Arrow Review: My Name Is Emiko Queen (Season 7 Episode 10)
It’s back to normal for Oliver, Felicity, and company—or as close to normal as possible—on Arrow Season 7 Episode 10, “My Name is Emiko Queen,” in an alright hour that offers more answers about Emiko Queen, insight into the other side of Star City in the future, and more about questions about what Diggle is up to.
The hour does a fair amount of laying down the expositional foundation for the second half of the season, and it was clear at certain points.
Emiko Queen’s official entry into the Arrowverse may have happened when she unmasked herself back on Arrow Season 7 Episode 8, “Unmasked,” but it’s tonight’s hour that offers more details about who the woman is and how she has come to be under the hood.
Emiko’s opening scene, from the voice over to the montage in her own version of a lair, reminds me so much of the Oliver Queen we saw back in Arrow Season 1. It’s very reminiscent of where he was in terms of mindset as well, believing that he could continue his mission on his own, set on revenge, and very reluctant to accept any help.
It’s interesting that she even has a moment where she officially reveals herself to Rene in a way that immediately takes me back to one of Oliver and Felicity’s iconic moments on Arrow Season 1 Episode 14, “The Odyssey.”
The question after seeing everything Emiko’s gone through with her mother’s murder and her need to avenge her and general mindset is, does this signal the beginning of her journey down a similar path to her half-brother?
Speaking of her half-brother, Oliver’s adjustment to post-prison life continues. Only now, that adjustment includes dealing with yet another bombshell secret his parents have kept from him and Thea.
Though Oliver continues to be unable to catch a break when it comes to his family’s secrets and lies, it offers him the chance to take stock of what’s essential in his own family and with Felicity’s support and help, he sees what he has to do.
It’s nice that after the tumult the pair dealt with after Oliver returns from Slabside, they can come together and offer that bit of support.
Their moments together also show precisely what they prioritize in a way that brings up questions about what we’ve been told in the flashforwards.
The utter disbelief and pain in Oliver’s voice at finding out that his father abandoned a child and Felicity’s complete agreement with that disbelief leads me to believe that neither of them would willingly just leave William behind like he’s mentioned in the flashforward.
I just wish that we are able to get more of this emotional aspect throughout the hour and have it directly interwoven with Emiko’s story. Though, that final scene has my interest piqued about how their official first meeting and relationship will develop going forward.
Random Thoughts
- Just the mention of Moira Queen and her shady plans, plots, and lies coming back like we all knew they inevitably would, makes me miss the woman and what she brought to Arrow. I know it must sound strange, but there was always just something about her that brought this feeling out.
- What they’ve done to Rene’s hair in the flashforwards is…definitely something. It’s up there with Oliver’s flashback hair.
- I don’t know what’s going on with Diggle, but I’m gonna need some fleshed out explanation soon. The fact that he just went and offered Diaz that deal without talking to Lyla and without regard to what that man’s done to him and his closest friends is something that needs to be touched on.
What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
Arrow airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.