Arrow S03E23 “Bloody Darhk, This Is”

Wow, this episode was Darhk. With the season coming to another death threatening finale, the audience finds Ollie forced to reveal where his true loyalties lay. The team are rescued first by Merlyn, then the Flash and they quickly head home to defend against the oncoming virus.

But the Flash doesn’t stay. This is an understandable evil. It’s the Arrow’s finale after all. But he’s leaving because he wants to chat with Dr Wells/ the Reverse Flash? We just sat on the other end of Jo telling Barry how he’s the good guy who doesn’t toe the line, who doesn’t leave even the evil to die. Well, Barry, you just left the whole of Central City so you can chat with someone not going anywhere. Sure, Ollie tends to have things under control, but Barry offered his help in the last episode of The Flash and an extra person in these super virus like situations would not go amiss.

Something that was amiss was Ollie’s morality code of not killing. This decision was completely acceptable when he was Al Sa-him. But, in all fairness, Ollie was never washed away so why was it so easy for him to plummet a plane full of people and possibly trade Damien Darhk to execution? Ra’s could be added to this this, but his death was something else. Ollie wasn’t killing a tyrant. He was releasing a prisoner. In that scene where Ollie gave the final blow and followed with his Arabic prayer, I realised that there was more to Ra’s finding an heir. The guy wanted out, and after living for so long, finding an heir or dying were his only choices. In this case, the murder can sneak passed Ollie’s morality code but the others can’t.

One of his morality breakers was trading Darhk. The re-introduction of Darhk was a great tid-bit to prepare the audience for next season. But, unfortunately, it was not a physical appearance but the framework of what this new villain will be: rich, coy and with an army of body guards at his demand. Some of which will have to be replaced after falling prey to our heroes.

The team expertly infiltrated the hotel Darhk was supposedly at and they did it with style! The composition of the scene began as a sneak attack, Ollie radioing in on a guard’s position and Diggle another’s. Then BAM! Merlyn and Nyssa don’t give a damn. These two stroll down the halls, radioing each guard’s position only as they take them out. It’s scenes like these that get me pumped for next season.

as3Unfortunately, I find myself questioning how constant Nyssa will be next season. This woman took Laurel from spazz mattack to League level so quickly even Flash missed it. Nyssa really has been a most excellent trainer and if she isn’t a major player against Damien Darhk, I will be sorely disappointed.

In speed not of similar fashion, Thea leaps onto the scene, clad in leather and shooting down a Leaguer. But maybe they should have waited another season filled with Thea-like yoyo action of ‘I hate you!’ ‘I love you!’. The wait has been excruciatingly annoying, but the costume developers have once again delivered. Her outfit reflects Roys in its red and burnt black edge look but is fixed with some pretty awesome lace work on the jacket front. Most importantly, it’s not sexualised.

We first see Thea/ Speedy stopping a Leaguer from releasing the virus. Seemingly contained in a suitcase, Diggle and she quickly apprehend him only to find it empty. With great misdirection, the Leaguer slits his own throat as the heroes realise the virus is released when the Leaguer’s blood is oxidised. I was expecting some gas canisters, water mains or, heck, even a Joker fish, but blood was so out of the blue. And gross. But awesome. But, still, really gross… not that I’m complaining.

Although not as epic of a finale as I hoped, this episode is certainly up there with some of the best. It’s filled with shocking moments and moments that will make the audience flip out, even if the finale minutes are cheesy. But, hey, Diggle’s thinking of getting mask. Now that is something to look forward to in Season 4.

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