"Arrow"
Review!
Written
by Triplet
Send
her feedback
NOTE:
This review contains major spoilers. If you haven't seen this
episode, read no further if you don't want to be spoiled......
What a great
episode.
As much
as I dislike it when Clark has as little screen time he did
in Arrow, it made sense here. This episode was all about Oliver
Queen (the Green Arrow), so I didn't mind it too much this time.
It introduced the new recurring character in a most fitting
way.
Unlike most
of the other DC Comic superheroes that have visited Smallville,
Oliver isn't just thinking about helping others as his mission.
He's doing it. He's a fully fledged superhero. He's already
a champion for the poor and needy with some really cool trick
arrows.
I really
like the friction between Oliver and Clark the first time they
meet. He unapologetically disses Martha right in front of Clark
for being in cahoots with Lionel. Not really the best way to
make friends with the Man of Steel.
Kelly Souders
and Brian Peterson's writing was terrific in this episode. Despite
some weakness in the act break cliff-hangers (the reaction shot
of Oliver that ended the first act wasn't exactly engaging TV),
the script was well written and kept up a good pace. There weren't
any slow spots and the dialogue was tight and witty. I loved
how they combined revealing more about Oliver with showing Clark
how he needs to do more to help people. I'm glad it looks like
Oliver is going to push Clark into thinking more about the big
picture. Ollie's a reminder that he shouldn't just be saving
his friends and loved ones, Clark should be out there seeking
out more people to help. Also, it was fascinating to see how
strongly Oliver disagreed with Clark over their differing tactics.
These two aren't fast friends, and I love that. They're rivals
in a sense even though their ultimate goal is the same: helping
people that need it.
I'm not
so sure what's up with Lana.... Is she really that protective
of Lex or is she doing something else on her own? Why wasn't
she surprised that Lex found out she'd blackmailed his minion?
Does she realize that Lex had set up the whole thing as a test?
Is she after the black box herself? I can't wait to find out...
I loved
that Lois had in this episode become a lot more like her comic
book self. She investigated the Green Arrow, trying to unmask
him with a tenacity that is typical Lois and her life was put
into jeopardy because of it. Of course, it wasn't Superman that
saved her but the Green Arrow. Signs of things to come, no doubt,
but the events in this episode made an excellent advancement
in her character arc.
And Erica
was fantastic in this episode. She played the hard as nails,
cynical Lois believably and skillfully. We didn't need anyone
to tell us how tough she was (cough), she showed us how tough
she is. Although, poor Lois nearly getting drowned again must
not be much fun for Erica. That was a horribly graphic scene,
she looked terrified.
Tom was
gorgeous, as usual, and played the more resolved Clark very
well. He's really becoming much more decisive and Tom is doing
an excellent job portraying that. He plays Clark so confident
he is being almost casual with his powers now. It's a nice touch
and a wonderful thing to see show signs of the man he's becoming.
In "Arrow" I loved it whenever Clark confronted Oliver
throughout the episode, ending in the terrific loft scene. Clark
isn't willing to compromise his values even to help others.
Justin Hartley
is really growing on me with each appearance that Oliver makes.
He's charming, sexy, witty and determined to do what he thinks
is right, no matter how many laws he breaks. Justin did an excellent
job portraying that resolve, no matter what Clark thinks about
his tactics.
I loved
Michael Rosenbaum in this episode. He played Lex's duplicity
well. I couldn't believe it when it turned out that Lionel had
been playing Lana because Lex had asked him to. That was a great
twist and Michael played it so cold. The menace was almost seeping
out of his pores. I don't know how actors can do that. It's
awesome to see him playing being more manipulative and... well...
evil Lex without any ambiguity.
Kristin
Kreuk is really coming into her own as an actress. I think a
few scenes in "Arrow" were a bit awkwardly played,
but for the most part she did an awesome job. I could almost
see the point in the elevator scene where Lana turned on the
evil-doer side of herself. It was a pretty big change of Lana's
intention within a relatively short space of time, which isn't
easy to do. It was beautifully done.
James Philpott's
design for Oliver's penthouse is growing on me... However, the
night-time scenes in the penthouse were so beautifully lit by
David Moxness in this episode it probably helped the set out
a lot. I did love that the huge clockface in the penthouse hides
Ollie's secret stash of Green Arrow stuff. That was pretty cool,
and its hard to hide anything like that from Clark.
Carolyn
Cranstoun's Green Arrow costume is awesome. It's reminiscent
of the comic book uniform for the Green Arrow, while also being
updated. The leather work was beautifully done and the hood
helps to shade Oliver's face, making it credible (even if a
bit suspension of disbelief-bending) that people who see the
GA wouldn't recognize him as Oliver Queen later.
The F/X
in this episode were great. I loved the trick compound bow turning
into a pulley device that let Ollie slide effortless down the
rope to where he could steal the necklace. The arrow hitting
the bullet out of the air was a fantastic shot. That was highly
improbable, but that effect very exciting. The motorcycle trick
riding was great but there wasn't enough of it. Hopefully they'll
do more of that.
I give this
episode 5 sparking mini-taser arrows out of a possible 5.
Read
Triplet's "Wither" review in case you missed it!
Note:
The views of Triplet don't necessarily represent the thoughts
and feelings of everyone at KryptonSite. Send
her feedback
Return
home
