Please note this is my first ever review! This episode was yet another great one. This is shaping up to be a brilliant show and CW have made something great. Unlike the others this episode is mostly consisted of Oliver's (Stephen Amell) flashbacks to his time on the island, after the previous episode where he joined forces with the strange yet menacing Slade Wilson (Manu Bennet) we see how their relationship progressed) But first allow me to start with the beginning. We see 'The Hood' threatening Moira Queen as to her information about her missing husband Walter, all the while Moira is pleading with the shadowy vigilante not to harm her as her 'Kids' (How ironic The Hood is her son!) need her. Rather foolishly Oliver pulls down his bow and she proceeds to fire at him. Skip to a couple of scenes and Oliver is stumbling into the back of his techno-employee Felicity's (Played by the amazing Emily Bett Rickards) car and begging for assistance whilst revealing his identity, to put it shortly, the rest of the episode is Her and Diggle attempting to save Oli's life and discussing him (Yes, he survives) but most of the story is his flashbacks) As we are shown this we discover Oliver and Slade plan to leave the island via a supply ship however, Oliver's lack of strength and wiliness to kill almost costs them and there is a moment of 'DO IT!" When he phones Laurel but runs out of time. Their plan is foiled however when Oliver tries playing 'Hero' by saving Yao Fei (I'm not liking this guy!) and getting caught. He is then subjected to a vicious and savage attack by 'Deathstroke' (I'm not sure whether I believe its him though.......) before Slade arrives and plunges a blade through his former allies eye and bombs the island. The next scene shows Oliver and Slade reminiscing and Slade revealing he believes Oliver can survive.
4 Reviews
Best Arrow Thus Far
tlfirth22 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
In Arrow's greatest episode yet, tables turned in a big way, with the writers deciding to look more towards Oliver's past instead of what's happening in the present. His relationship with Slade Wilson is an edgy one with a great contrast in character between them. We also got a bit more back story to Slade's origins and his connection to the evil setup that have arrived on the island.
Seeing Oliver make a mess up of a number of things is frustrating, but by the end of the episode, we see a change in his abilities and a new wisdom that Slade seems quite pleased about.. To be honest, I'm a little unclear on the front of why Oliver himself would offer Yao Fei his help, despite being strangled near to death only recently. That fight sequence was very intense though, and to see Slade vs. Billy was a great match-up and with Billy dead, Oliver's torture session has been avenged.
In the present, I thought the opening scene was rather lackluster with Oliver being shot by his own mother, something I can't actually comprehend, considering Oliver's immense skill - why didn't he dodge? On the same front, however, Felicity Smoak was finally shown the truth and could be an integral part of the Arrow's team, especially in her scientific field. What the episode is good at is hinting about suspicions towards Oliver's mother, who has been a primary mystery from the start.
Well-directed throughout and full of intense moments, the best probably was the mine scene as Slade imposes his knowledge of battle, making his believe that he is a strong ally, despite being tough on Oliver. Whilst we might be getting closer, there still isn't assurance when Oliver gets these impressive skills that we now see in the present. If Arrow can continue this standard until the end of the first season, and perhaps even improve, I'll be very satisfied to continue.
8.4/10
Seeing Oliver make a mess up of a number of things is frustrating, but by the end of the episode, we see a change in his abilities and a new wisdom that Slade seems quite pleased about.. To be honest, I'm a little unclear on the front of why Oliver himself would offer Yao Fei his help, despite being strangled near to death only recently. That fight sequence was very intense though, and to see Slade vs. Billy was a great match-up and with Billy dead, Oliver's torture session has been avenged.
In the present, I thought the opening scene was rather lackluster with Oliver being shot by his own mother, something I can't actually comprehend, considering Oliver's immense skill - why didn't he dodge? On the same front, however, Felicity Smoak was finally shown the truth and could be an integral part of the Arrow's team, especially in her scientific field. What the episode is good at is hinting about suspicions towards Oliver's mother, who has been a primary mystery from the start.
Well-directed throughout and full of intense moments, the best probably was the mine scene as Slade imposes his knowledge of battle, making his believe that he is a strong ally, despite being tough on Oliver. Whilst we might be getting closer, there still isn't assurance when Oliver gets these impressive skills that we now see in the present. If Arrow can continue this standard until the end of the first season, and perhaps even improve, I'll be very satisfied to continue.
8.4/10
The Choice
SpideyVerse2316 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was a reverse of what we have had till now, since the flashbacks became the main plot while the present day became the secondary plot. Both work really well though.
In the flashbacks, we see the friendship between Slade and Oliver develop while they try to escape the island. We also get to see Oliver starting to become the fighter he is in the present day. Meanwhile, the reason why Yao Fei is working for Fyers is revealed but it was kind of expected.
