Here's How Fans Really Feel About That Shocking Death On The Flash

Contains spoilers for "The Flash" Season 8 Episode 2, "Armageddon, Part 2"

If you've seen the episode, you know what this article is going to be about. If you haven't, go watch it right now, because the world of "The Flash" just got completely and utterly upended. 

The latest episode in "The Flash" Season 8 continues the ongoing "Armageddon" event, and the episode is barely off the starting blocks before Despero (Tony Curran) teases that the Flash (Grant Gustin) is about to go through a massive personal tragedy that starts his road toward darkness and insanity. It soon transpires that poor Barry Allen has, in fact, already suffered said tragedy six months ago — he was simply unaware of it for reasons that are yet to be revealed. As Flash defeats the villain of the week and considers celebrating with Team Flash and his foster father, Joe (Jesse L. Martin), the superhero's allies promptly inform him that Joe is dead, and has been so for half a year.   

Joe has been present since the show's beginning, and his importance in keeping Barry grounded can't be overstated. However, his deceased status was already teased in "Armageddon, Part 1," and the confirmation that he indeed died offscreen months ago is a massive blow to both the Flash and the viewers. While it remains to be seen how the show intends to follow up this plot twist, it's safe to say that fans aren't happy. Here's how they really feel about that shocking death on "The Flash."

The social media reactions of fans who have seen the episode range from shocked to outright incensed. "Sons of b****** killed Joe. I mean Barry's father rotted away in prison for majority of his life but Joe his daddy raised him for over 20 years practically his whole life. How could he not remember his death?" @BreastWhisperer tweeted. "Noooo, they can't have killed Joe!" @goldcoastgrace wrote, adding a broken heart emoji and a gif of Joe looking shocked for good measure. Meanwhile, @TheWarblerGrant bust out the time-tested all caps method. "JOE IS NOT DEAD I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT," they wrote. 

Others, on the other hand, have noted that the "Armageddon" storyline might be told the way the Flash himself experiences it, and as such, the events the show has depicted so far might play pretty fast and loose with the concept of reality ... especially since both Despero and "Armageddon, Part 2" villain Xotar (Kandyse McClure) have psychic powers. "For those saying Joe West being killed offscreen in #Armageddon is 'lazy' ... you do realise the show is from Barry's POV? If Barry doesn't know because it's a big plot point ... neither should we," user @PagmystYT tweeted. 

It'll be fascinating to see how "The Flash" plans to deal with the aftermath of Joe's apparent death, but one thing is certain: The fans will be on the edge of their seats for the immediately foreseeable future.