The Flashback: Show Don’t Tell (Plus, Costume Fun!)

Warning: possible spoilers ahead!

There’s no shortage of twists, turns, major reveals on our shows, and this season the flashback emerged as a favorite way to show us those big secrets. It also gives the cast and creative team a chance to mix things up with new sets, costumes, and even actors.

Civil War-era Salvatore brothers = yum / the CW

The Vampire Diaries: In “Lost Girls” Stefan agrees to provide Elena with answers with a flashback to the 1860’s in Mystic Falls. We saw pre-vampire Stefan and Damon, were introduced to Bonnie’s ancestor, Emily, and finally met Katherine, only to discover that the presumed love of Stefan’s life was actually a vampire. All of this and period dress? Loved it!

Robin Hood: The latest installment of this series, “Bad Blood”, featured a flashback to the days of Robin and Guy of Gisborne’s youth, revealing the root of Guy’s hatred of Robin and the source of Robin’s moral compass. The storyteller (Robin’s father) also revealed the news that the two share a half brother, son of Robin’s father and Guy’s mother, who is now awaiting execution in a jail in York. We’re definitely veering off-myth now.

Dollhouse: In “Belonging” we learned the truth about how Sierra arrived at the Dollhouse in a flashback that was at once disturbing and amazing. In addition to showing us Sierra’s backstory, we discovered more about Rossum and the groundwork was laid for “Epitaph One”, the flashback/flashforward thirteenth episode of season 1.

Bones: For the series’ 100th episode, which will be directed by star David Boreanaz, we’ll flash back to Booth and Brennan’s first assignment, which was a disaster! Plus we’ll see the introduction of Angela  Montenegro and the beginnings of her friendship with Brennan. This episode will air in the spring; can’t wait!

The Mentalist: Ausiello announced that we will meet Alex Jane, Patrick Jane’s father, in a series of ’80s flashbacks that will shed light on the man he is today. The first episode with Papa Jane was supposed to air November 12, but it looks like some scheduling changes were made and his first appearance may not be until early next year.

Which other series could benefit from a flashback episode? I wouldn’t mind seeing Glee‘s Mr. Shu back in his original glee club days. I bet he was rocking a Justin Timberlake circa N’Sync ‘fro.