Jessie Robertson reviews the second episode of Arrow season 7…
When Mike Grell penned and drew this story for Green Arrow some 32 years ago, I’m quite sure he didn’t expect it would make it to primetime TV.
The Good:
– Sorry, forgot to give a shout out to the Arrow makeup department last week; Oliver’s fresh bruises were so disturbingly real, I have to hand it to them. Felicity’s look great this week too. And give it to Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity) for playing her with a raspy voice this week due to stress and everything done to her. Nice attention to detail
– This week’s episode a few things stood out to me: most importantly, David Ramsey, who quietly is finding himself again on this show. Last season’s storyline was a shade darker than I thought we needed from the stalwart support system/ best friend but him as the dutiful ARGUS agent works very well. He gives two great shorter speeches tonight, one highlighted by him telling Felicity that life isn’t going back to what it was; it’s changed and they have to get used to it. And his somber, powerful reasoning behind not taking up the hood Oliver left him; he saw what it did to Oliver’s family (Felicity) and he can’t let that happen to his. That’s just so real and it hits hard and even Felicity who can double talk anyone out of anything, has no words.
– Let’s talk about the new cast of villains working with Diaz; they’re cool. From I understand, Grell’s original work has nothing to do with them but I love the nod.
– William and Roy continue their storyline and William is gay, which really highlights The CW’s new initiative to make everyone welcome and I applaud it. Hmmm, I don’t know William – why would Felicity want you to have your father’s bow???
The Not Good:
– I’m sorry but it’s Felicity; after last week’s dismissal of William, this week Felicity joins ARGUS, or hold on , I’m confused. She gets mad because John won’t liberally break the law (as they talk about it in front of everyone at his PLACE OF WORK, WOMAN!) Then they deliberately foul up an ARGUS operation (is there a three strike policy in their employee handbook? How does Curtis not get at least a slap on the wrist?) and after all that, she still is on in the mission. This nondescript Deputy Bell doesn’t run a very tight ship and he’s so going to be a dirty mole in the end.
– Another frequent offender, Laurel; that whole storyline of Dinah losing her when she goes and gets coffee only to find her at an abandoned Diaz hideout where they conveniently run into the new Sonic Shield baddie; there’s forced for the plot and then there’s just outlandish. Laurel also missed a chance to really pack a punch in the whole I Loved Quentin even though he wasn’t my Daddy-Daddy speech and we didn’t get there. And Laurel’s actually a lawyer now? Isn’t she going to be found out in her first case?
– Bad Quote of the night: “Never bring a T-Sphere to a gun fight”- Rene.
Okay, before we leave, I had a few questions that hit me about halfway through the show:
– Will Oliver remain in prison a while? It seems like it as there are a few storylines that seem to be working here and Oliver’s makeshift bow and arrow was prison brilliant
– Is the team not as interesting w/o Oliver? We’ve traveled down this road before and I think they are perfectly fine
– How is Diaz remaining so hidden? Well he’s out now.
– Are the Longbow Hunters here to stay? -It also seems so.
7.5/10- enough happened that kept me from checking my phone but there really was just way too much going on; nothing felt like the ‘A’ storyline and everything felt like a ‘B’ storyline.
Jessie Robertson
Jessie Robertson
