It’s a classic Rocky III scenario, with Digg playing the role of Apollo Creed to Oliver’s spirit-broken Rock. I’m not entirely convinced that Digg (who not too long ago wanted Oliver to hang up the cowl) would be the one to put the fire back in Oliver, but the impact of The Hood’s absence from the streets of Starling City has been noted by many, so at least his change of heart is backed up by some raw data. And there’s a nice change in tactics that comes with Oliver’s second, more successful meeting with the half-baked firefighter, talking him down instead of just sticking an arrow through his skull.
Okay, so Firefly refusing Oliver’s offer for help in favor of a quick stroll through the flames was silly in execution, but his purpose had been served, so I don’t think anyone will be missing him as a recurring character. He’s an emotional obstacle more than anything, and Oliver confronting his own fears is nicely mirrored by Moira, who starts the episode in worse shape than any of her kids understand. With Walter officially listed as kidnapped, she’s in a serious bind, fully aware of the powers that have taken him, but helpless to stop them, and more than a little at fault.
As with Oliver, it takes a pep talk to get Moira’s groove back, and as usual, it’s Thea’s responsibility to shrilly browbeat her family into getting their act together. Which is basically what she does every week, but thus far, her rants have usually been opposite Oliver, and while Thea herself isn’t playing any new notes here, when bounced off of what Moira’s going through, the therapy session has a lot more weight to it. Guggenheim and Berlanti have promised Thea will be getting more to do in the coming weeks, and hopefully that means contributing in Oliver’s life as something other than a life coach/guilt trip that never ends.
Because when the weaker characters are involved in Oliver’s story, the show benefits enormously. Using Laurel and Quentin as catalysts for the case of the week is formulaic, but it makes their scenes important in a way that Tommy begging for a drawer at Laurel’s place doesn’t. Then again, Tommy-related activity was down to about 5% this episode, which is exactly 5% more than what another easy-to-ignore part of the ensemble will soon have (so long, Jo, we hardly knew ye. Like, at all. I think you liked Thai food, or something). It’s crude, but jettisoning a useless side character is a common, and often beneficial practice among new shows still figuring out their chemistry
As with the long road Oliver faces in going from killer to hero, for every aspect of Arrow that can be simply excised, there will be plenty more in need of a lighter touch, requiring time to be molded to their full potential. It doesn’t look like the writers will have many weeks off before the season finale, so here’s hoping they spent the winter break really looking at where the show is now, where it needs to be by season’s end, and how to get there. I’m tired of being on the fence about you, Arrow: let’s make 2013 your year.
- Stray Thoughts
-Despite slacking on the vigilante job, Oliver hasn’t been sitting on the couch eating bonbons. Amell is looking more ripped than ever.
-Just as every episode of Knightboat will have a canal, inlet, or fjord, every episode of Arrow will find room for a gala, ball or straight-up party.
-Amell struggling to pronounce Galifianakis was one of the show’s better pop culture gags.
-The iPhone is the new Bat-Signal. That’s weirdly fitting.
-Amell has really grown on me as a lead, but when asked to point-blank emote, I can’t help but laugh. His frownie face at getting a call from Laurel had me in stitches.
-Things to look forward to, according to the showrunner interview (spoilers, duh): The introduction of Roy Harper, AKA Speedy! Count Vertigo! The return of Huntress! And a villain team-up between China White, and a newly cycloptic Deadshot!
-Ab-tastic Workout of the Week: As if to directly acknowledge Rocky, Oliver does a little shadow boxing…but inverted, because he paid for that gymnastics setup, and he’s gonna get his money’s worth, dammit!
-Hilariously Specific Trick Arrow of the Week: Barely any arrows at all to speak of this week, unless Ollie’s been working on one that homes in on zippo lighters.