Arrow season 3 episodes 15-17 review

It's been quite a while since we last dived into the world of Arrow, but then the series took a break and I didn't have much to tell, but we're back with the episode that lead into the break, and the two episodes that followed it. Let's check them out

Nanda Parbat

When it comes to Ra’s al Ghul, they have an interesting path to make him both a threat to Oliver and a character that comes with his own moral standpoint. Malcolm Merlyn and Slade Wilson both had ditched their morals to undergo their personal vendettas, this is not the case with Ra’s al Ghul.

My issue is that while the goal is sound, it’s sloppily executed. The revelation that Ra’s wanted to appoint Oliver as his successor rang false to me because at no point do I think Oliver earned it.

I’m going to refer to Batman: The Animated Series for my example here because comics change this every other reboot and from what I hear, Batman: The Animated series adapted the original comic. But in that story, Ra’s arranged to have Dick Grayson kidnapped and came to Bruce under the notion that his daughter had also been kidnapped by the same person. Ra’s and Batman travelled around the world and Ra’s was impressed with his resourcefulness and his detective skills, especially after Batman revealed that he knew that Ra’s had arranged the kidnapping. There was also the fact that he knew that his daughter, Talia loved him.

Here there was no test, he failed in the combat trial and almost died. And with Malcolm Merlyn: he found him by chance (because Thea told them where he would be found) and had every intention to make him suffer (and eventually kill him I suspect) this was not a test for Oliver. And to be honest, if Oliver had any sense, he wouldn’t have gone anywhere near it.

I’m glad the reason of saving Thea’s soul was not his main one, even if that’s what he made it out to be and I’m glad that, out of everyone, Diggle is the one that understood that he can’t operate with such a bruise to his ego as that fight.

So, time for the other parts of the story. Thea tells literally everyone that she had a hand in killing Sara; Laurel focuses her anger where it belonged: at Malcolm Merlyn. But it seems Thea’s soul might already be too damaged, this alongside the possibility that she just sent her own father to his death lead to her to confessing to Nyssa (who Oliver defeated rather too easily) and giving her a sword to end this with.

Roy opens up a little to Thea, revealing how he, whilst under the influence of Mirakuru killed that cop, and has since donated money to the family anonymously (erm... what money?)

Then we have Felicity trying to stop Ray Palmer going down the same path as Oliver. Actually handled quite well as we see Ray and Felicity growing closer together as she insists he stops working in order to gain sustenance and sleep. Then immediately after waking up he finishes the suit and becomes Iron Man…

Whoops, wrong property, I mean the ATOM?

So, rating?

Rating 8/10

The Offer

My worry for this half of the season is that it’s the beginning of going backwards for Oliver. Him becoming an enemy of the police (again), him embracing ever more darker techniques (again) him killing (again, and really, are any of those league members he encountered alive?) and him losing everyone he once considered an ally and being alone (again!)

Did this episode qualm my worries? Well, some of them. Having Oliver refuse the offer is a step in the right direction (you know Batman said no after 5 seconds, Oliver actually thought about it) but you can’t deny the temptation for Oliver to lead the league. Resources to fight crime that are an extension of his will rather than questioning every move he makes (like his current partners) and the potential to redeem what once was a cult of killers. And of course we also have the healing waters which seem to be an upgrade from the Lazarus pit and that they can cure minor injuries as well (oh, and let us not forget, it doesn’t leave him insane)

But then we have the going backwards problem with his relationship with the police. Quintin is understandably angry that Ollie didn’t tell him about Sara’s death. My argument would be is that he instructed Laurel to tell her MONTHS AGO! And I don’t recall any moment where she said that she hadn’t or really any moment where it was apparent that she hadn’t.

And of course, this is going to go even further backwards thanks to Ra’s dressing up as the Arrow and killing criminals. When did the Flash become the better show of the two? Oh yeah, the back half of the two seasons. Arrow had an interesting if somewhat over-developed premise but squandered it for a rip-off of Batman’s introduction to the character. And I wouldn’t mind so much, if I thought Ollie did anything to be worthy of praise from Ra’s but the only thing is he survived his blade. So he’s not as skilled as you and lucky: give that man a f*cking prize.

*Sighs* I’m sorry, I just really didn’t like this episode much. OK, Roy Harper’s arc needs to f*cking start already. I’m sick of this stalling!

OK, meanwhile erm… There was a villain, who doesn’t speak and isn’t interesting and got tortured by the police so he wants revenge and… You know what, I really don’t care.

Then there were the flashbacks and absolutely nothing happened in them, well aside Shado turning up at the end, which may or may not be a twin sister, or some such bullsh*t.

Oh, then there’s Thea, who’s 25 different types of messed up, hurting in ways Malcolm Merlyn has failed to teach her to overcome and she falls back into Roy’s arms. OK…

And Nyssa, who is rightfully angry about the offer made to Ollie, and ends up bonding with Laurel. These are actually the most interesting parts of the episode, wow!

OK, I’m over-exaggerating a little. I really don’t hate this episode, I thought it was OK, but this show has done better and it’s disappointing me to have to watch this episode and say it’s not excellent.

Rating 6.5/10

Suicidal Tendencies

Nope, we’re not getting improvement any time soon are we *sigh*

So in today’s episode, the thing that should brought to the front is pushed to the sidelines, an encounter that should’ve been saved for another episode is forced in, a lot of people are idiots, and Laurel Lance proves to be the smartest person on the show. When the hell did that happen?

It’s not an entirely bad episode, but the struggles to find it’s footing this season are staggering to me. The biggest issue is that Oliver chose in episode 1 to ditch his life as Oliver Queen choosing instead to spend his life as the Arrow, and he’s stuck to it. The biggest issue with the arc is that we’re at episode 18 and nothing’s changed for him.

But we have the interesting arc with the suicide squad, and when I say suicide squad. Deadshot is the only one of the villains originally on the team to actually make an appearance… and he dies. Oh, and Cupid’s on the team now… I am so invested in her future

So yeah, Diggle, Deadshot and the other two are alerted about a terrorist incident in Kasnia (namedrop: complete) which turns out to be a senator wanting to be president in the next election or something. He’s about as disposable as you’d expect at this point, and… what do you know, he’s dead by the end of the story.

So, on the other end, the word of the killing breaks out and rather than it’s assuming it’s another of the literally dozens of copycats that have been about since season 1 (and have been particularly abundant this season) everyone immediately assumes that the Arrow has started killing again, because they’re idiots

Ray Palmer of course vows to bring him to justice using his Iron Man… I mean ATOM suit. He uses facial recognition to work out that Oliver is the Arrow, which of course raises questions between him and Felicity.

He tries to bring the information to the cops, but of course, Laurel is there to inform him that none of the evidence would stack up in court, since it’s very easily falsified, and without a corroborating witness to confirm that Oliver Queen is the Arrow, it’s unlikely that would stand up in court, especially since Oliver had previously been acquitted of being the Arrow. Laurel Lance being smart, my god… That happens so rarely I have to keep count.

But by the end of the episode, Ray has thankfully stopped drinking the idiot juice, guess he gives it to Captain Lance given what he’s up to next week. And realises that Oliver is being framed, and gets back with Felicity…

Also, the mayor is killed…

Flashbacks show Deadshot’s origin story, but do we really care by this point? In all seriousness though. The flashbacks this year just haven't had the tension of the previous ones, and it's almost entirely to do with him not being on the Island. 

Rating 7/10

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