Arrow Review: Beyond Redemption (Season 4 Ep. 4)

Well, the winning streak of phenomenal Arrow episodes had to end sometime.

That’s not to say that “Beyond Redemption” was bad. It had all the witty banter, acrobatic fighting, and heartfelt moments that make this show so great. Oliver’s latest attempts to save the city just lacked the kind of drive and forward momentum that take a good episode and makes it spectacular.

As an SCPD Squad of reinvented criminals wreak havoc on the city they once swore to protect, Team Arrow finds themselves in a bit of an unexpected pickle. Going up against a task force specifically designed to take you down is apparently a lot harder than it looks. How they overcome that particular obstacle is never expressly stated, which is another one of the weaker elements of this episode.

On this task force is Officer Liza Warner, a character whose sole purpose seems to be to provide Captain Lance with the realization that no matter what the circumstances, sinking down to the level of criminals is unacceptable. Don’t lose hope yet, though! Liza isn’t a one-and-done character, so I do hope that her multi-episode arc gives her a bit more to work with in the future.

In the midst of an otherwise mundane episode, one moment managed to shine through.

After discovering that Lance has been conspiring with Damien Darhk, Oliver confronts Lance with anger, accusations, and betrayal. Rightly so! You could feel Oliver’s righteous indignation at the years of judgment and loathing he’d had to put up with from Lance, who always acted so high and mighty. Especially after he found out Oliver’s secret.

Oliver: A part of me has always wanted you to see what kind of man I really am. I didn’t expect to wind up finding out what kind of man you really are.

More than anything, Oliver is hurt and disappointed that the man he always wanted to prove himself to, apparently does not exist.

I’m not always a fan of Captain Lance, but whenever he has these kind of emotionally bare scenes with Oliver, both characters deliver an absolutely stunning scene.

Elsewhere, Felicity is forced to deal with more tech-based malfunctions.

This is getting so wonderfully frustrating. We, as the audience, know these spontaneous code surges are more than likely a miniature Ray Palmer reaching out to Felicity, begging her to save him. If only she would take the hint and realize that her studly ex-boyfriend is still alive and in need of rescuing!

Whatever is on that recording Curtis found had better not just be Ray spouting off some tech jargon. We need Ray Palmer back in action ASAP!

Also in need of rescuing is poor, insane Sara Lance.

Without her soul, Sara only seems capable of grunting and glaring, which is a shame since her snarkiness is one of her best qualities. Bringing Sara back only to keep her mostly mute and locked up for an entire episode seems like a bit of a waste, but the promo for next week’s visit from Constantine promises to put her to better use. Thank goodness!

Other Thoughts:

• Awww, Thea thought Olicity was engaged. Me too, Thea. Me too.
• Who installs all these secret lairs? Or is Oliver a secret contractor?
• Curtis officially moved into huggable territory in this episode.
• Was anyone else waiting for Liza to go full on True Blood vamp all night?
• Oliver didn’t even finish college?! How on earth can anyone be comfortable with him running for mayor?
• I’m dying for Oliver to find out Sara is alive. DYING.

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Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on the CW.