Jessie Robertson reviews the eleventh episode of Arrow season 6…
For our first episode with split teams, I was not very into this episode. I hate to be the person that says “Not much happened” because just because a bunch of stuff happens, doesn’t make a good episode of TV, but in this case, it feels true. Cayden James (played in his lone scene tonight remarkably well) has taken over the Internet grid and basically has Star City in the palm of his hands. He wants 10 million a day until he deems otherwise from the city, all in retribution of Oliver killing his son, or so we think. In a complete mashup of words and plot, Felicity tries to explain she’s tracking a UPS Package James got that gives him this idea; how on Earth she can accomplish this, I haven’t a clue.
I think the thing bothering me most here is some hard issues are brought to light and dealt with easily; so easily it feels safe and the way you would expect it to go , instead of tackling them in different ways. William, on a school field trip, is derailed from leaving the city and Oliver has to save him (even though the kid definitely inherited the hero gene when helping his classmates out of trouble, even a bully who was messing with him mere moments before.) This brings to light the fact that Oliver is still Green Arrow and has been deceiving his son. Instead of Oliver having a hard talk with William, Felicity sheds light on the whole subject (which was a fantastic speech BTW and my belief that this kid would understand once explained). But, it’s been a point of contention inside Oliver for weeks so shouldn’t a bit of conflict have happened?
Also, Vigilante is trying to double cross James and needs “The Outsiders” help (Curtis’ cute name for their new team; I hope it sticks- ripe for a Black Lightning crossover and a Katana return?). But, their relationship is so screwed up, who can you trust here? If he’s double-crossing them while trying to pull off a double cross, this will venture right back into season 3 Arrow territory, which we do not want to do. If not, maybe Vigilante would end up being a redeemable character. Sidenote: Dinah stopping a train with her Sonic Scream was both batshit crazy and awesome.
This felt like a complete placeholder episode and I don’t know how long the 10 million a night payment can go either or what the plan is there; Arrow feels like it’s treading water big time right now.
Rating: 6/10
Jessie Robertson
