ARROW Identifies New Story Arcs

Episode 202 “Identity”

[photos: Jack Rowand/CW]

We begin this hour with the obligatory shirtless exercise sequence to satisfy the lusts of those like Felicity Smoak. Oh, you Olicity shippers just won’t be satisfied until they hook up, will you?

Onward!

This hour gives us more world-building, and actually helps cement in place that the Glades disaster is not going to be a one-and-done event like some shows will do. Besides Tommy’s death, the quake has lasting repercussions as well, in that we see FEMA coming in with medical supplies for Glades Memorial Hospital. Supplies that keep getting hijacked by China White and her newfound companion Bronze Tiger.

The “hospital in need” thread helps set up several story lines this week: Roy taking the next step in his journey to becoming Speedy; Brother Blood becoming a threat to both Arrow and Oliver Queen the Tycoon; the beginnings of the Suicide Squad; and Laurel’s hunt for the Hood. And it does all with economy, allowing several scenes to set up multiple arcs in the same moment.

And pieces within pieces allow one thread to impact another, as Roy’s hunting of the FEMA hijackers gets him almost arrested by Laurel, who’s more interested in the vigilante that inspired him. The affect on Thea is pronounced, as she gives him notice to make a choice: her or the Hood. She’s not going to put up with any more shenanigans that might get him killed. So when Arrow offers him a way to help without the fisticuffs, this gives him a bit of both cake and pie. So he’s now going to be “eyes and ears” for Arrow inside the Glades. And he’s still wearing red.

Methinks he’ll take the moniker “Speedy” because something happens to Thea. In this story universe, it’s starting to make sense that way.

The arc with Alderman Sebastian Blood gives us the typical politician-vs-corporation riff we see in the usual Hollywood fare, so it’s no surprise Blood has it out for Oliver, even without the connection Queen’s company has with the earthquake device. And Oliver’s good intentions backfire as Blood turns Oliver’s fund-raising event into a political grandstanding opportunity to show how Oliver Queen can’t even be bothered to attend his own benefit.

Of course, Oliver can’t make the benefit because he’s wrapped up fighting China White and Bronze Tiger, trying to save the medicine and such. But you know… stuff.  Nice to see more trick arrows in the arsenal. And we get a good Olicity moment when she’s complaining about her promotion to Oliver’s … majordomo? Secretary but not really? Oliver’s line about traveling fourteen floors to discuss how he and Felicity spend their nights… that’s sure to get the Olicity shippers a-quiver.

More than likely, this season we’ll see more of an effort to balance the time and responsibilities between “Oliver Queen, Millionaire Playboy” and “Arrow” — two personae that Oliver still has to get his head around.

Not going to be easy, since at the end of the episode he’s surrounded by cops. Because Laurel set him up. Dun-dun-dunnnn.

Next week: Black Canary!

[Official Show Site at CW]     [Previous Recap: “City of Heroes”]