Arrow Review: Season 4 Episode 9 "Dark Waters"

Arrow Season 4 Episode 9

“Dark Waters”

Synopsis:

Oliver makes a bold move against HIVE when the city is attacked. Meanwhile, Malcolm checks in on Thea and leaves her with a warning; and things take a horrible turn when Damien Darhk retaliates in a brutal Manner at Oliver’s mayoral Holiday party

Review:

Episode 8 starts with Oliver and crew cleaning the bay with the supporters of his Mayoral campaign. While there Damien Darhk sends a drone to attack. The team decides the best way to retaliate is to out Damien as the leader of the Army of Ghost to the public. This leads to Darhk taking actions at Oliver’s Mayoral Holiday party.

While discussing why Oliver didn’t ask her to marry her months ago Felicity, John, and Thea are taking hostage by Darhk. This sends Oliver into a hunting spree, attacking the army across Star City trying to locate where Damien is keeping them. In come’s Malcolm to the rescue, They plan to turn Oliver in to Darhk to learn their location, While captured Malcolm dressed as the Green Arrow attacks to save the day. They leave Darhk in the warehouse with an explosive Arrow. 

While the team believes that Damien Darhk is still alive after the explosion, since no body had turned up. They decide to go ahead with the planned Tree Lighting ceremony at the bay, where Oliver finally proposes to Felicity. While leaving the party their limo is attacked by a group of ghost, the episode ends with Oliver hold the bloody body of Felicity.

Final Thoughts:

First lets just say great Mid Season Finale, the type which makes you wish this show was a Netflix property and that you didn’t have to wait a month and half to see where it was going to lead. I Absolutely love every time we get Malcolm on screen, this is he evil is he good act every episode is building on the mystic of the character. As I have said before, Malcolm has become the ultimate opportunist.

Well they finally did it, they gave us the glimpse of who might be in the grave. So they shot up Felicity and left her for dead, allowing everyone to wonder if she is truly the one in the grave. 

I am torn with my thoughts, we never do see the headstone leaving it up for speculation still. This could go either way, in many ways the fun and happy felicity hasn’t been seen since season 2, many fans have grown tired of her due to season 3. However; this season has been much better and getting back to the fun quirky girl that everyone loved. So it could make sense to kill her off, finally getting to the Black Canary/Green Arrow relationship from the comics. This really doesn’t make sense since Laurel has never really warmed to the fans of the show. If I was a betting man, I would guess this will ultimately be another twist which we have seen done multiple times in the past. Felicity isn’t dead however an act for Damien Darhk. Remember Barry was at the grave as well and didn't show any signs of being upset. 

Loved seeing Malcolm as the Green Arrow, Interested in seeing where the Damien Darhk Family story will lead, and major props to finding a creepy rendition to Little Drummer Boy for that last scene. All in all I give the episode Two Thumbs Up. Let us know your thoughts on the episode, leave your comments below.

Arrow Review: Season 4 Episode 4 "Beyond Redemption"

Arrow Season 4 Episode 4

“Beyond Redemption”

Synopsis: 

Laurel must deal with the repercussions of taking Sara to Nanda Parbat. Meanwhile, Oliver asks Captain Lance for a favor and while he's not surprised at the response, he is surprised at what he finds out next

Review:

Much like this weeks episode of The Flash, Arrow used this show in order to advance many of the other storylines although not with the same effectiveness of The Flash. Laurel decided to let Captain Lance know Sara was alive. As much as this story should be bigger, it seems as if the creative team has decided episode 5 will be the full dive into Sara, and I know its every week I bring this up (I’m just that excited for the show) but we will finally see the appearance of Constantine to help with the these issues. In many ways this was the Captain Lance episode, he not only had to deal with the return of Sara and his issue with the choice Laurel made to resurrect her sister, but we finally got the come to Jesus talk from Oliver. (This was 3 years in the making) Did anyone else really enjoy the interaction between Oliver and Lance? It was a true moment which brought the best out in both characters. It might have been the best scene with Captain Lance since season 2’s prison hospital bed scene and finally returned Lance to the side of Team Arrow. At the end we see Oliver ask that the Captain help with the problem of Damien Darhk after learning of the Captain alliance. 

