The Flash is Born

"The Flash Is Born", also titled "Flash Is Born" in UK releases, is the sixth episode of the first season of The Flash. It aired on November 18, 2014.

Synopsis
The Flash faces a new meta-human named Tony, who can turn himself into girded steel at will. While Dr. Wells and Caitlin are concerned about Barry's safety, Cisco comes up with a plan to take Tony down. Meanwhile, Iris's blog on The Flash gets her into trouble, and Eddie witnesses Tony's abilities firsthand and begins to ask questions that Joe doesn't want answered. Joe asks Dr. Wells to help him solve Nora Allen's murder. so

Plot
Iris is blogging about "the streak" again. The Flash stopped by and told her once again to stop writing about him. When it's noted he do not like the name "the streak", Iris probed what name he wants which he just answered as anything but "the streak" noting he do not like being called that. The Flash then faced a new meta-human who was driving a Humvee, when a boy almost got ran off, he saved him. Eddie tried to shoot at the man but failed to stop him as we see his face changes into steel. The Flash then confronted him, a fight ensues and Barry was severely injured. Barry ran back to S.T.A.R. which was found by the team and told him there was 13 fractured and other symptoms which was a new record. When asked what did he hit into, Barry stated it was a man who can turn to steel. Barry also stated he sounds familiar.

Next day, Joe asked what happened to him and he told him he got beat up by a steel-plated sociopath stating he is another meta-human. A meeting ensues in CCPD and notify that the man yesterday is Tony Woodward. Barry has a flashback during his younger school days when a bully picked on him for being the son of a murderer noting that it happened after his father was arrested. At S.T.A.R.'s the team came out with a steel dummy for him to practice. Barry dislocated his shoulder because of the steel dummy, Caitlin fixed his shoulder painfully.

Tony visited Iris due to her blog and asked about knowing anything about The Flash. When realizing he can't get any information he left after crushing her phone as she tried to contact Eddie. Caitlin unhappily told Barry the new blog post of Iris obviously stating the night before when he was "off duty" visiting her in the suit. Later, Barry got beaten up by Tony again.

Back at S.T.A.R.'s Wells was angry with Barry for putting his life in danger. Barry was frustrated that he is helpless no matter while he was young, powers or no powers. Cisco calculated the speed Barry needs to get to in order to bring down Tony which Cisco delightedly state it would be awesome to be faster than speed of sound. But Barry says he can't achieve that speed, which halls implies "yet".

At the station, Eddie stepped in after Barry told how bad he feel about Tony with Joe, and ask him to join him in blowing off some steam. After some punches with Eddie on a punching bag, he smirks after punching a hole into the bag. Joe and Wells had a bad end in a conversation with Wells leaving first. Meanwhile, Iris was kidnapped by Tony and ask her to post about Flash death and himself to be the "new man in town". Iris break the emergency glass to notify the police. The Flash rushed to the scene first with the tip off. Unable to bring down Tony, Barry decided to try Cisco theory and some inspiration by Joe, he ran out until he was 5.3miles away. In the meantime, the team in the lab realized what is going to happen, with Cisco happily cheering on Barry and Caitlin obviously not happy with the idea. After the punch, both the Flash and Tony was down, Tony standing up again only to received another punch on the face by Iris.

Tony woke up in the S.T.A.R. prison and Barry with contentment shows himself to him and telling him he can't hurt people anymore. Cisco cheerfully ask whose childhood bully they should go for next. Barry went to visit Iris and make amends with her. After Barry dropped some hints naming the "the streak" into "The Flash", we see Iris updating it on her blog and her viewer's counter increases. While Joe also brought wine to Wells to make amends as well.

Joe is seen at home continuing his search for the real murderer on Barry's mother. Reverse-Flash paid a visit and took most of the evidence or case-related items away only leaving his notebook. Joe was seen shocked and there was a picture of Iris with a warning to call him to stop at his search or his daughter will be hurt.

Trivia

 * Dr. Wells refers to Girder as a "man of steel" upon hearing of his power. In DC Comics, the nickname largely refers to Superman, a Kryptonian superhero known for his great strength and durability. It also refers to the 2013 Superman movie, Man of Steel.
 * Iris mentions getting posts about a man on fire who doesn't burn up. This likely refers to Ronnie Raymond, known in the DC comics as Firestorm.
 * A sign can be seen on the brewery in Keystone that says "Garrick's Wharf", a reference to the original Flash in the comics, Jay Garrick.