash (2023) | Transcript

July 20, 2023

Barry Allen uses his super speed to change the past, but his attempt to save his family creates a world without super heroes, forcing him to race for his life in order to save the future.

Barry Allen is struck by a bolt of lightning and thus, an extraordinary power is born inside him: The Speed Force. When he uses this power to run back in time and save his mother, he creates a world without heroes and General Zod has returned. To defeat him, his only hope rest in the hands of a retired Batman, another Barry and an imprisoned kryptonian.

* * *

[The Flash theme playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[“If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago playing]

[dinging]

[stomach growling]

[server] Have a brilliant day.

[man] Yeah, thank you.

You too.

Morning. What can I get you?

Where’s curly-hair lady?

Sara?

She’s out sick. Or at least,

that’s what she says.

Oh.

[whispers] She’s got a new boyfriend.

What can I get you?

Usually it’s my usual and she usually has it ready because I’m usually late.

Well, don’t keep me in suspense.

Um, it’s a PB and BRHC on a roll.

Okay, so…

“PB” would be peanut butter, I’m assuming?

Yes.

“BR,” bananas, raisins. “H,” honey. “C,” cheese on a roll.

Aren’t you blessed with a fast metabolism.

Are you running a marathon or something?

You know, my sister ran a marathon once, God rest her soul.

She’s not dead. She’s just exhausted.

We get it, Sharon. You ran.

[cell phone ringing]

But everyone has to work in the morning.

Yeah, I have to go to work, three minutes ago.

And, sorry, I’m in sort of a rush for the sandwich.

You can’t rush a good sandwich, dude.

[cell phone ringing]

[Barry] Alfred, really can’t talk.

Good morning, Mr. Allen.

No, I’m late.

And I’m starving, and curly-haired girl isn’t here and her name is Sara, and she has a boyfriend.

We have a situation at Gotham General.

A robbery gone wrong.

This is the middle of the morning.

Why is our bat-friend even awake?

Call Superman.

That was my first thought.

Sadly, he’s otherwise engaged.

Active volcano in Central America.

[Barry] Classic.

What about Diana?

My other first thought.

Rather annoyingly, she’s not picking up.

How many first thoughts, exactly, did you have before you first thought of me?

[server] …never about her.

This is about you.

Hi, sorry. Is my sandwich…

[server] I learned my lesson on the boat last year.

Stuff my sister comes out with when she’s drunk.

Personal comments about my mom’s friends as well, which I think is what I say about her…

[pulses, electricity crackling]

[The Flash theme playing]

[pulses]

[electricity crackling]

[girl] Oh, my God!

[music stops]

Flash!

Hi. Thank you.

I love you.

You seem very nice also.

Oh, my God!

No way!

I think I’m gonna die!

Patching you into Mr. Wayne.

No, please don’t.

[line rings]

Oh, my God.

Sorry if this sounds weird, but are you actively eating that candy bar?

Maybe you could throw it to me?

In the name of justice.

[girl] Yes, yes.

[Bruce] I need you here now, Barry.

Hi, Bruce. Yes, I’m…

coming.

[The Flash theme resumes]

[electricity crackling]

[“Bad Fun” by The Cult playing]

♪ Spirit like A rumblin’ train ♪

♪ Spirit of The thunderin’ rain ♪

♪ Vibrations got you On the run ♪

♪ Electric child on bad fun ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

[song ends]

[people yelling in panic]

[rumbling]

[man] No!

No, no!

Bruce, this is a huge mess.

Why aren’t you here?

[alarm blaring]

[Batman theme playing]

[tires screeching]

[The Flash on comms] Bruce, why does it sound like you’re fleeing the scene?

Falcone’s idiot kid decided to try to play in the big leagues.

He put a crew together and broke into the lab at Gotham General.

Stole a highly deadly virus.

I intercepted them, but they blasted their way out.

You can handle the hospital, Barry.

Somebody has to save the rest of the world, so I was gonna do that.

If you don’t mind.

Sounds about right, Bruce.

[beeps]

“Thanks for saving me from the sinkhole, Flash.”

Barry, gas and water pipes ruptured.

In the basement.

Right.

On it. [Sighs]

[glass cracking]

[nurse] Can you open it?

I think it’s locked.

It’s jammed.

God, it’s not working!

Oh, please!

[building rumbling]

[cooing]

[The Flash] Look, Alfred. I’ve come to accept

that I’m essentially the janitor of the Justice League.

Which sucks.

But I’ve come to accept it.

But…

I can’t help but notice… that it always seems to be a bat-mess… that I’m cleaning up.

Right this way. Eyes forward.

Yes.

Stay together, now.

Yeah, I know, right?

Look out!

[tires screeching]

Wow. Whoa.

What?

[sirens wailing]

If my calculations are correct, and history will prove they usually are, the foundational damage is about to cause the collapse of the east wing.

[The Flash] East wing’s fine.

[nurse] All right, I got you.

Which is good because my speed is lagging.

[beeping]

Running on empty, Alfred.

[low rumbling]

Do you hear that?

That’s my stomach.

[rumbling]

No, no.

It’s the collapsing east wing.

[screaming]

[continues screaming]

[Alfred] Barry, 30th floor.

There’s a baby…

Shower.

[choral music playing]

[beeping]

[baby crying]

[crying]

[beeps]

[growling]

[nurse screaming]

Oh!

[barking]

[screaming]

Mr. Allen, you’ve made me very proud.

And a lot of mothers very happy.

[microwave dings]

Oh!

[cooing]

[screaming]

Yeah.

Okay.

I understand that these events can be psychologically scarring.

You should seek the services of a mental health professional.

The Justice League is not very good at that part yet.

Trust me.

God.

[tires screeching]

[Batman theme playing]

Shake him off!

[tires screeching]

[grunting]

[yells]

[cries out]

If that briefcase falls into the water, it could wipe out half of Gotham by lunchtime.

[yells]

[Batman] Damn it.

Please don’t drop me.

Oh, God, no. Please, please don’t.

No!

[Wonder Woman theme playing]

Sorry I’m late.

Watch your step.

Hi.

Hey.

Nice suit.

Looking good, Flash.

Oh, uh… Thank… Uh…

And you… are welcome.

My ego’s far too big to say “thank you” to someone else.

Hmm.

I developed this… all-powerful persona to compensate for my childhood trauma…

I, too, have childhood trauma.

[man] Batman seems crazy.

The Lasso of Truth…

Billion dollar. She’s the mother…

[Wonder Woman] never gets old.

I’d do a lot better just giving all my money away.

Yes, if I really wanted to end crime, I should end poverty.

I know sex exists.

I’ve just never experienced it.

Damn it.

Well…

I have to run.

Yeah.

Always a pleasure.

The sex thing was a metaphor… for gothic literature.

There was just no way to recover from that.

Just let it go.

Well, I’d really love to stay and clean up more mess… but this little superhero needs his breakfast.

Goodbye, Flash.

Yeah. Bye, Batman.

Well done, Mr. Wayne.

Will you be home for breakfast, sir?

[Batarang whirring]

[Al Falcone groans]

Yes, I think so.

The road to destruction.

This was never about her.

This is about you.

You have to stop living in the past.

Now, was that fast enough for you?

[student] Morning, professor…

[indistinct chatter]

Ah, look who’s here.

[Barry] Shut up, Albert.

Every day. I don’t know how you do it, Barry.

What’d you, like, crawl here, bro?

Is he mad?

Well, you’re getting fired.

[Albert] You’re getting murdered.

Oh, no, no, no.

Let me guess.

Your alarm clock didn’t go off.

No…

Oh, your dog ate your alarm clock.

Your alarm clock ate your keys.

Your keys’ grandmother died, and they need a personal day.

It was none of those things.

What was it this time, Barry?

It was, um, something else that was far less outlandish.

And I know I missed the meeting… but I’d still really like to present these case files for potential review.

I think we rushed these cases.

We need to reopen them.

Oh! Rushed?

We got a backlog six months deep, and you want us to move slower?

You need to focus your motion.

Do the work, close the case, move on.

[sighs]

You have a lot of potential, Barry.

You shouldn’t still be getting me coffee after all these years.

You’re right. That’s… That’s true.

Go get me a coffee.

[laughs]

Two sugars? Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

[knocking on door]

You’re gonna love this.

I’m very satisfied with the ruling in the Johnson case.

The evidence our lab analyzed… was more than sufficient to be conclusive.

I’m still working that evidence.

Because of the diligence and hard work and focus…

Barry was still working on that evidence. [Laughs]

Think if it were up to you that we’d still be scraping Ted Bundy’s molars.

You know what? I’m so happy you find this all so hilarious, but we are dealing with real people’s lives, people’s families.

And I don’t think you can grasp the gravity of that.

