'The Flash' Season 6 Episode 17 Preview: Will we finally see a Barry Allen vs Mirror-Iris face-off?

If anything, 'The Flash' is one of Arrowverse's unpredictable shows. But as far as the speculations go, fans have been theorizing that mirror-Iris takes priority in 'Liberation'
(The CW)
(The CW)

'The Flash' Season 6 is coming to a close. However, there is still enough the series has to explain ahead of the season's finale.

For starters, the final minutes of the episode saw a major strain between Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton) after Joe (Jesse L Martin) heads to a safe and unknown location using the Witness Protection Program. At this point, it is safe to assume the final episodes will see more of Barry than the Flash. 

From the promos and synopsis of the upcoming episode, 'Liberation', it is well-established the Mirror Master storyline surrounding Eva McCulloch (Efrat Dor), Joseph Carver (Eric Nenninger) and Mirror-Iris will be the major plotline.

From the events of the previous episode, it is also clear that Eva nurses revenge against her husband, Carver, and this means the Scarlet Speedster or any members of team Flash are just collateral damage if they get in the way. 

There was also a sense of closure that came in terms of the Sue Dearbon (Natalie Dreyfuss) and Ralph Dibny (Hartley Sawyer) storyline, but it is far from over as we can look at Dreyfuss coming in as a recurring character in the upcoming season in case we don't see more of her this installment.

Coming back to the Mirror-Iris plot point, 'Liberation' is sure to shed light on Barry realizing the truth and this may mean two possibilities:

1. The team splits into two — Cisco and Nash Wells (Carlos Valdes and Tom Cavanagh) working on the artificial Speed Force to save Iris and thwart Eva's plans.

2. The entire Team Flash plays key roles in rescuing Iris leaving the Speed Force story for a later date. 

If anything, 'The Flash' is one of Arrowverse's unpredictable shows and maybe even those two theories may fly right out of the window if the writers pull something new. But as far as the speculations go, fans have been theorizing that mirror-Iris takes priority. 

Perhaps, it is also one of those themes where Barry Allen is the hero and not the Flash. Now, this may be a cliched storyline, but almost every superhero franchise has explored this route, and this time it may be Gustin's Flash who may have to rely on his skills and gut instinct over his speed.

Leading to the question: Will 'Liberation" see Barry and Mirror-Iris squaring off?  'The Flash' airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET on The CW.

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