Also this week Oliver decided to reveal his plans to run for Mayor of Star City. This was obviously met with mix emotions….okay maybe more so met with a laugh. With the revelation of becoming mayor we are introduce to the new “Arrow Cave”, it seems each season we get a new upgrade to the teams hide out with this one being more in line with what we see at STAR Labs, which make sense since we learn Cisco helped put together the new hide out. Got to love those little Easter eggs.

This week also dove more into the Ray Palmer “Death” from season 3, Curtis Holt has been working on the issue Felicity has had with her phone. This reveals there is a message of some kind for Felicity. Not sure what the writers are doing with this story, as its seems to be hinting at the same love triangle from the last season. I personally hope this isn’t the case, I don’t think we need this as the first few episode have been so much better with out the constant attention to the love issues of Felicity. Hopefully for sake of Ray Palmer and his character, This is more about bring him back than anything else.

Not every week can be a home run, and this week was definitely used to help with all the other character outside of Oliver. A positive from this week is Oliver has finally turned that corner and became a leader of the team rather than the loner who just gives out orders. One minor disappointment from this episode, we learned that the creative team still can’t get the “Canary Cry” to look right. I don’t think we have seen it have any effect outside the first time Laurel used it.

For the first time this season I give Arrow a one Thumbs up. Please leave your thoughts on the episode below.

The Flash Review: Season 2 Episode 3 "Family Of Rogues"

The Flash Season 2 Episode 3
“Family of Rogues”

Synopsis:
When Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team find out Captain Cold (guest star Wentworth Miller) has been kidnapped, they form an uneasy alliance with his sister, Lisa (guest star Peyton List). However, Barry feels double-crossed when he finds out Snart is working with his father, Lewis Snart (guest star Michael Ironside) on a heist. Meanwhile, Joe (Jesse L. Martin) is faced with a difficult decision.

Review:
What do you get when Captain Cold Makes an appearance on The Flash? Basically the best episode of the season thus far! The episode starts with Lisa Snart trying to find the flash to help save her kidnapped brother Captain Cold. Barry decides to team up with Snart to help while Cisco works to remove the bomb from the head of Lisa. By the end of the episode Captian Cold get revenge on his father for “breaking his sisters heart”, and finally The Flash is able to place Captain Cold in prison. So what did we learn about the Snart Family? Well both Golden Glider and Captain Cold work with a moral set codes while the patriarch of the Family Lewis Snart is a different type of evil with no moral code willing to kill anyone who gets in his way or has no use for. This episode is definitely the set up for “Legends of Tomorrow” as we see with the final interaction between Barry and Captian Cold, while Barry is visiting Snart in prison he lets him know that he see’s good in him and its only a matter of time before he makes a change. And Snarts reply of “Should I be a Hero Like you” how could you not just get excited for whats to come. I can’t wait to see how this plays out until “LOT”. (By the way, isn’t the casting of Wentworth Miller as Snart just a masterful choice by the Creative team of The Flash)

The other storylines which played out through out episode 3, we see Iris learn about her mother being alive, how this affects the rest of the season will be interesting to see. I am guessing we will be introduced to Wally West, will he also have the speed force if we see him? Barry seems to be getting a new love interest in Patty Spivot, how will this affect his relationship with Iris? this will be interesting to follow, as the creators of Flash have done a decent job of making the audience like Iris again after pushing her away last season. Also we finally get more details on the worm holes opening up through out central city as we see Jay Garrick work to stabilize the biggest of the worm holes in the basement of Star Labs, will we see Barry travel to Earth-2 this season? I believe we will, but how will this affect his speed force, will he loose his like Jay Garrick did? A lot of questions and hopefully we will get more answers through the rest of the season.

As has been for every episode of The Flash, the highly anticipated last scene gave all the fans what they wanted the most. The Return of Harrison Wells through the newly stabilize worm hole (Let the fan boys scream with Excitement). Personally I can’t wait to see how this will play out. I know I am hoping for a good Wells but admittedly I am leaning towards Wells being ZOOM!

