The Basics:
Team Arrow deal with Helena's return. Roy must deal with Thea.
The Analysis:
Tonight was a sort of breather from all the story we have been getting this season. While a lot was filler, and compelling filler at that, it still managed to move the story. One problem I had was the flashbacks weren't really contributing to any story. It was basically a negotiation process between Sara and Slade for Sara to get Ollie back. They weren't particularly interesting and dragged a bit.
So was Helena's return worth it? Kinda. It really gave Laurel a chance to shine. I am usually against her as a character, because she is annoying, but I found myself thinking "Go Laurel" a few times tonight. She basically gets called back to be a lawyer, which is really a cover to capture Helena when she inevitably returns. Still, this episode was really used to showcase how far Laurel has come since her fall. She even tries to help Black Canary out a little. Laurel is starting to actually become an interesting character, especially now that the writers have given her a bit of an edge, which was showcased at the end of the episode.
The biggest problem I had with this episode was Helena. She is the most character that's been on the show. I blame that squarely on the actress. She is just not right. Her delivery was wrong and the character's motivation is still to kill her dad. I have never been a fan of her on the show, and I'm surprised the writers messed her up again. Even the fight scenes with Black Canary were a bit weak. Still, they brought her story full circle this week, with her dad being killed. Albeit at the hands of a rogue cop, which destroyed her. So the door is still open for her to come back, but I think it will be a while before the writers give her another shot.
As for Roy, Ollie tells him to break up with Thea because he is a danger to her. Roy has to take some drastic actions for it to happen, but when it does the aftermath is excruciating. I especially got a sting for Ollie from that line Thea had about Ollie being the only person that is truthful with her. Thea has become an interesting character on this show, after seeming like a misfire at the beginning of the series, and it makes me sad that she is barely on the show currently. Roy is obviously upset too, but he seems more mad. It will be interesting to see if he is mad at Ollie and decides to do something about that.
Tonight's episode was solid. It wasn't great and it wasn't bad. It really gave Laurel a spot to shine in the spotlight, and for once I actually liked Laurel. Her character and likability seem to be on an upswing, so I hope they stay is this path. At the end of the episode Thea ran into Slade, and it is a cliffhanger into next week, which promises to be an epic one.
Highlights:
- Laurel was likable
- Helena's story is complete
- Ollie and Thea's talk
- Awesome cliffhanger
7 out of 10 Stars