Arrow Episode Guide: Season 6, Episode 6 - Promises Kept

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here. 




Plot

As Slade Wilson uncovers the truth about his son's past, Oliver finds himself in exactly the sort of trouble he had promised he would avoid. Meanwhile, back in Star City, the rest of Team Arrow must contend with The Dragon -a new crime boss who stealing advanced technology for an unexpected end and one whom has a surprising connection to one of them...


Influences

The Teen Titans comics of Marv Wolfman and George Perez (plot involving Deathstroke trying to bring the son who emulates him under control) and the Green Arrow comics of Jeff Lemire (character of Ricardo Diaz).


Goofs

Why doesn't Nylander recognize Oliver as the friend who was with Slade at their meeting in the last episode?

Why was the A.S.I.S. training room in Australia getting the Channel 52 news feed?

The whole "Diggle turning to mystery drugs" subplot doesn't make sense and both Lyla and Curtis point out why. Lyla rightly calls John the most moral man she knows and Digg's desire not to burden people would never outweigh his sense of duty to the team. Curtis points out that given that he was able to crate a microchip that could cure paralysis, John should have come to him first about his nerve problems instead of trusting a strange drug dealer.


Performances

Manu Bennett delivers his best performance yet as Slade Wilson. If this is his final appearance, he's ending on a high note. That still won't stop me from hoping for a Deathstroke series in 2018. Make it happen, CW!

Despite how random it was in starting and how quickly it's resolved here, David Ramsey sells the hell out of his performance here as John Diggle coping with drug abuse.


Artistry

The final shot of Slade walking away through a steam-cloud is like something George Perez would have drawn, brought to life.


Trivia

The first business the tech thieves try to rob in this episode is Cadmus Tech. Cadmus, in the original comics, is a scientific concern involved in genetic engineering. In the New 52 universe, they are tied to a business called Cadmus Industries. In the DC Animated Universe, Project Cadmus was an association of scientific, military and government agents who were concerned about the threat posed by The Justice League.

In the DCTVU, on Earth 38 - the world where Supergirl is from - Cadmus is the name of Lillian Luthor's anti-alien group.

Lyla makes a reference to the nation of Vlatava. In the original comics, Vlatava was a small eastern-European nation and home to the villain Count Vertigo.

The second business the thieves hit is the Bio division of Palmer Tech. This is, of course, Ray Palmer's company. They steal a second high-quality 3-D printer.

The character of Richard Dragon was originally created by Dennis O'Neil and Jim Berry for the novel Kung Fu Master, Richard Dragon: Dragon's Fists (1974). O'Neil, best known at the time for his work on Detective Comics and Green Lantern/Green Arrow, later adapted the character for the DC Comics Universe in Richard Dragon Kung Fu Fighter #1 (May 1975). As a teenage sneak-thief in Japan, a young Richard tried to break into a dojo run by O-Sensei. Bested and beaten by O-Sensei's prize student, the old master saw something worth saving in the young thief and took him on as a student. For seven years, Richard studied the martial arts, eventually deciding to use his skills for good. He went on to become one of the best (if not the best) overall martial artists in the DC Universe.

The character of Richard Dragon was introduced to The New 52 reality in Green Arrow #23 (October 2013) by Jeff Lemire & Andrea Sorrentino. This version of Richard Dragon was apparently a member of The League of Assassins and was killed by one of his students, Ricardo Diaz Jr., who took Richard Dragon's name.

Ricardo Diaz Jr. was the son of Ricardo Diaz Sr. - a corrupt Seattle businessman, who was killed by John Diggle who was, at the time, posing as Green Arrow. Seeking revenge, Diaz Jr. went off in search of The League of Assassins. After killing his mentor and taking his name, the new "Richard Dragon" returned to Seattle and began killing gang-leaders while posing as a vigilante. In truth, "Dragon" was cementing his control on the underworld with the ultimate goal of killing Green Arrow and taking over his city. To that end, Diaz formed a team - The Longbow Hunters - dedicated to killing Green Arrow.

The DCTVU version of Ricardo Diaz is a career criminal who goes by the street name "Dragon". Once part of a Glades gang called The Scorpions, he was sentenced to Life Without Parole twice for his extensive list of crimes. His convictions were overturned due to technicalities and he has only been out of prison for one month, according to Dinah.

Joe makes mention of a brother named Grant that Slade didn't know about. In the comics, Grant Wilson was Slade Wilson's oldest son, who followed in his footsteps to become the mercenary Ravager.

In one alternate future visited by The Legends of Tomorrow, Grant Wilson was the new Deathstroke who ruled over Star City 2046.

The video game Felicity and William are playing when Oliver returns home is Injustice 2 - a game which features, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Firestorm, The Atom, Supergirl, The Flash, Vixen, Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd and Deadshot as playable characters. None of these characters are seen, however, with Felicity playing as Blue Beetle and William playing as Sub Zero.


Technobabble

The thieves were after a military-grade 3-D printer, capable of printing weapons, drones or chemicals.

Semtex is a high-yield explosive.

The armor which Slade Wilson wore as Deathstroke was developed by the A.S.I.S and was in it's prototype stages in 2011.

"Double jolts of Life Plus One" is a slang term for "two sentences for Life Without Parole".

Curtis says that both the stolen 3-D printers could be used to simultaneously print inert polypropylenes and soft material catalyst composites. This would allow him to make reactionware - i.e. designer street-drugs.

The drug John is taking is an experimental steroid.

In pondering how to solve John's nerve damage, Curtis asks if he's had an electromyogram done, but then corrects himself and says he'll need to do an NCV Test first.


Dialogue Triumphs

(Slade Wilson lies in a hospital bed, his head and right-eye bandaged. He twitches suddenly as we see, from his perspective, flashbacks of his battles on Lian Yu.)
Joe: Father?
(Slade looks up. His gaze focusing. He sees his son, Joe.)
Slade: Joe...
Joe: How are you feeling?
Slade: How did I get here?
Joe: Evac found you washed upon the Philippine coast. They said you were barely conscious. Just muttering someone's name... Oliver. Who is he?
(Slade shudders as he remembers. We see flashes of his battle with Oliver Queen on The Amazo. He reaches up to his bandaged eye.)
Joe: Father?
Slade: ... someone that owed me a debt.
Joe: Everyone left you for dead... but I knew you'd come back.
Slade: I will never leave you again, Joe.
(Joe leans down and hugs Slade. Slade hugs him back.)
Slade: I promise.

Diaz: Until we get our FDA approval, we've got to be careful with the roll out. You understand?
John: I get it. I'm just trying to make it through the day.
Diaz: Aren't we all?

John: To be Green Arrow means that I have to be physically capable of protecting the city. No matter what! Lyla, you make the same choices at ARGUS all the time!
Lyla: Choices you've condemned me for making!
John: I know I'm wrong. But I couldn't let Oliver down.
Lyla: So you let yourself down instead?

(Oliver wakes up, tied up in a chair. He finds a sword point at his right eye. Slade is holding the sword, as Joe looks on.)
Slade: Years ago I made you a promise. Do you remember? I promised that you would suffer. The same way that I suffered.
Oliver: What are you doing? You're not this person anymore.
Slade: What I am is a father. Reunited with my son. I made him a promise too, And I'm not going to break it again.
Oliver: We made each other a promise, Slade. To save our sons! To save Joe. To save William.
Joe: He has a son? I'll make sure he suffers too.
(Slade moves around behind Oliver.)
Oliver: Slade?
(Slade starts to raise up his sword.)
Joe: Do it!
Oliver: Slade?!  Slade!
(Slade grunts and slrikes down... cutting Oliver's bonds. Oliver is out of his chair with a shot, knocking Joe out with a quick strike.)
Oliver: (glaring at Slade) That was a little too convincing.

Slade: I spared your life back there.
Oliver: I know. But back there, it didn't feel like an act, the same way it did with Chase back on Lian Yu.
Slade: Because when I saw my son... I was tempted. I would have done anything to keep us together. But when you mentioned William... I realized that's not my boy. It's Kane. But what I fear is there's only one way to stop him.

Joe: "Trust begins with honesty." That's what you said to me. But you lied!
Slade: You know life is not that simple, Joe.
Joe: That's not my name! How could you forgive Oliver Queen after what he did to you?!
Slade: Because he forgave me for far worse. Sins that I have to carry to the grave. A curse that I didn't want to pass on to you! All of this anger and resentment - it's time to bring it to an end, son!
Joe: (drawing his sword) No. It's just the beginning!

Slade: It's time for you to go home.
Oliver: And where will you go?
Slade: I'm going to keep searching for my son. Both of them. (pauses) I can't give up.
Oliver: If you ever need my help again, you don't hesitate to ask. 
Slade: You have your own son to protect and I'm not going to put that at risk again. You've seen what can happen.
(Oliver nods as Slade offers his hand. Oliver takes it and shakes it.)
Slade: Thank you, kid.
(Slade picks up his bag and walks off. Oliver turns and watches as Slade walks into an alley disappearing into a steam cloud.)


Continuity

Once again, John freezes up trying to fire his weapon as his hands go shaky.

Both Slade and Joe have a taste for single-malt scotch whiskey.

Ricardo Diaz is revealed to be leading the drug-ring that is making the drug that is keeping Diggle's aim steady. Diaz claims they are keeping it on the down-low until the FDA approves it.

John confesses about his nerve damage and his drug use to Lyla.

