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Arrow - Midnight City - Review

Feb 4, 2015

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Arrow, “Midnight City,” was written by the team of Wendy Mericle and Ben Sokolowski and was directed by Nick Copus. This episode marks a real shift in the dynamic of the show while still underscoring the themes that have made the show great from its first episode. It almost feels like when Oliver (Stephen Amell) rose from the metaphorical ashes last week, the other characters also had to have part of themselves burned away to become something more, something better.

The theme of family, what one will do for them, what constitutes family, and how a family makes you stronger runs through every element of this episode. What makes this a new beginning is that the characters are moving beyond death. They are moving beyond exacting revenge or avenging the dead to protecting the living, the family they have left.
In the flashbacks, we see that Maseo (Karl Yune) is willing to risk the lives of thousands in order to save Tatsu (Rila Fukushima). He tells Oliver that there’s nothing that he wouldn’t do for his family. Meanwhile, we are still being taunted with what happened to drive Maseo and Tatsu so far apart. Tatsu tells Oliver that “the line between grief and guilt is a thin one” and Maseo still blames himself for whatever happened. We can only surmise that it may have been their son’s death. Tatsu draws a distinction between Maseo and Sarab – the persona he’s adopted. Indeed, it is both grief and guilt that push the other characters to avenge the loved ones they’ve lost.

Brick (Vinnie Jones) attacks the meeting between the aldermen, mayor (Christina Cox), Ray (Brandon Routh), and Quentin (Paul Blackthorne). Brick manages to get the aldermen, but Laurel (Katie Cassidy) manages to save the mayor – AND nail one of the criminals hands to the wall with her stiletto heel before punching him out! On the other side of the room, Ray jumps in front of Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), and he and Quentin take out another of the henchmen. Ray turns to Felicity and says “that’s why I need a techno-suit!” Honestly, he has the best lines!

Afterwards, Felicity takes care of Ray. She asks him if he’s ok because she assumes he’ll be shaken up by memories of the gunmen who killed Anna. Ray admits that at first he thought of Anna, but then just wanted to protect Felicity. He then concedes that Felicity was right about him wanting to avenge Anna’s death when he started working on the suit, but now all he wants to do is protect the people he cares about – protect her.

Laurel manages to get a location out of the guy she nailed with her heel. I loved the scene as she uses her lawyer-smarts to get him to talk – she doesn’t have to resort to physical means. Unfortunately, the entire plan goes badly, resulting in an alderman’s death rather than saving the three captives. I really, really like that we see Laurel in the field three times in this episode and she gets hurt two of those times. They really are making her pay her dues. I especially liked in this scene when she jumps down onto the van it is completely ungainly and she lands in a heap – not lightly on her feet like a cat.

Laurel is watching the news afterwards and is devastated by the fact that they got the one alderman killed – retribution for Roy (Colton Haynes) shooting Brick with an arrow. Felicity shows up to check on her. Both Rickards and Cassidy are fantastic in this scene. Laurel tells Felicity she’s not going to have to talk sense into her because she’s realized on her own that she’s not strong enough to fight for Sara. But Felicity surprises her. She tells Laurel that maybe they’ve been doing it all wrong, fighting for the ones who are gone rather than fighting for the ones who are still with them. The two give each other strength. And that’s one of the big themes in the episode – we are stronger together, stronger as family, and family doesn’t have to be blood.

Roy is also feeling guilty about the Alderman getting killed. Diggle (David Ramsey) tells him it’s not on him but that it’s on Brick. Then he shares the after drink tradition. Roy muses that Felicity was right. They can’t do “this” without Oliver. But Felicity and Laurel arrive at that moment and Felicity says she was wrong. But she also clarifies: “I was wrong when I said Oliver’s mission was over because it’s not. It’s not just Oliver’s mission, it’s ours.” And when they work together, they get the aldermen out!

Ray and Felicity are simply adorkable – I know this may enrage the Olicity fans, but it’s true. Routh and Rickards do have chemistry – I loved when she asks if he’s talking about the city and he says no, he cares about her. But their best scene is when Felicity sticks her head in his meeting and then asks to borrow his helicopter. Their banter is priceless! In the end, Felicity does fix the chip for Ray’s suit because she realizes that with her help, it might just not be a suicide mission. She helps him to keep him safe – or at least safe-er.

