Arrow has been a game-changer in my life that’s introduced me to some fantastic people and amazing opportunities. I remember the times where it felt like weeks would stretch between new episodes of Arrow. Where I could write 3,000-word reviHell, I even skipped one of my college classes back during season 3 because I couldn’t miss an episode.
But somewhere along the way the show I fell in love with has become a shell of itself. Not to say that this season isn’t better than some of the ridiculousness we got last season. But with a crowded cast of characters and 40 minutes to tell a story — which you’d think would be centered around Oliver Queen — it can sometimes be incredibly frustrating.
Now, I don’t find myself needing to watch Arrow live. Unless it’s a big Olicity episode. Because, let’s be honest, the only reason I feel I’m still watching are because of Oliver and Felicity and even Diggle. If those characters ever went away, so would I.
All I really gave a damn about in this mid-season premiere, which felt flat throughout, was Oliver and Felicity — and I guess the intrigue of what the dynamic between Oliver and Emiko could be. But mostly just Olicity.
There was way too much Rene for my liking — though it’s nice to know that these writers understand Rene’s character to the point where he’s still betraying his friends in the future. The flash forwards have become a literal nightmare. And why is it that the only way John Diggle can be relevant is through other characters? Especially Diaz? Emiko Queen is intriguing, but I guess I’m just not super confident in the development of her character — nor am I excited about more airtime being taken from my favorites.
Let’s discuss:
Her Name Is Emiko Queen
Arrow always manages to find new ways to hurt Oliver Queen. Because Oliver is someone that puts stock in the family name and preserving it, having his dead father betray him once again hurts beyond measure.
This time? It’s by abandoning his half-sister that he didn’t know existed. It’s Oliver understanding that because his mother never sent that letter to Walter that Emiko and her mother went neglected. Oh, if Oliver only knew the whole truth.
This episode served as an introduction to Emiko Queen, who for someone that grew up in the Glades seems to have learned some impressive combat training. Our now-unmasked Green Arrow has her own list and own mission that — shocker — involves revenge.
Her mother was murdered and Emiko’s been going through a list of her own (seriously, how many books are there?) en route to ending her mother’s killer. Only the man she believes murdered her mother wasn’t the culprit. Because, of course, let’s start trusting criminals. But, I digress.
Emiko feels like she’s failed in her seeking justice for her mother. But, as he was for the entire episode, Rene is there for her in a similar way that Oliver was there for him when he was first starting out as a troubled youngster. I’d find it sweet and endearing, but then I remember how Rene has treated Oliver as a means of showing his thanks and I want to gag. But it makes
Here’s the thing, Emiko is certainly an intriguing character. But I don’t know Emiko so I can’t really care about her. The way that this show appears to be putting her center stage above others. That takes time. And perhaps I’d be more content to give time to get to know her if this show was anything other than Arrow and one that continues to ignore its titular character.
Future Mess
At first glance these flash forwards had so much potential. A potential to get a taste of a future world that our heroes had saved. Only with each passing episode we were brought deeper into a grim future that actually makes these flash forwards useless.
What sort of satisfaction are we supposed to get out of this knowing that our heroes will fail? That darkness will take over Star City and push friends and family apart? I’m sorry, but I don’t see the point of these flash forwards. Unless this whole thing is some elaborate hoax. Oh, how I yearn for Barry’s ability to go back in time and fix this mess.
But let’s discuss this week’s flash forwards, which were the worst of the flash forwards so far. And that’s mostly because it involved Rene. Look, I love Zoey. But the over abundance of Rene in this episode made it feel like I was gagging for the entire hour.
Shocker, Rene betrays everyone in the future. Some things never change. Not only has he turned his back on Dinah (who isn’t exactly on my favorites list) and Felicity and everyone else, but he appears to be in cahoots with the man that appears to have “murdered” Felicity.
Now, I don’t for one second believe that Felicity is dead. How dumb does this show think we are? Felicity is a main staple of this show, and this show would never have the balls to actually kill her permanently. Seriously, watch Felicity and Oliver be off together somewhere in hiding only to return to save the day. Again. Power couple, am I right?
Why Is Diaz Still On My Screen?
I should’ve known that it was too good to be true for Diaz to be gone for good. At least this quickly. But why is it that the only way we get an actual Diggle storyline is to include the stupid dragon?
Arrow has decided to make Diggle and Lyla relevant again — and again through the story of another character, this time Diaz. As if this could get much worse.
Getting to the gist, Diggle agrees to let Diaz go free if he helps them. And by “let go” Diggle means “join the Suicide Squad and be killed if he even tries to betray them. My man Diggle, he’s still got it. Even when Arrow seems to forget.
As Diaz is getting his bomb implanted into his spine, he starts his incomprehensible mumbling trying to come off as sinister and threatening. Naturally, it comes off as laughable instead. And Lyla is basically all of us as she’s smirking at his nonthreatening mumbles and stifling a laugh.
Arrow airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.
