He’s back! Well, technically the Arrow came back last week, but he wasn’t in full vigilante mode like we’re used to. This week, however, the Arrow was really back. And though everyone missed him and the team kept relenting on about they were lost without their fearless leader, they managed to do fine without him. In fact, so much had changed in the Arrow’s absence, particularly within the dynamic of his crew, that it kind of made his return a bit awkward….wouldn’t you say? Spoiler alert!
Everything Has Changed
Upon his return to Starling City, the Arrow/Oliver assumed it would be business as usual. Little did he know how drastically things had changed while he was gone. In his absence, everyone had to step up their A game in order to continue to protect the city from the likes of criminal masterminds like Brick, and naturally as a result of that growth they weren’t going to just fall in line like dutiful soldiers when Oliver returned. Felicity was first to remind him of that fact.
Last week, we saw Felicity have it out with Oliver over his love confession to her before leaving to go fight Ra’s al Ghul. Then this week, both Arsenal and Laurel challenged Oliver’s decision making. The Arsenal, of course, was sticking up for his former flame Thea, while Laurel was defending her right to be the Black Canary. Although, things got really interesting when Laurel was poisoned with Vertigo this week and her inner fears about following in her sister’s footsteps began to surface.
Canary vs. Canary
One of the best parts of last night’s episode of Arrow was the two fights between the Black Canaries. It was awesome! We got to see Sara Lance teach her sister, Laurel, a lesson in strength and aid her in becoming her own version of the Black Canary; a version that will allow Laurel to use her own unique motivations for being a vigilante instead of simply stepping into her sister’s shoes because she wanted to be closer to her sister again. Of course that sister on sister dual also helped Laurel to realize that she would finally have to face her father and come clean about her sister’s death.
Confrontation & Preparation
Finally, after nearly going an entire season in the dark, Captain Lance learned the truth about Sara. The inevitability of the heart-breaking moment still couldn’t have prepared us for when it actually unfolded. How will Captain Lance move forward knowing definitely that Sara is dead? Who knows, but one thing is for sure, both he and Laurel will never be the same.
The same can be said about Thea, who learned the truth about Oliver being the Arrow. And, in an interesting plot twist, it turns out she is completely fine with it; although learning the truth did turn her against her father Malcolm Merlin…again. Nevertheless, the three of them have bigger issues to contend with: Ra’s al Ghul and The League of Assassins.
With a newly and unlikely formed alliance with Malcolm Merlin, the Arrow/Oliver goes to train with his sister Thea in preparation for yet another showdown with Ra’s al Ghul and The League of Assassins. Luckily for the Arrow, while he returns to “the island” Lian Yu for training, he can rest assured that he is leaving Starling City in very capable hands with Arsenal, Black Canary, Diggle, Felicity and maybe even Ray Palmer/The Atom. Stay tuned folks…I know I will.