The Paradox of Eobard Thawne and Time Travel in DC Comics

In the expansive universe of DC Comics, especially when exploring the intricacies of the series Legends of Tomorrow, one of the most puzzling questions revolves around the character Eobard Thawne and his continuous attempts to alter the timeline. A key plot point in the series is the death of Eddie Thawne, who is the ancestor of Eobard Thawne. This raises the question of how Eobard, if he no longer has his ancestor, can still travel through time and attempt to kill Nora Allen.

Eddie Thawne and the Ancestral Connection

Eddie Thawne is portrayed as a pivotal character, serving as the progenitor of Eobard Thawne. In the context of the show, if Eddie Thawne were to die, it would create a significant paradox. Since Eobard Thawne's entire existence and motivation are deeply tied to the Spandex-clad hero Barry Allen, the thought of Eddie Thawne's death would threaten to erase Eobard's lineage and, consequently, his very reason to exist.

Time Travel and the Speed Force

Despite the apparent logical inconsistencies, Eobard Thawne's mastery over the Speed Force and his ability to manipulate time provides a plausible explanation for his continued objectives. The Speed Force is a cosmic energy field that is fundamental to the speedster abilities of characters like Barry Allen and Eobard Thawne. Thawne's intense willpower and the sheer force of the Speed Force allow him to transcend temporal barriers, creating a paradox.

In one pivotal episode, it is revealed that when Eddie Thawne kills himself, it is not a true finality. Eobard Thawne has already taken the necessary actions to change the timeline and ensure that his plans against Barry Allen and his family can proceed. This demonstrates Thawne's cunning and his extensive time-travel capabilities.

Chained Reactions and the Impact of Paradoxes

The concept of a paradox in the timeline is crucial to understanding how Eobard Thawne can still kill Nora Allen after Eddie Thawne's death. According to Dr. Martin Stein, a.k.a. Firestorm, from Legends of Tomorrow, time takes time to change. This means that events in the past are continuously evolving and react to new information and actions. Therefore, even if Eddie dies, the timeline does not instantaneously change to prevent future threats.

The episode suggests a timeline where Eobard Thawne's actions have already led to the necessity of killing Nora Allen to prevent future complications. This chain of events spreads over time, making it possible for Eobard to still carry out his plans. Essentially, the death of Eddie Thawne creates a chain reaction that is not immediately actionable, allowing Eobard to find a way to complete his objectives.

The Impact of Time Shielding and Negative Speed Force

Additionally, Eobard Thawne has the ability to use the negative Speed Force as a shield, protecting himself from timeline changes. This provides him with a buffer, allowing him to navigate the risks associated with manipulating the timeline. In the episode, when Eddie Thawne died, Eobard had already taken necessary steps, such as killing Nora Allen, which are shielded by his mastery over the negative Speed Force. This ensures that even Eddie's death does not prevent Eobard from carrying out his plans.

Conclusion: The Unbreakable Will of Eobard Thawne

In conclusion, while the death of Eddie Thawne presents a significant challenge to Eobard Thawne's plans, his mastery of the Speed Force and his cunning manipulation of the timeline provide a framework for understanding his continued ambitions. The concept of a chained reaction and the protective mechanism of the negative Speed Force help to explain how Eobard can still kill Nora Allen despite his ancestor's demise.

From a fan perspective, this raises intriguing questions about the nature of time, the will of characters like Eobard Thawne, and the complex interplay between past and future in the DC Comics universe.

May your curiosity about the Legends of Tomorrow and the DC Universe be satisfied!