Maybe a new system where until the flash has passed, there are only to options:
Blam and Protect.
Why not just use those two options, then once the flash has passed judgment, the flash will be rated 1 to 5. That way all flashes that pass will start on even footing, negating the issue with wanting a flash to pass influencing the final score.
This would possibly make it easier for crap flashes to pass, but maybe delete all flashes which, even oncethey have passed remain at a score of below 2 for more than a week or something.