Arrow's tone is perfect. It took a lot of inspiration from Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy and it has suited the series to perfection. But every once in awhile we all enjoy an episode that is straight fun. And that was tonight's episode. The mix of The Flash and Arrow's team made this quite possibly the most entertaining Arrow has ever been. And like last nights Flash episode I really enjoyed that the writers created a legit reason for the shows to clash.
First off, as I mentioned in my Flash review, I love the scenes in the Arrow cave with everyone giving their two cents about the current situation. It made for some of the best lines of the night. Lyla drooling over Flash, Cisco videotaping our hooded heroes talking, and Flash doing the Salmon Ladder all made for laugh out loud moments. Cisco is a character that has had his ups and downs. His jokes either hit or completely miss, but tonight he really shined. I would welcome his presence every now and then on Arrow. It was also cool seeing the unlikely interactions such as Barry and Lance. Or Bart Allen as he called him. And Oliver puzzled over what Lance's job actually is at this point was a nice touch. It's also worth mentioning again just how cool it is when Blake Neely combines his two scores for the shows into one. I can only hope Hans Zimmer does this just as well in Batman v Superman.
As for the action this week, I thought it was really well done. Captain Boomerang is a tough villain to pull off considering how cheesy he is. But I thought the writers made him a formidable opponent that will be welcomed back anytime soon. More on that later. Side note, I liked how Roy is having a tough time in the field. He doesn't always win each fight and his use of what seemed to be small bo-staffs was a nice addition. It was interesting to here Ollie call him Speedy for the first time tonight, as it's usually Thea with that name. And once again how cool was it to see Flash and Arrow fight alongside each other? Not only did their banter seem so much like Batman & Superman but I really thought the writers did a good job of adding in a new flavor to what seemed to be a recycled conflict from last night.
As for the flashbacks, I enjoyed them once again. I liked how much of the dialogue and conflict related to present day and showed Ollie's constant struggle with coping with what he does. It did seem a little strange that Waller wouldn't just interrogate the man himself or put her number one guy on the job instead of letting hundreds of people die. But I guess that shows how little she cares for those peoples lives at this point. Back to Boomerang, I am pleased to see he didn't end up with Waller and surprised to hear he's with Slade? I can see that not ending too well for the Arrow crew as it has been confirmed that Slade will be back come the 14th episode. Another little nugget included Cisco giving Ollie a bit of a suit upgrade, although I doubt it will look too different but it was nice to see a change. After all it has been over 50 episodes with it.
So whether it was the ongoing "were not married" joke, or The Flash climbing the Salmon Ladder, tonight was possibly the most fun I have had with Arrow. I thought the screenplay/writing was as good as it has been. The character interactions were hilarious and it actually made sense that all of them would need to work together. It's one of the best episodes Arrow has had to offer yet.
+Group dialogue/banter
+Most fun Arrow has been
+Cisco shines
+Odd duos/interactions were fun
+Flash climbs the ladder
+Bart Allen
+Blake Neely
+Pulled off Boomerang
+Flashbacks relate
+Suit upgrade
+Impeccable writing
-No Ollie-father reveal
-Recycled conflict
10/10
First off, as I mentioned in my Flash review, I love the scenes in the Arrow cave with everyone giving their two cents about the current situation. It made for some of the best lines of the night. Lyla drooling over Flash, Cisco videotaping our hooded heroes talking, and Flash doing the Salmon Ladder all made for laugh out loud moments. Cisco is a character that has had his ups and downs. His jokes either hit or completely miss, but tonight he really shined. I would welcome his presence every now and then on Arrow. It was also cool seeing the unlikely interactions such as Barry and Lance. Or Bart Allen as he called him. And Oliver puzzled over what Lance's job actually is at this point was a nice touch. It's also worth mentioning again just how cool it is when Blake Neely combines his two scores for the shows into one. I can only hope Hans Zimmer does this just as well in Batman v Superman.
As for the action this week, I thought it was really well done. Captain Boomerang is a tough villain to pull off considering how cheesy he is. But I thought the writers made him a formidable opponent that will be welcomed back anytime soon. More on that later. Side note, I liked how Roy is having a tough time in the field. He doesn't always win each fight and his use of what seemed to be small bo-staffs was a nice addition. It was interesting to here Ollie call him Speedy for the first time tonight, as it's usually Thea with that name. And once again how cool was it to see Flash and Arrow fight alongside each other? Not only did their banter seem so much like Batman & Superman but I really thought the writers did a good job of adding in a new flavor to what seemed to be a recycled conflict from last night.
As for the flashbacks, I enjoyed them once again. I liked how much of the dialogue and conflict related to present day and showed Ollie's constant struggle with coping with what he does. It did seem a little strange that Waller wouldn't just interrogate the man himself or put her number one guy on the job instead of letting hundreds of people die. But I guess that shows how little she cares for those peoples lives at this point. Back to Boomerang, I am pleased to see he didn't end up with Waller and surprised to hear he's with Slade? I can see that not ending too well for the Arrow crew as it has been confirmed that Slade will be back come the 14th episode. Another little nugget included Cisco giving Ollie a bit of a suit upgrade, although I doubt it will look too different but it was nice to see a change. After all it has been over 50 episodes with it.
So whether it was the ongoing "were not married" joke, or The Flash climbing the Salmon Ladder, tonight was possibly the most fun I have had with Arrow. I thought the screenplay/writing was as good as it has been. The character interactions were hilarious and it actually made sense that all of them would need to work together. It's one of the best episodes Arrow has had to offer yet.
+Group dialogue/banter
+Most fun Arrow has been
+Cisco shines
+Odd duos/interactions were fun
+Flash climbs the ladder
+Bart Allen
+Blake Neely
+Pulled off Boomerang
+Flashbacks relate
+Suit upgrade
+Impeccable writing
-No Ollie-father reveal
-Recycled conflict
10/10