Slade spent two years (from 2010 to 2012) with his son, training alongside him in the A.S.I.S.. The Mirakuru drove him mad, however, and he killed almost all of his squad, save Joe, before leaving to pursue his vengeance on Oliver Queen, after seeing a news broadcast declaring that Oliver Queen was alive and had been rescued.

Joe reveals that he saw Slade kill a Chinese spy while they were supposed to be on a father-son trip in 2004. (As seen in the flashbacks in 605.) He says he made his first kill six months after that.

Joe reveals that he has a brother named Grant who Slade never knew about.

The Jackals are in custody but Joe/Kane gets away.

William got an A on his science project - a bottle rocket that went further than anyone else in his class.

John confesses his drug use and nerve trouble to Dinah, Rene and Curtis.

They forgive him, though Curtis is more offended that John didn't come to him for help first and promises to find a way to cure John without the steroid.

John promises no more secrets between himself and Dinah. She agrees... as she handles the matcbox that Vigilante gave her 605.


Location

An A.S.I.S. Medical Ward - 2010.
An A.S.I.S. Training Facility - 2011.
An A.S.I.S. Training Facility  - 2012.
A secret bunker in the nation of Kasnia.


Untelevised Adventures

The flashbacks in this episode tell the story of what happened to Slade Wilson in the five years between when he fought Oliver Queen on the Amazo and when he turned up in Star City posing as a businessman financing Moira Queen's run for mayor.


The Winick Factor

The arbitrary introduction of a drug addiction and the swift resolution of it in one issue is very Winnickian.


The Bottom Line

Half great. Half okay.

The only reason the subplot for Diggle works on any level is because of David Ramsey's performance. Had the subplot been given more time to mature, it might have worked more effectively. On the other hand, that would have required us to spend more time contemplating how out-of-character John was acting and how stupid he was for keeping secrets, not turning to the scientist he works with for help, etc.

The Deathstroke subplot, on the other hand, is handled perfectly and it gives Manu Bennett the exit from the series that he deserved rather than the embarrassing way Slade Wilson was handled in Arrow's third season. I really hope this isn't the last we see of Slade, but if it is, it's a grand way to go out.

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 6, Episode 5 - Deathstroke Returns

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.



Plot

Slade Wilson returns to ask for Oliver's help in rescuing his long-lost son, Joe, from a Kasnian prison. And for once he needs the help of Oliver Queen - not the Green Arrow. Meanwhile, Vigilante returns to Star City and is apparently out for the head of the councilwoman leading the push against masked crime-fighters. And Agent Watson begins questioning the other members of Team Arrow in her bid to bring down Mayor Queen.


Influences

The Teen Titans comics of Marv Wolfman and George Perez.


Performances

Manu Bennett is as amazing as ever as Slade Wilson.

Juliana Harkavy blows away her naysayers with her performance here. This is the Black Canary we've been waiting for for six years.


Artistry

The scene of Slade fighting the Jackals works rather well, despite making use of the famous sped-up/slow-down editing trick.


Trivia

The leather jacket Dinah wears in the opening scene is the same style worn by The Black Canary in the comics.

The main plot of the episode follows Slade Wilson's efforts to find his son, Joseph. In the comics, Joseph Wilson was the superhero and Teen Titans member Jericho, who had the power to take control of the body of anyone he made eye-contact with. He was rendered mute as a child after having his throat cut while being taken hostage by a terrorist called The Jackal.

Joseph "Jericho" Wilson was reportedly the first comic book character George Perez designed entirely by himself.  The codename Jericho and the fact that he was Deathstroke's son apparently came from Marv Wolfman, but Perez came up with his real name, personality, powers and came up with the idea of Jericho being mute.

Slade says that his son, Joseph, was now using his wife's maiden name - Kane. In the original comics, Slade Wilson's wife was a woman named Adeline Kane.

The idea of Slade Wilson being devoted to his work and putting his job over his family is taken directly from the classic Teen Titans comics. His wife left him after Joseph was rendered mute - an action that occurred because Slade put his professional code of ethics regarding his work ahead of everything else - and took all of their children with her, going into hiding.

Slade says that Joseph is being held in a prison in Kasnia. The nation of Kasnia (or Kazina) first appeared in the DC Animated Universe. It was located somewhere in the Balkans or Eastern Europe and its history was loosely based upon the nation of Yugoslavia, suffering from a number of civil wars through its long history.

One Justice League episode - Maid of Honor - focused upon the nation of Kasnia and involved Vandal Savage and his attempts to take control of the country (and then the world!) through an arranged marriage to the country's princess.

Nylander addresses Slade as "The Terminator". This was indeed Slade Wilson's nickname in the comics, given to him before the name became synonymous with a certain murderous brand of time-traveling robot.

Joe Wilson refers to a friend whose dad is a pilot for Ferris Air. In the comics, Ferris Air is the company owned by Carol Ferris - a.k.a. Star Sapphire. An aeronautics company in the original comics, Ferris Air is an airline in the DCTVU.

We find out later that Joe Wilson's full alias is Kane Wolfman. This is a nod to Marv Wolfman - the writer responsible for creating Slade Wilson in the original Teen Titans comics.

The mercenary group that Joe Wilson was investigating was called The Jackals. This is a nod to The Jackal - the terrorist in the original comics who was responsible for slashing Joe Wilson's throat and leaving him mute.


Technobabble

Vigilante either hacked his visor so Team Arrow couldn't track him through it or switched to a new visor technology unlike the one he'd used the last time he fought them.

Bullets can become magnetic if they are stored in an environment with a strong magnetic field.


Dialogue Triumphs

Agent Watson: Excuse me! What are you doing here? You are not SCPD.
Dinah: No. He's not. And this is not a federal case.
Agent Watson: Still doesn't explain what John Diggle, who works personal security for the mayor, is doing at a crime scene.
John: I have relevant experience. And the mayor thought this could use a fresh set of eyes.
Agent Watson: What type of experience?
John: Sniper.
Agent Watson: I don't recall reading that in your military file.
John: I'm sorry. Tell me again why you're reviewing my service jacket?
Agent Watson: Mayor Queen didn't mention he's under investigation?
John: Of course he did. It has nothing to do with -
Agent Watson: But you've been working with him for the past six years. Which makes us overdue for a chat.

(Nylander gives Slade the information he asked for.)
Slade: This should work. Thank you.
Nylander: That's it? Just thank you? No extravagant dinner? No pints?
Slade: Maybe next time. When my son isn't rotting in a third-world prison.
Nylander: He is lucky to have you as a father.
(Slade stops in mid-step.)
Slade: My son wouldn't be in this mess if anybody else was his father.
Nylander: Just be careful, Kamrat. Your boy was snooping around some private-ops mercenaries. Some... not so nice guys.
(Slade turns around and gives Nylander an honest smile.)
Slade: Under certain circumstances, I'm not so nice a guy.

(Slade says that he doesn't intend to see his son once Oliver gets him out of prison.)
Slade: It's better this way.
Oliver: For him or for you? (pauses) Are you... are you afraid that he's going to see you as Deathstroke and not the man you were? The man I think you are now?
Slade: I gave up my right to be his father when I stepped out of the light, into the shadows and became this monster.
Oliver: Your son will forgive you. The way that my son forgave me.
Slade: Joe knew that I was coming to look for him. So he contacted his mother. And she sent me a message to stay away. You got your second chance, kid. And I'm happy for you. Some fathers aren't that lucky.

John: Are you having as much trouble with Oliver working with Slade as I am?
Felicity: No. I'm having a lot more.

(Oliver is protesting Slade planning to take on The Jackals alone.)
Oliver: I am not letting you do this.. alone...
(Oliver passes out, collapsing into his chair. Slade looks at him and then to the water Oliver had been drinking as he moves to stand over Oliver.)
Slade: Alone is what I do best, kid.

(Vigilante pulls off his mask to reveal the bullet he took for Black Canary stuck in his forehead. He pulls it out.)
Black Canary: How?
Vigilante: You're not the only one dark matter did something to. Everything heals now.
Black Canary: I thought you were dead!  You let me believe it for four years!
Vigilante: I'm sorry. I couldn't let myself be-
Black Canary: Human?
Vigilante: Distracted.
Black Canary: Distracted?! From what?!
Vigilante: My mission. We were cops for 10 years. What did we ever accomplish?
Black Canary: A lot.
Vigilante: Not enough. Not nearly enough. (pauses) This is the only way.
Black Canary: You've lost your mind.
Vigilante: I'm not the only one wearing a mask.


Continuity

Vigilante appears for the first time since 515, apparently having survived being thrown off a roof by Prometheus.

Slade says that his son, Joseph, is now using his wife's surname - Kane. He followed in Slade's footsteps and joined The Australian Intelligence Service.

Slade says that he tracked Joe from Calgary to Ibiza (an island off the eastern coast of Spain) then to Mombasa - the second largest city in Kenya.

Slade says that Joe is being held in a prison in Kasnia - the same country John Diggle led The Suicide Squad into in 317. It is also where most of L110 took place, in the year 2147. On Earth 38, John Corben - the man who became Metallo - was said to have ties to Kasnian terrorists in S201.

Felicity makes reference to the events of F405 and a metahuman criminal crashing Iris West's bachlorette party.

Aruba is Oliver and Felicity's special vacation spot. It's also the favored vacation spot of Mick Rory, as seen in L301.

