This week's episode of Arrow, which takes place on the tropical backlot that is 'Corto Maltese' is not a tale of the Arrow; it is a tale of two sisters. Not two sisters from the same family; but the life and times of two women who are sisters to another character. Thea Queen makes her triumphant return to the world of Arrow, after a mysterious six month absence with Malcolm Merlyn, and then there's Laurel. Pleasant, sweet, 'we don't know what to do with her' Laurel, who finally finds her calling.
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Fans of the comics were upset that it was the other Lance girl who ended up with the Black Canary persona, so I'm sure they will be happy to see that 'comic continuity' is on its way to being restored. The trip was a long one, one that the show perhaps was dragging out for entirely far too long but last night, we understand why: Laurel needed to lose, really and truly lose before she could build herself back up again. This is a superhero show, so naturally that means 'become a superhero'; however, it is the reasons for donning that persona that are important. Laurel has been out of control for nearly a season now, drunk, tossed around, kidnapped, hurt, scorned and if she wants to get into the vigilante game because her sister's jacket is the only thing that quells that desire to self-destruct, well then my God woman, finally! There is nothing more frustrating than a good character who is drifting through the story. She has her sails now.
The only person more adrift the first two seasons of Arrow has been Thea, whose job description was literally the 'hide everything from her' girl. Ever since Oliver returned from the island, she's been relegated to sister-status; she reacts to things, which usually meant somebody lying to her (Roy, mostly; Oliver, always). Yes, we were all 'omg' when she left with her biodad Malcolm at the end of last season, but weren't we also secretly happy that she finally took some initiative in her own life? As long as we all agree that Thea becoming a master warrior in a little over five months is a bit much, even for this show.
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Last week's episode, 'Sara' dealt with how our heroes face death (though it remains to be seen if she'll remain that way); this week has them confronting something much worse: their own worst behavior. Laurel attacks her addictive needs, her fire; Diggle confronts ARGUS and the growing fear he has for his better half, and Oliver and Roy come face to face with the fact that they treated Thea like shit. Oliver treated Thea like the little sister, lying to her every step of the way, never realizing that she had strength in her that was unlike anything else. Is it any wonder she stole away? There will come a reckoning between the two, and it will not be pretty.
And Roy, who is thankfully so charming and puppy-dog eyed that you can almost overlook the fact that he is just a terrible boyfriend. Of the two, Roy's confession comes off as the most honest. Oliver, however, is still stuck on that island. He's still holding a wealth of detail back, detail he will have to reveal to his sister if he ever hopes to make it right. But again, secrets are what superheroes thrive on. And everybody needs their fair share.
Like last week, the need for action threatens to derail the fine character work in the episode. The shootout between Oliver and the boys and a group of random thugs hired by a traitorous ARGUS operative is inserted in simply because the writers realized that no one had been arrowed yet. Indeed, this episode belongs in a show called Oliver, as the titular hero is almost gone from view save for the beginning scene. The ARGUS subplot is on track to mirror the Oliver in Hong Kong flashbacks (mercifully absent this week) and is already on track to be more intriguing and important to the overall story.
The action scenes in Arrow work not necessarily for their need for the story (action scenes are akin to sex scenes in that they can stop things dead in their tracks) but because of their inventiveness and execution. Oliver with a homemade bow and arrow, cobbled together from spare parts? What's not to love about that? And his wry 'I never said I didn't know how to use a gun.' after kneecapping three or four dudes is just a perfect pressure release.
As an aside, Felicity: you really need to negotiate your position and all relevant job perks, and you know, sign a contract before agreeing to take a job. None of the things that happened in this episode should be of any surprise! Also, those heels do not look comfortable at all. And heels don't look comfortable in the first place.
I am largely unfamiliar with Brandon Routh's character from the comics, but it seems obvious that he is, for now, up to no good. Shame. He and Felicity have some excellent chemistry together.
Corto Maltese unpauses the season 3 story and while it does not advance much of it, though Nyssa does make a very surprising appearance at the end, we do now have all the relevant pieces on the board. It's breezy, it's light but it hints at the darkness to come. Each sister has a newfound lease on life, a new power; I look forward to seeing what they do with it.
Background Noise is GameNGuide's television column.
