On this episode of Arrow Malcolm is captured by Ra’s al Ghul and taken to Nanda Parbat. Because of his love for Thea, Oliver considers saving Merlyn. Ray is obsessed with finishing his Atom suit so he can save the city but Felicity fears he is heading down the same path as Oliver and tries to pull him out of the lab.

The episode is another forgettable one for me, though a lot happens. So lets take it a bit at a time. Nyssa is captured which gives her moments with Thea and Laurel. The Laurel one is a little heartfelt, but Thea is left on a cliffhanger for next week. Overall, it’s a bit meh, especially the Laurel part which I’ve almost totally blocked out just a bit after the episode ended.

The battle against Ra’s al Ghul continues which gets Merlyn captured, and then Oliver and John go after him. There’s some action, most of it is forgettable as well. I say most because the ending was absolutely memorable. It’s one rather interesting ending, and not something I expect at all.

The coolest parts of the episode involve Ray and Felicity. Ray is obsessed with finishing his Atom suit. And we finally get to see it “in the flesh” at the end. It’s a cool payoff, and so far, the Palmer/Atom storyline to me is the highlight of the season. More please! Spinoff please!

The episode is one I’d call a bridge. It sets up a lot for the next one, where hopefully more will happen.

Overall rating: 7

On this episode of Arrow Oliver struggles to adjust to the changes that have taken place within Team Arrow; Laurel ignores Oliver and pursues Vertigo – who injects her with the drug; Thea receives a surprise visitor.

Tonight’s episode is an interesting one. Lots of plot lines are moved forward as we head into the eventual confrontation with Ra’s Al Ghul. But, before that happens, Team Arrow need to come together as there’s been some poor teamwork lately.

During all of that, they need to go up against Count Vertigo who is back on the street. His escape is explained, but not at the same time, but we’ll overlook that. Vertigo and his drug force Laurel to face the death of her sister, and her new role. It also forces her to face the fact her father doesn’t know the truth. There’s also the fact the Thea is knee-deep in all of this without her really knowing.

There’s lots of tension, lots of arguing, lots of issues laid out on the table. All of that is great. The Vertigo stuff though…. ugh, I could have done without that. The group dynamic great, the bad guy in this episode, not so much.

But, a lot has been set up, and we’re off on to the next phase of the season, which looks like it’ll be action packed.

Overall rating: 7.5

On this episode of Arrow still operating without Oliver and desperate to stop Brick, Team Arrow is forced to consider Malcolm’s offer to help shut Brick down as Malcolm has a personal score to settle with the felon. Roy and Laurel point out that the team could use some help to save the innocents of The Glades, but Felicity is adamantly against it. They look to Diggle to make the final decision. Meanwhile, the flashbacks chronicle Malcolm’s descent from kind-hearted father and husband to cold-blooded killer after the murder of his wife.

The episode is an interesting one. There’s really three stories, Oliver’s return home, and then Team Arrow dealing with the Glades, and Malcolm’s origin. Each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Oliver’s journey back, especially with what he suffered, was a bit rushed. I guess it’s been some time, but his journey back felt similar to his previous disappearance flashbacks. Except in this case much more compact. But, it’s all a journey to get him back to his city and eventually d with Ra’s.

The reason I don’t mind the rushing back of Oliver is this story of Team Arrow dealing with The Glades. The whole idea the city would just give up a section because they’re afraid seems a bit silly. The fact that this is happening when The Flash exists not too far away, is just silly. The battle at the end of the episode also felt like a throwback to the meh parts of the first season.

What was really good about this episode was Malcom’s journey which was an origin of sorts showing why he went the route he did and presenting him in a grayish spotlight. He’s no longer pure evil, but a bit more nuanced. It’s a much needed thing, and how he’ll deal with Team Arrow from here on out will be interesting.

Overall, the episode gets us to the end game with Ra’s and drives where the show is going, it’s just a bit of a bumpy and uneven ride.

Overall rating: 7.5

On this episode of Arrow Roy and Diggle try to stop Laurel for following her sister’s footsteps before she gets killed. However a new enemy, Brick, captures the city’s alderman and will kill him if the police wont evacuate The Glades. Meanwhile ray tries to help Detective Lance. Malcolm tells Thea that their family is being hunted and tracked down by Ra’s al Ghul and must leave town immediately.

Out of all of the episodes this season, this one actually kept my interest the least. The storylines were either goofy, or predictable. Laurel is now running around as the Canary, and doing a decent job, but seeing as what happened to her sister Team Arrow don’t really want her to do so. Then, how does she deal with her father, since her father knows her sister was the Canary? Well, they deal with that in a bit of a goofy way, since Laurel and her sister aren’t exactly the same build or have the same mannerisms.

Then there’s Brick, and his kidnapping of the city’s alderman. His demands are just a bit…. weird. I’m kind of missing his motivation for all of this. And the fact the city is willing to cave to his demands is just downright bizarre.

It’s also pretty obvious that Oliver would be back, the question was when and how. The how is a bit…. weak. And overall, this seems to be an excuse to focus on characters other than him, which is good in a way.

The overall various plotlines could be good, but where they weaved in this episode really just derailed what has been otherwise a solid season.

While I liked the idea of focusing on the rest of Team Arrow, with his absence, now I just want Oliver back.

Overall rating: 7

On this episode of Arrow the team’s worst fears are realized when Meryln informs them of Oliver’s death. Meanwhile Ray Palmer tests part of his ATOM suit out and Laurel Lance decides to pursue justice outside of the law by taking up the mantle of the Black Canary.

Oliver is missing, and his team is melting down, not knowing what to do without him. That’s the point of this episode, what is Green Arrow’s team without Green Arrow?

