Arrow 7x12 "Emerald Archer" Episode Review
Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.
The 150th episode was a reminder of how far this show has gone since the first season. I’ve been rewatching the first season lately to help with my writing, and it’s crazy to compare where it began and where the show is now. The returns of Quentin, Thea, Sara, Roy, Ragman, and Sin were well-done in the documentary format. It made the cameos more believable, and a lot of the plot moved forward too. Ricardo Diaz being included almost ruined it for me, but I guess he had to be in it.
Barry Allen’s cameo from Central City was a nice touch too. He is Oliver’s crossover best friend, and one of the few people who knew about his heroism back during his Hood / Arrow days. He is always believing in Oliver Queen, but never forgets about how much darkness he’s actually gone through.
Team Arrow is officially reassembled in this episode. They are also an official task force for the Star City Police Department. The only way to avoid going to prison for being vigilantes. I did love Diggle’s speech on how Oliver needs a team. Diggle’s has Oliver’s best interests at heart, and the only person who can steer him on the right path… but I wonder if he’ll still be involved at ARGUS with Lyla. I guess we shall have to see what happens there.
Emiko Queen is (probably?) exposed, at least to Team Arrow. Dinah and Rene learn from Oliver and Emiko respectively about being brother and sister. They take the news with shock but accepting… I think Rene and Emiko might fall in love with each other… This is the CW after all.
William and Zoe have a great friendship, which was hinted at in the flash forwards. We are seeing the fallout of William being sent to boarding school, and how being away has affected his behavior. I got annoyed when Felicity causally called herself a “mom”… their mother-son bond feels more forced than anything else.
Glad the show didn’t stay in the documentary format the whole time and knew when to go back to their usual television format to flesh out the story. Honestly, The Office meets Arrow is the best way to describe this celebration of reaching 150 episodes. The running from guns and explosives fight scenes from the camera angle were well-done. Arrow gave more effort to their fight scenes, which impressed me for the most part.
Overall, the 150th episode gave us a reminder on why we continued to watch this show. The numerous references to the spin-offs, Oliver’s initial flaws in his crusade, the team reforming to save the day, and then the Arrowcave made a grand return in the present and flash forwards.
Clary—Blackstar and Connor (Hawke?) arrive in the flash forward Arrowcave for malevolent reasons. They are confirmed to be anti-vigilante haters. In my opinion, the seventh season missed with how they handled the flash forwards. I mean, no Roy lately? Lame! I need my Arsenal screentime.