Vigilante is revealed to be Vincent Sobel - Dinah Drake's former partner, last seen in the flashbacks of 511.

Nylander was an associate of Slade's when he was in the AIS. Slade describes him as a jackass who was never on time.

Agent Watson interviews John Diggle, Felicty Smoak and Rene Ramirez.

Joe Wilson was investigating a mercenary gang known as The Jackals.

Vincent Sobel used to make matchbox art.

John refers to Vigilante attacking Oliver's limo in 515 and how he had a chance to kill Dinah but didn't take it.

Vincent Sobel developed a metahuman healing factor from the STAR Labs particle accelerator explosion. It allowed him to heal being shot in the head when Dinah first saw him die and allows him to survive taking a bullet for her when a rookie cop tries to shoot Black Canary.

Nylander turns out to be part of The Jackals and Joe Wilson is revealed to be their leader.

Agent Watson noticed that Dinah was missing during the blackout when Black Canary showed up.

Vigilante leaves a matchbox with a rose inside it for Dinah on the dash of her car.


Location

Milford Sound, New Zeland - Sometime in 2004.
A prison in the nation of Kasnia.
A hidden bunker in the nation of Kasnia.


The Bottom Line

The title of this episode may be lazy but its execution is anything but. Manu Bennett returns in style and it's like he never left. While most audiences could happily spend an entire hour watching Deathstroke be awesome, the Black Canary subplot more than equals it. Easily the best episode of the season to date and another contender for one of the best Arrow episodes of all time. Can we have a Deathstroke series in 2018, please?

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 3, Episode 14 - The Return

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.



Plot

Oliver and Thea travel to Lian Yu to begin training to defeat Ra's Al Ghul.  Unfortunately, Slade Wilson is out of his cell.. and out for revenge!

In the flashback, Oliver and Maseo travel to Starling City in search of Chien Na Wei.  And despite Waller's orders to the contrary, Ollie checks up on his family and friends.


Influences

The Count of Monte Cristo (a man who was wrongfully imprisoned returns home, wanting to know what happened to his friends and family while he was away), Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (Slade's line about leaving Ollie the same way Ollie left him), Green Arrow: Year One (Ollie fighting for survival on an island) and various Green Arrow comics by both Judd Winick (Ollie returning to the island he was stranded with loved ones to learn new skills and Slade's threat to fake Ollie and Thea's deaths) and Dennis O'Neil (Quentin Lance's "fat-cat" speech).


Goofs

It's a hard choice what is more infuriating - Maseo's belief that a multinational corporation would never remove the finger-print records of a dead employee from the database that governs access to their private computer records or his belief that Ollie attempting to access Queen Consolidate's records with his own identity when they are supposed to be hiding the fact that Oliver Queen is alive isn't a stupid idea.


Performances

Manu Bennett, as always, proves a real treat as Slade Wilson, however briefly he appears.

Ditto Colin Donnel as Tommy Merlyn.  If Lazarus Pits become a reality in the DCTVU, I want Tommy Merlyn in line right behind Sara Lance.when they start bringing back beloved characters.

Paul Blackthorne's performance here makes you realize how underutilized he's been during Season Three and his turn as a younger, drunker and more easily irritated Quentin Lance proves a welcome reminder of the character from Season One and serves as an interesting set-up for the powerful scene in which he tells Laurel off in the present.

Finally, Willa Holland rocks every bit of material she is given in this episode, including some lines that almost, ALMOST don't work (i.e. most of Thea's break-down moments).  And then we get that final speech to Merlyn... and all is forgiven.


Artistry

The three-way fight scene between Ollie, Slade and Thea.


Trivia

Ollie says Lian Yu reminds him of who he is.  This is similar to comments Oliver made in the comics, where he would revisit the island where he was stranded for a few days each year.  He also took frequent camping trips to hone his skills in the wild.

The company that Laurel took a job with in San Francisco is Wethersby Posner.  This is one name away from the firm of Wethersby, Posner & Klein - the law-firm from Eli Stone.  Eli Stone was a show that Arrow Executive Producers Marc Guggenheim and Greg Berlanti both created together before Arrow.

When chewing Laurel out for taking a job with a big law-firm, Quentin Lance makes reference to "fat cats getting fatter".  This was a frequent phrase in Oliver Queen's rants about corporate corruption in the Green Arrow comics of Dennis O'Neil.

In the comics, Lt. Matthew Shrieve is an United States Army officer associated with a group called Project M or Project Monster.  Shrieve was the commander of a sub-group of Project M known as The Creature Commandos - a group of monsters that fought the Nazis during WWII.


Technobabble

SHACAL-4 Encryption protests the computers in Queen Consolidated's offices.  This encryption is unhackable, at least by Maseo.

The computers at Queen Consolidated are protected by biometic encryption i.e. finger-print scanners.

Oliver is given a crawler that will search all of Peter Yang's network trafficking.

The ARGUS facility on Lian Yu is a former Chinese prison complex retrofitted by eight ARGUS technicians.


Dialogue Triumphs

(While dueling with Thea)
Ollie: Did he teach you to cheat?
Thea: There's no such thing. There's only survival and death.

Tommy: You shouldn't grow up too fast.
Thea: Yeah, well you're not my brother!
Tommy: You're right. No, I'm not. But I think about him every single day. And for the first time I'm glad he's gone. Because seeing you like this would break his heart.
Thea: Funny how Ollie seems to care about me more now that he's dead than when he was alive.

Slade: I'm going to leave you, kid, the same way you left me - alone in Purgatory.

Felicity: (to a picture of Ollie) You're cute. Too bad you're, you know, dead. Which is obviously a lot worse for you than it is for me. (sighs) I really need to learn to stop talking to myself.

John: Nothing like a rich kid's party to remind me of what I miss about being shot at in Afghanistan.

Quentin: You spoiled billionaires sure know how to throw yourselves a party. You've got underage girls. You've got drug dealers. You've even got dead drug dealers!

Maseo: What were you thinking!  Anyone at that party could have seen you!
Ollie: Yeah... I pulled the hoodie down to cover my face.
Maseo: That disguise wouldn't work even if you smeared greasepaint over your face!

Maseo: Oliver, if you want redemption, start with all the lives Chien Na Wei's bio-weapon could end.
Ollie: Those people are strangers to me.  These people... they're my friends and my family.
Maseo: And they will be ashamed of this selfish choice you are making.
Ollie: They're already ashamed of me.

Thea: This whole thing with Lian Yu...This is ridiculous! What the hell are we even doing here?!
(Slade comes up behind Thea and puts a gun to her temple)
Slade: I ask myself that very same question... over... and over...

Robert Queen: You can right my wrongs. You can be better than I was. You can save this city.

(After stepping in to save Maseo from a firefight)
Ollie: I'm sorry I'm late.
Maseo: Actually, you were right on time.

(Thea is holding a gun on a helpless Slade)
Ollie: You're not a killer!
Thea: Tell that to Sara!
Ollie: What happened to Sara is not on you! What happens to him is! All this is what Malcolm wanted! He freed Slade to prove that we're killers because he wants you to be just like him. You've got to prove to him that you're not!

Slade: How many people can Oliver Queen lose before there is no more Oliver Queen?

Quentin: The reason why I want to open up this bottle and want to crawl inside is because of what you did to us. I loved your sister. I loved your mom. So much like each other, and, you know, these wild spirits. But you and I, we had something more than that. 'Cause we were the ones that were alike. And we had a trust. And we had a bond. And you broke it. And - I don't know... how you could do that to us. Look, I'm going to survive this. I mean, I've got to. It's my baby girl. But what you've done... I don't know how I'm going to live through this.
Laurel: Daddy, I think we should go to a meeting...
Quentin: Yeah.  I'll to go the one on Broxton.  You go to the one on Fourth.

Thea: (to Merlyn) I will work with you to stop Ra's, because that's what my brother says we need to do. So I will be your student. I will be your partner. Even if I have to, I will be your soldier. But never again will I be your daughter!


Dialogue Disasters

Laurel: Hey! Do you remember when I was going to take that corporate job in San Francisco? Do you remember what you said to me? You were mad because I wasn't choosing a life where I was going to help people. It's like you knew. Already even then. You knew that my life was always heading towards that mask.


Continuity

Starling City celebrated its centennial in 2010.

Ollie refers to his returning to Lian Yu between Season One and Season Two.

Thea refers to Laurel telling her about Sara's death (A309).

Ollie says Sara's name in his sleep.

Oliver buried a gun with his father's body on Lian Yu.

Slade refers to the murder of Moira Queen (A220) and Ollie's lying to Slade about how Shado died (A209).

We get our first look at Andy Diggle and find out the first job he got John working security after he left the US Army was as security for Tommy Merlyn.

Laurel originally planned to work for as a lawyer for a corporation in San Francisco before a drunken rant by her father made her reconsider her desire to "save the world in Starling City".

Oliver kills the drug-dealer who sold to Thea by snapping his neck after the dealer recognized him.

Ollie makes reference to the one other inmate of the Lian Yu ARGUS jail - Captain Boomerang - who has been imprisoned since A308.

We finally see the message Oliver's father left him regarding The List, first mentioned in A111.

General Matthew Shrieve is Amanda Waller's superior.

In 2010, Laurel gave up the job in San Francisco to take a job with CNRI.

Quentin calls Laurel by the name Black Canary.


Location

Lian Yu.  Starling City five years earlier, in the flashbacks.


