Contributor: John Keegan
Written by Moira Kirland and Marc Guggenheim
Directed by John Behring
Now that Oliver has dealt with the immediate issue of maintaining his secret identity, there’s one crucial step that needs to be taken to transition from a simple seeker of vengeance to an actual hero. That’s what this episode is about, but in another bit of smart writing, there’s still a personal connection that drives part of Oliver’s motivation. A path, after all, is formed by laying one stone at a time.
The connection between Oliver and Kyle is one of parental expectation. Both are driven to their actions in this episode by the expectations that their fathers placed upon them, either in reality or in their own interpretation. It also gives Oliver another really good look at what his father’s mistakes cost others, which combined with his experience on the island, should continue to develop his empathy for the less fortunate.
Oliver and Kyle both take on personas that allow them to operate outside of the law to fulfill what they believe is their father’s desire. Kyle was supposed to have the finer things in life, and so he’s not content with the life he has. That would be good if it led to mere ambition, but instead, it has led to the Royal Flush Gang. And Oliver’s mantle as Green Arrow is self-evident.
To some extent, Dig is the Alfred to Oliver’s Bruce Wayne, but Dig is also capable of being something more. For one thing, he’s a great training partner, which will only help Oliver in the long run. But here he takes the role of conscience, pushing Oliver to be more than just a tool for revenge. I already really like Dig, and I hope he doesn’t become a victim down the road.
The series has allowed Oliver to grow during the emergence of his new persona, while still delving into his formative experiences on the island. I love how Oliver doesn’t find survival to be an easy thing, even with the help that he has. Oliver is constantly challenged. Most importantly, this is fulfilling the all-important task of showing us Oliver’s evolution, rather than simply telling us about it. If all we saw were the skeptical looks from his old friends and family, the transition wouldn’t be as convincing.
Meanwhile, Tommy continues to make a play for Laurel, which is beginning to make me wonder about his true nature. Was he, perhaps, involved in the sinking of the Queen’s Gambit? Does he have a connection to Captain Jack, who appears to be the primary villain at the moment? I get the feeling that Moira is trying to hide the fact that Oliver’s father was involved in illegal activities with Captain Jack, and that’s why Robert was so adamant that Oliver live to make up for his mistakes. It would certainly fit the narrative flow for Oliver to redeem his father while fighting various levels of crime, thus transforming in the process.
I’m still shocked at how much I enjoy this show. The episodes, and the companion digital comic that DC has been producing alongside it, have already presented a version of Green Arrow that far surpasses what has been done with the character for over a year in the “New 52”. I can only hope that this trend continues.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Score: 8/10