Last week, Heather and Chris talked about the big-time comic book influences in Arrow. Unlike them, I went into Arrow knowing only two things: it had an archer as the hero and it was on the CW. What do those two things add up to? Shirtless guy with a great upper body.
(Need to catch up? Don't miss Tori Benson's thoughts on the pilot episode or Heather and Chris's episode 1.02 recap. Plus, read Jennifer Proffitt's report on the Arrow cast panel at NYCC!)
Turns out the show is more than just epic abs (and pecs and biceps and, really, every muscle group you can list). There’s a nice redemption angle, possible love elements, superhero skills and, okay, workout montages. I say this all, to let you know my recaps probably focus more on the ass kicking and the abs than anything you know from the print basis for the TV show. That said, let’s get to the sexy show.
*****SPOILERS*****
Speaking of workouts, this episode starts with Oliver shirtless and working hard. I love this man does crossfit-style workouts for three reasons 1) Because I do them, too. 2) Because he looks better doing them than I do. 3) Because he’s shirtless.
This episode, like all the others, picks on a specific bad business guy. Tonight it’s James Holder, who put bad smoke detectors in low-income housing leading to fires and deaths. I love seeing Oliver as this Robin Hood character, but I also wonder how many names are in that book. The series did just get picked up for a full first season.
Only this time Oliver isn’t the only one gunning for James. When he shows up to give his “back off or else” speech, a sniper takes out James and nicks Oliver with the bullet. This leads to self-stitching. Done shirtless. (Seriously, CW deserves a thank-you note for all the eye candy.)
The bullet is poisoned, though, and that leads us to a flashback to five years ago on the island. Oliver has been shot with an arrow and is given medicine, presumably the same thing he took to stop the poison in the current time.
Is Oliver able to go all CSI based on what he learned on a remote island or because he has crazy cash? I don’t care. He’s hot when he’s science-y.
We discover James Holder’s killer is known by the name Dead Shot. Also, he tattoos his victim’s names on his body and has a killer body. (Should we start thanking casting directors, too?)
Oliver is turning his warehouse hideout into a nightclub. This amuses me almost as much as it amuses his bodyguard. Batman needed more dance parties atop the cave. So I’m in. How do I score a plus one?
Laurel really does have a good best friend. “We are going to go out. We are going to have some shots. And we are going to dance with men we don’t know.”
Oliver Queen: Scales buildings. Looks remarkable in a thermal shirt. Thinks going up against the Russian Mob is a stroke of “good luck.”
The men dying at the hands of the Russian assassin appear to be prospective buyers of the same company Oliver’s stepfather is looking to buy. Sketchy.
Oliver tries to take Problem Sister home from a club. It does not go well. I know Laurel sees that he’s changed. He drops his guard when in protective mode and we don’t see the playboy he’s pretending to be in public. She sees it, too.
Laurel is a secret ninja (or takes self defense classes, whatever). See: Perfect Match for Secret Superhero.
I wonder how many foreign languages Oliver can speak. I want to hear them all. Swoon.
Immediately fell in love with the IT woman. Oliver brings in Dead Shot’s laptop saying he spilled a latte on it. Her: “Really? These look like bullet holes.” Oliver: “My coffee shop is in a bad neighborhood.”
Oliver As Arrow decides it’s time to bring in the cops. It’s the first time he’s asked for help protecting people, but it’s going to take a whole lot more to convince Laurel’s dad to trust a vigilante.
Tommy decides with the air clear about how he’s been sleeping with Oliver’s ex, it’s time to make the proper moves on her. And, though I’m not sure how I feel about Tommy and Laurel together, it’s hard not to appreciate a ‘you make me want to be a better person’ type speech.
Dead Shot tries to kill Walter, but Oliver's stepfather is saved. The sniper continues firing at the auction, and Oliver As Arrow decides it’s time to bust out the grapple.
Dead Shot suggests that he and Oliver As Arrow are the same. They’ve both taken lives. Oliver As Arrow makes the distinction that he only does it for the good of others. Then, arrow to the eye for Dead Shot. This may sound odd, but I like that he has to kill people. I want there to be consequences to it, of course, but I think it’s hard to see a vigilante who isn’t willing to take extreme measures against someone killing others. (This applies to TV, kids. I’m not making a statement for real life.)
Oliver’s bodyguard gets shot in the melee, which means taking him to Oliver As Arrow’s hideout and giving him the antidote for the poison. Time to let him in on the big secret. Next week should be excellent.
SCENES STOLEN BY STEPHEN AMELL’S ABS
Lifting cinderblocks on a pulley means a tight core, people. Oliver mostly gave us his back in the opening scene, but, oh, when those abs were visible, you looked.
While Chelsea Mueller runs Vampire Book Club, she won’t turn down a sexy werewolf, demon or faerie. Her appreciation of Alexander Skarsgard is well documented. Bother her on Twitter — @ChelseaVBC — she likes it.
