Recap
In the comic book store, Kyle and Trevor are arguing over whether Hawkeye is the coolest Avenger, echoing the dispute that ended with Kyle stabbing Trevor in the post-apocalyptic universe. Nearby, Stuart and his friends remain trapped on the cover of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: TRAPPED! Kripke blames Stuart for their situation, pointing to his name in the title. Denise objects to spending eternity with her backside sticking out, which Stuart explains is how they get 12-year-old boys to buy comic books. When Bert asks if anyone can see where they are, Stuart places them among the new releases between Marvel and Vertigo. A frustrated Kripke reminds Stuart he left out "twapped on the cover of a comic book." Stuart thought that was implied.
After Trevor picks up the comic and begins reading it, a nervous Kyle objects. Trevor argues that the entity only instructed them not to sell it, not read it. After a debate about whether the "omnipotent swirling bowl of shit" is necessarily male, Kyle persuades Trevor to return the comic and carefully straightens it on the display, so as not to upset the mysterious entity.
On the cover, Stuart and Kripke trade barbs over the lack of an escape plan. As Denise wonders who imprisoned them and how, Stuart suspects it's whoever placed him in the psychiatric hospital. They then notice that Bert has disappeared. Calling from page two, he directs them toward the splash page. The others shuffle off the cover, with Bert warning them to watch out for staples.
When they join Bert on a city street, their flat, illustrated figures become three-dimensional again. Denise is relieved to be out, but Bert explains that they are actually deeper inside the comic. Stuart threatens to part ways with Kripke, who is still needling him about his leadership. Denise interrupts to draw their attention to a “Meanwhile…” caption floating above their heads.
Stuart comes to the conclusion that their captor has made a mistake: his miserable childhood spent reading comics has prepared him for this moment. “Comic books are my superpower,” he declares. Stuart quickly identifies their location as Gotham City, pointing to its familiar landmarks. “Home of…?” Stuart prompts, and Denise replies, “Batman,” in a gravelly voice. Stuart wonders how he could not love her. After Bert suggests seeking Batman’s help, Denise dismisses him as a rich asshole with dead parents, maintaining the gravelly voice even as Kripke tires of the joke. Stuart instead proposes the Cosmic Treadmill, which Denise immediately understands. The Flash uses it to travel between universes. Kripke finds the notion ridiculous. When Bert suggests seeking out Superman, Stuart argues that an "A-list" hero is beyond their reach, whereas the Flash would open a supermarket.
As they plan their journey, Stuart places the Flash’s home, Central City, near Kansas City, while identifying Gotham as being in New Jersey. Bert is surprised to learn that Gotham isn't New York. Denise adds that Metropolis is actually in Delaware, with Stuart citing Amazing World of DC Comics #14 in support. “Fascinating,” an uninterested Kripke says before suggesting they find an airport. As they head for the subway, Stuart offers another tidbit: Gotham’s airport is named after comics writer Archie Goodwin. Kripke doesn't find that interesting, either.
At the airport, gate attendant Ramona Nowitzki announces that their plane's maintenance problem has been resolved, but now the crew has timed out. While they await the backup crew, she is handing out ten-dollar meal vouchers. “Pro tip, avoid the airport sushi,” she warns. Denise now wants sushi. As they wait, Kripke questions how hours in an airport constitute an action-packed comic story. A sequence of comic book panels follows their wait and Denise’s ill-advised meal, which ends with a frantic trip to the restroom and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol.
Back in the store, while Kyle plays with Batman and Penguin figurines, Trevor is reading those very panels and discovers that the group has left the cover. He alerts Kyle, reporting that the group is flying to Central City and that Denise has diarrhea. Trevor begs him not to tell their captor, but Kyle points out that it is all-knowing. When the Adversary appears, Trevor again argues that he was only told not to sell the comic. The Adversary incinerates him, leaving only the comic book and his charred sneakers behind. Kyle immediately tries to distance himself from Trevor. The Adversary then summons an illustrated Mr. Freeze onto the comic, sending him after the group.
Arriving in Central City, the travelers crowd into a taxi driven by Gary, who is more interested in getting a destination than in Denise recognizing him. When Stuart asks where to find the Flash, Gary sarcastically places his office between an H&R Block and a Quiznos. Stuart considers the Justice League’s orbital headquarters before remembering that Barry Allen works at the Central City Police Department. Just as they settle on that destination, a red blur races past. After Stuart asks Gary to follow the hero, Gary orders them out.
As the taxi pulls away, a huge block of ice crushes it, killing Gary. Denise cries out, “Oh, my God! Gary!” while Bert observes that Gary sure does die a lot. Mr. Freeze stands atop a mound of ice and aims his gun at the group, briefly slipping before he opens fire. The group flees into the airport parking garage, where Mr. Freeze calls out Stuart's name and launches an enormous ball of ice at their hiding place. The Flash arrives and announces, “Not today, Mr. Freeze.” He destroys the giant projectile with lightning, then quips, “Gutter ball.” As the superhero and supervillain face off, Bert realizes they should keep running for their lives. The Flash runs circles around Mr. Freeze, who struggles to fire at his fast-moving target.
