Article first published as ARROW Review Season 3 Episode 6 Guilty on Seat42F.
The
CW’S ARROW proclaims someone “Guilty” this week when a serial killer
begins slaughtering criminals. Suspicion immediately falls on Ted Grant
(J.R. Ramirez), who is seen on the scene of multiple murders and who, it
turns out, used to be a vigilante himself, like The Arrow. Laurel
(Katie Cassidy) is sure Ted is innocent, but could that be because she’s
developed a loyalty during her training sessions and so is blinded to
the truth?
It’s hard to believe that
Oliver (Stephen Amell) doesn’t take Laurel at her word immediately when
she says she is with Ted during a murder. After all, Laurel and Oliver
have a long history together and he even trusts her with his secret
identity as The Arrow. Why would she by lying to him now? She has been a
little erratic lately in seeking vengeance for the death of her sister,
but I still don’t think that should cast doubt about her words in a
totally unrelated matter. It’s just poor writing.
It
is neat to learn about Ted “Wildcat” Grant’s past. He serves as both an
inspiration and a cautionary tale to Oliver. Ted was tough enough to
handle the city’s scum, but he had an apprentice named Isaac (Nathan
Mitchell, Tide Waters) who crossed a line, and is the one framing Ted in
the present. As Oliver thinks about Roy’s (Colton Haynes) woes and how
young Speedy has strayed from the path, it’s easy to see the parallels
between the two men’s situations.
Unfortunately,
ARROW isn’t completely solid on the storytelling here, either. Roy asks
Oliver not to give up on him and Oliver says “Never,” as he should.
Then, immediately Roy wants to hang up his superhero suit. Is Roy asking
Oliver to not give up on him personally? If so, that’s not clear. The
handling of this is a bit murky when a few tweaks would have made it
solid. Also, the transition of Roy from Speedy to Arsenal is a bit
heavy-handed when coming up with the new name.
Roy’s
big issue in “Guilty” is that he’s being haunted by dreams of murdering
Sara. He eventually confesses to first Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards),
then when Felicity indicates Roy may have actually done it, to Oliver,
Laurel, and Diggle (David Ramsey). This is a major step for Roy, but one
that his character has earned in his growth. He is willing to take
responsibility for his actions, even those he isn’t entirely in control
of. He’s ready to turn himself over to the authorities so that Sara will
get justice, even though it wouldn’t be justice for Roy. Excellent Roy
moment.
When Roy realizes he didn’t
kill Sara, just a cop, the fact that his guilt quotient remains high is
terrific. This proves Roy really is a compassionate person, above and
beyond worrying about his friends. I think Oliver can help Roy get over
the guilt and I hope Roy lets him do so, but another excellent
development for the sidekick.
I’m
disappointed that Diggle turns on Roy so quickly, arguing that justice
must be applied equally to friends and foes. Diggle is fully aware of
the Mirakuru drug and what it can do. He also knows Roy, a man who would
never kill an innocent. Why can’t Diggle be the least bit understanding
of the situation? Why does he think Roy should be punished and kicked
out of the group? It’s a stretch for ARROW to do this.
Now,
Laurel turning on Roy, that I would understand. It’s her sister that is
dead, and emotion over something like losing one’s sibling can override
common sense. “Guilty” doesn’t reveal if Laurel will blame Roy or not.
But then Roy is cleared, so he should be safe from her. Not so for
whoever the actual murderer is because, despite Oliver reiterating that
Laurel shouldn’t be training, she goes back to Ted at the end of the
episode and carries on.
The scene in
which Oliver tells Laurel he never sees her as helpless, he just tries
to protect her because he cares, is a great one. It’s a charged moment
between the two exes, and one that holds out hope there could be a
rekindling at some point, though they’re not on the same page right now.
It’s also a testament to how Laurel has changed over the course of
ARROW to be much more than a damsel that needs rescuing. The pictures
that the CW released yesterday of Laurel donning the Black Canary outfit
(right ) should continue this nicely.
There’s
also another completely unnecessary flashback of Oliver in Hong Kong
this week. It does deal with memories and such, which ties it to the
main plot of “Guilty,” but the episode could easily have proceeded
without them and not lost a thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it
again, it is past time for ARROW to drop this element.
“Guilty”
is a bit uneven, as shows on the CW in general and installments of
ARROW in particular tend to be, but it’s still got some good stuff in
it, especially where Laurel, Roy, and Oliver are concerned. As long as
the show sticks to its character development and allows continued
growth, it’ll remain worth watching.
ARROW airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.
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