The Flash Season 4 episode 16, 'Run Iris, Run,' is one of the most exciting moments in series history.

The episode sets up the rest of the season, and reminds us just what we loved about The Flash before season three went sideways.

There's every reason to hope The Flash has returned from hiatus creatively recharged and ready to deliver on the promise of a lighter, more fun-filled season.

It's hard to dislike Grant Gustin, who has such a natural charisma, but the show surely tried. Now, it's letting him have fun again with inventive speedster sequences, new ways of battling foes, as well as familiar interactions among the team.

Barry Is Back, and Better Than Ever...?

As we all know, most Flash episodes are built on three things: heart, humor, and spectacle. Thankfully, this hour wasn't lacking in any of those.

Every year when The Flash returns I say something along the lines of how good it is to have this cast back. I do genuinely miss this show during the offseason, even if it sometimes gets a little exhausting or frustrating during the post-midseason lull.

It's refreshing to see The Flash introducing this season's villain so early on and a nice change from seasons two and three, both of which waited too long for the reveal.

The Flash is shaping up to be more streamlined and more lighthearted this year, while finally featuring a villain who breaks the familiar mold.

Barry Allen is officially reborn and recharged in the new season of The Flash.

Season 4 seems heavily invested in turning the clock back to an earlier, simpler time.

Having seen next week's incredibly fun episode, we can tell you this show appears to just be getting started with its apparent rebirth...

It's weird to have the show just talk about itself through Barry Allen, but I'm all for explicitly stating that we should have a bit more fun, you know? Let's have some fun this year.

Just like its title hero, The Flash season 4 leaves the show feeling refreshed and ready to return to what made fans fall for it in the first place.