#6.4 “Arrow” Review

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.

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.

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