The Bottom Line

A wonderful return to form after last week, with nearly every element of the show rocking on eight cylinders.  We don't get nearly as much Slade Wilson as we might have wanted and it's a little disappointing that Merlyn engineered his escape rather than Slade escaping on his own.  Still, the flashbacks are fun in how they play against the events of the present and Ollie and Thea finally lose the final layers of secrets between them.

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 2, Episode 23 - Unthinkable

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.




Plot

The good news is STAR Labs' cure for Mirakuru works, as a fully-recovered Roy Harper proves.  The bad news is that Amanda Waller is calling in an airstrike to destroy Starling City.  And the only back-up Oliver Queen has to save his hometown are kill-happy members of the League of Assassins.  As John Diggle and Lyla Michaels race to ARGUS HQ to try and buy the rest of Team Arrow more time, Oliver Queen will have to make several unthinkable choices.  For Slade Wilson has promised to kill the woman he loves... whoever she might be.

In the flashbacks, Oliver Queen confronts Slade Wilson for the first time.  Will Oliver choose to save his former friend?  Or will circumstances force his hand to take another path?


Influences

Green Arrow Year One (The flashback sequences), Green Arrow: Quiver (The trailer for The Flash), Green Arrow: Heading Into The Light (Green Arrow and his allies fighting a running battle as supervillains destroy his city), Green Arrow: Road To Jericho (Deathstroke takes the woman Oliver Queen loves as a hostage) and David Goyer's SuperMax (a high-security super-villain prison, contained on an island like Alcatraz).


Artistry

Both of the battles between Slade and Oliver - the one five years ago and the one in the present - are inter-cut beautifully.  The fight choreography is amazing and well-shot by the cameramen - a welcome change from other action shows where the cameras are right in the actors' faces and the action is too poorly lit to see anything.


Trivia

As in 221 and 222, this episode does not begin with the standard "My name is Oliver Queen" introduction.

The group of soldiers Amanda Waller sent to take control of The Giordano tunnel out of Starling City is referred to as Easy Company.  This was also the name of a fictional WWII US Army infantry unit, headed by Sgt. Rock in the comic Our Army At War.  The commander of this Easy Company is Sgt. Gomez.

The Giordano Tunnel is named after Dick Giordano - an artist and inker at DC Comics, who later became Vice President and Executive Editor.  He won the 1970 Shazam award for Best Inker for his work with Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams on the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series that majorly redefined the character of Oliver Queen.  Among his many creative works, he also drew a Black Canary mini-series, two issues of Birds of Prey and one Green Arrow annual.

When Diggle and Lyla break into ARGUS HQ, it is 52 minutes until the time of impact for Waller's drone - another New 52 reference!

Deadshot makes use of Amanda Waller's nickname from the comics - "The Wall".

The trailer for The Flash TV series contains a callback to Green Arrow: Quiver by Kevin Smith.  That story revealed that Oliver Queen and Barry Allen used to amuse themselves by "racing" Ollie's arrows against Barry's super-speed, with Barry having to catch Ollie's arrow before it hit its target.

The "Super-Max" prison that Ollie leaves Slade locked in is a reference to a movie script by Man of Steel writer David S. Goyer.  Originally titled SuperMax, the title was changed to Green Arrow: Escape From SuperMax and would have detailed Green Arrow being framed for murder, locked in an inescapable prison for super-villains and having to escape to clear his name.  The design for the prison was inspired by Alcatraz - an island prison - which seems similar to the jail that ARGUS seems to have created to house Slade Wilson and - presumably - other super-criminals that cannot be kept in a normal jail.

Unlike previous episodes, Roy Harper seems to be competent with a bow in this episode.


Technobabble

Oliver has a number of "Injection Arrows" which can be custom-fitted with any liquid - in this case, the Mirakuru cure.


Dialogue Triumphs

Thea: If you're going to kill me, just.... get it over with.
Merlyn: Kill you?  Why?  Because you shot me?  I'm glad you did!
Thea: ... you're sick!
Merlyn: Perhaps.

Sara: To fight the unthinkable, you have to be willing to do the unthinkable.

Ollie: How are you feeling?
Roy: Ready to serve up some payback.
Ollie: Then remember your training.  Remember everything you've learned.
*Ollie hands Roy a box.  It contains a mask, like Ollie's but red instead of green*
Roy: Are.. are you for real?
Ollie: Someone... a friend... once told me that if you survive a crucible, you grow the stronger for it.   This is to remind you of that.

Quentin: Look, I know you said you're trying another way and I respect that.  But Slade Wilson and his men - they're monsters!  And monsters, they need to be destroyed!  You've killed before.  Tonight, I suggest you get back in the habit.
*Quentin leaves the room*
Felicity: He's wrong.
Ollie: He's right.  I've lost everything because I'm fighting Slade Wilson with one hand tied behind my back.  The man murdered my mother.  I have to kill him.
Felicity: You told me you had a choice.  That years ago you could have cured Slade but you chose to kill him instead.  This isn't happening because you're not willing to be a killer.  It's happening because you were one.
Ollie: You're right.  That's how this started.  That's how it has to end.  The only move he's left for me is to kill him.  I can't cure him!  I can't capture him! I can't even out-think him!
Felicity: Then don't!  Make him out-think you.

Ollie: Slade took Laurel because he wants to kill the woman I love.
Felicity: I know!  So -
Ollie: - so he took the wrong woman.
Felicity: ... oh.
Ollie: ... I love you.  (pauses) Do you understand?
Felicity: ...yes.

Deadshot: What the hell is this?  Early parole?
Diggle: Waller's looking to bomb Starling City.  We need your help to stop her.
Deadshot: As much as I'd love to show The Wall what we think of her, there's still the little matter of "tick tick BOOM!" Okay?  We've all got minature bombs on our spines!
Lyla: You'll have to trust us.
Diggle: And Lawton?  No dropping bodies.
Deadshot: Yeah, sure... take the fun out of it.

Ollie: It's over, Slade!  Your army is broken!
Slade: And I pity them.  But once again, you miss the point.  I have the one you love.  You're going to meet me where I say.  Otherwise I am going to kill her.
Ollie: Yeah, you do what you have to.  I'm done playing your games!
Slade: You are done when I say you are done! I was surprised I thought you had a thing for stronger women.  But now that I've met her I can see the appeal.  She is quite lovely... your Felicity.

Slade: When her body lies at your feet... her blood wet against your skin...THEN you will know how I feel!
Ollie: I already know how you feel.  I know what it's like to hate.  To want revenge.  And now I know how it feels to see my enemy so distracted that he doesn't see the real danger is right in front of him.
*Felicity stabs Slade with a syringe full of the Mirakuru cure*

Nyssa: I know the power of a father's love and I would die before I let anything happen to your daughter.
Quentin: Well, here's hoping.

Thea: Roy - I'm sorry.  I made a mistake.  I thought I could still be with you.  I thought I could still be Thea Queen.  But Thea Queen was trusting.  And I don't trust you.  Or anyone.  Not anymore.  Thea Queen was also weak and no matter what it takes I will be strong.  Don't try to find me. You won't.  Even I don't know where I'm going.  I only know one thing.  I am never coming back.

Slade: Where am I?
Ollie: As far away from the world as I could get you.  Where you can't hurt anyone ever again.
Slade: That's your weakness, kid.  You don't have the guts to kill me.
Ollie: No.  But I have the strength to let you live.
Slade: Oh, you're a killer.  I know.  I created you.  You've killed plenty.
Ollie: Yes, I have.  You helped turn me into a killer when I needed to be one.  And I'm alive today because of you.  I made it home, because of you.  And I got to see my family again.  But over the past year I've needed to be more.  And I faltered.  But then I stopped you.  Without killing.  You helped me become a hero, Slade.  Thank you.
Slade: *pounding on the bars* You think I won't get out of here?!  You think I won't kill those you care for?!
Ollie: No, I don't.  Because you're in Purgatory.
Slade: *pouning on the bars* I keep my promises, kid!  I keep my promises!


Continuity

We see Lyla Michaels for the first time since 216.  She flies to Starling City to save Diggle in an ARGUS helicopter, armed with a bazooka.

It is revealed that Thea did shoot Malcolm Merlyn at the end of 222.  It is further revealed that Merlyn was wearing a Kevlar vest.

Merlyn refers to the events of 123 where Tommy pulled a gun on him but did not fire it.

Felicity lies about Roy having been out-cold since his kidnapping in 219, avoiding talking about the events of 220.
Nyssa al Ghul - last seen in 213-  shows up with six members of the League of Assassins.  They agree to help protect Starling City in exchange for Sara rejoining them.

Felicity graduated from MIT in 2009.  No word on what her precise degree was in or what level it was at.

Ollie refers to what Sebastian Blood told him about crucibles in 204.  After some hesitation, he refers to Blood as a friend.

Nyssa seems to kill Isabel Rochev.  It is unclear, however, if Rochev was given the Mirakuru cure before Nyssa delivered what was seemingly a death blow.

Despite Ollie's instructions to sink the Amazo after waiting one hour, Anatoly waits two hours before launching his last torpedo.

Thea tells Roy about how Sin told her about how he was injected with "some drug" as Roy begins to tell her the truth.  This happened back in 220.

Sara is washed out to sea again as the Amazo sinks, in the exact same way she was washed overboard as The Queen's Gambit sank in The Pilot.

