Arrow Review: Genesis (Season 4 Episode 20)

If you had it in you to do this, Arrow, why you gotta make us suffer? Why?

Welcome, Arrow fans, to the world without Laurel Lance. It looks pretty…eh, familiar? I mean, other than a few mentions here and there, it didn’t feel like anyone really missed her or even needed her.

But, I’m going to stop harping on about how badly the writers botched the whole Laurel Lance death/character/general existence. After such a good episode, they’ve earned the right to a reprieve. Let’s focus on the good, for a change.

Like Oliver Queen.

It’s been a while since I’ve put Oliver in the list of good things. Like twelve episodes or so. But here we are again, in a place where I can safely say I like what the titular character is doing. It’s about time.

Felicity Smoak has always been Oliver Queen’s light. She’s the one who, with her love, her kindness and her unwavering support has helped Oliver turn a new leaf. 

And yet, Oliver can’t depend on Felicity anymore, not if he wants to defeat Damien Darhk.

He can’t rely on Diggle, either, his brother, his role model.

So, who else is left? Felicity broke up with him, an event so traumatic that he seems to regard it on the same scale as the death of his parents. 

Diggle has officially lost his way, so Oliver can’t rightfully expect the man to point him in the right direction. Laurel is dead. Thea is his little sister. Who can Oliver turn to?

No one. This time, Oliver Queen has to find the light within himself.

That’s easier said than done, of course. Oliver fails on his first try, and he comes very close to failing on the second one. 

But then, Oliver does something that he’s never managed to do before: He internalizes all those things that he’s always required from the people he cares about. He internalizes Felicity, Thea, Diggle and Laurel. He uses them to make himself stronger.

And that’s the key. The Oliver Queen of before has always needed outside reassurance. This man, the man he’s moving towards, doesn’t need to be reminded all the time that there are people in this world who need him, who count on him. 

This new Oliver Queen has made those people a part of him, and that’s something no one can take away.

Ever.

Oliver Queen might not be the hero we thought he was. He might not be the Green Arrow from the comics. He might not even be the best version of himself, not yet. 

But he’s finally a man who can stand on his own and win a fight – not with his fists, or with his bow, but with his heart.

Talk about a journey.

Other things to note:

• This might feel like I’m asking for a lot, but could you at least TRY for some consistency, Arrow? One second Felicity counts cards, the next she’s mixing up gambling terms while talking to Curtis, and now all the sudden she’s good at gambling again? I just need you to pick one story and stick to it.
• Give me one good reason why Audrey Marie Anderson can’t be a series regular. One.
• The Diggle/Andy subplot had me yelling at the screen for someone to kill Andy. I didn’t really expect that to be Diggle, but all things considered, I can’t say I blame him.
• It’s still sad that he thinks he has to lie about his reasons. Lyla, of all people, wouldn’t have judged him.
• Though it does give us some nice insight into his state of mind. End of the season prediction: Diggle’s leaving the team.
• Kudos to Eugene Byrd, who played a mostly lovable character on Bones for so many years that I didn’t think I had it in me to hate him. I was wrong.
• I really hope Alex’s under the influence of something. I don’t want to have to hate him. Also, was I the only one thinking that Thea was trapped in the Hunger Games Arena? I bet I wasn’t.
• Is Donna living in Star City? Because Vegas is a long way to take baby Sara.

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.

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