Kripke does not recognize the helmeted hero, comparing him to the FTD flowers logo. When Stuart identifies him as the Golden Age Flash, Denise asks whether this means they are on Earth-2, prompting Stuart to begin explaining the merging of realities in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Bert warns them to duck as an icicle flies between Stuart and Denise. After dodging that, Stuart admits his confusion. Mr. Freeze is a Batman villain. The Flash should be fighting Captain Cold. Kripke can't believe that's what they're focusing on.
Taking shelter behind an SUV, Stuart peers over it and excitedly narrates a battle that the others cannot see. The Flash destroys an ice lasso, locomotive and wall almost as quickly as Mr. Freeze creates them. Kripke tires of the running commentary. Stuart sees an upside to their predicament: Mr. Freeze’s attack has made them the main characters in the story, bringing the Flash directly to them. Stuart becomes increasingly ecstatic as the hero escapes a block of ice and sends Mr. Freeze spinning into space in a tornado. The Flash checks that they are safe, then speeds away before Stuart can explain that they need his help.
A “Later that day…” caption appears in the air as the group walks through a suburban neighborhood to Jay Garrick’s home. When Denise asks why they did not come straight there, Stuart explains that he assumed a superhero would have an unlisted address. When Bert mentions the Justice League, Stuart corrects him: the Golden Age Flash belonged to its predecessor, the Justice Society. Hearing another comic book digression, Kripke asks Denise whether Stuart talks comic books in “the boudoir.” Denise reveals that he sometimes does, adding “Ka-pow!” as she and Stuart high-five.
When Amy Farrah Fowler answers the door but does not recognize them, Stuart explains his confusion: Jay Garrick’s girlfriend should be Joan. Amy explains that Joan took her Subaru to Portland, “if you know what I mean.” When Jay joins her, he denies being the Flash, even after Denise mentions a lab accident and lightning. Stuart corrects her: this Flash gained his powers by inhaling radioactive vapors during a smoke break. When Bert questions the combination of smoking and running, Jay explains that it was a different time, then catches himself and again denies being the Flash. Amy sighs and tells him to just let the visitors in.
In the living room, Jay struggles to believe their tales of other universes. Kripke mentions being turned into a penguin, prompting an apology from Bert, although Kripke concedes that he had it coming. When Jay calls their story ridiculous, Stuart counters with the villains the Flash has fought, including Captain Boomerang, Captain Cold and Captain Nazi. Jay insists that they were all formidable opponents. “Boomerang kept coming back,” the hero adds.
When Amy joins the conversation, she serves homemade rugelach and asks what the visitors want. Learning that they need the Cosmic Treadmill, she suggests giving it away so she can actually park her car in the damn garage. After Jay explains that it requires his superspeed to operate, Denise has a “personal question” about that ability. Amy answers before she can ask: “It’s over before I even know it started.” Jay chides Amy for revealing that, but Amy insists, “She asked.” Amy offers their guests a Dr. Brown’s, and Kripke requests diet black cherry.
After Jay agrees to help, he opens a secret closet behind the shelves to retrieve his costume. When he cannot find his helmet, his search becomes a domestic squabble with Amy. As he asks why her rollerblades are in his secret closet, she counters by asking why his Cosmic Treadmill is occupying the garage. Denise questions whether he can run without the helmet. Jay sighs and admits that he can, but it is not as cool.
Out in the garage, Bert asks whether the wings on Jay’s boots serve a purpose. They do not. Jay uncovers the treadmill and finds his helmet, earning a “Mazel tov” from Amy. He explains that the group should grab onto the handles once he reaches speed, then let go when they reach their desired universe. Bert questions how thoroughly this has been thought through, while Kripke checks whether they're 100% sure Superman isn't available. Mr. Freeze interrupts, freezing and shattering the garage door before threatening Stuart with death once more. The group grabs hold of the treadmill while Kripke urges the Flash to get moving, “Ándawe, Flash. Ándawe.” They disappear together, leaving Mr. Freeze cursing his luck on the driveway before slipping on his own ice.
Their treadmill journey carries them through a cosmic expanse of worlds contained in orbs, with glimpses of dinosaurs, pyramids and sharks. The Flash delivers them to the comic book store, where the cover of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: TRAPPED! is now empty save for its title. After Stuart thanks him for the ride, the Flash departs for Shabbat with his in-laws.
Kyle emerges from the back and panics at seeing the group in person. He warns that their captor will be angry and seek someone to blame, adding that he has already thrown Trevor under the bus. Kripke assures him that they will not be staying. As he opens the door to leave, he nearly steps into a bottomless void. The others join him as Kyle flounders. Looking out at the dark expanse, Stuart observes, “This is not Pasadena.” As audience laughter rings out, Kripke wonders where the sound came from. The view pulls back to reveal the comic book store floating alone in the vast blackness.