Waller reveals that Lyla Michaels is pregnant with John Diggle's child.  The gender of the child is not revealed and Diggle doesn't choose to reveal this information to Ollie and Felicity later.

Flashbacks during Ollie's confrontation of Slade reveal that Ollie found the hidden cameras Slade placed in Queen Manor during 215 and that he passed Felicity a syringe full of the Mirakuru cure while confessing his love in front of one of these cameras earlier in this episode, hoping that Slade would miss the slight-of-hand due to his fixation on killing Ollie's true love.

We find out that Ollie defeated Slade five years earlier after Slade became trapped under a piece of the Amazo as it was sinking.  He taunted Ollie, who had the Mirakuru cure in one hand and an arrow in the over, and told Ollie that even if he was cured he would still kill Ollie's loved ones.  Ollie drove the arrow into Slade's eye by hand.

Sara leaves with Nyssa and the other assassins on the ship The Nordic Pearl.  She gives Laurel the leather jacket from her Canary costume, saying that she thinks it will look good on her.

Quentin collapses shortly after Sara leaves.  A flashback suggests he suffered some kind of internal injury during his fight with Slade's men earlier in the episode when Laurel was kidnapped.  He complains about a pain in his stomach before he collapses and that he can't breathe afterward.  His lower abdomen also shows signs of bruising.

Thea discovered a bow and quiver that Roy had hidden in his room while packing.  This spurs her to leave Roy and leave Starling City with Merlyn.  She leaves Roy a Dear John letter saying she is leaving town and never coming back, saying nothing about Merlyn's return.

Slade is imprisoned in a new facility built by ARGUS on Purgatory island.  Diggle calls it Super-Max.

Ollie knows how to fly a plane.


Location

In the flashbacks, it is revealed that Ollie was taken to Hong Kong after being rescued from the sinking Amazo.


The Fridge Factor

Rochev goes down far too easily and her death - if she truly is dead - is rather anti-climactic.

Laurel doesn't do anything apart from be a hostage for the entire episode.  This only serves to make the scene at the end where Sara gives Laurel her leather jacket and says she thinks she can fill it even more painful to watch.


The Bottom Line

A great conclusion to a great season.  With the possible exception of Detective Lance, there are no fridgings and no unnecessary melodrama heading into Season Three.  October cannot come soon enough.

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 2, Episode 22 - Streets Of Fire

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.




Plot

Slade Wilson's army of Mirakuru-enhanced convicts have been turned loose upon Starling City.  A cure is on the way, but the courier delivering it has become trapped in the chaos.  And even with Quentin Lance placed in charge of the police department and The Canary back in town, it is hard to see how Oliver Queen and the rest of Team Arrow might save the city.  Meanwhile, Thea Queen is saved by a most unlikely ally - Malcolm Merlyn, who is alive and well and seeking to reconcile with his daughter.

In the flashback, Oliver plots how to board the Amazo, rescue Sara and recover Ivo's cure so he can save Slade.


Influences

Green Arrow Year One (The flashback sequences), Green Arrow: Heading Into The Light (Green Arrow and his allies fighting a running battle as supervillains destroy his city) and many Judd Winick stories which attempted to set Deathstroke up as an arch-enemy for Oliver Queen.


Goofs

How did Ollie get separated from his quiver and bow after triggering the cave-in?

Wouldn't it make more sense for Diggle to carry the injured Felicity and for Ollie to carry his own bow, as they make their escape after their van is flipped by Slade's men?


Performances

Every member of the cast is given one moment to shine and most of them get at least one good speech.  The exceptions to this are David Ramsey as John Diggle (who isn't much for speeches) and Summer Glau as Isabel Rochev/Ravager (whose speech gets cut short - see Dialogue Triumphs below).


Artistry

There is a reoccurring theme in the direction and cinematography, with close-ups on Oliver's hands and how he reacts to displays of physical affection, from how his offer of a handshake to Anatoly is turned into a hug to his slowly hugging Felicity back when she offers him a hug along with her words of encouragement.


Trivia

This episode shares its name with a Bruce Springsteen song.  The song is told from the viewpoint of a man - a self-described loser who feels alone and hopeless, which is a fair assessment of Ollie's mindset through much of this episode.

The penultimate episode of Arrow's first season - 122 - also took its name from a Bruce Springsteen song -  Darkness On The Edge of Town.  Both this song and Streets of Fire were on the same 1978 album, which was also named Darkness On The Edge Of Town.

The episode also shares a name with the 1984 cult-classic film Streets of Fire.  There's seemingly no connection between the two, save that the movie was named also named after the Bruce Springsteen song and was meant to use the song on its soundtrack.  Sadly, The Boss denied permission when he found out the studio planned to have another artist cover the song.

The theme song of Streets of Fire - Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young - does hold a few lines that seem to fit this episode.  Chief among these are a number of lyrics that could describe Sara and how she views herself in relation to Ollie  (I'm not an angel) and the final chorus could be Ollie's mantra. (The things they say and the things they do.  Nothing's gonna stop us if our aim is true. )

As in 221, this episode does not begin with the standard "My name is Oliver Queen" introduction.

Oliver's current bow is a compound bow.  Curiously, Oliver Queen in the comics preferred recurve or long bows over compounds.

One of the addresses Quentin directs his men towards is the corner of 5th and Adams.  This is a reference to legendary Green Arrow artist Neal Adams, who designed Oliver Queen's Robin Hood costume.

Quentin Lance's radio call-sign is Delta Charlie 52.  Or DC 52.  As in DC Comics and 52, which is a number of some significance in the DC Comics universe.


Technobabble

Oliver's explosive arrows have metallic heads that are larger than a standard-size arrowhead.


Dialogue Triumphs

Isabel Rochev: (To Diggle) You want to save me some time and energy?  Then tell me where I can find Felicity Smoak.  I have been aching to put a bullet in her smug little face, ever since the day-
(There is a flash of light as Felicity, behind the wheel of Ollie's van, hits Isabel at full-speed.)
Felicity: Huh.  I really thought the airbags were going to go off.

Ollie: I meant what I said.  If we're not back in an hour, you sink the freighter and get yourself home.
Anatoly Knyazev: I think maybe I prefer Bahamas.

(After being informed Mayor Blood won't call in the National Guard and the Police Chief is dead)
Quentin Lane: Well...There's only one more guy we can call.  You're not going to like it.
Lt. Pike: The vigilante.
Quentin Lance:  (shakes his head) The Arrow. (pauses) Lieutenant... I know it's breaking the law.  But what we're up against isn't about The Law.  It's about survival.  We've got masks tearing our city to pieces and we're going to need a mask to stop them.
Lt. Pike: ... make the call.

Slade Wilson: They say Nero sang as he watched Rome burn.  Now I understand why.

Sebastian Blood: What the hell is going on?  One of your juiced-up jack-boots just killed my entire office staff!  And snapped the District Attorney's neck!
Slade Wilson: ... and?

Laurel: Sara?  Where have you been?
Sara: Doesn't matter.
Laurel: Why did you come back?
Sara: I don't know.  There isn't anything here for me.
Laurel: Your family is here.
Sara: You don't know, Laurel.  About me. About who I am and who I've become.
Laurel: I know you're a hero.
Sara: I'm not a hero, Laurel.  I'm the furthest thing from it. I am Ta-er al-Asfer. That was my new name.  Because the woman that I was... the girl that I was... is gone.
Laurel: I'm not going to pretend that I've been through anything that you have.  One thing that I've learned in the past year is that these things... they don't break us.  They make us who we are.
Sara: What I am... is irredeemable.
Laurel: What was that word you said before?
Sara: Ta-er al-Asfer
Laurel: What does that mean?
Sara: It means "The Canary"
Laurel: If you're so far gone... and so irredeemable... then why would they know you by such a beautiful name?

Felicity: What's happening now isn't your fault.
Ollie: Yes it is.  I have failed this city.  Yao Fei.  Shado.  Tommy.  My father.  My Mother.  All that I have ever wanted to do is honor those people.
Felicity: You honor the dead by fighting.  And you are not done fighting!  Malcolm Merlyn?  The Count?  The Clock King?  The Triad?  Everyone who was trying to hurt this city, you stopped them!  And you will stop Slade!
Ollie: I don't know how.
Felicity: Neither do I.  But I do know two things.  You are not alone.  And I believe in you.

(After Sara saves a child from a burning building and runs off)
Mother: Who was that?
Laurel: That's The Canary.

Sebastian Blood: As a young boy, I was plagued by nightmares.  Every night I would wake up in a cold sweat, frightened and alone.  It was my father's face that haunted me.  (holds up his skull mask) And this is how I saw him.  The embodiment of desperation and despair.  I made this mask to conquer my fears.  And to remind myself why I fight.  Every day.  To give this city's most desperate a chance.

Sebastian Blood: I hope you can beat him with this.  For all of our sakes.  And when this is over, I promise you... I will do everything in my power to rebuild Starling City. And I won't just make it the way it was.  I will make it better.  Like I always planned.
Ollie: You really think... after everything that's happened... after what you've done... that they'll still let you be mayor?!
Sebastian Blood: Why not?  No one knows that I've done anything except try to save this city.  And if you tell anyone about my mask, I will tell them about yours.
Ollie: Do what you have to, Sebastian.