So, why don’t you leave me alone?

[woman] Barry Allen?

Iris West.

You…

know my full name also.

Yes, from school.

Aw, Barry, you didn’t tell us you had a friend from school.

We actually didn’t know that Barry had a friend.

Wow.

[Albert] Yeah, what does that make it now?

One?

One.

[laughs] You guys are so…

Um, bye, you guys.

Okay. Oh, my God. That was just…

Um…

They’re not really my friends. They’re my work friends.

Do you work here?

Yes, I do.

God, it’s been a long time, huh?

Hmm.

I feel like we saw each other… like a few years ago, right?

No, because… we haven’t seen each other since… college.

Ah.

Maybe I was just thinking about you.

Well, I’m really glad I ran into you.

Yeah.

Your father’s appeal is tomorrow, right?

Yeah. How…

Sorry, how do you know about that?

I’m covering it for the paper.

Oh.

How is he holding up?

Um…

Are you asking for the paper?

No, I’m asking as a friend.

Oh.

Although I’m sure the public would want to know as well.

Well… my only official comment is that my dad is innocent.

Right.

I mean, no one… would want to believe that their father killed their mother.

What do you mean, “believe”? My dad shouldn’t be in jail.

My mom should be alive. It’s not about what I believe.

It’s about what the truth is.

Right. No, yes, that’s…

Oh, my God. That’s what I meant.

Right.

Sorry, I have no official comment at this time.

[melancholy music playing]

[phone rings]

[automated voice] You have a collect call from the Iron Heights Penitentiary.

Do you wish to accept?

Yes.

Hey, Dad.

[Henry Allen] Hey, Barry.

How ya doing?

I’m fine.

You getting out much?

Yeah.

Well, no. Uh, no.

But I, um, I ran into an old college friend…

Iris West, today.

Didn’t you have a monster crush on her?

Well, she have a boyfriend?

Why don’t you ask her out?

Dad, I, um… I had a friend run the old security camera footage from the store… through this new program he’s developed.

And it’s crystal clear now.

It’s just… you never look up, Dad.

You can’t see your face.

So, without new evidence to support your alibi… we’re just gonna need to start thinking about the next appeal.

No, uh-uh. You need to stop worrying about your old man.

Do that, you might actually have time for a girlfriend.

But Dad, I don’t want…

We’ve done this before.

This was a last-ditch effort… and we’ll go through the motions tomorrow.

I’m okay, really.

You know, sometimes I even think it’s probably easier for me to be in here than out there… without her.

‘Cause this way, I can imagine she’s alive… out there living her life.

Barry?

You there?

Yeah, I’m here, Dad.

Hey, remember that sauce she’d make on Sundays?

The whole house would smell like basil, tomatoes.

And she’d put on my sweats and start singing.

[somber music playing]

Yeah, what was that song?

I loved that song.

Remember that part.

[kid Barry] It’s not fair.

[Nora] What’s not fair, Monkey?

This question is stupid.

How many calculations can you think of with an answer of 24?

There are a bajillion answers.

How am I supposed to fit them all?

You are right. There are a bajillion answers to this question.

Not every problem has a solution.

Sometimes you just have to let go.

[mild music playing on speakers]

Give your brain a rest and help me make the pasta. Come on.

No. [Curses in Spanish]

Henry?

[speaking Spanish]

I need you to do me a favor.

I don’t do favors.

Okay.

Barry needs you to do him a favor.

Oh, Barry! Yeah, anything.

I need another can of tomatoes.

You have a can of tomatoes.

I need another one.

I thought you guys went to the store this morning.

But I forgot the tomatoes.

This looks way more fun.

Let’s just let Barry go to the store.

You drive, right, Squirm?

What? No.

Getting so big.

You can do anything. Look at ya.

You’re getting gray, actually.

Green can, not the blue one, okay?

Got it.

Blue can, not the green one, right?

No! Green can, not the blue one.

What?

[upbeat Spanish song playing on speakers]

Oh, God.

[song continues]

She’s gonna start singing. Run!

Run, Barry!

[singing in Spanish with song]

I love you, Monkey.

I love you more.

I loved you first.

[both laugh]

[objects clattering]

[Nora grunting]

[Nora screaming]

[Henry] Nora?

Barry!

[Nora groaning]

[Henry] Barry! Barry!

Call 911 now!

[Henry on phone] Barry?

Barry?

Don’t worry about tomorrow.

We always knew it was a long shot…

[line disconnects]

Dad?

[automated voice] Your call with Iron Heights Penitentiary has been terminated.

[breathing rapidly]

[somber music playing]

[tempo speeds up]

[tempo increases]

[yelling]

[music stops]

[gasping]

[distorting]

[slow motion scream]

[dramatic music playing]

[Iris] Barry Allen?

[overlapping voices speaking indistinctly]

[David] …evidence our lab…

You need to focus your motion.

Do the work…

She promised…

[server] Now, was that fast enough for you?

[baby crying]

[nurse screaming]

[overlapping voices wind down and stop]

[Bruce] So, you’re saying you went back in time?

[Barry] Mm-hmm.

Like in Pozharnov?

[Barry with mouth full] Yeah, like in Pozharnov, except, but Pozharnov was a second.

This time I went back a whole day.

[Bruce] So, let’s imagine… that it is, in fact, possible for you to run… faster than the speed of light… and in so doing, travel back in time.

It still would be… wildly irresponsible.

I knew you were gonna say this.

Yes, because, Barry, if you were to go into the past, any interaction you have with your parents or yourself, you step on the wrong blade of grass, you have no idea what the consequences to that could be.

No, I know. The butterfly effect, right?

Yes.

I get it. But Bruce… I could fix things.

You could also destroy everything.

I could save her.

I could save both of them. I… I could save your parents.

[somber music playing]

Barry, these scars we have… make us who we are.

We’re not meant to go back and fix them.

And there’s nothing broken with you that needs to be fixed.

Take it from an old guy who’s made a lot of mistakes.

Don’t live your past.

Live your life.

Don’t let your tragedy define you.

What if it’s supposed to define me?

Your tragedy made you a hero.

And also made me alone.

We could hang out.

I mean, do you wanna get a bite?

Like, I’m still hungry.

Not this time.

Maybe some other time.

Yeah.

[Iris] Nice ride.

You have fancy friends.

Yeah, it was an Uber.

Exec.

Look, Iris, I really can’t talk about the case at all.

I’m not here as a reporter.

Can we talk?

Come on in.

[chuckles awkwardly]

I’m not gonna lie. It’s a lot tidier in here than I expected.

Yeah? Yeah, well, um…

Yeah. [Laughs]

I’m a pretty tidy person.

[loud clattering]

Can I offer you a drink?

Sure.

I’ll take a beer.

[Barry] Hmm.

[muffled clinking]

Beers, beers, beers.

I keep ’em in my fridge.

Thanks.

Sure.

Look, I feel really bad about earlier.

I should’ve been more sensitive.

And, um, I probably could’ve been less sensitive.

I mean, I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.

It’s like you lost both parents in one day.

I did.

I lost my mom to a tragedy, and I lost my dad to the failures of the justice system.

Is that why you got into criminal forensics?

To try and fix the system?

Yeah.

Yeah, to fix it.

There’s gotta be a way to fix it, right?

I mean, that’s kinda why I got into journalism, too.

I could make it right if I could just go back somehow and warn them without them knowing that I’d warned them.

I… thinking like that’s gonna… [chuckle softly]

Drive you crazy.

“If I could just go back in time… and stop the guy who did it.” It’s…

No, I can’t do that, ’cause that’s way too much interaction.

[chuckles]

My dad wasn’t even at home.

My mom sent him to go get a can of tomatoes.

I think whoever broke into the house thought it was empty.

And then my mom was in there with the knife in her hand and things went bad, just this absurd chain of events.

And it’s like, this footage should’ve finally supported my dad’s alibi.

But instead… three lives ruined for a can of tomatoes.

Oh, my God.

What?

Well, that could be it.

If my mom doesn’t forget the tomatoes in the first place, then he never leaves and she never dies.

No one would even have to see me.

Bruce said no interaction. This is no interaction.

This is just quick in, quick out, back to the present, like I was never even there.

That’s how I fix it. Oh, my God, Iris.

Hmm?

Thank you, so much.

This has been great.

Oh.

Um… I’m sorry.

I… I have to leave.

Okay. Right.

Uh…

[door closes]

I had a really great time, by the way. We should do this again.

[door closes]

[objects crashing]

[Wonder Woman] Kal-El, son of Krypton.

[Aquaman] This is a bad idea.

[overlapping voices]

[Bruce] So, you’re fast.

[woman] Your dad’s a murderer. Your dad’s a murderer.

