Ralph Dibny

[tinnefoil]

What are your feelings towards him? Did you always like him, have you warmed up to him? Are you like me and still feel the need to yell shut up every time he says something? 

[Trini]

The actor is the one saving grace for this character.

I think he's an unnecessary addition who really isn't adding much to the team, or the show overall. He's too cartoony, even for this show. Starting him out as a sexist jerk didn't help.

[Sandman]

Wasn't Dibney sort of cartoon-esque/spoof figure even in the pages of the JLA comics? There's comic relief, and then there are tonal oddities. (I'd put Booster Gold in the latter category, as well, for whatever it's worth.)

[CletusMusashi]

But they don't need comic relief. They already have characters who can do funny. They don't even need a detective. Isn't that supposed to be what Joe does for a living? So let the regular non-super characters go out there and detect stuff. This is just a weird growth that's taking over the show. Kind of feels like they're building him up for his own spinoff, in which case, can he just go there already? Most of the DCCW shows (with the surprisingly adult exception of Black Lightning,) are aimed at people about 14 years old. Which is fine, because I personally have been about fourteen years old for over three decades. But Stretchy Man seems to be playing to a much younger and easily amused demographic. Whenever he comes on, I feel like I'm suddenly watching "Teen Titans" or something. Apparently I actually am too old for some shit.

Edited January 28, 2018 by CletusMusashi

[Trini]

What a difference a showrunner makes. Ralph has been vastly improved this season. He's still not necessary, but he's not taking over the show, and has been helpful and humorous (but not in a cringeworthy way) when he is around.

[SimoneS]

Ralph has improved, but he is an unnecessary addition. I realize that he is there for comic relief and to lighten the tone, but the team now has too many metas. It makes more difficult to believe that it is so difficult for them to take down the bad guys.

[SimoneS]

I just watched the episode where Ralph "died" and one after where Barry was mourning him. One minute Barry is in therapy grieving about Ralph, the next he is back. Why does the show have these fake deaths? They take away from the overall emotion when someone is in danger or dies.

[Trini]

Article breaking down how Ralph has improved: How ‘The Flash’ Has Solved Its Ralph Dibny Problem in Season 5

[Trini]

Short interview with Hartley from November, talks a bit about his acting influences: