It’s seems like it's wedding season on Arrow. Mere weeks after our first tying (all be it a re-tying) of the knot, we have our second instalment. It's definitely a more formal and less joyous affair this time around; you probably won’t see any drunk grandmas or kids skidding across the dance floor as this heir to the demon takes his bride, (the wedding night may prove problematic when the bride doesn’t drive stick) but this is still a magical day when two trained killers become one... or is it?
This is Your Sword – When word reaches Starling City of The League Assassins' planned bio-weapon attack for Oliver’s ascension to Demon’s Head, the team launches a desperate assault an Nanda Parbat to try and stop it. Darth Oliver/Al Sah-him prepares for his wedding day with his Nyssa al Ghul as his rather unwilling bride, and in Hong Kong flashbacks, Oliver and Maseo urgently seek out a cure for the infected Akio.
They say that timing is everything, and unfortunately Arrow feels like it’s forgotten that this week. It makes a very big reveal early in the episode, a fantastic reveal that’s a brilliant twist on the story, but the fact that it comes so early has a very detrimental effects of many events that follow by removing the tension and sense of character peril, especially concerning the climatic moments. This was more than likely a necessary evil. A card that had to be played in good time this week to avoid overcrowding the following finale but it still feels like in could have been done better. That said the main story of Team Arrowless going all out on Nanda Parbat has much going for it. It delivers one of the biggest action set pieces of the season with the mass desert showdown (which can’t help feel a bit Power Rangers) including a fully costumed Katana in the fold, Soul Blade and all. It also makes Merlyn an anti-hero again. His best moments this season come from forcing the team to unwillingly co-operate with him. It’s an easy point of conflict to heighten the drama of any situation even comes with a few laughs like Felicity’s implied drinking game. Finally, there was the atomic insurance policy scene. Although it felt straight out of the first Iron Man movie, it was great to see Ray blasting off into the stratosphere with some decent TV level effects to boot. The drawbacks were a few botched scenes when Oliver is reunited with the Team, especially his confrontation with Dig. This was barely a minute of going nowhere before being abruptly ended.
Even with General Shrieve finally back on screen.the Hong Kong flashbacks still can’t deliver. We know that Akio dies. and none of the events raise even a glimmer of doubt towards that. Even Shrieve’s character is a letdown, spending half his scenes doing Hannibal Smith impressions. In the final moments, you’re almost waiting for him to love when his plans come together. Marc Singer’s casting was initially greeted with much enthusiasm, but as the season draws to end, he becomes just another reason to be annoyed of Amanda Waller’s (movie) forced write out. In the likely event, the flashbacks will continue next season; they are the biggest thing that Arrow needs to improve. Roy and Thea’s subplot proves more enjoyable. The pair has always made an enjoyable couple and it’s good to see them get some closure and give each other a “proper goodbye”. They push the Red Arrow hand over a bit too far though. Yes, it’s cool to hear Roy telling Thea that “Red was more your colour anyway”, but it would have been nicer to see Roy keep the Arsenal jacket. Although he’s turned in his season regular lanyard, Colton Hayes hasn’t ruled out future guest appearances on any of the Flarrow-verse shows. Keeping the jacket would have been a nice notion to keeping that fan dream alive.
As to the Nyssa/Oliver wedding, this does make for a good set piece with quite an elaborate production layout. Even without a smile on her face, Katrina Law looks gorgeous in her wedding jewels and garbs, neither is Amell too shabby. It’s great to see Nyssa defiant until the last moment. You have to love the way nobody else in the room seems to react when the blade comes out. Maybe it’s the same principle as a Dothraki wedding? A League wedding without at least one attempted murder is considered a dull affair indeed.
Just like episode 20, This Is Your Sword is a bit of a letdown for the series, which is sadly struggling to maintain its great mid-season efforts all the way to the finish. Those involved may ultimately look back and realise that though they were rightfully ambitious, maybe they just tried to do a bit too much this year. There are a few hidden gems. Felicity’s supposed tablet kill is brilliant. The Canary Cry gets a much better second outing as expected, and in general, Laurel is much more impressive in combat, signifying the step in level from Nyssa’s training. What’s more, between Arrow and Flash, we’re getting either Coast City or Ferris Air drop-ins every week at the moment. So it’s looking all the more certain that something else will be shining green next season. Despite the longstanding comics Lantern/Arrow connection, The Flash still feels more likely as Coast City is closer to Starling (although maybe the newly-christened spinoff “Legends of Tomorrow”). Ray Palmer doing a Stark style keys handover to Felicity makes an intriguing prospect for a role reversal situation between her and Oliver next season. Though it's as good as future setups are right now, Arrow really needs to deliver in the present. It’s off-balanced and it has just one shot left to nail the critics straight between the eyes. Those already in this relationship till death all want it to happen, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have jitters.