Article originally written for Seat42F.
This week’s ARROW finds a friend of the Queens becoming “The
Candidate” for mayor of Star City. Given what has been happening to other
candidates, and that Team Arrow has made no progress against the ghosts
terrorizing the town, this doesn’t seem like a good idea. But not everyone
believes what Star City needs is a mask; some people want a hero in the light.
Is there anyone who can be found to fill that role?
I am disappointed that Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager, Body
of Proof) is brought in to play Jessica Danforth, a seemingly one-episode
character. I enjoy that actress, and I liked this role for her. I was hoping
she’d stick around a bit longer.
But it’s hard to blame Jessica for withdrawing from the
race. With her daughter, Madison (Tiera Skovbye), kidnapped by mad man Anarky
(Alexander Calvert), one understands why Jessica doesn’t want to ride things
out. She’s fine with risking her own life when the city needs her to, but not
her daughter’s. Few would act differently in her position, nor blame her for this.
The primary conflict between Quentin Lance (Paul
Blackthorne) and Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) at this point seems to be that
Oliver keeps his identity a secret. I can see why a police officer has a
problem with that, but I’m glad things are thawing a little between them,
Quentin even asking for Oliver’s help at one point. Hopefully, their
relationship will much improve now that Oliver is running for mayor, a position
that he is uniquely suited for given his ability to stay alive.
I wonder if Oliver can keep being the Green Arrow while
running for mayor. It seems like he’ll have to choose one or the other. As
mayor, he will be watched much more closely than he is now. But he’s seen how
bad the city is, and someone has to step up. At least Thea (Willa Holland), the
one family member he has left, can take care of herself at this point, unlike
Madison.
Well, Thea can defend herself, but she’s not all right. The
effects of the Lazarus Pit are beginning to show themselves in her brutality.
Oliver is willing to let Quentin believe he burned Anarky to protect his
sister, but he won’t be able to keep covering things up for her long-term.
That’s why, even though The League is dangerous, it seems a good plan for
Laurel (Katie Cassidy) to take Thea back to the Pit. With her dad in charge now,
surely something can be figured out to help Thea.
Less smart is Laurel’s plan to bring her own sister, Sara,
back in the Pit. Laurel has already seen the negative effects of resurrection.
She should definitely wait and see what happens with Thea first, to understand
if the negatives can be overcome. I also wonder if the Lazarus Pit would even
work on someone who has been dead as long as Sara has. I guess we’ll soon find
out, though Sara’s starring role in the Legends of Tomorrow spin-off seems to
indicate she will rise again.
I enjoy “The Candidate” a great deal. Besides the stories
above, which are all interesting and engaging, there’re a lot of fun moments in
Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) asking for a code name, or as she tries to take
control of the company she now runs. New character Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum,
Ben and Kate) has plenty of potential. The series is doing a great job
balancing the various plot lines, while developing each character on an
individual basis. As long as ARROW keeps up this trend, I’ll have no
complaints.
Except the flashbacks. It still needs to get rid of the
flashbacks.
ARROW airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.
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