The Flash is a hit superhero television show that enthralls viewers with its thrilling story lines and stunning special effects. But could a different ending have saved the show from its abrupt cancellation?
The show’s sudden cancellation in 2021 left fans surprised and dismayed as this was one of the most popular television shows of the early 21st century. The finale, which came in the middle of the show’s sixth season, was largely met with anger from viewers who felt that the show had failed to satisfactorily wrap up the several plot threads laid down throughout its run. The fact that the climactic conclusion of the series was not adequately explored and explained caused frustration among the fandom.
To appease the disgruntled fanbase, some posited that an alternate ending could have been proposed to further develop the themes of the show and add depth to the characters’ arcs. While the original ending mostly involved Barry Allen (the main protagonist) dying to save the world, some proposed an alternate ending featuring Barry and his fiancée Iris West getting married and setting off on a journey together. This would have shown Barry and Iris’s love story as one of resilience and triumph, as they overcame all the obstacles that the show put in between them.
Additionally, an alternate ending would have focused more on the major characters’ inner struggles and how they reconcile with their respective identities. This further development would have prolonged the series and resulted in increased fan engagement.
An alternate ending for The Flash would have been a great way for the showrunners to tie off all the loose ends—both plot-wise and character-wise. After all, the show was immensely popular and it could have been saved from its premature cancelation if the writers had been more open to exploring different directions and options. Whether an alternate ending could have altered the show’s fate remains to be seen, but the fans certainly wish that it had been given the chance.
