Arrow recap? Don't mind if I do. Filling in for the lovely Chelsea Mueller—go easy on me!
Previously on Arrow: Laurel's being set up as Detective Lance's bait? “Stone cold,” indeed, Daddy. And a Felicity-Oliver alliance? This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, no? Oh, and then there was that proof that Mom's been up to some shady stuff...
(Need to catch up? Don't miss H&H recaps of the pilot episode, episode 1.02, episode 1.03, episode 1.04, episode 1.05, episode 1.06, episode 1.07, episode 1.08, episode 1.09, episode 1.10, episode 1.11, and episode 1.12). Plus, read Jennifer Proffitt's report on the Arrow cast panel at NYCC!)
***SPOILERS TO FOLLOW FOR ARROW 1.13, “BETRAYAL”***
Highlights
I'm still trying to figure out why, exactly, I haven't fallen head over heels for Arrow, because I like so much of what I see:
First up: SARK! David Anders! As always the man makes for a top-notch baddie and I am always up for watching him wreak lotsa havoc. Plus it turns out he even knows how many arrows the Green Arrow has in his quiver, so this is a baddie who has done his homework and will make it a little tougher for the Green Arrow to defeat him; well done, sir.
Digg and Oliver's morality debates are enjoyable as ever, even if we've started to understand them well enough that we don't always need them to spell out that they see things differently.
The fact that Oliver goes to Moira and straight-up asks his mother about Dad's book of names and what she knows about it makes me happy; no scheming, no passive-aggressive inquiries. And while Mommy lies to him in return, you just know she thinks she's protecting him, so it's hard to judge her TOO harshly.
Thea has community service—good!
Tommy/Laurel being adorbs, as usual, and understanding about work commitments and canceled dates. Aww.
I missed a couple episodes so I'm not sure who the Australian in the flashback is, but I like his accent!
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Two dudes break into Laurel's apartment and she kicks alllllll the ass. Until Sark David Anders's character tases her, but there's not much to be done in that situation.
“Lose the bow, Merida.” Ha!
Loved Digg, well, digging around the Moira situation himself, and bringing Oliver proof of his mom's nefarious dealings. Someone had to, I guess, since Oliver definitely has a blind spot where his family's concerned.
Laurel telling her dad she needed space from him—you go, girl! Set those boundaries.
Oliver was kind of really terrifying when he broke into Mom's office and said “You have failed the city.” Next week's episode looks great.
Lowlights
While I do enjoy a lot about the show, last night's episode had a few big “cons” in my book:
The episode, like the show in general right now, lacked tension—I never for a second worried about the fate of any of the characters, because I know they'll all be fine (except, depending on the week and whether they want him/her to return for future episodes, the Baddie of the Week).
Oliver used Laurel as a human shield?! Even knowing he wouldn't actually let anything happen to her and that the police never would have attacked because of Laurel/Detective Lance either, this was a big turnoff. No wonder I'm not more into Oliver/Laurel.
Ewwww: Tommy tells Oliver he thinks Laurel is infatuated with the guy in the hood because they “both know she has a pretty strong track record of being attracted to guys who are dangerous, who break the rules.” Don't flatter yourself, Tommy Merlin.
This is going to sound weird because on a scene-by-scene basis I mostly like how many family members appear in the lives of the main characters and how they and their relationships have depth. That said...I feel like there's TOO MUCH family time in the show. I'd be interested to see more interaction between Oliver, Laurel, Felicity, Digg, and Tommy. But maybe that's because I'm too into Joss Whedon's found-family shows? I don't know.
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What did you all think of the episode? Are you really into Arrow or, like me, enjoying it when it's on but not pining for it when it's not?
Heather Waters is an H&H manager and a 24/7 fangirl. Tweet her @redline_
