Ahoy, folks. After binge watching season 1 and the first few episodes of season 2, I am all caught up, and ready to be your sherpa through the next 3/4 of a season of Arrow. While far from a perfect show, this is, in my humble estimation, the best comics based show on television right now.
1. Dripping with DC Lore
Before the first commercial break, not counting Ollie and his immediate supporting cast, we got mentions of/references to:
– Jean Loring
– Professor Ivo
– S.T.A.R. Labs
– Kate Spencer
– Deputy Mayor (Paul) Levitz
Unlike Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which seems afraid to do anything to draw attention to the fact that it is Marvel-affiliated (well, until last night), Arrow never leaves you in any doubt that the writers are creating a rich tapestry of DC history. It is no surprise that the show has been able to seamlessly bring in so many characters already, not to mention Barry Allen, who is set to debut in 2 weeks.
2. That Said,Everything on the Island is Boring
I understand why the idea of a “reverse LOST” is appealing, but the stuff on the island is dull right now. Once we saw how Ollie got on his feet there, my interest pretty much went in the tank. Everything there looks a little cheesier (the wigs, the makeup, the sets), and it currently isn’t doing too much to push the story forward. It is basically a tool for drawing parallels to Ollie’s current life (DON’T YOU GET IT, HE IS AN ISLAND HIMSELF!), or to drop little bits of information (like telling Sara’s post-boat story).
BONUS: This week on “Bloodrush” – Wait, what the hell is “Bloodrush” exactly? Is this was LOST used to call a Mobisode? Huh? At least it is building up Roy a bit.
3. Ollie is Becoming a Hero – and Count Vertigo is was Becoming his Arch Nemesis
This season has been a really great origin of how “the Hood” or “the Vigilante” is becoming a hero. We see his methods change, his goals change, and his selfishness melt away. But then, tonight, we see him snap and kill again. Ollie didn’t take a magic potion and became a hero – he is struggling with it, and that is making for compelling television.
In addition to that, the Count was becoming his (over the top, certainly) most iconic foil. The show has established a fair amount of villains thus far, but the Count was the one that felt the most vital to who Ollie is, and gave him an enemy who was equal parts villain to him and to the city at large.
4. Love that Vertigo!
The Count parts of this episode felt very much like Tim Burton’s Batman, only with the Count sitting in for the Joker. Same over the top mannerisms, same broadcasting hack, same death from falling from a tall height. Like I said, I like what the Count represented for Ollie on the show, but the over the top performance was a little much.
5. The Twists Keep-A Comin’!
Sure, it is bits like tonight’s final moments that make the show feel soap opera-ish, but they also keep the show from getting stale. Moira Queen is a far more interesting character than she deserves to be, and it is because the writers keep finding fresh, and surprising, ways to build her character up. While I don’t think each episode needs a “holy shit!” twist, that is clearly what they are going for – and hey, if that saves us from an episode all about Ollie’s tattoos, I’m in.