Call 911 now!

Now!

[overlapping voices stop]

[crying]

[crying continues]

[exhales]

[sentimental music playing]

Hi, Mom.

Don’t forget the tomatoes.

See you soon.

[crying]

Please work.

[kids] ♪ Happy Birthday, dear… ♪

[Nora] Happy Birthday, Barry.

[Henry] Go, Barry, hurry up.

[kids] Go!

[teacher] Congratulations to the class of 2013!

[Nora, distorted] I love you so much.

[grunting]

[grunts]

[The Flash yells]

[birds chirping]

[dog barking]

[mild music playing on speakers]

[startled shriek]

[speaks in Spanish] Monkey!

What are you wearing?

[Henry] Is that Barry? And he’s early?

What universe is this?

You’ve cut your hair.

Now you can see your eyes.

You look terrible.

Henry!

You look old.

You look beautiful, baby.

What are they doing to you over there?

Leave him alone. He’s perfect.

Come here.

I love you so much.

I love you, too.

I love you more.

I loved you first.

Go take a shower and change.

You smell like a boot. Go, go, go.

[sighs]

“Old,” seriously?

Well, no, I mean like mature.

He’s at that age, he wants to look old.

He, you know, gets into bars that way.

How can I help?

Mm. Hey, Mom, how was your day?

How was your month, or your last 18 years?

Or that’s a weird question… ’cause I was here.

But obviously, we share those memories together.

Or I don’t know, maybe we could make some new memories.

Like we could go to the aquarium, or the circus, or to the park and you could push me on a swing.

That’s also weird because I’m an adult now, so I’d probably motivate my own motion on a swing.

So, how was it this week? How’s school?

At school was… is good.

Mm.

School’s been great.

I’ve just been working really hard there on my…

studies.

Did you ask out that girl from econ?

I know freshman year is about

going out, meeting people, okay?

Exploring things.

Experimenting.

[muffled vocalizing]

[Nora] But you have to be very careful.

Oh, shit.

I… have to shit.

Outside.

[muffled yell]

[grunting]

Help!

Shh! Why are you here?

What year is it?

No, no, no.

Help!

That’s my face.

You stole my face.

Think I’m having a mushroom flashback?

Is that a thing?

How old are you?

Eighteen.

Whoa.

This is mad trippy.

So, we’re, like, in the future.

No, wait. This is not trippy, dude.

This is catastrophic.

And no, we’re not in the future. I was supposed to be back in the present, but I’m still in the past.

And there’s not supposed to be two of me.

You and I are not supposed to be occupying the same reality at all, let alone interacting.

I just can’t believe I’m a superhero who time travels…

No, no, no. You are not anything.

Which is good. You don’t want to be a superhero. It’s scary.

And I get bug splatter in my teeth all the time.

Awesome.

Hey, do the thing again.

No, we don’t have time.

Mom!

Shh!

What are you doing? You’re gonna tattle now?

Do the thing.

Fine.

[laughing]

Yeah. Yeah.

Happy?

Now undo it.

[sentimental music playing]

[muffled] I can’t, I can’t.

Ow.

[Nora] Barry, are you okay up there?

[both] We’re fine! I’m fine!

[Nora] Okay, Monkey.

So, do you have like a plane that goes underwater?

Or like a boat that can fly?

How old are you, like 40?

Okay, you don’t stop talking.

It’s not charming. It’s abrasive and exhausting.

And, oh, my God. I am starting to realize what people mean.

Just… do me a favor and promise me that meeting me isn’t gonna screw up space-time.

Broski…

I got you.

Shit, I’m in so much trouble.

What do you mean?

What do I do?

I could drug you.

Yeah, I could drug you, and then you’d pass out, you’d wake up and you’d forget that anything ever happened.

And it wouldn’t be wrong, right? Because you’re me.

No! I mean, we shouldn’t.

Please don’t… drug me.

No.

No. Because here’s the thing, and I thought about it before.

I don’t want to be drugged.

But I’m sure we can think of another way.

Let’s put on our Barry thinking caps and think of a different solution for memory loss.

Also, I’m a green belt… in the Capoeira, and I have extensively studied wrestler, and I could just go frickin’ lunatic on you.

Besides, I have a date tonight…

[speech stops]

Okay.

How hard do you have to hit someone to make them forget stuff?

If I hit you in the past, will it hurt me in the future?

Wait. You say you have a date tonight?

Yeah. Wait, what were you doing?

Uh, nothing. Who’s your date with?

This super babe in my econ class.

Iris West?

Oh, my God!

Do we marry her?

You’re going on a date with her tonight?

That’s why I need Mom to do my laundry.

You don’t even do your own laundry?

Do you?

Okay.

I’m actually gonna go.

What do you mean?

Enjoy your life. Do you.

Change literally nothing.

Um, I’ll see you again never.

I have a few more questions, though.

We have so much to learn from each other.

[thunder rumbles]

Oh, great.

Well, you’re leaving me.

And now the storm’s gonna ruin my date.

What day is it today?

Uh… Uh…

Sunday?

No, the date.

It’s September 29th.

Shit.

This storm, this is the day.

What day?

The day I got my powers.

The day you get your powers.

Powers?

Listen…

I can’t tell you why I traveled back in time, and I can’t tell you what I changed.

But, essentially, in my version of reality, I ended up interning at the Central City Crime Lab in my freshman year, and that’s where it happened.

Well, happens.

Tonight, September 29, the accident that gives me my powers.

And if you’re not there… in 30 minutes… then you won’t get the powers.

Which means I don’t get the powers, maybe?

And then, that would mean that I lose my way of getting back in time in the first place, and then I literally have no idea what happens.

Powers?

[thunder crashes]

[laughs gleefully]

Wait, but what about our date tonight?

She might be our future wife.

There might not be a future… if you don’t come with me… right now.

[thunder cracks]

Eight minutes.

How are we gonna to get inside? What are you doing?

Would you stop whining?

This is gonna feel kinda weird.

[vibrating]

[grunting shakily]

[dramatic music playing]

We walk through the door.

[shushing]

[softly] Yes, it’s okay. It’s called phasing.

Come on.

I love phasing.

[men speaking distantly]

Uh-huh.

Everybody moves.

[suspenseful music playing]

[thunder rumbles]

[voice trembles]

[laughs nervously]

Well… this is it.

This is where I was sitting.

And actually, let me take this for you.

Thank you.

Okay, I had just opened those windows… to clear out the fumes.

Right around now.

And I was sitting in that chair,

and I was right under this shelf of chemicals.

And that’s when the lightning hits.

Wait.

I get hit by lightning?

No, no, no.

You don’t get hit by lightning.

Okay, ’cause for a second I thought you said…

The lightning hits the chemicals… which then you get bathed in, and that’s what electrocutes you.

Okay, but I don’t want to be electrocuted, though.

Sit down.

No, you sit down.

I already have the powers!

You already have the powers!

Exactly!

I am not getting struck by lightning!

[intense operatic music playing]

[music crescendos]

[grunts]

[alarm blaring]

It worked.

[gags]

[groans]

It looks like you lost a tooth.

[groaning]

[crying] Oh.

No?

You lost a tooth.

[tense music playing]

All right. We gotta go.

[guard 1] What have we got?

[guard 2] The alarms in the sterile lab.

[guard 1] Go check it.

Securing the entrance.

We’ve gotta phase.

[softly] Phase, phasing.

[grunts]

[groaning]

[straining]

Oh… [groans]

[breathes deeply]

[dramatic music plays]

[music stops]

[shoes squeaking]

[yells]

Shit!

[suspenseful music builds]

I’m slow.

[past Barry] Oh. Oh.

[Barry] Why is your place so much nicer than I expected it to be?

[past Barry] You like it?

Mom had to help decorate.

You know Mom.

Right, yeah. Classic Mom.

Classic Mom.

[grunts]

Hmm.

What a day.

Barry, the accident gave you powers, but took mine away.

So, I don’t know how I get back.

Without access to the Speed Force, I don’t know how I ever leave.

Do you understand what I’m saying?

I might be stuck.

Wait.

I have powers now?

Yeah, but… you… No, no, no.

[gasps]

[squealing excitedly]

[objects clatter]

Holy speed balls.

Okay, I know this is incredibly exciting, because I went through it.

Speedy Gonzales!

Yes, I’ve done it many times myself.

You can’t just start…

[laughs, yells]

Shit.

[“Alright” by Supergrass playing]

♪ We are young, we run green ♪

♪ Keep our teeth Nice and clean ♪

♪ See our friends See the sights ♪

♪ And feel all right ♪

♪ Got some cash Bought some wheels ♪

♪ Took it out ‘Cross the fields ♪

♪ Lost control, hit a wall ♪

♪ But we’re all right ♪

[music distorting]

[grunting]

[yells]

[horn honking]

Oh, my…

[horn honks]

[tires screeching]

[comical music playing]

[music instruments sounding]

Ahh!

