Last week, Arrow ended with heartbreak, as we watched something horrible and drastic happen to one of our beloved cast members. Since this entire episode revolves largely around that plot, it is not possible to talk about the quality of the episode and it’s strengths without also talking about this major event. While I normally try to keep things spoiler free, this week I cannot, so BE WARNED. SPOILERS BELOW FOR THIS WEEK AND LAST WEEK.
Our episode begins with the body of Sara Lance, the Canary, being brought to team Arrow headquarters underneath Verdant. There, the team breaks down into tears, each member responding in their own way to this horrible tragedy. As Laurel cries over her sister’s body, they debate what to do next. Ollie, always stubborn, feels that it is his responsibility to be stable and strong in the fallout. As the team hunts down their suspects for the killer, we see how much she meant to everybody, and Ollie tries to reach his sister Thea, whom he has not spoken with in months. As the search for the killer brings them closer and closer to a madman with a bow and arrow, it’s clear that there is more at play here, and that sometimes you cannot block emotion and have to let it in.
This is a very emotional episode and I honestly don’t think it would have worked at a different point in the series. Over time, the cast of Arrow has gotten more competent as actors, all showing great range and cabability. Katie Cassidy shows the most growth in this episode. Much of last year was spent on Laurel (Cassidy) and Sara’s relationship, which helped to develop the character greatly. Now, with the passing of Sara, it will be up to Laurel to step up and become the hero we know that she can be. She still has a ways to go, and many fans still don’t like the character, but she is working very hard to become the beloved character we all know.
Beyond Cassidy, series darling Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak) shows great range as well. Her struggle with Oliver shows that she has really come into her own over time, and her banter with Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer is quickly becoming some of my favorite on the series. While many members of the Arrow fandom like to fawn over Rickards, she shows here that she is more than just a pretty face and that she can really carry herself well without a man by her side. This newfound confidence is great for the character, and will surely lead to some interesting developments as the season continues. Stephen Amell as the Arrow is as good as always, but when he finally puts aside his stubbornness and grapples with emotion, you get a real great moment with the character who is haunted by his life.
Unfortunately, we have yet another forgettable villain this week. This isn’t the fault of actor Matt Ward, who is given very little to work with, but rather it’s a fault of the script and plot. I understand that this week needed to focus on Sara’s death, but every week we have to come up with a different excuse for why a villain is underutilized, and it’s getting tiresome. I’d hope that by the third season of the show that they would have figured it out by now, but I guess we have to keep waiting.
Overall, this is a very down to Earth episode that focuses on the human element and the human emotion. As such, it stands out from episodes past and immediately gives this season a dramatic weight that the show is known for. At this rate, Ollie is going to be standing all alone in his little fortress, so everybody better watch out!
You must be logged in to post a comment.