1. Slade is, in a word, methodical
Watching Slade completely undo Ollie’s life – telling Laurel he’s the Arrow, telling Thea who her father is, taking over his company, playing both sides of his mother’s mayoral race – reminded me of watching an old school professional wrestler working on someone’s knee. Blow after punishing blow, until it looks like there is no way Ollie can get back up and fight again.
This is a television show based on a comic book, so of course he will – but still, the Arrow producers can really do a good job of building up a villain.
2. Where is Roy going?
Roy’s journey this season has been unexpected, and so to guess where he’s going seems nearly impossible. I’m sure we’ll get a postcard from Bludhaven, or Central City, or Metropolis before too long, but one thing does seem clear: he really does care about justice, and wherever he goes, he will more than likely find compatriots to pursue justice with.
Would it be so out of character if he brought back a team? Call themselves, Titans, maybe?
3. Isabel’s twist was expected, but well played
I don’t think anyone really saw Isabel being Ollie’s ally and confidant, but the way the swerve was presented made for some damn good television. She is an interesting character, if only because she comes from one of the worst periods of Green Arrow comics, the dreaded J.T. Krul-era, and yet, she is presented here as, more or less, the same character, but adjusted for Arrow-isms.
Of all of Slade’s hench-people, however, she seems the least likely to be a true believer. She seems too smart and too cunning to buy into all of his bullshit. She seems more likely to just play the hot hand, so who knows where her allegiance truly lies>
4. Quentin can’t catch a break
What started out as a near-parody of a tough cop has turned into one of the most nuanced characters in prime-time TV. Quentin has lost a lot, but has also managed to be forgiving, kind, and dedicated to doing what is right. Where has that landed him? In the slammer. Whether or not he is much of a player for the rest of this season, the Gordon/Batman relationship he and Ollie have has been a lot of fun. Here’s hoping that, next year, the writers can give them something a little more unique.
5. Ollie’s true family reveals themselves: Felicity and Diggle
All season I’ve been beating the “Diggle needs something to do” drum. Tonight, he and Felicity finally got something that only they could do: fully support Ollie. Sara is there to look out for her family, as are Moira and Thea. Roy’s out for Thea; Laurel needs to be looking out for herself. Diggle and Felicity? This is all they’ve got – this is what they wake up thinking about each day. And because of that, they can truly help Ollie do extraordinary things.
Next week’s hiatus may kill me.
