Arrow Review: The Dragon (Season 6 Episode 19)

Arrow Season 6 Episode 19, “The Dragon,” puts the villains first and suffers for it in an underwhelming hour that is disappointingly light on the core characters.

Shifting focus to the villains this late in the game in an effort to lay the foundation for any kind of connection feels like a major misstep in the villains’ story.

Paired with the fact that the Quadrant, some sort of mafia society, seems to materialize with a sense of powerlessness after being overtaken by one person by the end of the hour, the story is off-putting and adds no depth to the danger that Star City faces (more so than usual). At this point, it’s not entirely clear why this is all happening.

There are no real stakes beyond just the desire for sheer control of the city, and after years of personal vendettas, that kind of motivation falls flat, kind of like Damien Darhk’s attempts to destroy the city and Oliver and the team back in Arrow Season 4.

Adrian Chase’s motivations were profoundly personal while destroying every aspect of Oliver’s life. Slade Wilson’s purpose was to ruin Oliver by making sure he lost those around him. Malcolm Merlyn wanted to finish what he started with the Gambit and Robert Queen.

There’s substance lacking here in terms of the villain that I’m not sure we’ll be able to find in the few episodes left.

It’s not just the issues with the villain’s story but also with how out of place Felicity and Curtis’ story is throughout the episode. There is a significant disconnect between Diaz and what the pair are trying to do.

Curtis’ smug attitude and Felicity’s need to apologize doesn’t make sense in the grand scheme of things considering what Curtis, Rene, and Dinah put Felicity, Oliver, and Diggle through the moment they deemed their former mentors not trustworthy and the wrong kind of heroes.

If anything, Curtis should be the one apologizing for messing with Diggle’s arm and the newbies’ choices at the cabin on Arrow Season 6 Episode 14.

The Helix Dynamics story is out of place overall and really does nothing to further the company storyline, which is just so frustrating at this point. But the story provides the highlight of the hour as Felicity confronts her fear of not knowing what Oliver is doing out on his own.

It’s heartbreaking to see her tell Oliver how she’s not handling this team break-up very well.

Felicity: Out here…I’m helpless out here.

Oliver: You aren’t helpless anywhere. Ever.

Their open conversation is one of those moments that really exemplifies how their dynamic works.

It’s that support I’ve mentioned countless times before that adds to the strength of their relationship. When Oliver’s unsure and spiraling, Felicity grounds him.

This time, it’s Oliver’s turn to ground her and promises her that he will always come back to her and William. Granted, it’s not an assurance that he can really make considering his line of work, but it’s still heartwarming to watch.

Oliver: Felicity, I will always come back.

A Few Stray Observations

• I’m sensing attempts at a redemption for Black Siren, and it doesn’t really make sense with how they have been acting. But I guess time will tell.
• But really, the newbies have to be the ones apologizing for their petulant behavior and mistakes.
• Aside from those episodes back on Arrow Season 3, this is the least we’ve seen of Oliver in an episode and at this point in the season that doesn’t seem like a wise move.

Has the “big bad” story felt off to anyone else this season? Where is Anatoly in all of this? Anyone else feels that Oliver’s assurances to Felicity and William will come back to haunt him?

What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Arrow airs Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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