I’m glad to say that Arrow topped last week’s excellent hour with an even better episode that really got the ball moving on a number of levels. Looks like the show I’ve been waiting for all along is just about ready to bust out the gate.
Although I so wanted a follow-up on Felicity Smoke and her hopeful initiation into Ollie’s gang, this hour had a ton of awesome developments. First off, how cool was it to see David Anders again in a villainous role? Much like on Alias, he felt like a perfect fit here. I love that someone finally estimated the number of arrows carried by our vigilante and used that information to capture him. Thankfully the writers didn’t off the bad guy like they’ve been doing all season long as he’s bound to make countless return appearances in the future (I’m hoping for next week).
Stephen Amell really proved himself this week as Ollie’s world came crashing down and he struggled to come to terms with Moira’s shady dealings. I love that he refused to even accept the possibility which culminated with Arrow crashing into the Queen building and capturing Moira. It really was a magnificent scene to bookend the episode with and probably the show’s most exciting cliffhanger yet.
This was Laurel’s hour, and Katie Cassidy really stepped up her game as well. I love how adept in combat Laurel was during the apartment attack. I guess she’s going to become The Black Canary sooner than we thought which is definitely a promising arc to go with. The show would greatly benefit from supplying Ollie with a straight-up team and I think bringing Laurel and Felicity on board could do wonders for the show.
The flashbacks were also compelling this week as we got our first taste of Oliver’s real fight training. Yao Fe’s ally (who lives on a decimated plain) was an intriguing presence and I want to learn more about him. However his backstory with the mask confused me a bit; there are two Deathstrokes now? Let’s hope this won’t get needlessly convoluted.
Bits & Arrows
– Moira sure threw that notebook into the fire fast.
– I kind of felt like Ollie was enjoying Tommy nagging about Laurel’s obsession with the hood. Amell played all the layers well throughout this exchange.
– Laurel arguing with her dad was a standout acting scene by Katie Cassidy. A highlight for her character this year.
– Stephen Amell’s reaction to the voice recording was a brilliant and emotional moment.
– Awesome sequence with Oliver infiltrating Cyrus’ mansion.
– I still have a huge problem with people (especially Laurel) not recognizing Oliver in the hood. All those convenient shadows are just too much. Surely you can find another way writers.
– Oh no; the “you failed this city” line is back. Nevertheless, it kind of worked here. Let’s just hope this was its final appearance.
Starling Quips
Moira: The only way to keep this family safe is for everyone in it to stop asking questions.
Conclusion
Action-packed and brimming with momentum, this was an outstanding hour of Arrow.
Β Nad Rating
A
” Oh no; the “you failed this city” line is back” lol! I felt exactly the same way! :p
Yup, David Anders was a villainous delight, which makes it all the more frustrating they didn't use him properly! We needed more of him!!! Thankfully he's alive (but locked up), so there's always a chance down the line… The Hood needs more non-1-note bad guys to challenge him! Merlyn is too vague, in the shadows, and only we -the public- know about him!
But yeah, fabulous hour for Laurel!!! Poor Tommy… ;o)
Nice review, Nadim.
This is a relationship ep.
But the action sequences are great!
And I also hope that David Anders' character, comeback.
I love an intelligent villain who does research on his enemies.
Very Sark. π
Missed Felicity, too.
Digs it The Guy.
Very suave in doing those adlib.
Hahaha.
Hooray'd during Laurel's action scenes.
I have a feeling that the big reveal between
Ollie and Laurel is coming very, very soon.
I wouldn't like to think Laurel is an idiot if
she didn't recognize Ollie during their last
scene together.
The lighting and Laurel's angling to look at
The Hood's face is very revealing.
Well see if the writers will let the audience
get this particular pie in the next ep. π
Indeed Rosebud. I really do hope Laurel discovers the truth VERY SOON (next week PLEASE). I have a feeling Arrow is going to evolve into MUST-SEE television in the next few hours Scandal-style. Let's pray!