For a show that has paced itself extraordinarily well since about half-way through the first season, the second half of season three just hasn’t clicked yet. This week brings Oliver back to the foreground, so hopefully this is the episode that gets the show back on track, pacing wise.
1. Merlyn Ascending
Malcolm Merlyn, in the first season, was a bit of a mustache twirling villain, chewing scenery wherever he went. This season has been much better at developing him into a fully formed character, and this episode doubled down, giving us a Merlyn-centric flashback, showing him as a grieving widower, an absent father and, in the wake of his life being upended, a cold blooded killer.
Contrast that with how he was in the present – full of focus and logic, with a keen sense of who he is and what his purpose is. Meryln is revitalized, perhaps by Thea, perhaps by the chance to do some good in the world, and his character has never been more fun than right now. His scenes with Team Arrow, in Ollie’s absence, were some of the best that any of the actors have done this season.
2. Roy Steps Up
Despite totally blowing his secret identity to Papa Lance, this was the best Roy/Arsenal episode thus far. Colton Haynes can be a bit wooden, but here he had just the right level of ‘trying to be a grown up while secretly shitting my pants’ that had been lacking in the past.
Not only did Roy shine, but the Glades and Sin – two pieces of Roy’s past – also took center stage. Sin told Captain Lance that Sara is not the Canary, and the Glades look like they may finally have a shot at redemption. Roy and his environs have always been a bit of a weak spot for the show, so it is nice to see the writers addressing them.
3. Oliver Returns
We knew Ollie would be back sooner than later, but I still maintain that if the first we saw of Ollie this half season was the green arrow (pun intended) landing near Brick in the uprising sequence, we would all have shit our collective pants in glee. However, there was nothing about Ollie’s return that was surprising to the viewers – in fact, it was downright predictable.
That said, the way the show handled Team Arrow his return was pitch perfect. We’ll talk about Felicity in a bit, but Roy’s relief, Laurel’s belief being rewarded, and Diggle’s quiet, big brother smile were really nice character moments.
4. Wildcat’s 9 Lives Up?
“Hey, Ted – it’s Laurel. Can you put on a ski mask and get killed? Ok? Perfect! Meet me in the Glades!”
If this is really the end of road for Ted Grant? If so, this is the rare instance of Arrow wasting a character without getting full use out of him. Sure, he trained Laurel, but that is only one piece of what the Ted Grant in the comics was all about. I guess they didn’t show him definitely die, but I am pretty sure that we won’t be seeing him again. R.I.P. Wildcat.
5. “I don’t want to be a woman that you love”
Damn, you’re cold Felicity. Totally right, but cold.
But now with Barry Allen and Linda Park dating, who will Felicity date?
I wonder if she has a thing for comics journalists.