[horns honking]

[screaming]

[grunts]

[horse whinnies]

Okay, I’m leaving!

[comical music continues]

[power shuts down]

[people screaming]

[officer over speaker] Put your hands up.

[music stops]

[distant sirens wailing]

[distant explosions]

[muffled clattering]

What did you do?

Nothing. Why?

Barry…

I could’ve told you about the clothes. It’s friction.

You run too fast, and regular fabrics are gonna burn up.

It’s the same reason why you can’t move people very far at hyperspeed.

That broccoli looks rotten.

Look, some things you can move.

Like, you can move, for instance, a microwave.

But you can’t move something like, say… a baby.

Barry, it’s like I’ve never eaten anything before.

Everything has this vivid flavor. Try a little.

Just take a little bite.

That’s bad, isn’t it?

[laughs] Yeah, this is not good. No, I was kidding.

[gags]

I’m amazing. We’re amazing.

I’m so hungry.

Hey, wait.

I wanna try that phasing thing. How do I do that?

You don’t. Not yet.

Okay? It’s very complicated.

Takes a long time to train your body to be able to speed up whilst your molecules slow down enough to pass through the molecular structure of solid objects…

[muffled thud]

[woman downstairs screams]

[woman] Get out of here!

[muffled footsteps running]

[sighs]

[door opens]

You’ve gotta start letting me finish my sentences.

Are we always this sleepy?

And hungry and naked?

Well, the first two, yes.

The third one, no. I’ve figured that part out.

And honestly, if we’re gonna do this there’s a lot I’m gonna have to explain to you.

So, a good place to start, I guess, is that, yeah, the original suit was actually made out of this polysynth…

[snoring]

Or we’ll pick this up tomorrow.

[past Barry] So, the suit is inside the ring?

Yeah.

What?

And I can have this?

No, you can’t have it. You can borrow it so you don’t kill yourself using your powers.

[whispering gibberish]

You’re gonna push this button and the silk molecules are gonna uncoil, absorbing atmospheric gases and expanding the suit to full size.

Ready?

[clinks]

[dramatic music playing]

[laughing]

It was so tiny…

You’re supposed to put it on before it hits the floor.

What, like change… right here in front of you?

There’s no one even here anyway, Barry. Come on…

[exclaims] Whoo, man.

Tight.

It hurts.

You know where it hurts?

In my dick.

Okay. I know, I know, but I don’t need to know.

Sorry, can we move on?

Mm-hmm.

Here’s what I’m thinking.

If I can train you to move like I do, then we can re-create the Chronobowl.

Chronobowl?

In the Speed Force.

Speed Force?

And then maybe we can find some way to get me back to the future.

Back to the Future. Yes!

Eric Stoltz is chur boy in that movie.

What an embodied performance.

You mean Michael J. Fox?

Back to the Future?

Yeah, in the movie Back to the Future?

[woman] Oh, my God!

[people clamoring]

What’s going on?

I don’t know.

You need to take the suit off now.

Thank God.

[distant sirens wailing]

[man on TV] …reported seeing a mysterious object hovering above the Australian seaboard.

We’ve obtained footage from the sighting…

Zod.

And as you can see, the object…

[past Barry] “Zod”?

Appears to be a flying ship of some sort.

What’s a zod?

[on TV] According to US government officials, satellite data has confirmed the presence of a spacecraft.

We’ll be sure…

[past Barry yelps]

[static]

My name is General Zod.

I come from a world far from yours.

For some time, your world has sheltered one of my citizens.

No, no, no.

This can’t be happening.

I request that you return this individual…

[Barry] Not now.

To my custody.

What’s happening?

For reasons unknown… Zod’s looking for Superman.

What’s a superman?

[police siren chirps]

[Barry] Superman is an alien who lives on Earth.

I’m assuming still incognito.

But, yeah, he’s an alien, and he’s very powerful, and he’s just the best.

And then Zod is an alien from the same planet, also very powerful, but he’s just the worst.

And Zod came here to find Clark.

Wait, who’s Clark?

Clark is Superman.

Oh. Okay.

But then

Zod also tried to terraform the planet with this World Engine thing, and Superman stopped him eventually, but not before Zod killed thousands of people.

Yeesh.

And at the time, there was nothing I could do, I’ve…

Wait, you…

You were there?

Yeah, I had just gotten my powers.

[people screaming]

And I was still putting some finishing touches on my suit.

[people screaming]

This thing, Zod’s World Engine, it started destroying Metropolis, so I just went there and I started trying to save people.

[boy] Daddy?

[man] Listen to me!

Run away!

[Barry] There was this kid, and I… I got him, but then… I couldn’t get his dad.

Daddy!

[solemn music playing]

[metal groaning]

It was all I could do, save that one kid.

Only Superman could stop Zod.

But not in time to save those people.

And now it’s about to happen again.

But… if I can find the entire Justice League, Superman and the rest of the band…

Right.

Then maybe I can prevent the whole thing from ever even happening at all.

Um, give me your laptop.

Okay.

What is that smell?

Ugh. Could be anything.

Honestly.

Who’s that?

Oh. That’s Gary. That’s the smell. It’s…

[snoring]

Don’t worry. He’s breezy.

[Barry] We can do this.

Uh, let’s see, Victor Stone, Gotham City University.

[woman screams, muttering]

Oh, this is my roommate, Patty.

Patty… is your roommate?

And that’s her boyfriend, Albert.

What’s up?

[in sing-song] Good morning.

Oh, sorry. And, uh, guys…

This is my cousin.

Barry.

[past Patty] Whoa.

I’m starving.

Okay.

Victor Stone, Gotham City University.

Yes. Here he is.

Victor Stone, star quarterback for the Knight…

Shit, okay.

He’s not Cyborg yet.

Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman!

Las Vegas residency.

Illusions, juggling, and zebras.

No. That is not Diana.

Aquaman.

Aquaman?

Is that like a super mermaid?

[Barry] No, Albert,

he’s not a super mermaid.

Okay? He’s half Atlantean, half human with superhuman strength who can control marine life with his mind.

So, like a super mermaid? [plays keyboard]

No, Albert!

[laughs] That is what you described.

[Barry] We’ll just try Arthur Curry…

Maine…

lighthouse.

[whimsical music playing on keyboard]

Here we are. Thomas Curry. That’s his dad.

Uh, phone.

[phone rings]

Hello.

[Barry] Hello, Thomas Curry?

Yes.

Could I speak to Arthur?

Is Arthur around?

You wanna speak to my dog?

What? No, no. Um, sorry. Uh…

Is this Thomas Curry?

Yes.

And you work at a lighthouse?

Yes.

Okay, and your wife is the queen of Atlantis?

[man on TV] Will you accept this rose?

[woman on TV] Yes.

Uh, no.

Uh, right, but maybe, maybe… um, a fish like woman washed into your life at some point or another?

Very funny, asshole.

[line disconnects]

Arthur Curry was never born.

What?

This is a disaster.

I-I-I completely destroyed history.

Like Eric Stoltz.

Okay, why do you keep saying, “Eric Stoltz”?

Eric Stoltz is Marty McFly.

What?

Time travel?

Oh. We talking “BTTF”?

Come on, who is this guy?

Okay, yeah, no, I know.

I’ve seen all of them and Eric Stoltz is not Marty McFly.

[Gary] Really?

Then explain Marty McThigh here.

I can’t explain that to you, Gary.

That’s not your thigh.

It’s the wrong actor, and it’s upside down.

[Gary] Is it?

[whimsical music continues playing on keyboard]

The point is that

in Back to the Future

Marty McFly is very famously played by Michael J. Fox.

The guy from Footloose?

No, that’s Kevin Bacon!

Bacon.

[past Barry] Kevin Bacon’s Maverick with the volleyball, the gay guys, and the planes?

Top Gun.

♪ Great balls of fire! ♪

Top Gun, right?

[Barry] No, no, no.

I completely broke the universe.

[whimsical music continues playing on keyboard]

Marty McFly is Eric Stoltz.

Yes.

Thank you.

I created a world with no met a humans.

And now there’s no one to defend us from Zod. Albert!

[stops playing keyboard]

There’s no Cyborg.

There’s no Aquaman. There’s no Wonder Woman.

There’s no Superman.

There’s no Batman.

[past Patty] I’m Batman.

[dramatic musical sting]

What, you… What did you just say?

I’m [burping] Batman.

[all laughing]

Batman exists?

Hundo p.

[Gary] Yeah, dude.

Nobody knows who he really is, but he exists.

[Barry] Right.

