Review/Recap | “Arrow” A Matter of Trust

Welcome to the Front Row Chat Arrow Tag Team Takeaway!  Part recap, part review: each week Hannah and Cassie will discuss the exciting action and drama from season 5 of the CW’s Arrow.

This week on Arrow: A Matter of Trust.  

Mayor Handsome

Cassie: The first few episodes this season have definitely kicked off with a bang.  It seems like everything is bigger and a little more explosive.  And that includes Oliver’s day job.  They’re pulling no punches with Oliver in the media’s spotlight.  It’s such a great juxtaposition for what he spends his nights doing and I can’t help but wonder if somehow, his secret will be leaked at some point this year. It would certainly have a bigger effect now that he’s mayor than when he was just a ‘billionaire playboy’.  I guess time will certainly tell!

Hannah: Mayor Queen is on the right track! (I’d say finally, but that seems harsh.)  He’s showing up on time to meetings and he cares about what is going on and partnering with the DA and it’s working. I absolutely love Oliver taking responsibility for his staff and the decisions that were made in his absence.  And bringing in Lance to his staff is my favorite move so far. Mayor Oliver is growing so much and I love it so much.

Flashbacks

Hannah: Bratva!! I have a feeling that all my flashback portions are going to start that way this year. I’m just so excited for all the Bratva! The themes from the flashbacks are meshing so well with what’s going on in the present and that’s something I’ve missed. It’s the element that made the flashbacks work in season 1 and 2 and the one that has been missing in the last two seasons. I always suspected the Russia flashbacks would be my favorite and I’m so glad I haven’t been disappointed yet.

Cassie: The flashbacks so far this year have been everything we’ve missed since season 2.  And by that I mean– a direct correlation to what’s going on in present day. Past!Oliver learning that the only person he can count on is himself vs Present!Oliver taking leadership over both his Mayoral team and the vigilante team.  It’s exactly what season 3 and 4 lacked, and it’s everything we needed!  I know things are going to get a LOT darker for Past!Oliver before the end of the season, but for now, I’m greatly enjoying the scenes in Russia.  And it’s reminding me of just how much I liked Anatoly.

Team Arrow

Hannah: I’m totally digging the new team dynamic! Wild Dog might be my favorite, but I really feel like they’re getting into the right grove. The growing pains are there and they won’t go away right away, but it’s real. Oliver showing trust in the new team is a huge breakthrough for him and I’m so glad it’s happening! I’ll always miss Roy, but this new team is working for me. (Also, Wild Dog calling Oliver and Felicity ‘mom and dad’ made me laugh out loud. Perfect.)

Cassie: Although we didn’t get much in the way of training the new team this episode (and a bit of me is still aching from the lack of John and Thea in the lair…) it was nice to see that things aren’t all rainbows and unicorns together.  They’re still learning to mesh and there’s still a long way to go.  The one thing I AM excited about is that the writers have set things up for both Oliver and Felicity to overcome painful things in their past.  It will be interesting to see how that unfolds through the rest of the season and how it impacts the team dynamics.

Baddies

Cassie: No sign of Church or Prometheus this week, and I’m kind of glad they’re keepi

ng things close to the vest here. However, I must say, Derek Sampson was a great BotW (Baddie of the Week… that’s a thing, right?  Right.)  It was a lot of fun to see Cody Rhodes on the show and his ‘stardust’ callout was great too.  Oliver still beat him, because come on… he’s the Green Arrow… but Sampson definitely gave him a run for his money.  

Hannah: I won’t lie, I was skeptical of Cody Rhodes guest starring in an episode, but he did a fantastic job. And all the little shoutouts to his WWE wrestling character and SummerSlam worked so well! He was a great baddie of the week and I’m almost bummed that’s all he’ll be. I’m still anxiously waiting for the Prometheus reveal. I can’t wait to see who he ends up being and how it all ties together.

**Editor’s note: Cody Rhodes is the kind of guest star you want on your favorite show. To say nothing of how hard he clearly worked to fit the role, he was excited, enthusiastic from beginning to end, and gracious to his hosts.

Tonight’s Look in the Mirror

Hannah: This Oliver Queen is so reminiscent of the season 1 Oliver and I love it. He’s ruthless and it could make him dangerous in a way we haven’t seen for awhile, but I’m oddly okay with it. Murder-y Oliver is hot. I’ll take all the murder-y Oliver I can get.

Cassie: Oliver is SAVAGE this year on his enemies and it definitely reminds me of season 1.  I’m not sure yet if it’s a good or bad thing.  I know he’s working through a lot, but I, for one, am hoping that he finds some middle ground.  I’m sure he’ll find his way, Oliver always does.  

Olicity

Cassie: My favorite thing about Olicity (whether together as a couple or not) is that Felicity knows Oliver.  She knows how his mind works and she (almost) always has the exact words to say to make him understand what he needs to do.  They have a deep understanding and connection. Felicity’s words of wisdom ring true and take hold in his heart– and to me, that’s a bond that can’t be broken.  

Hannah: I adore these two in any capacity and them working together right now as partners is fantastic. They understand each other on a level that’s unparalleled to any other relationship on the show and even though they aren’t together romantically right now, it’s obvious that connection is still strong and growing. Felicity will always be Oliver’s rock and guiding point and Oliver will always be linked to Felicity’s drive and compassion. I think I’ll always be happy as long as they are in each other’s life.

Last Words

Hannah: Diggle in this episode broke my heart. He’s just so defeated and it kills me to see him like this.  I want him home with Lyla and John Jr. (I’m still bitter Barry Allen you took away Baby Sara but I’m trying to get over it.) I want Digg back. His journey this season feels likes it’s going to be a long and painful one and I’m not ready. I’m not. Overall, this was probably my favorite of the season so far! I’m really enjoying the build up this season. It’s on track to be completely amazing!

Cassie: Quick things I didn’t mention above- Oliver stepping up and really shouldering the responsibility of something Thea did gave me major Queen sibling feels.  I really LOVE the dynamic duo they’ve grown into over the last couple of seasons!  I’m excited to see Quentin in his new role of deputy mayor.  And somehow, Felicity’s b/f Billy really piqued my interest this week with him summoning the Green Arrow to warn him about Prometheus.  Part of me hates to admit it (Team Olicity all the way!) but there it is.

Check of the promo for next week’s all new episode, Penance:

Video Credit: The CW Youtube

Photo Credit: Heroic Hollywood