The first episode back after the winter break is a bit of a mixed bag jumbling a lot of story-lines attempting to set up the remainder of the season. Some of it is good, some of it is meh.

The worst part is watching Felicity, Diggle and Roy attempting to deal with a rise of some villains. That, mixed with some past segments featuring Oliver is just too jumpy and disjointed.

What’s great though is everyone having issues with Oliver’s absence, especially after they learn he might have died. There’s some real pathos there and they really do feel like they’re not quite sure what to do now. Felicity’s breakdown is especially ice.

The episode is all about the set up, which is needed, but it’s almost too much packed into one episode, especially when we know Oliver will be back eventually. Not the best of the season.

Overall rating: 7

On this episode of Arrow The League of Assassins give Oliver 48 hours to find Sara’s killer, or Starling City citizens will die. Oliver than has an epic confrontation with Ra’s al Ghul.

This season started off with a surprising death and eight episodes later we finally find out who shot the arrow that killed Sara. That shocking, but at the same time not unexpected, revelation leads to a something else we knew was coming, the confrontation between Oliver ad Ra’s al Ghul. The series has been building to that since the League of Assassins was introduced, and that is about to start paying off.

What’s interesting is the episode builds up to that confrontation and battle, but spends 50 minutes to do so. The actual battle between Ra’s and Oliver is a little short, though I guess if someone is really good at what they do, then the battle isn’t going to last long, especially when it should be as one-sided as it is here.

The ending is a bit shocking I’d say, with things just left out there until the show returns in January, which feels like forever!

Also, we get a bit more insight into Ray Palmer, and what he’s up to. All of that is fairly cool for comic fans who’ll geek out at the various references thrown out there. Where that storyline goes…. we’ll have to wait to January as well.

The episode is an interesting one. Not as strong as some others this season, but a relatively solid payoff considering this season’s build up to this point. Where it all goes, we’ll have to wait and see!

Overall rating: 8.5

On this episode of Arrow as Oliver, Arsenal, and Diggle pursue a killer named Digger Harkness, they encounter an ARGUS team; Oliver and the Flash team up to try and stop Harkness.

I mentioned in my review yesterday that the Arrow’s appearance on The Flash added a bit of darkness to an otherwise overly “bright” show. The reverse can be said for this second team-up episode that has the Flash head to Arrow. Barry helps the Arrow see he doesn’t have to be so dark and moody, and can lighten up a bit.

Taking its name from DC Comics’ (in)famous team-up comics, this episode sees the Flash and Arrow take on Captain Boomerang, a rogue I generally associate with the Flash.

The red speedster and his crew head to see the Arrow and a while gang fight this new villain. What’s solid is, the episode plays off the two’s previous interactions, especially last night’s episode of The Flash. What’s also great is the two episodes together give us numerous winks and nods to the comic team-ups many of us grew up reading. Last night it was “who’d win in a fight,” and tonight is the lessons heroes teach each other, with a return to “who’d win in a fight.”

Two separate shows that are good on their own, but together so much stronger. Here’s to many more team-ups in the future.

Overall rating: 8.5

On this episode of Arrow Oliver must stop an Arrow-obsessed serial killer, Carrie Cutter, who is convinced that The Arrow is her one true love and will stop at nothing to get his attention. Unfortunately, her way of getting his attention is to kill people. Meanwhile, Ray asks Felicity to be his date for a work dinner with important clients. Thea auditions new DJs for Verdant and meets Chase, a brash DJ with whom she immediately clashes.

I’ve never heard of Carrie Cutter/Cupid before this episode, but watching the episode had me want to check out the character more and see the comic portrayal.

Amy Gumenick, the actress who plays Cutter/Cupid, does a fantastic job playing the Arrow obsessed nutter than a loon character. She’s pretty fun to watch, and takes what could easily be a goofy character and makes a little something of her. I’m kind of hoping we’ll see more of her down the road, especially since where she winds up.

The bigger story and theme of the episode is the relationships of a few characters, especially the triangle that is Ray Palmer/Felicity/Oliver. Who’s interested in who, and who will admit what is mixed around a bunch. Oliver is still struggling with his feelings towards Felicity, and to see things not going perfectly for him is actually really nice.

As usual the last moments of the episode is where it’s at. Not only do we get to see a bit of the rendering of Ray Palmer’s Atom suit, but also our first look at Captain Boomerang, the Flash’s Rogue, who’s debuting here instead, further intertwining the two series.

Overall rating: 7.75

On this episode of Arrow Ted Grant is accused of murder when a body is found strung up in the Wildcat gym. In flashbacks, Maseo asks Tatsu to help jog Oliver’s memory so he can remember where an informant for China White stashed key information.

The episode might be focused on Ted Grant, but really the episode is about dual roles and having a partner in crime. It’s a bit of a spoiler, but someone from Ted’s past is behind the murder, which puts the focus on Roy as well, since he’s also a loose cannon to the Arrow.There’s also some foreshadowing for Laurel Lance’s taking on the role of Black Canary too, especially since she’s being trained by Grant.

Roy also admits that he thinks he killed the Canary. Everyone’s reaction is a bit less pissed/shocked than you’d think about this bombshell. In fact, everyone is a bit zen about it all. That of course doesn’t turn out exactly how you’d think. This too brings up the point again that Oliver/Arrow is a murderer, like Roy. Again, Oliver is a little chill about that, where as Roy has the proper meltdown.

It’s an ok episode, definitely not as good as last week, but still moving various plotlines and character development down the road quite well.

And as has been a pretty common tactic, the last few minutes sets up something fun for next week.

Overall rating: 7