Well, uh, we… my cousin Barry and I, have to go to that cousin’s dinner.

Now.

But it was a pleasure to meet you all.

[Albert resumes playing keyboard]

And Gary.

[Gary] Barry.

Barry.

Gary.

Barry!

[mysterious music playing]

[car stops]

What, are you frickin’ kidding me with this place?

[gate creaks]

What is this, hell?

It’s open.

[exclaims]

Look at all this cool shit!

Okay, Barry, don’t touch anything in here.

[“25 Or 6 To 4” by Chicago playing on speakers]

Hello?

Bruce?

♪ Waiting for The break of day ♪

Bruce, are you there?

Oh, boy.

♪ Searching for Something to say ♪

[Barry] Hey, I didn’t know you painted.

They’re good.

Bruce Wayne?

[song continues faintly in other room]

Bruce?

[song fades]

[past Barry] Hey, check this out. There’s, like, bells connected to every room in this house.

Hey, maybe we can find this Bruce guy… if we just ring all these bells, right?

[Barry] You don’t understand how servant bells work? Those are all the bells.

You ring them from all the other places.

What?

You don’t have, like, Downton Abbey in your universe?

Downtown Abbey’s?

The chain of, like, family-style restaurants?

They’re like, it’s like cheaper Bananabee’s.

Oh, you know what I’d really go for right now?

Abbey’s sizzlin’ zucchini squares.

[man grunts]

[grunts]

[song continues]

Okay.

[cries out]

[glass shatters]

[past Barry laughs]

[laughs harder]

You know what, man? I’ve had it with you.

[song continues]

♪ Twenty five or six to four ♪

[groans]

[Barry screams]

♪ Twenty five or six to four ♪

[song stops]

[groaning]

[grunts]

[mysterious music playing]

Who the hell are you?

I’m the guy who lives here.

We’re looking for Bruce Wayne.

[grunts softly]

[neck cracks]

You hungry?

Following the broadcast earlier from General Zod.

The individual they’re searching for is still at large.

So…

The president has yet to respond to the broadcast from earlier, and other foreign leaders are said to be… you’re the same person as him… but from an alternate timeline.

Yes.

In which… you and I are friends?

Yeah, you’re like probably my best friend.

Okay.

[Barry] Well, but you’re a bit… you’re, uh… chronologically different.

Older.

That’s what I can’t understand.

I traveled back in time from here to here.

Yet somehow, everything’s all changed back here.

Or like when you were born, so…

[older Bruce] Well… time isn’t linear.

Right?

Right.

At some point you probably saw a movie that told you that if you went back and changed the past, you’d create a kind of a branched timeline, right?

Like, look.

New present and new future.

[past Barry] Yeah.

Well, time doesn’t work like that.

That’s not how time works.

When you go back and change the past you create a fulcrum.

You put yourself on a whole nother strand of spaghetti.

New future. New past.

[spaghetti snaps]

It’s retrocausal.

It goes both ways.

Actually, it goes many ways.

Maybe some other time.

Okay, but in an ontological paradox model, there’s not…

What you did was you changed the future and you changed the past.

If a person is stupid enough to mess with time… what you eventually end up with is this.

The multiverse.

Some strands run almost parallel.

There will be inevitable intersections, and others that are just… wildly divergent.

What it is… is a hot mess.

It’s a crapshoot.

It’s all just a crapshoot.

What does the parmesan mean?

The metaphor’s over. It’s just a garnish.

And I’ll tell ya something.

A person would have to be an idiot to play craps with the space-time continuum.

Yeah, an idiot.

Here.

[slurping] Mm.

Are you joking with the chewing noises right now?

So, uh, you’re the reason this Zod character is about to destroy the Earth?

Maybe.

There’s a guy called Superman who can stop Zod?

Yeah, yeah.

And flies?

Shoots lasers out of his eyes?

Yes, he flies, and he shoots lasers out of his eyes. Yes.

No one said “Superman”… that might be a little on the nose?

You call yourself Batman.

Yeah.

I don’t call myself Super Batman.

[laughs]

Wait, he’s Batman?

What did you think we were doing here?

I thought this was the cousin’s dinner.

He’s… Bruce Wayne is Batman?

Not really. Not so much anymore.

You know… they don’t really need me.

Things have changed. Gotham’s now one of the safest cities in the world.

Well, I… I need you. We need you.

In my timeline, Batman’s our strategist, our leader.

The world needs Superman. You’re the best detective in the world.

You’re probably the only person who can help me find him.

So, will you help us?

[heroic music builds, stops]

Pass.

[Barry stutters]

Like pass the salt?

Bruce?

[crows cawing]

[Barry] He doesn’t want to help us… we’re gonna use his bat shit.

Bat shit?

Yeah, his bat stuff, his bat things.

Stand on that thing.

Okay, remember when you phased through the floor?

Yeah.

So,

I need you to do that again.

[vibrating]

[heavy thud]

[past Barry] Ow.

[sighs]

[hatch creaks]

What is this place?

[mysterious music playing]

[enthralling music playing]

[machines whirring]

[bats screeching]

[computers trilling]

[past Barry] Dude!

This place straight beeves!

“Beeves”?

[shrieks excitedly]

[yelling]

[panting]

Barry!

I almost died in an abyss!

12,805 Clark Kents in the US.

Is this what I think it is?

[majestic music playing]

Holy shit!

I used to see this thing on the news when I was a kid!

Okay, well… refine search.

Date of birth.

Wasn’t born. He arrived.

[past Barry] Oh!

Oh, Barry, look!

I’m busy.

With what?

Looking for unidentified objects entering Earth’s atmosphere anywhere near Kansas in the last 50 years.

He has a back door into NASA.

‘Course he does.

Yeah, but Barry, check this out.

This bag laughs.

[wicked laughter]

Okay, can’t you take anything seriously?

Stop messing around.

Dude, come on.

Have you seen this place?

It’s amazing! [Echoing]

Hello!

Has the gravity of this not sunk in for you?

Stop messing around, Barry.

I won’t say it again.

Yeesh. Sorry, Mom.

Shut up. Shut up.

You have no idea how lucky you are.

No idea!

You take everything for granted. You don’t even appreciate…

You just walk around thinking that you’re so funny and so cool.

And it’s embarrassing, because you’re not any of those things!

Hey, screw you, man!

I’ve done nothing but everything you’ve asked.

You made me get struck by lightning!

I phased naked through the floor. And I terrified Mrs. Johannson.

Now I’m probably gonna have to move.

You won’t even tell me why you’re here.

But will you at least tell me why you’re being so mean to me… for no reason?

You used Monkey as a dartboard!

Wait, what?

Forget it.

The monkey? Wait…

So, you’re mad at me for playing with a toy?

It’s not a toy.

Mom bought us that monkey.

‘Cause she calls us Monkey.

She gives us monkey stuff all the time.

Right.

Look…

I’m sorry.

[sentimental music playing]

I’m not very good with people.

Even myself.

Oh.

Come on, dude.

You’re… You’re not that bad.

You can just be kind of a dick sometimes.

But let’s face it. I am pretty obnoxious.

But I just get excited.

Come on. This place is pretty cool, right?

Yeah.

All right, well, um…

I’ll let you work.

[sentimental music continues]

[moans softly]

[Barry] I know you’re there.

You know what I’m stuck on?

That thing you said, with the spaghetti.

You said there were certain intersections that would always be inevitable.

You had an Alfred.

My Bruce has an Alfred.

Different worlds, different times… yet there it is.

Certain people, certain events, certain strands of spaghetti, drawn to each other like… like magnets.

I’ve read all about temporal paradoxes and causal loops.

But this is more than that.

Inevitable intersections are something none of the theories could have anticipated ’cause, well, how do you explain that except for… fate?

If you are listening, sorry about your parents.

I’m just trying to save mine.

There has to be a way.

[sighs]

There is a way, Barry.

Just keep trying.

Keep trying, Barry.

[device beeps, pulsing]

[device clicks, pulsing stops]

[metal creaking]

[Batman theme playing]

[Barry] Found him.

Barry, wake up.

Clark’s being held by a mercenary group in a Siberian black site.

Get up, Barry.

The goat’s on fire. [Yelps]

We’re going to Russia.

[yawns] Sweet.

[yawns] Mm. Coffee.

How are we gonna get to Russia?

[gate opens]

[bats squeaking]

[Batman theme playing]

[older Bruce] I’ll help you get this Superman.

Then, you’re on your own.

[cup shatters]

Oh!

You’re…

You are, you’re…

[music builds]

Yeah.

I’m Batman.

[engine starts]

[Batman theme playing]

[engine whooshes]

So, what’s the plan? We’re just gonna, what, grab Superman and dip set before the block is hot?

I don’t know.

