Something old: Star City. Something New: Damien Darhk. Something Borrowed: An Apartment. And something green.
Arrow’s season four, episode one did not waste time in kicking the story into action. The newly named Star City is falling further into darkness and, try as they may, Diggle, Laurel, and Thea need help. Well, more than what Felicity has been secretly doing during her and Ollie’s hiatus. They both agree, though Ollie was reluctant, and head home. On their way back into the derelict town, Ollie asks the big question… a big question: What did they really accomplish?
Whether it is a tirade of masked loons or a quiver full of dead arrows, over the past few months Laurel and Thea have accomplished some awesome new moves. After spending episodes under my scrutiny for her lack of fighting ability (like I can talk), Laurel shows her new moves while defending her dad. And even though these new badies pack a punch, Laurel just won’t stay down. Thea doesn’t hold back either as she shows off her moves in the back of a speeding truck. Her style is similar to her predecessor and ex-boyfriend (Roy/ Jason) with that perfect balance of brutality and gymnastic ability. But there’s a flare of her flickered throughout her fights as she laughs on swinging doors and shouts how amazing fighting the bad guys are.
However, she isn’t the only one a little more light hearted. Stephen Amell once again graces our screens with acting above and beyond. No longer is he brooding with a voice that terrifies you, although he doesn’t find it hard to summon it back. He is a man that smiles. He is lighter, happier and the emotion in his voice heavily contrasts against what it was last season.
Another contrast is our villain. Season one was Merlyn: businessman, assassin, and future city developer. Season two was Deathstroke: Australian maniac with an eye patch (guess he didn’t see that arrow coming). And season three gave us Ra’s: another Australian maniac with an heir problem. So say goodbye to the Australians and say hello to Damien Darhk: businessman, assassin, and future city developer…
His plans are the same as Merlyn’s, yes, but Darhk is bringing mysticism to Star City and he has approached the task without dagger and cloak. This man just waltzed into a council meeting, told his victims his plans, and they still couldn’t do anything to stop him. Except for good, old Captain Lance. Amongst her team, only the Black Canary was able to save him from death but was it worth it? What secret does this Captain have hiding under his shield?
He isn’t the only one hiding secret. Although, Ollie’s secret is a little nicer, hidden in a bowl of pebbles in Thea’s, now his, apartment. Now, I have presented my case against Ollicity on many occasions and, although I still don’t completely agree, I may have softened a little at how cute a couple they are in this episode. The only thing cuter would be Diggle with his baby Sarah.
I cannot wait until season twenty when baby Sarah joins the team.
The flashbacks and long hair are back with Ollie briefly trying his hand at vigilantism in Coast City. It’s great to see him then verses now in relation to his fighting ability. The flashbacks are short and sparingly used, placed more as a teaser as to what’s to come.
This episode has given the audience the good old treatment of amazing fights, the new world of mysticisms, and brought Ollicity closer together with the borrowed apartment. And as for something green?
There isn’t only one ring referenced.
