Just when you thought you were rid of me…
That’s right, while Brian is off being Dad Of The Year (which is hilarious, given the theming of this episode) I’m taking over our coverage of Arrow! Which is also hilarious because I barely watch Arrow these days. But this episode seems to be as good a place as any to fire back in because I barely feels like anything is going on in this season.
But, regardless, lets dive into our Five Thoughts on Arrow‘s “Taken”! As always, a spoiler warning is in place.
1. Oliver “The Truth Will Out” Queen
Is there anyone on this show that Oliver hasn’t lied to?
I mean, I know he has the whole secret identity thing going on and that’s inherently lying to everyone, but does he really have to build news secrets to keep from the people who do know his identity as Green Arrow? This whole thing where he’s been lying to Felicity (and Diggle and Laurel) about having a son seems purpose built just to have them argue just in time for the whole wedding plot to come to a head. I wouldn’t be surprised if the show doesn’t drag out this tension for another episode just to make the wedding seem somehow more important when they inevitably go through with it.
Also: did Felicity just cure her spine injury through sheer spite? Like did she want to storm out on Oliver so much that she was just suddenly able to walk again? Because that’s amazing in how terrible it is.
2. Raging Bull, Screaming Hawk
It may be the only thing the show knows how to do, but I really enjoyed Vixen’s Batman-esque introduction in this episode. Having the three goons running through the warehouse, being picked off on by one as animal calls sound, before finally giving Vixen her hero shot and one-liner was a great way to establish her as a kickass addition to the cast.
Vixen was easily my favourite part of this episode because she was the only part of this episode who didn’t spend the whole hour having a moan about how disappointed they were in Ollie. This felt almost like a backdoor pilot into getting Vixen her own live action show by showing that Megalyn Echikunwoke is just as capable of portraying Vixen in live action as she was in the animated.
This did, sadly, saddle her with a lot of expository dialogue about her background (I swear to god, I was ready to scream if I heard about her growing up in a foster home one more time), but it was a hit the episode had to take to get everyone up to speed on her character. I’m hoping that the reaction to Vixen here is enough to maybe see another spinoff show or at least for her to become a recurring character here.
3. Dahrk’s Plan
I honestly can’t believe Damian Darhk, the leader of HIVE and powerful sorcerer, did all of this just to get Oliver to drop out of running for mayor. Christ, Ollie’s campaign has barely been a part of the show so far so it’s so weird to me that Darhk would go through all of this just to get Ollie to drop out of running for mayor.
What makes it even funnier to me, though, is the fact that Darhk still can’t work out that Ollie is the Green Arrow. Like, for god’s sake, man, you kidnap Ollie’s son and the Green Arrow is immediately gunning to get him back and you still can’t realise they’re the same dude? Maybe that’s why you don’t rule the city yet, pal. Just a thought.
4. What Is Malcolm Merlyn Still Doing Here?
Seriously, why is he still around? I don’t get it. He’s not the Dark Archer anymore (and won’t be without some kind of prosthetic), he’s not even Ra’s al Ghul anymore. It just feels like John Barrowman showed up for two scenes just for the paycheck and to yell at Willa Holland like he has any presence in the situation.
Maybe it’s time to take ol’ Malcolm out to pasture for a bit, eh? Instead of having him play second fiddle to one of the most nothing Big Bads I’ve ever seen on a show.
Continued below5. I Can’t Believe This Show Is Still Doing Flashbacks
What is this season’s flashback even about? I counted three flashback scenes this episode that all were about two minutes long at most and had Ollie staring at hole in the wall and had something to do with some possessed bloke. What is even going on with the flashbacks anymore?
I genuinely feel like it’s time to call it quits on the flashbacks. The first two seasons said all they had to say with the flashbacks and showed Ollie’s development from party boy to survival expert, but here? This feels like they’re trying to make up a flashback plot on the fly and stalling with each episode until they come up with something. Just axe them already.
Bonus Thought: This kid got kidnapped and the only thing he thinks about when he’s back home is that he wants a Green Arrow toy instead of The Flash? Jeez, I hate kids.