[whispering] Hey, you should ask him.

[controls beeping]

[whispering] You ask him.

You should ask him.

Yeah, I’m not gonna ask him.

Why not? I thought Batman was supposed to be your friend.

Not this one. Not this Batman.

[older Batman] We’re here.

[automated voice] Activating hover mode.

Ejector seat on.

Ejector seat.

[whirring]

Okay, there are stages.

You’re strapped to your parachutes.

Hey, where’s yours?

[metal clicks]

[dramatic music playing]

Whoo! This rips dicks!

[whooping]

[yells]

[ominous music playing]

[older Batman] All clear. Let’s move.

[rousing music playing]

[music stops]

[wind whistling]

Okay!

[rousing music resumes]

[coughs]

Good. Everybody’s fast now but me.

[past Barry] Why is it so cold?

It’s the Arctic, Barry.

[past Berry] Where’d he go?

I don’t know. Just follow the footprints.

Superman would be down there for sure.

[wind gusting]

[suspenseful music playing]

[metal clangs]

[clangs]

[thuds]

[speaking Russian]

[alarm blaring]

Yeah. Okay.

[shouting indistinctly]

[gasps]

[whimpers]

[amusing music playing]

[slowed gunshots]

[Barry grunts, shudders]

What did you do?

I had to move you. But I just did it a little.

[retches loudly]

[shouts indistinctly]

[metallic thud]

[dramatic choral music playing]

This might hurt.

[soldiers yelling]

[continues retching]

Just let it out.

[soldiers groaning]

[screams]

[speaking Russian]

[grunting]

[alarm blaring]

Let’s go.

[dark choral music playing]

[Barry] That’s where you keep Superman.

Like a big scrotum.

[dramatic music playing]

[keypad beeping]

[buzzes]

[keypad beeping]

[system buzzing]

He’s gonna hack the Soviet security cyberscrotum with a flip phone?

[trills]

I tried all the combinations.

[metal thuds, creaks]

[past Berry] Yes!

[dark choral music playing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[breathing heavily]

[past Barry] Shit.

[Barry] Kal-El?

It’s not him. We’ve gotta go.

Wait.

We can’t just leave her here. Look at her.

[alarm blaring]

I’ll grab her. Just go!

[tense music playing]

I got you.

[music halts]

I’ll handle this jabroni.

[scientist screams, grunts]

What the…

[screaming]

Barry! Somebody shot me!

[screaming]

[Barry] Time to dip set!

[soldiers coughing]

[tense music playing]

[soldiers shouting in Russian]

[past Barry] You, you lead the way!

Go!

Not that way! Not that way!

[shouting in Russian]

[past Barry] Oh, God!

[yelps]

Cover!

[clangs]

No!

[exhales]

[clangs]

[Barry] It’s coming around. Hurry, hurry.

[speaking Russian]

[grunts]

No, no, no! This is bullshit!

[metal groaning]

[clangs]

No!

Come on.

[grunts]

Let’s go.

You didn’t tell me we could get shot!

Why would you assume we couldn’t?

[soldiers shouting in Russian]

[yelps]

Oh, great! To die at the feet of a Sputnik.

Oh, man! I need this knee!

[Barry] Stay calm. It’ll heal.

Come on.

[screams in pain]

[beeping]

[alarm continues blaring]

How much do you weigh?

[Barry] 180.

Each. Plus her, 440.

[beeping]

[soldiers speaking Russian]

[older Batman] Hold on.

[beeping accelerates]

[soldiers screaming]

[shaky screaming]

[grunting]

[wind howling]

[running footsteps]

[soldiers speaking Russian]

[Barry] Oh, great. They’re here.

They’re over here, too.

[past Barry] Smirnoff Ice.

Yes. Smirnoff Ice.

[Barry] Hi.

[Barry groans, coughs]

[past Barry] Stop them!

Yep.

Okay, they’re serious. Barry, shut up.

[past Barry] Yeah, okay.

What’s the play?

Batman, what do we do? What now?

[music builds]

Now… we try not to die.

[soldiers shout indistinctly]

[gunfire]

[soldiers screaming]

[grunting]

[soldier screams]

[grunting]

[past Barry] Oh, you guys should’ve seen that in slo-mo.

[dramatic music builds]

[pensive music playing]

[water dripping]

[Barry] Yeah, I’m just realizing that I didn’t really think this through.

There are good Kryptonians…

and then there are very, very bad Kryptonians.

[whispering] And I was very confident that we were just gonna find Superman, and if we found Superman, then this would all be super simple.

[woman] Who are you?

Holy Funyuns.

Hi.

I… I’m Barry.

We’re Barry.

We were trying to find Kal-El.

But we found you instead.

What do you want with Kal-El?

We were trying to rescue him.

Why?

Because he’s my friend.

Do you… Do you know him?

[whispering] She looks mad. Get ready.

She might do laser vision, or she might do, like, a freezy breath… or she’ll just start throwing crazy…

My name is Kara.

Daughter of Zor-El.

Kal-El was my cousin.

Right, and who’s Kal-El again?

It’s Superman.

No, ’cause you said that was Clark.

Who’s Clark?

Clark is his human name.

Clark.

[soft music playing]

He was an infant when we left.

The last son of Krypton… I… I was sent to protect him.

It looks like he never made it to Earth in this universe.

Our pods, they must have separated.

Wait, so you thought a baby was gonna protect us from this Zod guy?

General Zod is here.

He must have tracked my pod’s signal.

I have to go. [Groans]

Whoa, whoa, wait.

Well, you need to recover your strength. Actually, Barry… take her to the roof and put her in the sun.

Yeah.

Whatever, like if, I mean, you’re solar powered.

Good for you. I’ve been trying to…

[Kara panting]

Oh, uh…

We’ll take that with us.

[enthralling music playing]

Um, am I cool to… turn around?

Are you dressed in a red cape?

[breathing heavily]

You’re levitating?

[indistinct voices whispering]

[traffic noises]

[dogs barking]

[indistinct voices talking]

[noises stop]

[groans softly]

Is it always this loud?

[sighs]

Is it loud?

Are you, uh, good? Do you feel, um… strong yet, or…

[hawks, spits]

[past Barry gasps]

Yep, that seems, uh, seems strong. You know… old man Barry, down there, says if we don’t stop Captain Zode, he’ll kill thousands of people.

Billions of people.

Billions?

Of your people.

They’re good people.

Good people?

We came to this planet looking for a safe place to live, and they put me in a cage.

Yeah. A lot of humans are dicks.

But then there’s babies and ballerinas.

And entertainment wrestlers.

A lot of humans are worth saving.

Maybe to you.

But I’m not a human.

I’m a Kryptonian.

She’s gone.

I have to get my powers back.

If I can re-create the accident that gave me my powers… maybe I can reconnect to the Speed Force… and maybe we’d stand a chance against Zod.

Or kill yourself in the process.

Tell me something.

If you get your powers back, you can go anywhere.

You can go to another timeline, another universe.

Why do you wanna stay… and fight to save this one?

Because this is the world where my mom lives.

I went back in time to save her.

I’m not gonna lose her again.

The kid doesn’t know, does he?

How do you tell someone something like that?

I lost my parents… but that pain… made me who I am.

I’m not sure I know who I am without it, actually.

[wistful music playing]

I spent a lifetime… trying to right the wrongs of the past.

As if putting on a cape and fighting crime would bring my parents back.

You actually did it.

So… I guess the plan is to douse yourself in industrial chemicals while electrocuting yourself?

Yep.

Want some help?

[rousing music plays]

[Barry] Hell yeah. That would be incredibly useful.

I’ve actually already borrowed some chemicals and your soldering iron, and I’m sitting in your bat-seat.

Is that like a faux pas?

[pilot on radio] Wilco, Lima, Zebra, be advised…

[Commander] Air Command to Bravo 601.

[pilot] Primary teams, please confirm your AORs.

[foreboding music playing]

[engines whine]

[soldier 1] Green teams ready to move.

[soldier 2] Standing by!

You bring me nothing? Hmm.

I gave you a warning.

Your failure to deliver the Kryptonian traitor is being taken as an act of war.

[blade slices]

[soldier 1] Fire, fire, fire!

[soldier 2 on radio] We have contact, contact!

Weapons hot! Weapons hot! Open fire!

No. [Echoes]

[soldier 2] Air support now! I repeat, air support!

[tense music playing]

[engines whooshing]

[dramatic music plays]

[thunder rumbling]

[dramatic music playing]

Okay, when I throw the switch, the current should run up the wire and draw the lightning right to the kite.

Here, put that on.

It’s heat and impact resistant.

Should protect you a little.

Right, but the point is for me to not be protected.

Okay.

You’re gonna need to be out of the way.

I will.

