Arrow, Episode 11 – Trust But Verify
Thanks, Arrow. I did NOT see that twist coming. It took me completely by surprise and now I’m not sure of anything any more! Oliver’s saviour on the island was working for Fyers this whole time? To what end, is now the question. Is he undercover and will come to a heroic rescue? Is there a more nefarious reason Oliver ended up on the island than just a random boating accident? I don’t have the answers but Oliver’s face at the big reveal summed it all up. Devastation at his betrayal, and his deep-seated mistrust of people is now much more understandable.
I’m really embracing the different facets of Oliver that Stephen Amell plays. Around his family he’s light and relaxed, even getting a “little boy lost” aura when he’s with his mother. With Diggle he’s honest and willing to show the insecurities that he’s hiding from others. As Arrow he’s brutal, unforgiving and efficient. And the more we see of the version of Oliver on the island, the more we see the evolution of the terrified playboy, completely out of his depth around maps and guns as he improvises ways to manufacture his escape. There are some very subtle changes to the way he carries himself in each of the versions, which are really cleverly written and acted.
Photo courtesy of CWTV
I was glad for Diggle’s involvement in the main story this week. Getting to see some more of his back story was interesting and his reluctance to trust Oliver when his former comrade was suspected brought about a vulnerability that I think will strengthen their relationship. I thought it fitting that as Oliver told him he struggled with trust, he told Oliver that he only wanted to hear the names of people in the book when Oliver felt a need to tell him. There was a new openness on both sides this week which should play out well.
Tommy and Laurel’s dinner with Malcolm was quite revealing. Laurel is trying so hard to see the best in Tommy’s father, where Tommy isn’t willing to give him a chance. Of course we, as viewers, know that Tommy is justified in his suspicion of the elder Merlyn. Having a picture of the Merlyn family in happier days in his Dark Archer lair was a good pointer to his motivation, but the way he treats Tommy, along with his inappropriate relationship with Moira and evil business practices trump any potentially noble ideas he has. He’s a bad guy and one I’m not willing to have sympathy for. Sorry, John Barrowman!
Photo courtesy of CWTV
I want to give a shout out to the ever amazing Ben Browder in this episode. I was stoked to read that he was going to appear on the show – I’ve been a fan of his for years. He delivered yet another fantastic performance; he was convincing as someone who Diggle could trust but when it was revealed he was a cold-blooded mercenary, he was more than compelling.
Finally, I know I always say this but it bears repeating; the stunt work was stellar Once again. It’s an aspect of the show that I look forward to every week and it never disappoints.
Arrow airs on Wednesdays on CWTV at 8e/7c and CTV at 7e/6c
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