Arrow Review: Code of Silence (Season 4 Episode 14)
Let’s face it, Arrow fans. Every season has a few filler episodes that you can probably just skip, and “Code of Silence,” definitely qualifies as a filler.
In fact, if not for two very important developments in this episode, I’d wager that you could probably read a short summary of events and be all caught up. The two events I’m talking about are, of course, Oliver’s son and Felicity’s possible mobility.
In a flurry of exploding buildings, off-screen debates, and engagement parties, Oliver’s big secret about being a daddy comes out to two different characters, neither of which, unfortunately, is Felicity. Thea manages to follow the money to the truth, while Damien Darhk just follows Merlyn. Darhk kidnapping William definitely changes the game, but it’s hard to say how. Did he manipulate Sandra into handing William over? Did he kill her? If he just straight-up kidnapped the kid, how in the world will Sandra react? I can’t imagine she’ll ever let Oliver speak to him again after this.
Thea’s reaction to Oliver’s secret is actually a little irksome. She’s always been very protective of Oliver and very forgiving of him. After all, she was fine finding out about all the Green Arrow lies when Oliver finally fessed up to his double life. But the way she gives a blanket approval to him lying to Felicity — the woman he’s going to marry — about his son just doesn’t quite ring true. It feels more like the writers telegraphing a certain explanation to the audience via Thea’s big brown eyes.
Captain Lance gets the same mouthpiece treatment later on, when he unknowingly gives Oliver the go-ahed to keep lying to Felicity if it’s to protect someone he loves. He pretty quickly counters that approval by spilling his entire story to Donna later in the evening, but somehow that part of the story doesn’t really translate to Oliver.
I get the sentiment, really I do, but this explanation feels more like a clap-back at fans’ outrage over Oliver choosing to keep Felicity in the dark.
Meanwhile, Felicity gets the greatest engagement gift of all time from Curtis, who may have just found a solution to her paralysis. It’s hard to say if this plot is going to last the rest of the year or not. Felicity’s surgery and recovery could very well last a long time, but there also doesn’t seem to be a lot of interesting meat left on those bones. We’ve already gotten her denial, depression, and coping out of the way, so it would be strange to go through it all again.
On the other hand, four episodes of paralysis feels a bit like cheating for such a momentous plot develop in Felicity’s corner. It can’t have been this simple, right?
Not much else to report — hello, filler — but I do hope that next week we see the return of some of the show’s latest dropped balls like Noah, Andy Diggle, and that other character named Laurel Lance who I think still exists somewhere in the stratosphere.
Other Thoughts:
- Who even were those villains? Can we just all them the explosive red shirts?
- Darhk can kill people through the TV? That’s terrifying for a multitude of reasons…
- Bizarre theory: what if Darhk’s daughter is the real mastermind pulling the strings here? Now that would be a twist.
- Felicity’s hair was on point this episode.
- I’ve started taking snack breaks during the island flashbacks. What did I miss?
What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW
Lindsay MacDonald
Lindsay is an associate editor for Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer, viewer, and internet addict. Her obsession with TV started with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has been going strong ever since; current favorites include Scandal, The 100, The Walking Dead, and Arrow. She considers a perfect Friday night to be a joint-cuddle-session between an adorable puppy dog and her Netflix queue. Follow @lindsayjoane