Let’s get electrocuted.

This is going to work, right?

Of course it’s gonna work.

Nothing we haven’t done before.

Besides, this time we have Batman.

What could go wrong?

Uh, for the record, I think this is insane.

Get back.

[thunder rumbling]

It’s fine. It’s fine.

[machine starts up]

[electricity crackling]

Just you and me again, Mr. Lightning.

[dramatic choral music playing]

Do it!

[music halts]

[lightning striking]

[dramatic music resumes]

[screaming]

[past Barry] Wait, what? No!

No, wait! Stop! Stop!

[groans]

[crackling stops]

[Barry shuddering]

[coughs]

[soft searing]

Oh, God.

Barry, no.

[breath shudders]

Go again.

But…

Please.

[machine powers down]

The circuit is fried.

[shudders]

[whooshes]

[hopeful music playing]

[breathes heavily]

[thunder rumbling]

[hopeful music continues]

[thunder crashes]

I’ve got you.

[thunder crashing]

[blasting]

[soft music playing]

Hey. Barry.

You’re okay. It’s like last time, right?

So, you gotta heal now.

[soft searing]

[electricity crackling]

Look, look, look!

It’s working. It’s working.

Yeah, it’s working. Yeah.

[coughing]

[past Barry] Yeah, he’s healing. He’s healing.

Oh, my God. He’s okay.

Dude, you scared the shit out of me.

[rousing music playing]

[music halts]

[squeaking]

[eerie music playing]

[deep rumbling]

[indistinct distorted noise]

[distorted voice yells]

[roars]

[gasps]

[indistinct TV chatter]

[groans]

You’re awake.

How you feeling?

Slow.

Maybe this will help.

[heroic music builds]

Ooh… Ooh!

Yes!

Dude, come on! Irresistible!

Man, feels good to be back.

Yeah!

And what are we wearing tonight?

You like it?

I-I made it myself out of that old Batsuit.

But you know, I made it our colors and everything.

Well, check this out!

[suit squeaks]

It’s a bit more loose.

It beeves.

Dude… you really mean that?

I mean, I don’t… I don’t know what it means, exactly, to beeve.

But it seems like it’s positive.

What are you doing?

You came back.

I’m glad you’re okay.

I have to ask you something.

When you found me in that hole that they put me in… and I wasn’t Kal-El… why did you help me?

Because you needed help.

Do you know what this symbol stands for?

Supergirl?

It means hope, right?

Hope, yeah. Does it mean hope?

Krypton was a beautiful place.

We are a people of hope, not war.

[reporter speaking on TV]

I’m coming to you live from Metropolis, where minutes ago, the mysterious flying…

[Kara] Zod may be from Krypton, but he is not my people.

So, you’re saying…

Yes.

I will help you fight Zod.

[past Barry] Yes!

[older Batman] Interesting group.

What did you say, uh… we were called again?

We’re the Justice League.

[Barry] No.

No?

Well, I mean, kinda.

We are short one literal goddess… one friendly Terminator and super mermaid.

And we could definitely use a Batman.

Are you in?

[heroic music builds]

[exhales]

You wanna get nuts?

Let’s get nuts.

[stirring music playing]

In my world, Superman showed up right away when Zod called him out.

So, as of now, we’re in uncharted territory.

What I do know is that Zod somehow controls the World Engines, which will be destroying much more than just Metropolis now with every passing second that we don’t stop him.

Barry, what are you doing?

What?

Our kids are gonna wanna see this.

Your kids?

Well, you know, like everybody’s kids. I mean, the children of the world.

They’re gonna wanna see this.

[older Batman] We’re getting close.

I’m gonna stay airborne and take out their sky power.

And Barry, just so we’re clear what that essentially equates to is you and me versus the entire Kryptonian army.

Chill.

We need to buy Kara enough time to take out Zod.

Oh, and remember that your suit doesn’t dissipate energy like mine so you need to take breaks, otherwise you’re gonna build up too much charge.

Wait, what?

[alarm beeping]

[missile whooshes]

[explosion]

[past Barry yelps]

[screams]

[past Barry screaming] Dang it!

[older Batman] Hold on!

[screaming]

[past Barry] Okay!

[Barry] Hold on.

The humans we came to protect?

They don’t know we’re on their side.

[dramatic music playing]

[music halts]

[suit squeaks]

[dramatic music resumes]

[sinister music playing]

Zod.

Kara Zor-El.

We’ve been waiting for you.

[soldier 1] Go, go!

[soldier 2] Cover!

[soldiers screaming]

Drag him out, drag him!

You go! I’ll cover!

[soldiers screaming]

[giant grunts]

[soldiers groaning]

Okay, and the space giant… and Mistress Murder… are our responsibility, too?

Hey, hey, hey.

Don’t think about them, okay? Calm down.

We’re just gonna start with those guys over there.

And yeah, they’re Kryptonian, and we won’t be able to kill them, but we can slow them down for her.

One at a time.

Okay? I’m gonna disarm them, and then you’ll engage.

Punch ’em.

Come on, Barbie.

Let’s go party?

[The Flash theme playing]

[grunting]

[grunts] Okay, ow!

Oh.

[grunts]

[vibrating]

Okay. It’s okay.

You’re okay. Come on.

Jesus, they’re fast.

Yes, but not as fast as us.

Terraforming has begun.

This world must die so that ours may live again.

[energy charging up]

[energy blasts]

Oh, my God. We gotta go. We gotta go.

Dan, Danny, go, go!

Krypton is gone, Zod.

Your uncle… Jor-El… hid the key to Krypton’s rebirth inside a Kryptonian child.

All the genetic material needed to start again coded inside the DNA, then sent to Earth in an escape pod.

He’s not here. You have failed.

We found him.

We intercepted his pod.

But your cousin was not the one we needed.

You are the one.

Kara Zor-El.

It is your blood… we must harvest.

What did you do to Kal-El?

Your sacrifice that will allow Krypton to live again.

[shouts] What did you do?

The infant did not survive.

[screams]

[dramatic music playing]

[heroic music playing]

Look, new plan.

I’m gonna create a cyclonic diversion.

And you’re gonna just come in, hard.

Feet first this time.

[soldier groans]

[yells]

Yes!

Barry, did you see that?

Be careful. You’re accumulating too much charge.

What if I just Emperor this guy?

[The Flash] No, no, no!

[yelps]

[sighs]

[both grunting]

[yells]

[groans]

Barry, that was actually only half stupid!

But if you’re gonna do that and not die, you need to complete the circuit somehow.

Try putting your hands together, like this.

Oh, shit.

You’re ready.

Let’s go!

[“Salute Your Solution” by The Raconteurs playing]

♪ I seem to think I think I got a little situation ♪

♪ So listen to me, sister Listen maybe you can help ♪

♪ I think I gave a lot of Problems my consideration ♪

♪ But not for me It always seem to be For someone else ♪

♪ Why all the people always Seem to just be on vacation ♪

♪ What do I get from it I don’t get anything at all ♪

♪ I’m like a trash can Holding all the information ♪

♪ And every single time It leaves me Feeling two feet tall ♪

[clanging]

♪ And only one I’m taking ♪

[yells]

[clangs]

[energy blasts]

[music continues]

I’m going after the big one.

[alarm wailing]

I’ve been hit.

[tense music playing]

[The Flash] Bruce, do you copy?

Where’s Kara?

You go find her.

Bruce!

[automated voice] Ejection mode failure.

Ejection mode failure.

[grunting]

[grunts]

[trills]

[grunts]

[General Zod grunts]

[dark music playing]

[Kara grunts]

[device whirring]

[groaning laboriously]

Rest, Kara Zor-El.

Going down.

[alarm continues wailing]

But I’m not going alone.

No, no, no, Bruce!

Bruce, eject! Bruce, just eject…

[engine whining]

No!

[past Barry] Kara.

[gasps]

[whimpers]

Isn’t supposed…

Not supposed to happen…

[brooding music playing]

Kara’s dead.

They’re both dead.

But they don’t have to be, right?

‘Cause we can go back.

Like you did.

You’re not fast enough yet.

You sure?

[yells]

Barry!

[The Flash] Barry, wait!

[rousing heroic music playing]

Is this back enough?

Yeah, I guess so.

Listen, Barry, I…

[rumbling]

What? It’s okay. We can fix this.

You know what you’re gonna change?

I know what I’m gonna change.

[gripping music playing]

I’m going after the big one.

Bruce, pull off. That gunship is shield-protected.

Roger that.

Bet he’s not.

[The Flash] Who? Space giant?

Yes, yes, please take him out.

[giant roars]

[grunts]

[roars]

[grunting]

[engine whining]

[heroic music playing]

Yes.