(Thea has a gun pulled on Malcolm)
Malcolm: If you're going to use that, you'll want to click the safety off.
(Thea does so)
Thea: I'll shoot you.  I will!
Malcolm: I can see it in your eyes.... my eyes.  They're just like mine.  Both of them filled with pain and anger, because those we loved were ripped from us.  I lost my name.  My wife.  Tommy...
Thea: Shut up!
Malcolm: You're all I have left in this world.  And you've lost everything too, Thea.  But you still have a father.  You still have...
(Thea fires the gun twice)


Continuity

People enhanced by Mirakuru can withstand the force of a car hitting them with no ill-effect.  However, three grenades or one of Oliver's explosive arrows is enough to kill them.  They are strong enough that they can easily push/slide a parked car.

Slade has at least 50 men working under him.

Anatoly Knyazev affirms his friendship with Oliver and promises him anything should they survive this - an offer Ollie took advantage of most recently in 206.  He also promises to teach Oliver Russian, which we've known Ollie could speak since the Pilot.

Quentin Lance is promoted to Detective once again.

Malcolm Merlyn is seen for the first time since 208.  His reason for coming to Starling City has nothing to do with the current chaos and everything to do with him wanting to speak to his daughter now that Moira Queen is dead.

D.A. Kate Spencer - last seen in 219 - is killed by Slade's men.

Sara once again refers to her name in the League of Assassins - Ta-er al-Asfer a.k.a. The Canary - which was first mentioned in 205.

Blood is killed by Isabel Rochev at the episode's end.


The Winick Factor

Much of Season Two's idea of Deathstroke being set up as The Arrow's greatest enemy can be traced back to the Green Arrow comics of Judd Winick.  It is worth noting that, unlike Winick, the writing team of Arrow took care to establish a history between the two characters and craft reasonable motivations for Slade to have a grudge against Ollie beyond "I'm a villain.  You're a hero.  We must kung fu fight!"


The Bottom Line

A solid hour of action that doesn't let up for a moment, with not one but three cliffhangers!  The season finale can't come fast enough!

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 2, Episode 19 - The Man Under The Hood

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.



Plot

What remains of Team Arrow launches a daring midnight raid to destroy Queen Consolidated's Applied Science building.  It's a small victory and a Pyrrhic one, as Deathstroke seeks other means to create his army of Mirakuru-infused soldiers from a STAR Labs holding facility.  At the same time, Ollie tries to make amends with Thea - not only to save their relationship but what remains of the Queen family fortune.  And all the while Laurel Lance weighs the knowledge she has been given and ponders what she will do know that she knows Oliver Queen is The Arrow.

In the flashbacks, Ivo bargains for a quick death as he offers Ollie what he wants most - a cure for Mirakuru.


Influences

Green Arrow: Year One (the island sequences), Dennis O'Neil's Justice League of America #75 (the idea of Ollie losing his company and fortune to a corrupt business partner), Green Arrow: Into The Woods (Isbela Rochev taking over Oliver Queen's company and her motivations for doing so) and countless Batman comics where Commission Gordon is given a chance to learn Batman's secret identity but refuses to do so.


Goofs

Something occurred to me with this episode - where is Walter Steele in all of this?  Granting that he's now working for a bank instead of Queen Consolidated, you'd think he'd be involved in trying to stop Isabel Rochev's takeover and help save the Queen Trust Fund if only for the sake of his step-kids.  There may not be much he can do but you'd think he'd merit a mention!

Felicity and Diggle say they went to Roy's apartment and found it cleaned out.  What happened to the house Roy was living in back in Season One?  (Possibly destroyed during the Earthquake and he moved into an apartment afterward?)

Ivo claims he was able to create a cure for the effects of Mirakuru... despite never having access to the original formula.

Kate Spencer says it best when she warns Laurel to be careful in her continued attempts to blackmail her "because it will not always be this easy."  Laurel should not have any leverage over her father's case, much less any leverage period as a rookie assistant D.A. with only a few months experience with most of that under a recently fired/disgraced assistant D.A. who willingly withheld evidence from the defense during a major murder trial!  That's ignoring the completely legitimate issues that caused Laurel to be fired only a few months earlier regarding her substance abuse problems and her discredited claims that a popular Mayoral candidate was a murderer.  It should be ludicrously easy for Kate Spencer to paint Laurel as a classic disgruntled employee attempting to abuse her position at best and a drug-crazed lunatic at worst.


Performances

Willa Holland knocks it out of the park with her speech about how betrayed she feels.

Summer Glau is genuinely creepy as Isabel Rochev here, letting her mask crack for a moment as she reveals the obsessive woman who is determined to take everything she thought her "true love" wanted her to have.  The whole scene prompts memories of Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.

And yet it is Paul Blackthorne who steals the show with his brief turn delivering "The Commissioner Gordon speech" about why he doesn't want to know who The Arrow is and his importance as a symbol.


Artistry

The opening heist scene as Team Arrow blows up Queen Consolidated's Applied Sciences building is well-played on all fronts.  Ditto Deathstroke's assault on the Arrow Cave before the first commercial break.

The lighting/make-up during the flashback scenes with Ollie talking to Ivo leave him looking like The Starling City vigilante from Season One.

The music as Ollie goes to stop Slade from giving his blood to his minions is particularly haunting, sounding like a combination of broken machinery and an out-of-sync heartbeat.


Trivia

The Robert Queen/Isabel Rochev affair mirrors Green Arrow: Into The Woods.  In that story, Isabel Rochev was a slave in a Siberian diamond mind owned by Queen Industries, who caught the eye of Robert Queen while on a business trip.  Somehow, she got it into her head that Robert Queen loved her and intended to leave his wife and son to make her "his queen".

Caitlin and Cisco - the two STAR Lab employees doing inventory when Deathstroke raids their warehouse - are Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon - two characters who will be reoccurring figures on the upcoming The Flash TV series.  Their names correspond to the secret identities of the super-villain Killer Frost and the superhero Vibe.  Indeed, Cisco actually asks if Caitlin is "getting a bad vibe" off of something at one point.

As Caitlin and Cisco are fleeing Slade, Caitlin unlocks the cage containing equipment that used to belong to a Dr. Arthur Light, whom she describes as "a psycho" who was fired from STAR Labs two years earlier.  This is a reference to the supervillain Dr. Light, who used light-based technology to commit his crimes.  Like Deathstroke, Dr. Light was a frequent foe of both the Teen Titans and Green Arrow.

Cisco attacks Deathstroke with a gun that seems to unleash some kind of sonic blast.  This could be the catalyst for his own future superpowers.

Reference is made to an Iris who has been visiting Barry Allen while he was in his coma.  This is a reference to Iris West - Barry Allen's on-again/off-again girlfriend in the comics and future wife in some stories.

The director of STAR Labs is Dr. Harrison Wells.  This is close to Garrison Slate - the founder of STAR Labs in the comics.

Another reference to Bludhaven - apparently Roy went there after leaving Starling City.



Technobabble

Felicity makes use of William Tockman's Skeleton Key.

Slade steals an experimental bio-transfuser from STAR Labs.  It can deliver blood from one single subject into multiple subjects at once.  It requires a massive amount of power, making it possible to track it by looking for an appropriate power spike.  

Ollie uses an explosive arrow in his fight with Slade.

Ivo says he was never able to replicate the formula for Mirakuru but he was able to create a "cure" to counteract and reverse the physiological effects of the drug.


Dialogue Triumphs

Anatoly: They say living well is the best revenge. *chuckles*  I prefer torture.

Thea: I tried to kiss my half-brother before my real father killed him!  That's how screwed up I am!  And you know the sad part?  I was actually starting to be in a good place.  I had the club.  I had Roy.  I had a brother who wasn't lying to me.  And for the first time in my crazy life, everything didn't seem so completely and totally messed up.  I thought I was going to be okay... I'm so stupid!
Ollie: You're not stupid...
Thea: No, what I am is the daughter of two mass-murderers.  Not one, but two!  So let's face it, Ollie... I was never going to be okay.  It's not in my genes.

Quentin:  There was a time I would have thrown in my badge to find out his name.  You know that.  But then I realized I didn't care who he was.  In fact, I didn't even want to know who he was.
Laurel: Why not?!
Quentin: Because I knew if I knew who he really was that he would become a person.  Maybe he's got family.  Friends.  People that care about him.  Some other life.  And then he couldn't be what I needed to him to be. What this city needs him to be.  See, The Arrow... the man...The man under the hood isn't important.  Can you imagine what it's like to be him?  What he has to live with day in, day out?  What that's got to be like?  The least I can do is sit here and do a little bit of time for him.

Ollie: Thea, whatever dad's faults were... he loved us.  All of us.  Because we were his family.  You were his daughter and some stupid blood test wasn't going to change that.  He chose us.  He chose you.  He made a decision to be your father even though he didn't have to be.  So what does that tell you?
Thea: It tells me that he was a liar.  Just like both of you.


Dialogue Disasters

The first scene in the Arrow Cave features some of the most painfully rendered exposition in the history of the show, as Ollie, Felicity, Sara and Diggle all tell each other precisely why they just did what they did in the opening scene.

Kate Spencer: How's your father?
Laurel: He'll be better once you drop all charges and sign his release papers.
Kate Spencer: He is facing eighteen months!
Laurel: Yes, but he is not going to stay here another day unless you want me to resign and embark on an exciting new career as a criminal defense attorney, whose sole ambition will be to sue the district attorney's office for wrongful arrest and reckless endangerment!
Kate Spencer: Your father will be released on his own recognizance within the hour.  And reinstated tomorrow.


