‘The Flash’: Candice Patton Thinks Season 4 Is Funnier Than Season 1

“The Flash” star Candice Patton thinks that Season 4 of the CW series has more fun stuff than Season 1.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Patton said that producers and writers of the series are really committed in bringing back the show’s optimistic tone following a very dark Season 3. “The producers and writers are pretty hands-on this season about changing the tone of the show and getting back to a lot of the humor that we had in Season 1,” said Patton. “I’ll even venture to say that there’s way more than even Season 1, just in terms of the lightheartedness and jokes and funny scenarios that happen on the show. It’s really fun.”

“Me and Grant have had a couple of those scenes where it’s just been him and I, and we’ve both gotten to really put our comedy chops on the line,” continued Patton, who plays Iris on the series. “I’ve spent three seasons crying so much, and I haven’t really gotten to do a lot of that lighthearted stuff, so it’s really fun. We’re trying to go back to this more lighthearted comic-book-y version of ‘The Flash.’”

Gustin is also having fun with the lighter tone of the new season. “[I get] to laugh things off a little bit more again as the character (Barry),” Gustin told Entertainment Weekly in a separate interview. “When we see a bad guy that rolls around, a villain of the week, it’s not such a daunting task. We can have a little bit of fun taking down these guys now.”

Gustin said that Barry’s six-month stint in the Speed Force has allowed him to let go of his emotional baggage, which has paved the way for a more lighthearted Season 4. “A huge weight has been lifted and he’s forgiven himself again of all the mistakes he made the last couple years and people that he’s hurt,” Gustin said of Barry. “He’s ready to move forward with the team and move forward with Iris and be happy Barry again and save Central City.”

Executive producer Todd Helbing recently told TV Guide that the shift in the show’s tone will start to become evident in Season 4, episode 2. “The first episode is probably the closest tonally to the past three seasons, and even that shifts a little bit,” Helbing explained. “[But] it really kicks off in episode 2. Everything starts with Barry as far as his tone... When he sort of comes out and has let everything go, it certainly has a trickle down effect with the team. There’s a lot of jokes, there’s a lot of fun scenarios. We’re really swinging for the fences as far as the fun factor is concerned.”

“The Flash” Season 4 premieres tonight at 8 p.m. EDT on The CW.