The Original Savitar and the Timeline Paradox

Before Barry Allen's time remnant took on the mantle of Savitar, there was an original Savitar, a character with a distinct backstory and motivations. Initially, Savitar was a speedster who became obsessed with speed and worshipped it as a deity. This version of Savitar first appeared in the comics in The Flash #108 in 1996, created by writer Mark Waid. He was a former pilot who gained super-speed powers from a lightning strike and sought to become the fastest speedster. This led to a conflict with Barry Allen and other speedsters.

Complexity in the TV Series Version

In the TV series The Flash, Savitar is portrayed as a time remnant of Barry Allen from the future. This version is more complex, embodying themes of identity, loneliness, and betrayal. Savitar becomes a villain after feeling rejected and isolated. He is seen in Season 3 as a major antagonist, highlighting these themes.

The Time Remnant's Paradox

The original Savitar from the comics is a separate character with a distinct backstory and motivations. However, the TV series introduces a different and more intricate version of Savitar, a time remnant. This remnant creates a paradox in the timeline, forming an endless loop where he is Savitar. This loop is understood as a result of a significant event that caused a time travel paradox.

The Endless Loop Theory

The show's accepted version is that the time remnant caused an endless loop where he is perpetually Savitar. This loop is a result of his actions and the conflicts he causes with the timeline-altering Team Flash. However, this theory is not entirely convincing to everyone.

Alternative Theories

Two alternative theories explore the original Savitar and the time remnant's actions further:

Theory 1: The Time Remnant's Rejection and Revenge

This theory suggests that when Savitar fought the time remnant, he spared him and escaped. The time remnant, hurt and shunned by the team, decided to become a "god." The time remnant traveled back in time to the moment when Team Flash rejected him, seeking revenge. The show hinted at this concept in 2020, where Tracy Brand created a Speedforce trap to trap the original Savitar, who then went back in time to escape.

Theory 2: Savitar's Self-Destruction

Another theory posits that Savitar led to his own demise. This version of Savitar, a time remnant, turned to evil, recruited followers, and returned to the past to kill Iris. This action ultimately led to his own entrapment in the Speedforce.

The Increasing Complexity of Time Travel

The more you play with time travel, the less the rules apply. These theories and the show's version of the paradox highlight the growing complexity as characters manipulate and alter the timeline. The endless loop theory, while accepted by many, introduces more questions about the nature of time and the role of the time remnant in creating these paradoxes.

Ultimately, the theories provide a richer understanding of the character of Savitar and his role in the complex narrative of the The Flash. Whether you accept the show's version or one of these theories, the core message remains: the more time travel is involved, the more complicated and unpredictable the rules become.

Understanding The Flash and the intricacies of time travel can be mind-bending, but they offer a deep and engaging look into the world of The Flash.