The second episode of Arrow’s season two, “Identity,” keeps up the action, stunts, and character development we saw in episode one. It’s great to see Oliver (Stephen Amell) start to form relationships back in Starling city. I’m really excited to see what Amell will get to do this season, and I’m really anticipating that he’s going to have the opportunity to show us what a great actor he is. Last season his acting was very reserved because of where Oliver was psychologically due to his years and training on the Island. The episode has more flashbacks to Oliver learning to be that reserved character while his present day persona learns to deal with these new relationships. Roy Harper (Colton Haynes) is going to play an interesting role, I think, mirroring much of Oliver’s experiences. In fact, the episode begins with a scene that should feel very much like a scene from a first season episode – I’ll leave it up to you to figure out which one.This week’s episode is written by the familiar team of Ben Sokolowski and Beth Schwartz and is directed by another familiar name, Nick Corpus. Once again, the team has produced a wonderfully crafted episode with a theme that runs through multiple storylines, providing real depth to the storytelling.
In the present, Felicity (Emily Betts Rickard) and Diggle (David Ramsey) are not happy with their new “covers” and Oliver is not having a great time as the new head of Queen Consolidated. We get some great one liners from Felicity who is already sporting the new, sexier look we were promised. In flashbacks, Wilson (Manu Bennett) is feeling like a bit of a third wheel while Oliver and Shado (Celina Jade) grow closer.
Oliver has no shortage of new adversaries. In addition to Alderman Sebastian Blood (Kevin Alejandro), Laurel (Katie Cassidy) proves to be dedicated to bringing the vigilante to justice. The Hood is faced with the return of China White (Kelly Hu), and she’s teamed up with a new partner. Thea (Willa Holland) and Roy are experiencing their own difficulties, and Oliver steps in to try to help.
Crusade 2.0 is just getting started. This week’s episode keeps up the high quality we’ve come to expect of the show and is a good indication of how exciting this season is likely to be. Look for some great trick arrows and one heck of a cliff hanger! If you are like me, you’ll be hanging of the edge of your seat by the end of the episode and will be counting the hours until the next episode!
