Arrow Review: Due Process (Season 7 Episode 6)
A messy hour with a few shining character moments continues to move the Slabside arc along with the ending seemingly in sight for Oliver’s time behind bars on Arrow Season 7 Episode 6, “Due Process.”
Felicity getting Anatoly out there in the field and helping get that information from Pyotr is the first time in this arc that I feel we actually get to see the ruthlessness partnered with her determination to take down Diaz and get Oliver out of Slabside.
It feels like the natural evolution and a completely understandable move for Felicity from the glimpses we’ve seen of her in times of trouble for those she loves or what she feels should be the logical thing to do over the years.
So, while it’s not much of a shock to see her reach farther into the moral gray and darkness to get it all done, moments like she has with Anatoly serve as poignant reminders of how far she will go.
Anatoly and Felicity’s conversation about the parallels of Felicity and Oliver’s journeys through the moral gray and definition of villainy.
Anatoly: I work with Oliver in Russia. He’s not a villain. But he did what needed to be done. You remind me of him then.
Emily Bett Rickards does a fantastic job as Felicity faces off against Diaz and she points the gun straight at him. At that point, you just can’t blame her for wanting to be rid of the one person that ruined her life.
She really has nothing to lose… until she realizes that Oliver may be coming home and her reaction is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Can we give the Queen-Smoak family a break soon, please?
Meanwhile, “Due Process” has helped me discover my new narrative arch nemesis: these flash forwards.
As things continue to be pieced together with the help of William, Roy, and the former team members they meet in this decimated Star City of the future, there’s still no clear indication as to what we’re dealing with.
These flash forwards add another level of anxiety to the ongoing story, giving off a similar tone and feeling as the later season flashbacks only without the added luxury of knowing how everyone fared in the present.
However, seeing William unflinchingly give up on his stepmother, continuing his search for her, and seeing where Felicity is hiding out before she “died”—with the fern and the code involving Oliver’s target practice routine from the early years—is heartwarming in a very Arrow way.
Random Thoughts
- Oliver just can’t catch a break when it comes to trusting people, can he? All he’s trying to do is help someone out, and they turn out to be a guy who gives off some dark, bad guy vibes. Looking at you, Stan!
- I get what they’re doing with Black Siren, attempting to redeem her and all. But couldn’t it be argued that Oliver is right when he says that she’s only doing good because she has something in it for her? The “something” in it for her being of course that she’s considered a rehabilitated villain.
- It really feels like up until the final act of “Due Process,” Oliver and Felicity had to turn to an unusual list of people in order to get help. It shouldn’t have felt like pulling teeth, especially from people who claim were their team members and friends. It’s disappointing that the city, the FBI, and their friends (save for Rene) have essentially failed them.
- Don’t even get me started on Diggle’s whole “pushed out” argument against Felicity. It’s frustrating to see the revised history and feels like Digg has a long way to come back from his 7A choices.
What is the Mark of Four and what are the odds it involves the Queen-Smoak family? Where in the world is Oliver Queen in the future? Anyone else hoped that Stan wouldn’t wind up evil for Oliver’s sake?
What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Arrow airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.