This episode was everything you could want, it brought that excitement which I have felt was missing in first two shows. I give this a definite TWO THUMBS UP!!

Arrow Review: Season 4 Episode 2 "The Candidate"

Arrow Season 4 Episode 2
“The Candidate” 

Synopsis:
The Green Arrow and Speedy try to protect an old Queen family friend, Jessica Danforth, when she decides to run for mayor. Meanwhile, Thea begins to exhibit effects from the Lazarus Pit; and Felicity faces a tough business decision and looks to one of her employees, Curtis Holt, for help.

Review:
Episode 2 starts off with Team Arrow battling Damien Darhk’s army of ghost. This is a nice change of pace for the show, it seems like we will get a lot more than the usual half of a season with the main villain. As the title of the episode state we are introduce to Jessica Danforth who declares she is running for mayor, Due to her choice to run for Mayor we are introduced for the first time to Anarky who was hired by Darhk to prevent Danforth from becoming Mayor of Star City. I’m personally excited to see that the creators of Arrow have brought a villain who isn’t tied to the main storyline, we haven’t had this since season two with Vertigo.

Obviously this wouldn’t be an episode of arrow without multiple storylines being played out through out every show, Which brings us to Diggle who seems to have taken the mantle of moody hero that Oliver left behind after last season, he decides to share with Laurel that he has spent the better part of the last two years searching for his brother’s killer in secret and it might be tied to Damien Darhk’s H.I.V.E. Back at Palmer Technologies Felicity is introduce to Curtis Holt AKA Mr. Terrific, its exciting to see the writer’s of Arrow get the chance to bring to life more of the DC Universe’s heroes I just wonder when or if we will get to see Mr. Terrific in action. I know with every new character who is brought into the show the writers seem to introduce them without any issue, even Ray Palmer was done in such a terrific way it allowed me to forget they casted “The Show Killer” Brandon Routh.

Finally Oliver has to address the issue with Thea and her rage which stems from the effect of being brought back to life from the Lazarus Pit. This obviously causes Laurel to come to the conclusion the pit can be beneficial to her as well, and with the final scene of Episode two we see that Thea and Laurel have dug up the grave belonging to Sarah Lance…….Who is ready for “Legends of Tomorrow”?

Arrow is finally back to making me wish this was a Netflix show, I am left wondering why DC would make us actually wait another week. There is so much going on and so much anticipation for each character new and old, We see that Oliver will be running for Mayor, this will definitely have an impact on Team Arrow as will the actions of Thea and Laurel. We know that Sarah will be back but how will this affect the team? We were introduce to Mr. Terrific aka Curtis Holt, will we see him in action or will he just be a supporting character for Felicity? The one thing we can be assured of is this season will be based in the mystical realm and you all know what that means…….CONSTANTINE. This season just might be the Comicbook Nerds wet dream. 

Episode Two is a definite Two Thumbs Up.

The Flash Review: Season 2 Episode 2 "The Flash Of Two Worlds"

The Flash Season 2 Episode 2
“The Flash Of Two Worlds”

Synopsis:
Jay Garrick (guest star Teddy Sears), a mysterious man from Earth-2, appears at S.T.A.R. Labs with a dire warning about an evil speedster named Zoom, who is set on destroying The Flash. Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team must decide if they can trust this stranger even as they face yet another powerful meta-human. Meanwhile, Joe (Jesse L. Martin) must deal with a determined officer named Patty Spivot (guest star Shantal VanSanten) who wants to join his meta-human task force.

Review:
It seems this season of The Flash will be jam packed, in the second episode we get more of Jay Garrick, we are introduced to Zoom, details on the powers of Cisco, Flash learns a new ability, We get multi Earths, we are introduced to Patty Spivot…..New Love Interest of Barry Allen? and Harrison Wells is BACK.

