Jessie Robertson reviews the third episode of Arrow season 7…
Crossing Lines and running six storylines at once!
Let’s get to the good and try and sort this one out:
– Trying to sort out the multiple and complicated strands of storyline here, I really was drawn to John and Lyla as a couple on a spy mission of sorts. Of course, also Curtis being there never hurts (A Curtis Holt original!) but there was just something different and cool, after 7 years of this show, to have spy work like this and these two characters (and actors) know each other so well they are perfect to play off each other. I don’t really jive with the whole Lyla couldn’t trust John or didn’t want to bring him or John jr. into this life but it’s hard to swallow: I give the writers this: her seeing him turning down the hood of Green Arrow could really give her pause. I could see that. But anymore trust issues coming up in Arrow feels like ground that’s been tread over so many times.
– If Arrow does anything right, it’s fighting. Stephen Amell and Cody Runnels, two friends who have actually done pro wrestling against each other, work that magic into this prison fight. It was a fun, brutal fight and kind of put an exclamation on the end of this episode.
– I also dug the “silent” fight scene between the Longbow lady and Dinah
– The one other thing I’ll bring up for the writing: there was heavy talk and use of the word “vigilante.” You have the differences between ARGUS and how they do business, then Felicity and Agent Watson and how they co exist along with Dinah and Rene.
The Bad:
– Okay, as I said, there’s a lot going on here. Maybe too much. My least favorite of the storylines was the CDC stuff; and it took up the majority of the episode. Let’s talk about Agent Watson; she showed some good potential last season and even if it feels forced her working with the old Arrow crew. But, I just couldn’t see her turning on her peers to believe Felicity after everything to go through with that mission.
– Does the CDC really have a CDC logo all over their building?
– Diaz, to me, is losing something. The Longbow hunters (who don’t use Longbows, or bows at all) are vaguely interesting but I’m not sure we’re getting any background on them. Diaz now has super strength; okay, but unless this guy turns into a real dragon, how he is any different than some other big bads?
– Bronze Tiger compares himself to Oliver just because he saved Lyla once? Oliver’s right; he helped bring that weapon into the Glades and how does that make it okay?
– Vinnie Jones is the best actor of the new trio in the prison and that isn’t saying much.
6.5/10 – Not great. I just can’t find my footing in this season so far; I like Lyla and John’s dynamic and I’d like to see more from the Arrow team coming together as well.
Jessie Robertson
