This week we look at both Arrow and The Flash’s latest episodes. Both shows will go on hiatus until early March after this past week.
Arrow, Season 7 Episode 11, ‘Star City Slayer’
Despite delivering a satisfying and thrilling episode, ‘Star City Slayer’ by association cannot help but be a strident reminder of the pitfalls of this season of Arrow thus far. That being said, this episode also developed central characters in significant ways, advanced the minuscule plots currently on the radar, and delivered the standout scene of the entire season.
The primary conflict was focused on the titular Slayer. It builds the tension and intrigue regarding the threat he poses for a bit longer than I would have liked, culminating in an arduous stalk through the John Doe’s house. If the intent was to convey that the Slayer was as dangerous as his ominous type-written threats implied, or that he was ever in the house to begin with, that was never made clear.
As a result, it never feels as though danger could be around every corner until it has already struck. The slitting of Dinah’s throat also would have carried a lot more suspense had we not known for a fact that she survives to be a major player in the flash-forward storyline. That said, the reveal that the Slayer was in fact Stanley Dover from Slabside was one I truly did not see coming and he fortunately does not outstay his welcome.
The paralysis home invasion scene was brilliant. All four actors show up and give Stanley the gravitas he deserves. Even William’s subtle glances toward his father carried more emotion and weight than he usually does. This threat hits Oliver close to home in more ways than one, as his stubbornness, independence and ego has directly put his family in danger and he is forced to reckon with it. But the real accolades go to Brendan Fletcher as Stanley, because he absolutely kills it.
Whenever someone asks me why I cannot stand Diaz, I will point to this scene. This is the difference between two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional writing and acting vs. deliberate self-interested scenery-chewing. Stanley has little more depth than a conventional insane serial-killer archetype but Fletcher elevates the character and carries him through a lightning round of emotions all in the span of 5-10 minutes. It is truly great work, and I am really glad to see that Arrow is still capable of doing scenes like this that rely on character over stunt work.
Unfortunately, the one-and-done nature of Stanley’s Star City Slayer underlined the fact that, though focusing on developing our core characters, this season’s post-prison arc is utterly aimless. Episodes meander through individual conflicts and developments with increasingly little tying them together.
At this point it feels like a coin toss as to whether Dante is intended for this season or next, and the only looming threat belongs to the flash-forward storyline which has been pumping its brakes for the last few weeks. It’s no wonder this episode was an impromptu farewell to Echo Kellum, as Curtis has been given nothing to do this season despite John reiterating how vital the work he does for A.R.G.U.S. is. I’ll miss his friendly presence bouncing off of Renee and Dinah, but the loss of Curtis will likely amount to a blip on the future of Arrow’s radar.
The most significant developments, however, came for William and in the flash-forward timeline in the episode’s closing seconds. The Stanley invasion forced Olvier to reckon with the fact that he cannot offer his son a normal or safe life, as well as that he has never asked him if he even wants to live with him. Given the choice, William chooses to live with his grandparents (wait, you mean that was an option all along?) and likely says goodbye to Jack Moore for the foreseeable future. Finally, Blackstar is revealed to be named Mia Smoak, just as Felicity’s post-invasion trip to the hospital yields some very unexpected news. No word on where Oliver is in the future and why Mia takes her mother’s last name, but as expected, she reveals that Felicity is indeed alive. Shocker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnkqUZSlX1A
Arrow, Season 5 Episode 14, ‘Cause and XS’
It is truly remarkable how many ways The Flash can find to include Cicada in its episode conflicts, thus avoiding the brand of “filler,” whilst simultaneously evading the prospect of moving its season arc forward even one iota. This was another almost Barry-less episode as he takes the meta human cure into the speed force –to cook I guess?– for an hour. Shenanigans ensue.
Nora ends up stuck in a Groundhog Day of her own making as she continues watching Cicada murder her family and friends, seemingly unable to stop it. Only when working together with full knowledge of the situation and by changing all the variables in the equation can the team make the serial-killer’s dagger fly into himself rather than one of them. The specifics of exactly how they managed that elude me, even though it was all presented in slow motion, but it’s always nice to see Team Flash working as a team.
As far as plot goes that was pretty much it. I was ready to write the episode off entirely due to its rule-breaking of using time travel to fix mistakes, that is until the show addressed it in the best way possible. Barry has the exact same conversation with Nora that Jay Garrick had with him at the start of Season 3 about the effect time travel and changing the past has on the multiverse, right down to the example with the coffee cup. This was a great bit of writing, as we subtly see Barry shift from student to tutor, and from being lectured by his surrogate father figure to becoming that figure himself.
Subtle development like that is what gives the series its heart, more than the overt monologuing about what the characters believed vs what they realize now. Time will tell if Nora’s temporal meddling will have an effect on the show later (my bet is yes) but Barry’s words clearly resonate with her, as she interrogates Eobard Thawne about the possible ramifications of her actions.
In an entertaining but cringy b-plot, we see Cisco try and fail to impress his date, Camilla, multiple times. It was typical Groundhog Day-esque writing, always having the same conversation but with different inflections that change the meaning. It was frustrating to see Cisco go through a needless gauntlet to learn such an obvious lesson, but I suppose 42 minutes has to fill itself somehow.
I still don’t think the show runners have any clue what they are doing with Cicada. At least not until they mercifully wrap the plot thread up, but his presence on all of them is leading to some important teachable moments and developments for key characters. It is a welcome change of pace from the Savitars and Thinkers of it all, but I would rather save Cicada for the episodes where he is really needed and try out new or returning villains rather than stuff him into mini-arcs that are only serving to diminish the threat he feels like he realistically poses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T__3ZsBIyQ
