Title: Arrow: “Reversal” Review
Release Date: November 2nd, 2017
Network: The CW
Genre: Superhero, Drama, Action
Last week’s episode of Arrow ended on a concerning note, as Olicity officially got back together. Yet signs pointed toward greener pastures for the couple’s reunion, a fact demonstrated by my lack of eye rolling and yelling “come on” at the screen. If this week was any indication though, I was wrong, I was so wrong.
“Reversal” sees the return of everyone’s favorite side character, Oliver Queen! Better known in the show as Felicity’s boyfriends. While the episode’s concept of role reversal is an interesting one, it does nothing but brings terrifying flashbacks of Felicity’s reign of terror from season four.
While the concept itself is interesting, it’s a considerably flawed one considering that Felicity is built as a support character, providing tech and communications support as Overwatch, while Oliver is the lead due to a combination of experience, combat skill, and leadership. Couple this alongside the fact that The CW seems to have no idea what hacking, or even the terminology around it (let alone basic coding language), and you have a recipe for disaster.
Did I mention that they brought Felicity’s best friend from Helix back as well? If double the fun of hacking wasn’t enough, “Reversals” villain is none other than the elite hacker Felicity helped break out back in season five, Cayden James. I can appreciate the continuity and callback to previous seasons that is attempted, but not if it means more hacking storylines.
It’s not necessarily Michael Emerson’s fault that James is a bad villain, as his acting is probably the only saving grace of this episode. Yet his “plan” might be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. His plain is to…destroy the internet.
Arrow has had some pretty unbelievable storylines in the past, from a pit that brings people back to life to an alien invasion, but destroying the internet takes the cake as the most abysmally dumb thing ever written in this show. Their explanation and everything surrounding it just had me screaming, “That’s not how that works!” Even if it was actually a Smokescreen for James’ real intentions, the original concept was still feasible in theory according to Arrow.
I get that it’s a show about comics and superheroes, but somehow Arrow fails to execute these ridiculous ideas in its show that it’s CW counterpart, Legends of Tomorrow, thrives upon. I suppose it would help if the show had any likable, developed characters currently outside of Oliver and Renee – who seem to get less screen time with each episode – but the dialogue does them no favors either.
Even forgiving the hacking mumbo jumbo, which makes up about half the episode, the Clumsy sexual innuendos and the praise of Felicity’s genius and omnipotence – despite being the one who caused this situation – are just terrible. Also, they used the “English please” response to technojargon at least five times this episode, once is more than enough. The action in the show is mind boggling too.
Again its a superhero show, so yea they will probably get to a crime scene a lot faster than they should – despite just hearing about it – to move along the plot, but they let every damn villain they face get away at least once an episode. Black Siren was literally only 10 feet in front of Black Canary when she said, “Welp guess she got away.” All of this just so the show can force some ridiculous location mechanic by Mr. Terrific that, as always, doesn’t make any logical or scientific sense.
Despite all of this, and as bad as the episode was, Arrow is not dead to me yet. Next week sees the return of Manu Bennett as Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke, arguably one of the most interesting and badass characters in all of Arrow. Alongside that, Kirk Acevedo character, Richard Dragon, still has to be introduced, and it’s going to be hard to mess him up. By all means though, avoid “Reversal” if you hated season four like I did.
Verdict: “Reversal is a very scary sign of things to possibly come for the rest of season six of Arrow, falling back to what it was criticized so heavily for in season four, as the show becomes Felicity and Friends. I am certainly holding out hope for the rest of the season in the form of Michael Emerson, Kirk Acevedo, and Manu Bennett, but if there are any more episodes like this, I may just have to tap out.
What did you think of the most recent episode of Arrow? What scene or scenes did you like the most? What are your predictions for the rest season six as things begin to unravel? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Also be sure to check back next week for the next episode of the season,”Deathstroke Returns,” immediately after it airs on The CW next Thursday 9 PM ET.
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