Continuity

Felicity makes reference to William Tockman from 214.  She also makes use of one of his devices to break into the Queen Consolidated Applied Sciences building.

Felicity notes the Queen Consolidated Applied Science Building is the same building where they met Barry Allen in 208.

The doctor who treats Sara at the hospital following Slade's attack notes the last time he saw someone with that many scars, he was examining an Iraq war veteran.

Thea makes reference to how she almost kissed Tommy Merlyn while drunk in 106.

Felicity knows Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon as Barry Allen was moved to STAR Labs in Central City after his condition deteriorated.

Reference is made to Barry's semi-girlfriend, Iris West.  Felicity was not aware of Iris' existence.

Isbael Rochev was trained in combat by Slade Wilson.

Isabel Rochev confirms that she had an affair with Robert Queen but claims to have been his soul-mate.  She further claims that the only thing that stopped him from running away with her was Thea breaking her arm after falling off a horse the day they were going to fly off together.  The incident apparently changed Robert Queen's mind and he fired Rochev the next day and never spoke to her again.

Rochev also confirms that Robert Queen knew about Moira's affair with Malcolm Merlyn and that Thea was not his daughter but he ultimately decided it didn't matter.

Quentin Lance is attacked in prison by a convict he helped collar.  Laurel is able to parley with the D.A. to get the charges against him dismissed and arrange for him to be reinstated to the SCPD.

Roy Harper's fate is revealed.  Slade and Rochev captured him at a shelter in Bludhaven and used him to start transfusing Mirakuru-infused blood to his soldiers.  He is saved by Ollie and Diggle but is left incredibly weak.

Slade is fast enough to parry arrows with a katana.

Diggle shows up in time to save Ollie from being shot by Rochev, downing her with his own gun.  This leads Slade to give Rochev a transfusion of his own Mirakuru-infused blood at the episode's end.

Ollie steals a Mirakuru vial from Slade to use to create Ivo's cure for Roy.  He confesses to the rest of Team Arrow that he didn't mention the cure before because he was ashamed to admit it existed because he chose to kill Slade rather than try to cure him five years earlier.

On the island, Ollie killed Ivo so that Sara didn't have to.

Felicity takes the Mirakuru sample to Cisco and Caitlin.  


The Fridge Factor

Laurel's extrapolating Sara's secret identity after all this time does little but make her look like an even bigger idiot than she's been all season since it took a doctor telling Laurel about all her sister's scars to let her put two and two together, even after being told Ollie's secret identity.


The Bottom Line

The episode starts strongly and then limps towards the finish line.  The action sequences are strong but Laurel's subplot drains the episode of much of its momentum.  Every time things with Slade and Rochev start to heat up, we cut back to Laurel very slowly figuring things out or very slowly figuring out what she's going to do.  The introduction of Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow also distracts away from what should be a gripping climax heading into the season finale.  In the end, this episode attempts too much and succeeds at too little.    

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 2, Episode 18 - Deathstroke

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.



Plot

Slade Wilson has made his first strike against Oliver Queen, kidnapping Thea Queen on the eve of Moira Queen's first debate with Sebastian Blood.  Within a span of 24 hours, Oliver Queen will come to realize just how far Slade Wilson has gone in the name of revenge and who his worst enemy truly is.

In the island flashbacks, Sara prepares a deadly trap for Slade as the two agree to make an exchange of Oliver for the one man who can fix The Amazo's engines.


Influences

Green Arrow: Year One (the island sequences), Dennis O'Neil's Justice League of America #75 (the idea of Ollie losing his company to a corrupt business partner), Green Arrow: Into The Woods (Isbela Rochev taking over Oliver Queen's company) and numerous stories by too many writers to list that explore the idea that Oliver Queen is his own worst enemy.


Artistry

There is one stunning shot before the final commercial break, where The Arrow stands in the warehouse where he thought Thea was being held.  We see him from above standing in the light - a perfect circle witha  brighter circle in the middle... and Arrow standing right on the edge of the bullseye.


Trivia

What little we learn of Deathstroke's healing factor in this episode matches up with the character in the comcis quite well.  In the comics, Slade Wilson has been able to heal from most injuries - up to and including being impaled through the chest on his own sword - far faster than a normal human.  This ability is limited, however, as it could not save Slade's eye when he was shot in the face nor has it proven capable - in various Elseworlds and alternate future stories - of regrowing severed limbs.

This is not the first time Oliver Queen has lost his business to a corrupt business partner.  In Dennis O'Neil's legendary Justice League run, Oliver Queen lost his company to a business partner named John DeLeon.

In J.T. Krul's Green Arrow run, Oliver Queen's company - long out of his hands - was taken over by the comic universe's version of Isabel Rochev.

Isabell Rochev's unspoken motivation for helping Slade is cryptically expressed as "The sins of the father are the sins of the son."  In J.T. Krul's Green Arrow run, Isabel Rochev has an affair with Oliver's father and became obsessed with taking over his company and property, seeing herself as Robert's rightful "queen".

Quentin Lance's full name is Quentin Larry Lance.  The character in the comics he was based on was originally just named Larry Lance.


Dialogue Triumphs

Moira: It would be embarrassing for us both if you couldn't at least appear to be my son tonight.
Ollie: I've gotten pretty good at pretending to be someone I'm not.  I learned it from you.

Diggle: We're going to find her Roy.  We're going to get her back.  She's a tough girl.
Roy: If she's even alive when we find her.
Diggle: You can't think like that.
Roy: I can't stop thinking like that.

Oliver: They're calling you Deathstroke.
Slade: It's a bit flamboyant.  I like it.
Oliver: How did you get off the island?
Slade: THAT is your first question?
Oliver: Well, you've made it pretty clear you aren't going to tell me where my sister is, so yeah - that's my first question.
Slade: I swam.

(As Slade is being released by the police)
Lt. Pike: You should know Officer Lance is facing some very serious charges.
Slade: Well, don't pursue them on my behalf. *looking at Oliver* I'm not one to hold a grudge.

Sara:  Alright, let's all just calm down here.  Slade outplayed us.  It happens.
Roy: It only happened because the police let Slade go.  AFTER we turned him in, because Oliver told us to.
Diggle: What were we supposed to do?
Roy: You're Special Forces.  She's an international assassin.  You'd think between the three of us we could have gotten answers out of Slade ourselves instead of turning him in to the police.  And here's what really sick - is that we didn't even question him because HE said it was the right thing to do.  Just like he said that I needed to break up with Thea, one week after telling me that it wasn't safe for me to leave her alone!
Sara: Wait - do you think it's Oliver's fault that Slade took Thea?
Roy: I think it was his fault that I wasn't there to stop Slade.
Sara: And I think you're just blaming Oliver because you lost Slade.
Roy: Well, of course you'd take his side.  You're screwing him.

Moira: I've told you that these lies were to keep our family safe.  To keep us all together.  But that was the biggest lie of all   And I told it to you.  To Thea.  To myself.  Because I was too weak to face any kind of truth.
Ollie: What's happening now isn't your fault.
Moira: From the moment your children are born you worry what the world might do to them.  But you never stop to think what you might do to them.  That we could be our own worst enemy.

Roy: (to Oliver) I believed in you.  There's nothing left for me here.

Thea: How could you not tell me Malcolm Merlyn was my father?  I believed in you!
Ollie: We were trying to keep you safe.
Thea: Do you have any idea who you sound like?  *glaring at Moira* You sound like her.

Ollie: Roy was right. At every turn I've made the wrong decision.  With him.  With the company.  And now Thea.  I was so focused on what Slade might do to me that it never even occurred to me what I could do to myself.  I am my own worst enemy.
Diggle: That's Slade talking, Oliver.  Don't let him in your head.
Ollie: I can't keep him out of my head, Diggle!  I can't stop him from doing anything!
Felicity: Yes, you can.
Ollie: What makes you so sure?
Diggle: Because you're not alone, man.  Now what, boss?
Ollie: Now we fight back.

Slade: Don't worry.  I'm not here to harm you.
Laurel: Go to hell!
Slade: All in good time, I'm sure.  But before then, I've come to Starling City to see Oliver Queen suffer.
Laurel: Oliver... what?  Why?
Slade: Because he's not the man you think he is.
Laurel: And how would you know that?!
Slade: Because I know Oliver Queen is... The Arrow.


Dialogue Disasters

Not really dialogue as such, but Katie Cassidy's expression at the end of the episode is less "I've just found out my ex-boyfriend is a violent vigilante" and more "This burrito is escaping my stomach and I need to find a bathroom NOW!"


Continuity

Sara makes a mixture using Tibetian Pit Viper venom to knock Slade out - presumably a weaker version of the poison used in 213.

Anatoly Knyazev is confirmed to be an ex-KGB agent.

Slade apparently escaped the island by swimming.

Somehow, Slade is able to scramble Felicity's tracking signal and lose multiple physical tails.

It is unclear precisely how but Slade Wilson uncovered the truth of Thea Queen's parentage.  He reveals said truth - that she is Malcolm Merlyn's biological daughter - to Thea before releasing her.

Thea loved coloring and drew on the walls.  Moira could never be angry at her, though.

Isabel Rochev takes control of Queen Consolidated.  She is revealed to be working with Slade Wilson and to be fully aware that Oliver Queen is The Arrow.  She tells Ollie she thinks its sad he doesn't know her reasons for helping Slade before cryptically adding "The Sins of the Father are the Sins of the Son".

