Jessie Robertson reviews the second episode of Arrow season 5…
Did the wrong Queen run for Mayor?
This week on Arrow… lots of things happen and not many of them are interesting. The crux of the episode is building a new team (how come Felicity is given all the good ideas on this show?) and Oliver just goes about it the wrong way. But, trust isn’t something he hands out in one episode. His new recruits are beaten up and insulted; much the way Oliver was recruited into the kill or be killed Russian Bratva; but his team isn’t the Bratva; they are not out for their own gain, they’re trying to help the city. He doesn’t see it that way. He states “I had five years of training for this; but you know who didn’t? Laurel Lance.” Oliver always has firm opinions on how his mission should be carried out…until something changes his mind. It’s usually a friend who he turns away multiple times until he realizes there is more than one way to accomplish something. It’s a common trope for Oliver but it’s not as retread with fresh meat there to deal with it.
And there’s Thea… Yay, she’s still here! When Thea is allowed to breathe on this show, she’s always a breath of fresh air; she’s witty, sardonic, real and a bad-ass so her presence is always welcome (hence why she’s Oliver’s second in command even though she probably has less political experience than John Rayburn (Netflix inside joke.) Her current mission: get Quentin Lance some help; he’s obviously off the wagon and grasping at straws; but I thought that issue was a bit solved last week when he was recruited to work with the team. Now, he’s back to being just a guy drunk on his couch? Confused about that backwards progression; Thea’s heart is in the right place but to offer him Deputy Mayor seems a bit over-realistic; I totally thought his idea of part-time Team Arrow officer was perfect.
Speaking of the recruits, this was a necessary step to keep some fresh blood pumping into the show; what more can you do to Thea, Diggle, Laurel and Roy? They’ve all been through hell and back. Curtis is always welcome on my TV screen and Evelyn and Wild Dog seem game; as for our surprise recruit, Ragman joins the team! Ragman is a mystical character from the Batman universe and I’m pumped to have him around. The backstory given to him on the show is inspired; it ties in well and even pulls emotion out of Felicity that any good writer knows has to linger in her head even now. What exactly the extent of his powers are we don’t know yet but I look forward to seeing him around.
Now, we come to the most disappointing minutes of this weeks’ episode and it wasn’t the flashbacks; Diggle’s faux military procurement mission. So unnecessary. I know we all miss Dig, but holy cow, didn’t he already run a military op with the Suicide Squad last season only for them to be double crossed by a military officer? None of this has relevance and it was a real drag on the hour. All I wanted to know is if baby Sara is still around or do we have Dig jr now???
7.5/10 – Arrow always takes time to set the stage for its upcoming season and it’s keeping to form; unfortunately, the only thing I can really say so far is it’s just fine; and that could be worse than not good at all.
Other Notes:
– Amertek is deep involved in all things illegal; deals with Tobias Church, and all to get their stock price back up. Makes sense though; they are a crooked corporation in the comics as well, and employer of one John Henry Irons (better known as Steel, Superman’s ally in the steel suit)
– I noticed with Laurel, Diggle and Roy depleted from the show, Curtis is getting more meat; but what about his husband? and for that matter, Felicity’s new boy-toy (who just happens to run cloth samples for her); they have to be suspicious of where their sig. other is all the time?
– Anyone figure out Church’s endgame yet? I’m more scared to ask if anyone gives more than 2 craps?
– I did enjoy the old school way Oliver walked into that Amertek-Church meet with dozens of goons around, with just his bow; another season 1 callback.
– Prometheus? The only character I know by that name is again, a Batman villain, who’s just as smart and prepared as the Bat himself whenever he pulls off a crime. This guy seems to be a Merlyn disciple. Hmmm, we’ll wait before making any judgements on him just yet.
Jessie Robertson
Originally published October 13, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