[yelling]

[The Flash theme playing]

[punches landing]

[exhales deeply]

[Kara yells]

[grunts]

[groaning]

[sinister music playing]

[blade stabs]

[Kara grunts]

[grunting]

[bomb beeping rapidly]

[explodes]

[bomb beeping rapidly]

[explodes]

[breathing heavily]

[bomb beeping rapidly]

[explodes]

[breathing heavily]

[solemn music playing]

[groaning]

No.

Hey.

It’ll be okay.

Not this time, kid.

Maybe some other time.

We can’t bring you back, can we?

You already did.

[inhales sharply]

[past Barry] Come on, Barry.

Gotta get up. Come on.

Barry.

We go again.

[giant roars]

[gasps]

[The Flash] Barry.

[giant roars]

Let’s just go.

Barry, come on. Let’s just go.

Barry, there’s no point.

[giant roars]

Barry!

[rousing heroic music playing]

[giant roaring]

[energy charges up, blasts]

Phase!

[vibrating]

[groans]

Okay, I have to pull it out.

I have to pull it out.

No, I’m okay.

You have to phase again. Barry, phase again.

I’m okay. I just should’ve stopped sooner.

[The Flash] Ow!

[both grunting]

[gasps]

[phone vibrating]

[past Barry yelling]

[Kryptonian groans, whimpers]

Again.

Barry.

Okay, can we please just take a minute?

Sorry, dude. Yeah, bro, of course.

[laughs] That’s the whole thing.

We can take as much time as it takes.

No, that’s not what I mean. Hey!

[roars]

[screams]

[solemn music playing]

[up-tempo music playing]

[music stops]

[grunts]

Okay, you good? Come on.

I need you in there. Let’s go.

Barry, please, just listen to me!

[yells]

[groans]

[up-tempo music playing]

Where were you?

What, you just stand here the whole time?

Barry, this is an inevitable intersection.

You have to stop. Barry!

[grunts]

[vibrating]

No, Barry, wait!

Barry, listen. [Echoes]

There’s something I should tell you.

I went back in time initially because…

Yeah, because Mom died.

How do you know?

It doesn’t matter. Does it?

You know that I have to undo what I did.

No.

It’s not a mistake.

We can save her.

And we can save them.

No, we can’t.

This is what Bruce was talking about.

Barry, this is inevitable.

We can try a million times, and we’re not gonna be able to fix this.

No matter what we do… this world dies.

Today.

Look around.

[distorted rumbling]

Look at the damage we’re causing.

Now we have to stop.

Okay?

Look, I was just doing my laundry.

You’re the one who came and told me that I’m a superhero.

And now you’re saying what?

[stutters] You don’t want me to be?

Well, guess what! It’s too late!

I am… [echoes]

The Flash.

And I can save everyone.

Nobody dies!

Barry… not every problem has a solution.

Not every problem has a solution.

[sentimental music playing]

Sometimes we just have to let go.

[Nora] Sometimes you just have to let go.

Let go of Mom?

She’ll always be alive, somewhere in time.

Always.

Just not for us.

You’re full of shit, dude.

I’m going back.

[shouts] You’re going back to kill Mom?

No!

You’re staying!

You stay, right here.

Just give me one more time.

Barry, stop!

You, stop!

[ominous music playing]

[yells]

[dramatic choral music playing]

[screaming]

[dramatic choral music continues]

[grunts]

Feel like we got off on the wrong foot.

Let’s start again. I’m the Flash.

What’s your name?

I’ve lived… more than you can dream.

[crackling]

Not an answer.

Do you, like, rehearse that?

[electricity surging]

Whoa.

Get out of here, Barry!

[both grunting]

[grunts]

[searing]

[past Barry] That scar, you…

Oh, my God.

So, you’re… You are…

Yes, I am… you.

We are so close.

I’ve got it almost figured out.

How long have you been doing this?

Time is inconsequential.

Come on, Barry.

[whooshing]

[rumbling]

[dramatic music playing]

[man] Up in the sky! It’s a bird!

[woman] It’s a plane!

[man 2] It’s Superman!

[distant explosions]

[majestic music playing]

[explosions]

[heroic music playing]

[Catwoman] Purrfectly foolproof.

[Joker cackling]

[early Batman] Only the Joker would think of that.

[Joker cackling]

[creature chittering]

[screams]

[creature growling]

[heroic music continues]

Please just look at what’s happening.

These worlds…

[exploding]

They’re colliding and collapsing.

We did this.

[breathes heavily]

W-We’re destroying the fabric of everything.

You have to stop.

It stops once I’ve fixed it!

It’s not entirely your fault, Barry.

I pushed you out of the Chronobowl on that September 29 so you could start me on this path. Hmm?

How do you like our endless paradox?

I made you create me… and now you’re the one… in my way.

No matter how close I get to winning this fight… you go back and let Mom die.

You’re the inevitable intersection.

And you do have to let go.

What’s he talking about?

You’re my hero.

[screams]

[groaning]

What did you do?

Hey, hey. Don’t worry. It’s gonna heal.

It’s gonna heal.

[choking] I just wanted to…

[past Barry mumbles]

You tell Mom I love her.

[breathes laboriously]

[somber music playing]

[rumbling]

[music building]

[heroic music playing]

[music building]

[muzak playing on speakers]

[baby crying]

[crying fades]

Don’t forget the tomatoes.

[baby cooing]

I used to love that cereal when I was a kid.

Yeah.

My son goes nuts for it.

They stop making it.

[stutters] Well, I know they were talking about discontinuing it.

Do I know you?

No, I’m not from around here.

I was just visiting my mom.

Maybe I know her.

What’s her name?

She’s the best… and kindest person in the world.

You okay?

Yeah, I’m just… I’m really gonna miss her.

[sniffling]

[gentle music playing]

I know I’m just… a random lady in a store.

But do you want a hug?

Mm-hmm. Sure.

[tearfully] I’m sorry.

Oh, don’t say that.

Your mom must be grateful you came to visit her.

She’s very lucky to have you.

I’m very lucky to have her.

Ah! You have to tell her that.

Moms like to hear these kind of things.

Believe me.

[gentle Spanish song playing]

[sniffles]

[cries softly]

[breathes deeply]

[sighs deeply]

Love you, Mom.

[inhales deeply]

I love you more.

I loved you first.

Bye.

I’m back.

Shit!

Court!

[indistinct chatter]

[whooshing]

[grunts]

Original trial was initially…

I’m so sorry.

As I was saying… the same security camera footage, Exhibit F in the original trial, was initially considered useless, but has now been enhanced, using the latest tech from Wayne Enterprises.

It confirms the alibi Mr. Allen has argued, and his son, Barry, has corroborated, since day one.

Here.

[audience murmurs]

Right here, you can clearly see my client, Mr. Allen, reaching for a can of tomatoes on the top shelf.

[sentimental music playing]

[audience chattering]

[sighs in relief]

Mr. Allen, Mr. Allen, can you tell us a bit more about what happened, please?

Well, um… the tomatoes moved from the bottom shelf to the top shelf, and subsequently, uncooked the spaghetti.

Unquote.

I’m sorry, that makes absolutely no sense. What are you talking about, sir?

Thank you. Thank you so much.

The allegations, the trial…

We’re good here. Thank you.

[reporter] statement in the court.

Did I give a good quote?

Yeah.

Spaghetti.

Hey, speaking of food, I was thinking, um… you should ask me to dinner.

D-Dinner with me?

[chuckles softly] Yes, a date, Barry.

Iris West, do you wanna dinner-date me?

I’d love to.

Thank you.

I’d love to also.

Call me.

[singing “Pedro Navaja”]

[cell phone ringing]

Bruce!

[distorted] Congratulations.

Thank you. You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice.

I… I have so much to tell you the next time I see you, Bruce. You were right.

Okay? And I didn’t listen.

And things did get very, very weird, but I put everything back, I promise.

I’m pulling up now.

Oh, great.

[reporter 1] Get the shot.

[reporter 2] Sir, sir!

[bodyguard] Back up, please.

[reporter 3] Shot!

[reporter 2] Sir, I’d like to ask you for a video for the Daily Planet.

[reporter 4] Wayne! Wayne!

Step aside.

Was it backed by your own allegation?

Who the fuck is this?

[bodyguard] He’s not answering any questions.

Hey, Barry.

No, wh-where’s…

You’re, you… No.

You can’t…

You… You’re not Batman.

What’s wrong with you?

Huh.

[Barry chuckles haltingly]

[chuckles]

[chuckles forcedly]

Well…

[dramatic music builds]

[music halts]

[“This too Shall Pass” by OK Go playing]

♪ Let it go ♪

♪ This too shall pass ♪

♪ Let it go ♪

♪ This too shall pass ♪

♪ When the morning comes ♪