Iron Heights reopened the wing damaged during the earthquake at the end of Season One.  Slade hijacked the bus carrying the inmates to be held there and has apparently recruited them for his army.

Roy is seen watching Thea leave the police station.  His car is then seen leaving the Starling City limits.  It is unclear if Thea is with Roy or not.

At the end of the episode, Quentin Lance is arrested on multiple charges of aiding and abetting a felon after he proves unable to lead his superior to The Arrow.


The Fridge Factor

Granting that Thea is upset, you'd still think she'd have more common sense than to get into a car with a strange man she's only met once before, who just happens to be driving past in the worst part of town.

Laurel is a little too quick in opening her door without seeing who is there first.  Particularly given how many times she's been attacked in her apartment or been kidnapped over the past year...


The Winick Factor

Apart from calling the police to try and expose Slade Wilson to the world, Ollie doesn't do one thing right in this episode.  And even that was all according to Slade's plan!


The Bottom Line

Practically perfect in every way.  There's a number of glorious fake-outs and honest surprises with not one note wrongly played.  Possibly the best episode of the series to date.

Heart of Texas ComicCon 2014 - A Con Report

Heart of Texas ComicCon is a new convention, held in Waco Texas.  Work prevented me from being able to attend on Saturday, but I was able to drive down for the Sunday festivities.  It's the kind of convention I like best - small, intimate and clearly a labor of love. 

The convention staff was great and I should note that they had the most well organized parking lot of any convention held in a community space I've ever attended.  Little details like that can make or break a show and this one was definitely made. I can't wait to see what they do next year!


I premiered a new cosplay for this convention - Slade Wilson from Arrow.  Admittedly, a nice suit and an eye-patch isn't the most complex costume... even if you can dress it up a decent impression of Manu Bennet's voice and accent.  But I'm quite pleased with the result if for no other reason than I think I totally rock a nice suit and eye-patch.


Manu Bennett agreed, for what that's worth.  I got an autographed picture with a nice dedication.


After that, I wander around a bit and said hello to some friends who were also there while taking pictures of the cosplayers and posing for a few myself. I helped Terry Parr of ShoNuff Studios take down his booth, as he decided to leave early due to not feeling well. And I checked in with Michael Champion, as he was in the midst of a new work that I won't spoil but will say looked amazing.

And speaking of looking amazing, time for some cosplay photography!



X-23 and Storm from X-Men


A fencing demonstration by The Shire Of The Emerald Keep.


Black Widow and Jessica Rabbit


A foursome of Sailor Scouts - Mercury, Mars, Moon and Mini-Moon. 


Black Canary 

Lady Annaka Vader as The Sorceress from Masters of the Universe.


Inu Yasha
 
The littlest Sith. Somehow, I think she joined The Dark Side for more than cookies.


Lyndsey Elaine as The White Rabbit.  The Batman villain. Not the Spider-Man villain.


 Glitzy Geek Girl as Black Cat.  This was her first time as a featured guest and her first time running her own table.  She deserves the success, being one of the best cosplayers I know.  Congrats, Anna!

Arrow Episode Guide: Season 2, Episode 15 - The Promise

For a summary of the episode guide layout & categories, click here.



Plot

In the present, Slade Wilson reveals himself to Oliver Queen, in the guise of a businessman with an interest in Moira's mayoral campaign.  Oliver must bide his time as the rest of Team Arrow gets in to position to deal with the most dangerous enemy either Oliver or Sara has ever known.

Five years ago, Oliver, Sara and Slade put their plan to take The Amazo into action.  With a toast of Australian rum, they hope the next dawn will see them free of the island and Anthony Ivo's madness. 


Influences

Green Arrow: Year One (the island sequences) and Green Arrow/Black Canary: A League Of Their Own (Roy's training in the Arrow Cave).


Performances

Manu Bennett steals the show.  We get to see him play Slade on multiple levels - much as Stephen Amell and Caity Lotz have with their characters in the past.  We've seen hints of how the Mirakuru was driving him mad before but this episode gives us the first signs that Slade is able to put method to his madness.  The charming act Slade puts on around Moira and Thea is another interesting mask, which brings to mind the classic Slade Wilson of the original Teen Titans who could be as charming as he was lethal when needed.


Artistry

The action sequences during the attack on The Amazo are feature-film quality.


Trivia

The opening credits now show Roy seeing the Arrow Cave for the first time instead of Oliver visiting Tommy Merlyn's grave.

As in the comics, Oliver's full name is Oliver Jonas Queen.

The sequence in which Roy is seen practicing archery in the Arrow Cave and doing badly may be a call-back to Judd Winick's final storyline on Green Arrow/Black Canary.  In that story, Connor Hawke (the second Green Arrow) gained enhanced strength, durability and a healing factor following his abduction at the hands of a mad scientist but lost much of his ability to use a bow with any degree of accuracy.


Technobabble

The Amazo is armed with GP25 grenade launchers.

Sara mixes up cocculus indicus - a picrotoxin that can counteract the effects of barbiturates like Sodium Pentathol (i.e. truth serum)


Dialogue Triumphs

Slade: All I can say is you and I have something in common.
Moira: What's that?
Slade: I know how difficult it is to pick yourself back up when other people have written you off.

(After Ollie tumbles and hits a perfect bulls-eye)
Slade: Shado would be proud.
Ollie: Thank you.  But those trees don't move. Or shoot back. Ivo's men on the freighter will.
Slade: Then shoot first.

(Ollie tries to shoot the beacon on the beach with a flaming arrow.  He misses)
Slade: Well, we don't have all day...
Ollie: (testily) There's a breeze.

Slade: I believe that when we lose someone we love we have the obligation to honor their memory.

Ivo: It's harder than it looks, isn't it?  Killing an unarmed man?
Ollie: Seemed pretty easy when you murdered Shado.
Ivo: I didn't murder her, Oliver.
Ollie: Ivo, you shot her in the head!
Ivo: I gave you a choice!  You chose Sara!  You blame me, but that's because you can't face your own guilt.  I loaded the bullets, yes.  I pulled the trigger.  But you... you aimed the gun.  And you hold yourself responsible, don't you?
Ollie: Yes... but that doesn't mean I won't kill you.
Ivo: The question is... what will he do?
(Ollie lowers the bow and turns around, to see Slade standing in the doorway.)

Ollie: Cyrus Gold.  The man in the skull mask.  All this was you.  They worked for you.
Slade: Well... I have my allies, just as you have yours.  John Diggle, for example.  I suppose you're wondering why he hasn't taken his head-shot?  Don't worry.  He's still alive.  For now.
Ollie: Slade.... what do you want?
(Slade gets inside his car and then lowers the window)
Slade: Five years ago, I made you a promise.  Do you remember?  Well I'm here to fulfill it.  I'll see you around, kid.

Slade: To kill you now would be a mercy.  You cannot die until you have suffered the same way that I have suffered.  Until you have found complete despair.  And you will.  I promise.


Continuity

Slade Wilson reveals himself to Oliver, masquerading as a businessman interested in donating to Moira's campaign.

Slade brings a gift for Moira - a bottle of Australian rum - Reuther.  We find out later this is the same brand that Slade used to propose a toast before the assault on The Amazo.

Oliver practices sprinting, jumping, tumbling, pull-ups and running shots with his bow as part of his training regiment on the island.

Sara learned enough basic chemistry under Ivo to learn how to make an antidote for truth serum.

Oliver don's Shado's green hood for the first time as Slade also dons Wintergreen's mask.

While speaking with Moira, Slade claims to have never been married or had children.  This contradicts what Slade told Oliver about his background in The Odyssey (114), where he mentioned a son named Joe.  Given all the other lies he is spinning Moira, however, it seems likely Slade was telling the truth then and that this is not a continuity error on the part of the writers.

We see Anatoly Knyazev (a.k.a. The Russian) for the first time since Keep Your Enemies Closer (206) among the prisoners on the Amazo.  We are also introduced to Hendrick (a violent man with a particular loathing for Sara) and Reverend Thomas Flynn - a missionary who has taken to training at least one of the rats in the ship's prison.

Ivo's motivation for finding the Mirakuru has something to do with his terminally ill wife, Jessica.  He left her to find a cure for her condition but judging by their brief phone conversation she is less than thrilled about his leaving her.

Thea Queen is an art expert.  She gave a tour of the Queen Family collection to her art class her senior year

We find out that Sara and Roy are aware of each other now and the two are seen hanging around the Arrow Cave together.

Slade cuts Ivo's hand off.

Slade seems honestly surprised that Sara Lance is still alive.

Moira kicks Ollie out of Queen Manor, saying that he is no longer welcome in her house if how he acted around Slade Wilson is how he is going to act around her from now on.

By episode's end, we discover that Slade has cameras installed all around Queen Manor, secretly planted as Thea was giving him the grand tour.


The Bottom Line

Despite telling a story that has been hinted at all season that we already knew the end result of, The Promise is still an enjoyable episode that offers a number of surprises.   Largely set in flashback, the lion's share of the episode is focused upon Slade Wilson.  Unsurprisingly, Manu Bennett proves more than capable of bearing that burden, playing Slade on multiple levels throughout the episode.  The action sequences are top-notched, being perhaps the most cinematic of any the show has produced to date.  All in all, a fine bit of television.