Arrow Review: Dangerous Liaisons (Season 5 Episode 19)

Okay, Arrow, we’re getting closer.

Closer to what you were a season and a half ago. Closer to making sense. Closer to making me care again.

Arrow Season 5 Episode 19 “Dangerous Liaisons” is, in many ways, a return to form for a show that had seemingly forgotten what form was, what worked and, more importantly, what the vast majority of its viewers wanted to see. It is also, very clearly, a prelude to what’s next.

Maybe, even, a prelude to an Olicity explanation?

Notice that I say explanation, not reconciliation. I don’t need Oliver and Felicity together as much as I need this show to explain not just why they aren’t, but how they went from two people about to get married to almost strangers.

Because the usual line of: they’re just being mature just isn’t cutting it.

Even more importantly than that, though, the episode is a clear showcase for the best thing Arrow has come up with in its five seasons.

Felicity Smoak.

Arrow has always been more than a little obsessed with the vigilantes, the masks, the fights and the action sequences. It’s never truly pushed Felicity to the side because of it, but it’s also never truly given her the credit she deserves.

She is, after all, not wearing leather or kicking literal ass. She’s just a geek with a computer.

But then again, aren’t we all these days? Isn’t that the exact demographic Arrow should be aiming for?

The characters on this show are mostly a reimagining of comic-book characters, some sticking more closely to the source material, others just a familiar name with a very different personality. More often than not, to enjoy the show, I’ve had to put all my comic-book knowledge aside.

Not when it comes to Felicity Smoak.

Sure, she existed once in the comics, a peripheral character few people probably remembered. Arrow plucked out a name and created a character that many fans, me included, could relate to.

They created a hero, one that felt much more tangible than the leather-wearing ones of my childhood. One that was funny and awkward and definitely not perfect.

And then, in season 5, they took her away from us.

Not physically, no. She’s still there and she is sometimes marginally funny, but she’s only a shell of her former self, her relationship with Oliver, with Diggle, even with Lyla, as superficial as if we were actually dealing with her comic-book counterpart.

“Dangerous Liaisons” gives us Felicity Smoak back, and, as a bonus, it allows the characters around her to remember the relationships that existed before this mess of a season started.

Almost like Felicity is the key to unlocking the good writing.

Because Oliver is suddenly Oliver, the patient, kind and well-meaning man who might not always has the answers, but who wants to do good.

Diggle is suddenly Diggle, the man who trusts Felicity implicitly, the friend who tells Oliver the truth, the husband who does not think the end justifies the means.

And the newbies – not an integral part of the story by any stretch of the imagination, don’t feel quite as useless as they’ve done before.

Where was this writing before? Is the mid-life crisis over? Is the good Arrow here to stay?

I don’t know, but to be honest, I haven’t been this excited to find out in well over a season.

Other things to note:

• I love Lyla (Or, at least, the idea of Lyla, because she’s been more plot device than anything lately). I don’t love how Lyla is only around when there’s trouble. There’s so much you could do with her, Arrow.
• Like make her and Felicity friends. Where are my female friendships? Is Supergirl the only DCTV show that knows how to write them?
• How did Chase edit that game?
• How could Oliver not know about Chase? How could YOU not, Miss Journalist? Isn’t it your job to uncover stuff?
• What is the true meaning of justice, Lance? Inquiring minds want to know.
• I love how Diggle’s whole reasoning for letting the guy run away with the key is that Felicity said so.
• THAT’S TRUST.
• Felicity working with Helix would cross a line, if you weren’t the man who willingly worked with Malcolm Merlyn before, Oliver.
• And I’m glad Felicity pointed out that Oliver was the last person who could/should judge her decisions.
• The whole storyline with Lance and Rene was telegraphed, and still, it managed to be emotional.
• The wonders of putting character over plot.
• Also, where’s the Sara picture? I know this is setup for the return of Black Siren, but it’s still lazy AF, Arrow.
• Oliver, you didn’t let Felicity do anything. Same goes for you, Diggle. She’s a grown ass woman. Please start treating her like one.
• “I’m not the one she was going to marry.” – BURN.
• Also, surprising, I thought no one remembered. Maybe they got the DVDs I sent?
• If Dyla breaks up, I’m gonna riot.
• Couples don’t have to break up for the same reason over and over. Maybe they can just …learn from their mistakes? Novel concept, I know.
• Next week is going to be lit.

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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