In the present day, it picks up right where the previous episode left off and Moira ends up shooting Arrow who is then taken back to the factory by Felicity. I loved the scenes between Felicity and Diggle, especially when Diggle revealed why he is not bothered with Oliver killing people.
It was a great episode, which made a lot of progress in the main storylines.
In the flashbacks, we see the friendship between Slade and Oliver develop while they try to escape the island. We also get to see Oliver starting to become the fighter he is in the present day. Meanwhile, the reason why Yao Fei is working for Fyers is revealed but it was kind of expected.
In the present day, it picks up right where the previous episode left off and Moira ends up shooting Arrow who is then taken back to the factory by Felicity. I loved the scenes between Felicity and Diggle, especially when Diggle revealed why he is not bothered with Oliver killing people.
It was a great episode, which made a lot of progress in the main storylines.
THE ODYSSEY TO PERFECTION
THEARROWFLASH26 July 2020
As I write this I remember the first time I saw this episode....and that moment in it,,,,which is easily one of the most PERFECTLY-WRITTEN, PERFECTLY-ACTED SCENE/WORK OF ART IN THE HISTORY OF ART AND ITS FUTURE OF ALL ETERNITY! And I can say every single word of the previous sentence again, even though It sounds absolutely insane to the uninitiated, because that's exactly what it is. And I'm so goddamn glad that I was there to see it when it first premiered to this world.
The FIRST SCENE, THE FLASHBACKS, THE ACTING, THE ACTING, THE ACTING AND OH, THE ACTING, THE WRITING, THE WRITING, THE WRITING, AND OH, THE WRITING, THE CINEMATOGRAPHY, THE INSANELY INTENSE INTENSITY THAT NO OTHER SHOW COULD EVER PULL OFF (EXCEPT THE FLASH), THE BRILLIANT PLOT THAT NO OTHER CREATIVE TEAM THAN THE ONE OF ARROW COULD EVER EVEN COME UP WITH, THE PERFECTION THAT IS THIS SERIES AND A PARAGON OF THIS PERFECTION THAT IS THIS EPISODE...I.... feel like it'd almost be an insult to even attempt to describe their perfection in words...in thoughts...in ANYTHING that isn't showing this PERFECT EPISODE ITSELF!
And, so I'm not going to do that. If you're stupid enough, miserable enough, idiotic enough to think that this show isn't one of, if not, THE GREATEST SHOW OUT THERE, then I honestly feel pity upon you. That you're not able to even grasp at this show's perfection is,,,,pitiful. But alas everyone gets a second chance. If you're one of those sad people i just described you can change...and you should....and I sure as hell hope you DO.
This show is easily the GREATEST PIECE OF ART THAT IS,HAS, AND EVER WILL BE CREATED & THE *ONLY* COMPETITION IT HAS FOR THAT RANK IS 'The Flash' (2014-) & this PERFECT EPISODE IS A PARAGON TO THAT FACT! WATCH IT OR BE ONE OF THOSE PITIFUL PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T EVEN WATCH THE GREATEST PIECE OF ART TO EVER BE CREATED!
The FIRST SCENE, THE FLASHBACKS, THE ACTING, THE ACTING, THE ACTING AND OH, THE ACTING, THE WRITING, THE WRITING, THE WRITING, AND OH, THE WRITING, THE CINEMATOGRAPHY, THE INSANELY INTENSE INTENSITY THAT NO OTHER SHOW COULD EVER PULL OFF (EXCEPT THE FLASH), THE BRILLIANT PLOT THAT NO OTHER CREATIVE TEAM THAN THE ONE OF ARROW COULD EVER EVEN COME UP WITH, THE PERFECTION THAT IS THIS SERIES AND A PARAGON OF THIS PERFECTION THAT IS THIS EPISODE...I.... feel like it'd almost be an insult to even attempt to describe their perfection in words...in thoughts...in ANYTHING that isn't showing this PERFECT EPISODE ITSELF!
And, so I'm not going to do that. If you're stupid enough, miserable enough, idiotic enough to think that this show isn't one of, if not, THE GREATEST SHOW OUT THERE, then I honestly feel pity upon you. That you're not able to even grasp at this show's perfection is,,,,pitiful. But alas everyone gets a second chance. If you're one of those sad people i just described you can change...and you should....and I sure as hell hope you DO.
This show is easily the GREATEST PIECE OF ART THAT IS,HAS, AND EVER WILL BE CREATED & THE *ONLY* COMPETITION IT HAS FOR THAT RANK IS 'The Flash' (2014-) & this PERFECT EPISODE IS A PARAGON TO THAT FACT! WATCH IT OR BE ONE OF THOSE PITIFUL PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T EVEN WATCH THE GREATEST PIECE OF ART TO EVER BE CREATED!
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