So Jay Garrick is Earth-2 Flash, however it seems he has lost the speed force with his entry into Earth-1. This leave’s the question can there only be one Flash? I am not so sure, from the stand point of the show it looks like the speed force will revolve around Barry. He will be the center of this DC Comic Universe. As for Garrick, until his powers are found he will play the mentor figure to Barry Allen, as seen when he teaches Barry to throw lighting in order to defeat the Sand Demon. So now we have the crimson comet and the scarlet speedster together. Didn’t you just nerd out when both were decked out in there respected Flash Suits? I know I did.

What did we learn about Zoom this week, well he will be out to Kill Earth-1’s Barry Allen, he is currently consider the most dangerous villain which Barry will be up against, and is considered at this time the Fastest of all the speedsters…..At least until we get an idea of Barry Allen’s powers.

Finally we get a glimpse of another Earth which also has a Savior of Central City………Harrison Well’s. Thats right he is back and leaves us with the question is this a good Wells or are we being introduce to ZOOM? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Episode two was enjoyable and fun, it was definitely back to what we have come to expect from Flash episodes. This is an easy Two Thumbs up

The Flash Review: Season 2 Episode 1 "The Man Who Saved Central City"

The Flash Season 2 Episode 1
"The Man Who Saved Central City"

Synopsis:
In the season premiere, Barry Allen (GRANT GUSTIN) has chosen to protect the city on his own - until a meta-human named Atom Smasher (ADAM COPELAND) attacks

Review:
Everything about season 1 of The Flash was great, not only did we get a conclusion to the Reverse Flash/Harrison Wells Story arc we also were left with a great Cliff Hanger. Episode 1 of Season two started a little confusing with the battle between Captain Cold and Heatwave vs the Team of Flash and Firestorm……..was that a Dream Sequence or an Alternative Universe? Then we jump 6 months down the road with no explanation of the events of the Singularity. However once we get through the awkwardness of the first few minutes, Flash hits its normal charming stride.

With that Episode 1 starts with the loss of one half of Firestorm in Ronnie Raymond. Raymond sacrifices himself to help Barry close the Singularity. It will be interesting to see how they will introduce the new half of firestorm to combine with Martin Stein. Then the introduction to the main villain of Episode 1 Atom Smasher……I was ok with how he was portrayed, best part coming from this season of Flash, if someone is bad or if someone dies it’s not the end of that character. Got to love the Multi-verse! Speaking of the Multi-verse it looks as this season we will soon be introduced to the Meta-Human powers of Cisco, I can’t wait to see how this expands on the show to help explain different characters. (Side note: Does anyone else think that the hidden gem of this show is Cisco?) And finally the arrival of The Original Flash Jay Garrick

Episode 1 is the start of something great, but it had to pack a lot of information and storytelling into one episode. I think it was for the most part well done and I give Flash………One Thumbs Up

Arrow Review: Season 4 Episode 1 "Green Arrow"

Arrow Season 4 Episode 1
“Green Arrow”

Synopsis
Oliver and Felicity's blissful getaway is cut short when Thea and Laurel pay them a visit and tell Oliver they need his help back in Star City. The city has been attacked by "Ghosts", assassins led by a dangerous man named Damien Darhk. However, when Oliver returns, Diggle makes it very clear that he doesn’t want Oliver on the team

Review
Finally we see Arrow match the more light hearted Flash and its about time. Season 3 felt long and at time difficult to watch, making the first episode of season 4 a breath of fresh air. Season 4 wastes no time getting to the main plot which will play out through out the rest of the season. We are introduce to the main villain in Damien Darhk (I find the casting of Neil McDonough great, he plays some of the most arrogant villains), We get to see the entire team in action and FINALLY we get the Green Arrow, its only four years in the making. Episode one felt fast and easy to lose yourself in while enjoyable to see a happier Oliver Queen. The jump ahead 6 months later leaves us wondering what member of Team Arrow dies at the end, and while most predictions say Felicity or Thea will be the one we see die this year I am leaning toward Captain Lance. Finally being the continuity geek I am having Barry Allen show up in the last scene got me instantly excited for another cross over episode. Once again these show on the CW show exactly how a comic book universe should work.

This is a must watch episode and gets my Two Thumbs Up