ARROW Doubles Down the Action as OG Team Arrow Reunites

 

Episode 403 “Restoration”

[photos: Diyah Pera /The CW]

There has been a common theme that has been showcased throughout the first few episodes of Arrow: Season Four and that theme is tension!

Oliver and Diggle’s relationship continues to be frosty after the Artist Formerly Known as Ra’s Al Ghul put his Man Friday’s family in grave danger last season. Ollie is also not scoring points in the big brother department, as Thea’s murderous rage has nearly killed assassins if Team Arrow were not on the same assignment.  In addition, Detective Lance is still giving Green Arrow and company the runaround with assisting the Star City police force with tackling new baddie Damian Darhk (little do they know that the traitorous detective is working for Darhk).

Add the fact that both Laurel and Thea are going on a dangerous non-sanctioned undercover mission at Nanda Parbat and that Oliver is going to throw his hat in the Star City mayoral race, then you get one explosive episode.

Were Laurel and Thea successful? Did Oliver and Diggle work out their differences? Read on to find out!

Green Arrow and Diggle began this episode going after Darhk’s Ghosts. While they failed to capture a ghost, Nyssa and Merlyn (the newly crowned Ra’s Al Ghul) received visitors: Thea and Laurel. Black Canary wanted Ra’s to resurrect Sara, but Ra’s and Nyssa refused to assist them with their mission.

Back in Star City, Oliver and Felicity still met resistance from Diggle…who refused to accompany them to drinks.  When Diggle arrived back home, he met an unexpected visitor: Vargas. He delivered information regarding a potential lead on H.I.V.E. Little did he know that visitor was working for Darhk.  That visitor brought in some metahuman reinforcement in the form of the assassin Double Down.

As Double Down made a deal with Darhk to take down Team Arrow, Nyssa confronted Laurel about her ambition to resurrect her sister. Laurel was still determined to resurrect Sara, but her sister’s former lover begged her to move on.  Back in Star City, Diggle went rogue to spy on the H.I.V.E. representative as Green Arrow was forced to tackle Double Down on his own.  Both men were overwhelmed by H.I.V.E.’s forces.

While Merlyn revealed a source that could help Thea with her mission at Nanda Parbat, Felicity finally had enough of the drama in Team Arrow. She ordered Oliver and Diggle to make up. Diggle snarled at Oliver that he crossed the line by putting his family in danger, while Green Arrow countered that he wanted to earn back his trust. They also revealed that their goals matched up and Diggle revealed his H.I.V.E. research.

Unfortunately for Diggle, all of his hard work was in vain as Darhk killed his only source by forewarning Double Down about the dire consequences if he failed. Meanwhile, Thea gave into her bloodlust as Ra’s men became the victims of a mini killing spree. After Thea lashed out at her father, Ra’s finally gave into Laurel’s request to resurrect Sara.

When Oliver and Diggle arrived at the H.I.V.E. headquarters, they found the dead agent and a dead-end. Unfortunately, Double Down arrived at Palmer Industries and attacked Felicity and her associate, Michael Holt. After hunting them down to the Arrow hideout, Double Down attacked and injured Michael. As Oliver and Diggle went after Double Down, Ra’s, Thea and Laurel to resurrect Sara against Nyssa’s wishes. While they were successful, Green Arrow and Diggle tracked down Double Down and Oliver took a card for Diggle. Oliver’s act reaffirmed his familiar bonds with his Man Friday.

Back in Nanda Parbat, Laurel tried to reconnect with her recently returned sister, and an enraged Nyssa destroyed the Lazarus Pit. She vowed vengeance on Ra’s and declared Laurel an enemy.

My take: I am so glad that Oliver and Diggle are starting to repair their relationship. Learning how to trust someone again is not easy, but the comrades-in-arms are slowing getting back on track. Also, I loved that Felicity trusted Michael with her secret as being a Green Arrow supporter.

Meanwhile, I have a strong feeling that Nyssa will go rogue soon and might be a thorn in not just Sara’s side, but also to the Legends of Tomorrow team. I am also glad that Merlyn is back, although I do want to see him, Darhk and Oliver in the same room together. Anyways, I cannot wait to see next week’s episode as Detective Lance’s deception might cost him very dearly.

Next week, Detective Lance’s true colors are revealed!