The season is winding down, as is any hope for a truly happy ending for this season.
1. Double Arrow Cave
Ollie having a secret refuge isn’t the most shocking thing in the world, but it does illustrate something nice about the show: every now and then, we get a glimpse into what the characters do when they aren’t on Arrow. Of course Ollie would need to unwind, of course Diggle has a favorite burger joint, of course Felicity comes from a weird family. This is nice writing, plain and simple.
2. Ollie and Laurel Have Less Chemistry Than a Remedial High School Student
I know, from a storytelling perspective, we should all be rooting for Ollie and Laurel to get back together, but c’mon people – there is no magnetism between those two whatsoever. Part of that is the result of, again, strong writing. We had to believe that Laurel really loved Tommy, or that Ollie and Sara were meant to be together forever, or at least give ‘shippers out there a modicum of hope that Ollie and Felicity would one day make beautiful, beautiful, ab-tastic babies, and the show has done that in spades.
But because of that, what chemistry was once there has been zapped away to nearly nothing. They seem like bickering brother and sister more than “love of their lives.” If that is the show’s endgame, they need to use Season 3 to find a way to bring those two onto camera with some sort of romanticism lingering beneath.
3. Ok, so who doesn’t know Ollie is the Arrow?
Ollie told Sebastian he’s the Arrow; A.R.G.U.S. knows Ollie’s the Arrow; aside from Quentin and Thea (who probably knows by now), every series regular knows who he really is. At this point, the city is basically just being good parents, pretending to not know where their (hiding in plain sight) child is hiding. I understand why this makes for good TV this season, but I can’t see everyone knowing who he is next season really make for good telvision.
4. Power Trio
Ollie’s desire to bring things back to he, Felicity and Diggle, is a nice return to the feel of the first season, where Arrow was really all about a vigilante seeking justice, and there was a certain air of danger to the proceedings. This season has felt far safer, in so much as the fear of being caught/found out. Now, part of that is due to the “greater” dangers presented this season, but making the gang seem smaller and more vulnerable is a nice choice.
5. Ravager?!?
Sure, she’s not Slade’s daughter, but Ravager has shown up on Arrow. The costume was spot on, down to the swords, and the tone of the character feels just right. This is, yet another, perfectly handled debut. Can this show not have a summer hiatus, please?
