I think I might skip this episode. I got past The Flash misusing Atom Smasher and Doctor Light. But what they did to Ralph is too far (I got mildly spoiled, and I'm glad I did). Maybe if they stopped hiring writers who actively hated DC comics for every third or fourth episode like they seem to be doing, the show would be a bit more consistently great. Ralph is not a cop, and if he was he would never, and I mean NEVER plant evidence or do shady shit. But, this is the Arrowverse. Sometimes they'll do a DC character justice, then sometimes they will screw the character over with an almost spiteful contempt for the character. This is actually a milestone, because I think Elongated Man is now the oldest DC hero they've fucked over on The Flash (not in the Arrowverse as a whole though, because Legends of Tomorrow took a metaphorical shit on the entire Justice Society of America).
In an interview, the Andrew Kreisberg said they did it because they needed a jerk on the show. So, they went with character assassination of Ralph Dibny to get the jerk they wanted.. Kreisberg is a complete ass, and I wish he'd move on and go ruin something else. That shitty logic is like if they brought in Plastic Man and made him a redneck serial killer because they just really needed one on the show. Or bringing in Static because they need a gang member or bringing in Star Girl because they need an underage prostitute. Making a character completely different from what they are on purpose because you need a certain type of character but want to use a named comic character but can't find one that fits is bullshit.
This Flash episode is now probably the third worst Elongated Man related story I know of, after Identity Crisis and the crappy new 52 Secret Six run. It gets points by not having Sue Dibny getting raped by a supervillain then killed (like Identity Crisis) or having her willingly screw a supervillain (like New 52's Secret Six), at least I assume it doesn't do those things. She doesn't seem to even be in the episode based off what I've read.
Still, screw this episode and this show. I've wanted a live action Elongated Man for a long time, but they've butchered him. I'll tune in next week, where hopefully they aren't fucking over characters who existed before a good chunk of the show's staff and cast were born. Ac