'The Flash' Season 2 Spoilers: How Will Iris And Joe Cope With The Loss Of Eddie In The New Episodes?

Sure, Eobard Thawne (Tom Cavanaugh) was defeated, but the Season 1 finale of "The Flash" on the CW was far from a happy ending for Joe West (Jesse Martin) and Iris (Candice Patton). Joe lost his partner and Iris lost her fiancé when Eddie (Rick Cosnett) sacrificed himself to destroy the Reverse Flash. How will the father and daughter pair recover from the devastating loss in Season 2?

Iris will cope with Eddie's death by diving into work. Actress Candice Patton told TV Line that her character plans on continuing to help Barry (Grant Gustin) hunt down criminals and metahumans after finally being brought into the fold in the Season 1 homestretch.

“She’s found her way into S.T.A.R. Labs and she’s trying to get her career off the ground at Picture News,” said Patton. “So I, personally, am really hoping to see Iris have more agency and more abilities to help the team and The Flash and the city that she loves so much. I want to see her stand on her own two feet and really contribute to the group.”

Love, on the other hand, will have to go on the back burner. Eddie's death threw a wrench in any plans Barry and Iris may have had to pursue a romantic relationship.

“Iris has been with Eddie for a long time and they were living together. [Eddie] didn’t just die, he died to save her. Obviously, Iris is going to be dealing with that," EP Andrew Kreisberg told Entertainment Weekly. “Barry is going to be dealing with the fact that all Barry has ever wanted to do is protect Iris, and in the end it was Eddie who got to do it.”

Meanwhile, Joe will be returning to a very different situation in Season 2. According to TV Line, the new episodes will introduce a love interest for the veteran detective. The show is reportedly casting a character named Olivia. The series is looking for an African-American actress in her early-40s to play a troubled, old friend of Joe's. After reconnecting, romantic sparks may fly between the pair.

Plus, it was previously reported that “The Flash” was seeking an actress to play the role of Patty Spivot. Comic book readers know Patty as the forensic scientist, specializing in blood, who ends up falling for Barry while working with him at the Central City Police Department. However, in the CW series the character will join the team as Joe’s new partner, replacing Eddie. Patty will become the first major female cop character on the show.

How will Joe take to his new partner? And how will Barry handle Iris taking a more hands on role at S.T.A.R. Labs? Fans will have to wait to find out. Season 2 of "The Flash" will premiere on Oct. 6 on the CW.