The Review at the End of the Universe
“The Dragon” Arrow shifts its focus from the main characters to deliver some insight into Ricardo Diaz as he works to gain a seat at the top table of an influential criminal organisation. Ricardo Diaz is one of those strange sorts of villains. The reveal that he was the mastermind behind everything that this season…
“Fundamentals” Arrow tightly focuses on Oliver Queen as he processes Diggle’s decision to leave him and consider what his next move should be. This season has been rough on Oliver Queen. Half of the team left then Thea decided to go her own way and Diggle decided that working for Oliver is no longer for…
“Brothers in Arms” Arrow explores Diggle’s desire to take on the mantle of Green Arrow causing a major rift to develop between the the only two members of the team who go out in the field. Broadly speaking this season has been about loss, it could be argued that it has been about change but…
“The Thanatos Guild” Arrow returns to the well of League of Assassins storytelling while saying goodbye to a character present on the show since day one. This episode is a difficult one to review as there is a lot happening. Thea’s departure is one of many things going on in this single episode creating an…
“Doppelgänger” Arrow brings back an old friend as Evil-Laurel tries to assume the identity of Earth-1 Laurel in an effort to save herself. Evil-Laurel’s role in this episode plays out pretty much as I expected it to. She angles for sympathy from the press and the authorities while forcing Team Arrow to play along with…
“Collision Course” Arrow turns up the tensions between the two teams when they come to blows over their differing views on what to do with Evil Laurel. The binary team dynamic has been a mixed bag since it was introduced but it has a lot of potential as it has built in dramatic possibilities. In…
“The Devil’s Greatest Trick” Arrow ups the tension as Cayden James threatens to reduce the city to rubble with the bomb he has been holding onto for some time. This season has spent a lot of time focusing on parental relationships. Oliver learning how to be a father to William has been a running narrative,…
“All For Nothing” Arrow explores the question of Vince’s loyalty as Cayden James’ stranglehold on Star City makes the overall situation more urgent for the two vigilante teams. Last week treated Vince as a risk. Trusting him to deliver accurate information and not lead either team into a trap had a lot of danger attached…
“We Fall” Arrow starts to explore the dynamic created by having two distinct crime fighting teams in Star City as Cayden James steps up his criminal activities. I praised the previous episode for approaching the schism between the original members of Team Arrow and the new recruits in a really adult way. Emotions ran high…
“Divided” Arrow returns from winter hiatus with a divided team, growing tensions and a group of villains working together towards a common goal. The previous episode ended on a really pessimistic note with Team Arrow split down the middle between the original members and the new members and a group of villains uniting in common cause….
