Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 13

In which, having had our first Long Rest, we return to the Emerald Grove and start trying to prepare for war... with absolutely no help from the druids, thank you so very much, because they are too busy terrorizing small children. (Remind me again why we're trying to save these jerks?)

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 42

In which we take a break from tournament preparation to do even more training with Alice and her brothers. Oh joy.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 12

In which, despite my better judgement, we rescue Volo from the goblins. We then make camp for the first time and have many heart-to-heart conversations with our companions. Also, Lae'zel tries to kill us.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 41

In which, after checking in with Cammy, we head back to Nayshall to try (and fail) to best some of the new challengers. At least we can still beat up Retsu.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 11

In which we return to the goblin camp and successfully bluff our way into the confidence of the dark elf paladin running the show. We also get back to our original mission to rescue the druid's' leader.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 40

In which, having changed into a fancy new outfit, we gather the last of our gang for a rumble with the Crows to determine who is the best of the best in Metro City.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 10

In which we stumble across an entrance to the Underdark and a lost temple! We also get offered a deal from a man of wealth and taste, which we promptly turn down.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 39

In which we continue hunting the hunter, who is hunting everyone trying out for the tournament, while building a team to take on The Crows.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 9

In which we try to infiltrate the goblin camp and win the favor of their priestess. This does not go well and ends in violence. On the bright side, we do manage to kill her and her guards without turning the rest of the compound against us... I think.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 38

In which we start building a crew to take on The Crows. We also take some time to train with Cammy and do our part to help public transit in Nayshall.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 8

In which, after showing off the Alchemy system and further looting the apothecary's basement while trying to find that damned secret passage, we infiltrate the goblin camp. Grab a mug of ale and a shank of dwarf and get ready to play the chicken chasing game!

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 37

In which, after showing you sometimes don't have to travel far to give your mentors the perfect gift, we check in with Thrasher and crash a party in the Crow's Nest.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 7

In which I confess to save scumming so as to avoid the many mistakes we made last time going on our permanent record. This leads us to infiltrate a goblin-controlled village, with our new guide, and spend far too much time trying to loot an abandoned apothecary.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 36

In which we finally find an in to the local tournament scene in Nayshall. Unfortunately, now we have to go back to Metro City to get a sponsorship from the Mad Gear Gang!

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 6

In which we have our first long rest and bond with the party. We then try to sneak a goblin prisoner out of the Hollow and have our first unfortunate party death after blowing up Wyll by accident.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 35

In which, after fighting some random cosplay enthusiast, we continue to explore Nayshall and try to connect with the local Resistance.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 5

In which we seek the Druids' healer and determine that their current leader is a bit of an insane bigot. We also somehow manage to kill one of the druids without getting all of them coming after us so... yay?!

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 34

In which we start Chapter Ten and start to explore Nayshall. We also change our wardrobe and do more training with Alice and her brothers. (How did they get here?)

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 4

In which we continue exploring the Hollow, meet The Druids Who Don't Do Anything and Volo - a bard who is every annoying stereotype about bards made manifest.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 33

In which, having abandoned our quest to find that mysterious challenger, we check in with Cammy before going on a World Tour (see what I did there?) to meet all the other trainers we haven't met yet, including Zangief and Dhalism!

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 3

In which, after changing our clothes, we continue exploring The Hollow and meet some merchants and refugees who almost certainly are not trying to rip us off or kill us! Really! That nice old woman who makes the potions is totally not a hag in secret! Really!

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 32

In which we seek out more challengers and have a hell of a time trying to explore a (not-so) vacant parking garage.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 2

In which we start exploring the Emerald Grove area and make the acquittance of the warlock Wyll. We also do our part to teach some young children how to fight. (This is far nobler than it sounds.)

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 1

In which we start to explore the wreckage and try to find a healer who can help us. This leads us to a druidic grove under siege and an epic battle with some goblins.

Sensei Starman Plays Baldur's Gate 3 - Character Creation and Tutorial, Parts 1 & 2.

Baldur's Gate 3 is out and I've started a Let's Play of it.

Perhaps you'd lie to start with Character Creation? In which Matthias the Dastard is reborn! Also, the opening cinematic, for those who care about such things as stories.



Suppose you want to see the action unfold, but want to get a feel for the mechanics? Check out the two-part Tutorial videos!





Want to just get to the story? Check out the next chapter!

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 31

In which, clad in our new blue lab coat, we clear out some side missions before tracking down the Bao Bao Guy (again) and doing battle with the Mad Gear Gang. Again.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 30

In which we may our way to the distant city of Nayshall, to meet interesting new people and kick their asses.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 29

In which we pick up even more Mentors, earning the right to train with Kimberly and Guile. I still only have eyes for Cammy, however. (Much to her embarrassment.)

