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The Best Episodes of The Flash Season 5

Every episode of The Flash Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Flash Season 5!

Binge this in 15h 20m·Peaking at 9.0/10
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Flash Season 5 Episode 8 - What's Past Is Prologue
    9.0/10(4189 votes)

    S5:E8

    Barry and Team Flash come up with a plan to stop Cicada. However, the plan calls for Barry and Nora to travel back in time to gather some key necessities. However, Barry hesitates, concerned about his daughter seeing certain parts of his life. Meanwhile, Sherloque takes his concerns about Nora to Iris, and Caitlin turns up a key asset in the fight against Cicada.

    Director:Tom Cavanagh
    Writers:Todd Helbing, Lauren Certo

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  2. The Flash Season 5 Episode 9 - Elseworlds (I)
    9.0/10(4394 votes)

    S5:E9

    When Barry Allen and Oliver Queen wake up one morning and realize they have swapped bodies with each other, the two set off to find out what disturbed the timeline to cause such a shift. However, things quickly go from bad to worse when they present their case to Team Flash and the gang doesn’t believe them. Barry and Oliver realize they need Supergirl’s help and travel to Smallville on Earth-38 where they end up meeting Kara’s cousin, Clark Kent, and intrepid reporter, Lois Lane. The crossover continues on Arrow S07E09 Elseworlds (II) and Supergirl S04E09 Elseworlds (III).

    Director:Kevin Tancharoen
    Writers:Sam Chalsen, Eric Wallace

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  3. The Flash Season 5 Episode 22 - Legacy
    8.6/10(3382 votes)

    S5:E22

    Barry faces off with his oldest, and most formidable nemesis, Reverse Flash.

    Director:Gregory Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Flash Season 5 Episode 18 - Godspeed
    8.3/10(3157 votes)

    S5:E18

    After discovering that Nora is working with Thawne, Barry and Iris disagree about how to handle their daughter in the wake of this shocking news. Team Flash isn't sure they can trust Nora, so they go through her journal to find out exactly how she came to work alongside their greatest nemesis.

    Director:Danielle Panabaker
    Writers:Judalina Neira, Kelly Wheeler

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  5. The Flash Season 5 Episode 17 - Time Bomb
    8.1/10(2746 votes)

    S5:E17

    Team Flash finds out that a suburban mom named Vickie Bolen is in danger and they race to save her. Upon meeting her, they discover she’s a meta-human who is hiding her abilities from her family. Barry encourages Vickie to share her secret with her family, which makes Nora realize she needs to come clean with her parents about Thawne.

    Director:Rob J. Greenlea
    Writers:Sterling Gates, Kristen Kim

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  6. The Flash Season 5 Episode 1 - Nora
    8.0/10(3969 votes)

    S5:E1

    After an unexpected guest from the future, Nora West-Allen, appears at their home, Barry and Iris must figure out how to get her back to the future without disrupting the timeline…even more than she already has. Team Flash must work together to send Nora back, while simultaneously fighting off another villainous meta.

    Director:David McWhirter
    Writers:Todd Helbing, Sam Chalsen

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  7. The Flash Season 5 Episode 3 - The Death of Vibe
    7.9/10(3163 votes)

    S5:E3

    After Cicada's attack on The Flash, the team realizes they need to think outside the box to stop this dangerous new foe. Desperate to help her parents, Nora comes up with a plan that ultimately puts a member of Team Flash in danger. Meanwhile, Caitlin delves into her past.

    Director:Andi Armaganian
    Writers:Gabriel Garza, Jonathan Butler

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  8. The Flash Season 5 Episode 14 - Cause and XS
    7.8/10(2859 votes)

    S5:E14

    After Iris lands in serious danger, Nora races to save her mother. Barry puts the finishing touches on the metahuman cure, leaving Cisco with a rare night off so he decides to take Kamilla on a date.

    Director:Rachel Talalay
    Writers:Todd Helbing, Jeff Hersh

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  9. The Flash Season 5 Episode 15 - King Shark vs. Gorilla Grodd
    7.8/10(2746 votes)

    S5:E15

    When Gorilla Grodd attacks Central City, Barry and Team Flash find themselves teaming up with an unexpected ally to defeat – King Shark. However, when they hit a snag, they bring in Dr. Tanya Lamden to try to reach the man behind the shark, Shay Lamden.

    Director:Stefan Pleszczynski
    Writers:Lauren Certo, Eric Wallace

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  10. The Flash Season 5 Episode 16 - Failure Is an Orphan
    7.8/10(2581 votes)

    S5:E16

    With the meta-human cure ready to use, Barry and Team Flash must figure out a way to subdue Cicada long enough to take it. Killer Frost steps in to help with the plan. Meanwhile, Joe eases back into work, and Nora isn’t happy about the way her dad plans to stop Cicada.

    Director:Viet Nguyen
    Writer:Zack Stentz

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  11. The Flash Season 5 Episode 12 - Memorabilia
    7.7/10(2680 votes)

    S5:E12

    When Sherloque wants to use a memory machine on Barry and Nora to help gain access to Grace's memories, Nora panics, fearing her parents will find out the secrets she's been keeping from them. Nora secretly decides to use the machine on her own which ends in disaster after she gets trapped inside Grace's mind. Barry and Iris go in after their daughter and Iris is brokenhearted by what she finds. Meanwhile, Ralph tricks Cisco into going out for a night out on the town.

