Jessie Robertson reviews the twenty-second episode of Arrow season 3…
We’re one week away from the finale of Arrow this season; let’s take stock. For one, I know I’m not nearly as hyped up as I was at the end of last season, when Starling City was being invaded by juiced up thugs and Slade Wilson was terrorizing the city (after having just impaled Moira Queen on his sword) trying to destroy everyone Oliver loved while leaving him for last, so he can watch it all happen. This year, story wise, we’re in a similar place; Ra’s al Ghul has told Oliver he must use the Alpha-Omega virus to destroy his home, Starling City, to complete his transformation to the next Ra’s. But, the compelling nature of Slade v. Oliver is not present here – I mean, at all. Some could argue that Ra’s al Ghul, as a character, is much more interesting than Slade Wilson, and even though his portrayal has stuck closely to his original comic appearances, he’s not been that interesting to watch, flitter around his headquarters, giving orders, and like Wilson, causing hell in Oliver’s life. Hell, he killed Thea, Oliver’s sister. But, the reactions from both our hero and the audience, are severely dumbed down at this point. Does this mean Arrow has failed this audience? No, I don’t think so. It seems a lot of fans, critics, what have you, have draped a black blanket over this season as a failure, but it has not been a total loss. But, I’ll take stock of that more after the finale has aired.
This week we get a couple different stories; the main thread obviously is Oliver’s impending nuptials to Nyssa to cement the Ghul family legacy. The couple to be is having dinner with dear old Dad when he drops another bombshell: he expects Nyssa to get preggers with Ollie’s (sorry Al-Sah-Him’s) child immediately. By the way, life in Nanda Parbat threatens to set women’s lib back by about 50 years. Her reaction is not good. Ra’s tries a different tact with his daughter: gives her a beautiful necklace; because if a woman doesn’t agree with you, give her jewelery. Again, Nyssa, being a now liberate women who’s dipped fries into milkshakes and as far as we know, Oliver is just not her type due to the extra appendage between his legs. So, Ra’s again, says you will do it because I said so. Once we actually get to the wedding, it has one of the best scenes in memory on Arrow; as the nuptials are being read, Nyssa produces a blade and strikes Oliver; he blocks it, discards the blade and says “Continue.” That was freakin awesome.
Did I mention that while this is going on, the whole Arrow crew is dying from the poisonous effects of the Alpha-Omega in a locked cell? Now, don’t get too worried, because as a reader who commented the other week, the CW network’s “Next week” previews always spoil major plot lines and lo and behold, the team somehow survives! But, how did they get here? Turns out Oliver has been faking his training and conspiring with Merlyn to destroy the League from the inside. But, with Ra’s final test being dropped on Oliver quicker than they expected, he needs reinforcements. The crew doesn’t take kindly to Merlyn being in on the plan but not them, so he brings backup: Tatsu Yamashiro. Team Arrow’s reaction: Who? There was a lot of unintentionally funny moments tonight. Tatsu explains she has first hand knowledge of the effects of the bio-weapon and suggests they fly to Nanda Parbat and exterminate it before it hits Starling City. So, they do. Once arrived, we get a long fight scene; which was cool, although seeing Laurel take on 3 League ninjas seemed a bit far-fetched. The team is told to trust Oliver; but where that gets them is locked in a poison dungeon with no escape.
Poor Akio! We finally find out the fate of the young Yamashiro and he did succumb to the deadly bioweapon, not despite Oliver and Maseo’s best efforts. They dragged Shreve (man behind the bioweapon attack) to Akio with what they thought was the cure, but it was a doublecross; there was no cure. A sad moment but a faceoff during the Nanda Parbat battle took place that held much more gravitas happened shortly after: Maseo v. Tatsu (in her comic-accurate Katana outfit), husband v. wife sword fight. I didn’t see this coming but it was awesome. Tatsu came out on top, and Maseo thanked her as he died on her shoulders, her singing the same lullaby she serenaded Akio with as he passed away. This was incredibly touching; I still say if the Yamashiro story had been anywhere but the dull flashbacks this season it would have been some of the best storyline material all year.
And in other news, Thea tracked down Roy (now Jason) for a proper goodbye and more Thea-Roy Sexy Time. Not much to say here except Roy must really be leaving the show as he doesn’t stay with the women he loves and passes on his Arsenal outfit to Thea. Here comes Speedy!
Other Notes:
– How much more can Ray be modeled after Iron Man? He’s going to sign away his company to his blonde (ex)girlfriend?
– and because I forgot to mention it last week: CANARY CRY!!!!!!! Might be the coolest thing that happened this season.
Jessie Robertson
https://youtu.be/8HTiU_hrLms?list=PL18yMRIfoszFLSgML6ddazw180SXMvMz5
Originally published May 7, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