The Flash Episode Guide: Season 9, Episode 9 - It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.

Plot

Barry's birthday party is ruined by the return of Bloodwork, who has plans beyond taking over the world involving Kid Flash and the multiverse. In order to save his friends and all reality, Barry Allen will have to turn to someone else... who has become something else.

Influences

Zero Hour (Bloodwork's plan to "fix" the Multiverse mirrors Parallax's mad plan.) and the previous annual The Flash/Arrow crossovers.


Goofs

Cecile says that Barry's first 30th birthday took place while the team was fighting Cicada all night. This is likely a reference to the events of 516. However, that episode took place on March 12, 2019 when Barry's birthday is March 14. (Possibly his party was planned for that night.)

This episode takes place on March 14, 2023. This means that it must occur before the last three episodes chronologically. However, that doesn't fit the timeline of the previous episodes, with Allegra telling Chester she loves him, which first occurred in 908 on April 5, 2023.

Bloodwork says he just escaped from prison, However, his escape came during the 2022 Earth-Prime comic series, meaning that he should have been on the run for at least two and a half months. 

Performances

Stephen Amell slips easily into the role of Oliver Queen one more time, but with a little more humor given the knowledge he has now as The Spectre.


Artistry

The special effects are fairly solid this time around.

Flash Facts

The title is a pun based on a lyric from the Lesley Gore song "It's My Party."

This episode continues the tradition of the annual Arrow/The Flash crossover taking place on the 9th episode of the season.

The episode features a special title card, in the middle of the episode.

This episode was directed by Danielle Panabaker, who plays Khione.

This episode marks the first time Barry's birthday party has been celebrated on-screen.

This is the first episode in which David Singh and Kristen Kramer have appeared together, despite Kramer serving directly under Chief Singh.

Barry makes reference to "the Hall" as a place to display Oliver Queen's bow. This seems to be a nod to the Hall of Justice which was established (without being named) at the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Chester exclaims "Holy Duane Jones!" when encountering the Bloodwork zombies. This is a nod to actor Duane Jones, who played the lead role of Ben in the original Night of the Living Dead.

Oliver tells Diggle that his brightest days are ahead of him. This is a nod to the Green Lantern oath.


Technobabble

Wally recommends a drink made of dried sendru and honey to help Iris fight morning sickness.

The necklace Chester made Allegra contains a facial transmogrifier.

To stop Bloodwork's powers from metastasizing inside a breach. a massive ultraviolet pulse is required.


Dialogue Triumphs

(After Wally refuses to work with Bloodwork.)
Bloodwork: I understand your hesitation. No one has ever really believed in you, have they? You have been cut down your entire life, forced to watch your mother suffer. It is a pain that I know all too well. My mother was diagnosed with HLH, and I couldn't save her either, Wally. I had to watch her die. And we have that in common. Then you understand what it is that I'm trying to do... That it's about more than just stopping death. It is about ending the suffering that we have both endured, that, together, we can create a Multiverse where no one has to watch their loved ones die...

Ollie Queen: Oh, Barry, Barry, Barry... what have you done this time?

(Wally hugs Ollie, who, for once, returns it.)
Ollie: Okay. Let go. Barry, let go.
Barry: Wait. If you're here, that means I'm really...
Ollie: You're dead. Otherwise, why would I let you hug me that long?

Barry: But when we fought the Red Death, she thought she escaped from her timeline into an alternate one -
Ollie: She is from Earth-4125. 

Barry: You're numbering them?
Ollie: I've had a bit of time on my hands...

Barry: I fight some random mad scientist. I get three extra years to live. You know everything now, right, Oliver? Tell me, how is it right I'm alive and they're dead? How's that fair?
Ollie: Life is a lot of things, Barry. Fair isn't on the list. 

Barry: I don't know what my life would have been like if I hadn't taken that train to Star City.
Ollie: You still would have been a hero.
Barry: Maybe. But you made me a better one.
Ollie: You made me a better man. 

(Ollie gets ready to leave the bar.)
Ollie: Okay, Mr. Allen, I think that I have done enough to upset the cosmic order for one night. Can you get this?
Barry: Are you kidding? You're a billionaire.
Ollie: Well, you... you can't take it with you. 


Continuity

As the episode opens, Team Flash is preparing a surprise birthday party for Barry Allen.

Cecile says that the first time Barry turned 30, the team was too busy fighting Cicada to celebrate.

Chester says that Barry is physically 30 years old, referring to his battle with Dr. Orloff in 816 and how it deaged Barry a few years.

Chester is in charge of the entertainment for the party, Allegra and Cecile took care of the decorations, and Khione is said to be out getting the cake.