    Director:Rebecca Johnson
    Writers:Sam Chalsen, Kristen Kim

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  12. The Flash Season 5 Episode 21 - The Girl With The Red Lightning
    7.7/10(2516 votes)

    S5:E21

    Team Flash is on high alert after Cicada II threatens to unleash a dangerous virus that would put all meta-humans at risk.

    Director:Stefan Pleszczynski
    Writers:Thomas Pound, Judalina Neira

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  13. The Flash Season 5 Episode 2 - Blocked
    7.5/10(3212 votes)

    S5:E2

    As Barry helps his daughter, Nora, become a better speedster, he and Team Flash also track down a meta stealing high-tech weapons, only to cross paths with a new foe named Cicada, who is hunting the very same meta with nefarious intent.

    Director:C. Kim Miles
    Writers:Eric Wallace, Judalina Neira

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  14. The Flash Season 5 Episode 6 - The Icicle Cometh
    7.5/10(3031 votes)

    S5:E6

    Caitlin, Barry and Cisco learn something new about Caitlin’s father. Meanwhile, Iris and Sherloque follow a clue about Cicada.

    Director:Chris Peppe
    Writers:Joshua V. Gilbert, Kristen Kim

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  15. The Flash Season 5 Episode 5 - All Doll'd Up
    7.4/10(3103 votes)

    S5:E5

    Nora lets something slip about the future that devastates Iris. In an attempt to distract his wife, Barry asks Iris to team up to stop a new meta, Rag Doll. Meanwhile, Caitlin learns something about her father.

    Director:Phil Chipera
    Writers:Sterling Gates, Thomas Pound

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  16. The Flash Season 5 Episode 7 - O Come, All Ye Thankful
    7.4/10(2887 votes)

    S5:E7

    While Nora grapples with unresolved anger over her father’s disappearance in the future, Barry and Team Flash must stop a powerful new meta, Weather Witch, from killing her own father, Weather Wizard.

    Director:Sarah Boyd
    Writers:Gabriel Garza, Jonathan Butler

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  17. The Flash Season 5 Episode 13 - Goldfaced
    7.4/10(2634 votes)

    S5:E13

    Barry and Ralph must go undercover as criminals in an illegal black market to purchase a device that could help them stop Cicada. Once inside, Barry and Ralph find their morality tested as they slip deeper into the criminal world, eventually having to choose between committing a crime, or losing the means to defeat one of their greatest foes. Meanwhile, Iris investigates a lead on Cicada's whereabouts and ends up in a dangerous situation.

    Director:Alexandra La Roche
    Writers:Gabriel Garza, Jonathan Butler

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  18. The Flash Season 5 Episode 19 - Snow Pack
    7.4/10(2567 votes)

    S5:E19

    When Icicle returns to enact the next phase of his devious plan, Caitlin and her mother, Dr. Carla Tannhauser, must resolve their long-combative relationship to defeat the icy monster. After Barry makes a big decision about their family without consulting her, Iris decides to take matters into her own hands.

    Director:Jeff Cassidy
    Writers:Gabriel Garza, Jonathan Butler

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  19. The Flash Season 5 Episode 4 - News Flash
    7.3/10(3051 votes)

    S5:E4

    Barry and Iris face the ultimate parenting test when Team Flash battles Spin, a savvy millennial armed with meta tech, and a dangerous agenda for their daughter, Nora. Ralph is feeling defeated until an unlikely source issues a challenge to help boost his confidence.

    Director:Brent Crowell
    Writers:Lauren Certo, Kelly Wheeler

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  20. The Flash Season 5 Episode 11 - Seeing Red
    7.3/10(2698 votes)

    S5:E11

    During a battle with Cicada, Nora is severely injured. Due to Cicada's dampening powers, Nora's speed healing isn't working, leaving Barry and Iris scared for their daughter's future. Upset about his injured child, The Flash is filled with rage and confronts Cicada in a brutal battle. Meanwhile, Killer Frost keeps interfering with Caitlin's work on the cure.

    Director:Marcus Stokes
    Writers:Thomas Pound, Judalina Neira

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  21. The Flash Season 5 Episode 10 - The Flash & The Furious
    7.1/10(2771 votes)

    S5:E10

    While Nora grapples with the revelation that Thawne killed her grandmother, Team Flash must stop the formidable team-up of a newly sprung from jail Weather Witch and Silver Ghost, a new meta-tech villain who can control engines and motorized technology. Meanwhile, Caitlin and Cisco discuss creating a meta-human cure.

    Director:David McWhirter
    Writers:Sterling Gates, Kelly Wheeler

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  22. The Flash Season 5 Episode 20 - Gone Rogue
    7.0/10(2518 votes)

    S5:E20

    Barry continues to struggle with how he feels about Nora's betrayal. Brie Larvan, Joss Jackam and Peter Merkel return to Central City. Meanwhile, Cisco makes a bold decision.

    Director:Kristin Windell
    Writers:Joshua V. Gilbert, Sam Chalsen

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"What's Past Is Prologue" is the best rated episode of The Flash season 5. It scored 9.0/10 from 4,189 votes. Directed by Tom Cavanagh and written by Todd Helbing, Lauren Certo, it aired on December 4, 2018.