This could be the end for team Arrow… but where do they go from here?
After Roy’s last minute fall-take for Oliver, this week picks up in the immediate aftermath. Team Arrow must come to terms with their mission being forcibly ended. And, can Roy survive in prison? Just to make things worse, a meta-human turns up and starts killing people. Expect Spoilers…
I was a tad concerned that Roy’s attempt to take Oliver’s place in prison wouldn’t realistically get Oliver off the hook. Last week he turned himself in and confessed to Captain Lance. Fortunately (or not), Laurel was on hand to have Oliver released on the basis that the D.A would only be pursuing Harper in this instance. Lance isn’t convinced, and pretty soon the police are searching all locations connected to Oliver in the hopes of finding something compelling.
So even though Oliver is no longer being prosecuted, he’s essentially a flightless bird at this time. Doug Jones (yes, that Doug Jones) plays Jake Simmons, an electricity wielding meta-human that would normally be Barry’s problem. Felicity makes a vague reference to Barry being busy involving something with Dr Wells (no coincidence that there was no Flash this week to sync that up). So Oliver reluctantly enlists Ray Palmer/A.T.O.M to stop him. This does mean more A.T.O.M action scenes, and they are superbly done. I’m definitely hyped for the spin-off.
In addition to that, the flashback scenes are picking up steam as Oliver and Maseo discover that the U.S army is the one who’s been pursuing them. Turns out General Shrieve has plans to release a virus on Hong Kong. Thematically it all ties in to Oliver learning to let people help him, though we’re still left to wonder what caused Maseo to join the League of Assassins later.
So with three main elements to this week’s episode, it’s difficult to say which is the odd one out. Personally, I think the meta-human plot wasn’t necessary (though it may well be facilitating A.T.O.M’s upcoming appearance in Flash in which case it’s an overly elaborate method of getting Palmer to Central City). Roy’s scenes with Thea provide some heart-wrenching stuff, and even then you can tell that Roy doesn’t feel any better about killing a police officer last season.
Of course, Roy is in prison for being the Arrow. That means all of Starling’s most wanted are out for his blood. We get a pretty good fight scene out of it, but ultimately reality wins out and Roy is killed. Well, officially. Turns out it was all part of an elaborate gambit by Team Arrow sans Oliver. The only down-side is that Roy has to leave Starling City
Turns out there’s a little bit of real life writing the plot here. Roy’s actor has been on the clock since this season began, so he was due for an exit from the show. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we won’t see Arsenal again, it’ll be just once or twice a season in future if we’re lucky. Let’s be honest, Roy was only just getting in on the action of Team Arrow, to have him whisked away now stings a little bit, as he isn’t leaving to get his own spin-off.
All that’s left is the shocker final scene. Thea finds herself confronted by Ra’s al Ghul. Unfortunately, a slightly inebriated Thea, currently reeling from the death of her boyfriend (Oliver hasn’t gotten around to telling her yet) isn’t quite up to task. It’s a good fight scene, though highly reminiscent of Oliver’s fight with the Demon’s head. Ra’s impales Thea and leaves her to bleed out. His plan to destroy Oliver’s credibility has failed, but his dialogue indicates that this is plan B. Presumably he will only allow Oliver to save Thea using the waters of Nanda Parbat if Oliver takes the role of Demon’s Head.
Do you think Oliver will become Ra’s al Ghul to save Thea? Will we see Roy again this season? Let us know what you think in the comments below…