The party attendees include Cecile, Chester, Allegra, Kristin Kramer, David Singh, Joe West, Wally West and John Diggle.

John Diggle appears for the first time since 818.

Wally West appears for the first time since 614.

Kristin Kramer and David Singh argue over who is the better Captain.

Diggle gives Barry Oliver Queen's bow, which ARGUS recovered from National City. Somehow, it wound up there after being presumed lost on Earth-38.

It has been three years since Oliver Queen died saving the multiverse.

Diggle makes reference to Caitlin's apparent death.

Barry tries to refuse it, but suggests maybe they could display the bow in "The Hall."

Chester makes Allegra a necklace that should hide her face whenever she is using her powers for their one-month anniversary. 

Wally is still studying with Bhikkhuni Amala in the Himalayas.

Wally tells Barry that after Iris told him about the Red Death, he began projecting his consciousness into the Speed Force to explore alternate timelines, hoping to find another version of himself who already found enlightenment whom he could learn from.

Wally says there's baggage he needs to get past, but doesn't talk about it more when Barry asks what his issue is.

Bloodwork was last seen in 617. However, his escape from ARGUS custody occurred during the Earth Prime crossover comic event.

Bloodwork is revealed to have put his blood into the champagne and cider for Barry's birthday toast.  Everyone except Chester (who doesn't drink), Iris (who shares Nora's healing factor) and Barry and Wally (whose powers protect them) are infected. 

Bloodwork reveals that his plan this time is to target Wally and break his mind through their connection then use his powers to travel the multiverse and spread his tainted blood around multiple Earths.

Bloodwork sees that the real reason Wally was exploring the alternate timelines was to try and find somewhere his ex-girlfriend, Jesse Quick, was still alive.

Chester flees to his lab and barricades himself inside.

Iris is able to lock herself inside the Time Vault, but is slowly losing control of herself.

Bloodwork gets Wally to kill Barry by vibrating his hand through his chest.

Barry wakes up in Purgatory (which looks like Lian Yu island) and is greeted by Oliver Queen.

Oliver Queen appears for the first time since A810.

Oliver confirms that he created Earth-Prime so that all his allies would have a single Earth to protect together. He also created the new Multiverse.

Red Death is confirmed to be from Earth-4125 rather than an alternate timeline.

Oliver explains that rather than traveling to alternate timelines, Wally has been traveling to parallel Earths in the new multiverse.

Khione saves Chester by freezing the water inside the bodies of Team Flash.

Khione says she felt a presence calling her, telling her she was needed back at STAR Labs, while she was waiting in line for the cake. This presence is later revealed to be Oliver Queen.

Oliver explains that he can only step in as The Spectre when the multiverse is endangered. This retroactively explains how he was able to help XS and Impulse fight Magog in the Earth Prime comic.

Oliver resurrects Barry and manifests, temporarily as Green Arrow one more time.

Khione is only able to safely thaw out John Diggle after removing Bloodwork's blood from his system.

John Diggle joins the fight against Bloodwork.

Barry is able to reach Wally and help him fight Bloodwork's control.

Oliver shoots an cosmic arrow into the breach, rewriting reality so that Bloodwork loses his powers. He also heals Bloodwork's HLH so he can live a long life in prison.

Barry and Team Flash learn that a new multiverse exists.

Ollie reveals that Khione's powers come from a connection to the natural world, which allowed her to expel Bloodwork's unnatural cells from the rest of the team.

Wally decides to stop exploring the multiverse and look for the answers he seeks within.

Ollie gets a chance to stay goodbye to John Diggle that he didn't during the Crisis.

Ollie confirms that he is keeping an eye on Felicity, Mia and William, but that part of the rules of his being The Spectre are that he can't make contact with his family. He was, however, able to bend the rules for Diggle since he was there at the crisis point.

Diggle confirms he is watching over Ollie's family too, telling him that William has started college and Mia can already climb a salmon ladder scaled to her height.

Oliver confirms that there are Flashes on the other Earths, but Barry is still his favorite.

Ollie and Barry have their traditional post-team-up drink before Ollie disappears.


Location

Purgatory
O'Shaughnessy's Bar in Keystone City

Untelevised Adventures

Oliver Queen has been defending reality as The Spectre ever since Crisis on Infinite Earths.

The Bottom Line

Easily the best episode of this short season so far. Ignoring the lore involving the larger Arrowverse setting and all the nods to past episodes, Bloodwork is allowed to be far smarter than any villain in recent memory. This was a flashback to better days, no pun intended, and it is a shame that more of Season 9 couldn't be like this.

Sensei Starman Plays Street Fighter 6 - Part 28

In which we enter the bowels of SIRN cleverly disguised as a scientist by throwing a lab coat on over our street clothes. Get ready for high action battles against sentient refrigerators!