Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

The episode centered mostly in the flash forward storyline. We’re inside the year 2040, and the show has also given us Mia Smoak’s origin story and the relationship she had with her mother growing outside Star City. I had a lot of fun watching it and seeing the potential future of Arrow past it concluding in the 8th season this coming fall.

The training montage with Nyssa officially made Felicity her sister-wife. I just hope we get more context related to Mia’s training and her relationship to Nyssa. We don’t even know the bond between Mia and Nyssa is aunt-niece, mentor-student, or sisterly. There are no clues, but the scene alone was amazing because I didn’t expect it, but when it came around, the idea made sense in the best way possible.

Connor Hawke, the adoptive son of John Diggle, is a secret agent, and the betrayal is strong with Mia. Again, context would be helpful here because I can’t invest in what I don’t know. We haven’t seen them grow up, struggle, or do anything together beside break into the Arrowcave. I’m not entirely sure if they got involved romantically, but the hints are definitely there.

The technological advances were too confusing and ridiculous but I went with them because it’s the year 2040. What do I know?

The references of Mia picking up the bow, being accused of being an assistant, and the hand push-ups were great to have. I caught all of them because I’ve been re-watching seasons 1 and 2 of Arrow.

The moment when Mia took her hair down to fight was unrealistic. You’d want the hair up for fight scenes, but The CW needs their people to look pretty at all times. However, the last fight scene in the office was amazing and a good reference to her being Oliver Queen’s daughter.

I’m mad we got no follow up with Roy Harper beating the crap out of the police officer, and the subtle tension between Roy and Rene… there’s a story in there. The familiarity with each other also brings up another question… when will Roy Harper show up in present day?

I’m sure the writers have some sort of idea on how to handle that.

Overall, there are clear narrative issues, but it was fun to watch. I’m excited for the potential of Mia Smoak and where she’ll go next once Arrow officially concludes.

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