The theme of protecting the family we have left has been behind Laurel’s refusal to break the news of Sara’s death to Quentin. It was great to see Paul Blackthorne back – even in a still somewhat limited capacity – as we’ve seen so little of him lately. Laurel had to know that once reports of the Canary being back in town started to surface that Quentin would wonder why Sara hadn’t called or stopped by. I thought it a bit funny that it’s Felicity and not Laurel to check on Quentin’s heart after the attack at the mayor’s office. And really, if he can withstand that kind of stress, would news of Sara’s death actually kill him? With Felicity’s help, Laurel is able to talk for Sara using a program to changer her voice to Sara’s. It’s heartbreaking as she is in tears pretending to be her dead sister. Cassidy really delivers a terrific performance throughout the episode.

It’s also nice to see that Laurel isn’t just instantly a great fighter. She doesn’t win any of her fights definitively and really only gets away from Brick the last time by fighting dirty and kicking him in the groin – she’s also helped by his being a bit squeamish about hitting girls. I did love her jumping out the window onto the ladder – having to trust her team, her new family, completely. Vinnie Jones is doing a fantastic job as Brick. I loved him quoting Shakespeare and taking the Glades hostage. It's also nice to have a villain that we get to see for a few episodes, so he actually gets fleshed out as a bit of a credible threat.

Thea (Willa Holland) is also dealing with family. Malcolm (John Barrowman – who continues to be a revelation in this part) insists that they must leave town. Thea, however, insists that he tell her the truth about why they have to leave. Malcolm tells her a version of the truth. He tells her about the vendetta that Ra’s al Ghul (Matt Nable) has for Malcolm and his family because of The Undertaking. He still doesn’t tell her about Oliver, however. I also liked that Malcolm rejected Roy for not being family, but Roy knows Thea better than Malcolm in this instance. He knows Thea is smart and stubborn and won’t quit until she gets the truth. In the end, Thea may have surpassed the teacher. She tells Malcolm that she’s not afraid of Ra’s and he should be either. Rather, Ra’s should be afraid of them!

The episode contained one final surprise. Creepy DJ Chase (Austin Butler) was giving off creepy vibes for a reason. He’s reporting to Sarab who is reporting to Ra’s! Tatsu tells Oliver that he survived because of the cold and because of his will to live as much as because of her herbs and treatments. But is it possible that Ra’s never intended to kill Oliver? I’m curious to see how this will play out.
The episode had a number of fight scenes. As I’ve already said, I like that they aren’t having Laurel look smooth and polished. However, the fight scenes themselves were a bit choppy and fragmented for my taste. The fight in the China White’s (Kelly Hu) bar, for instance, was so fragmented it was almost hard to make sense of it. Longer shots please! This stunt team doesn’t need smoke and mirrors to look good!

What did you think of the episode? Do you think the team will be able to carry on without Oliver? Do they need a clear leader? Do you think Felicity is going to introduce Ray to the rest of the team? What happens when Oliver gets back? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.

13 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this episode. i'm in full agreement that it makes me happy that they don't have Laurel at full on Canary status yet. she needs to earn her chops. I really like how even Roy has to work for his victories. while he is progressively becoming more and more badass, he's still no Oliver. I really enjoyed the Roy and Felicity scenes. They do have great chemistry together. The whole helicopter scene had me cracking up. Emily really is a gem. Felicity Smoak was written to be played by her. I really like how Brick is recurring and not just a one stop bad guy too. it's better when there is history laid down which was one of the best things about Slade. The long game had a much bigger pay off.

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  2. I think the writers really nailed it by having Oliver out of the picture so the rest of the team has to step up AND figure out what's really motivating them. Love it!

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  3. In fact more that one character makes the comment on how they are going to do what they do after Oliver, considering he was the one that drew most of them into the fight in the first place.

    One thing I will say about Oliver is that his ability to recover from Mortal wounds is off the chart. He survived a rather nasty thru and thru sword stab, fell goodness knows how many feat off a cliff, his a snow covered rock hard outcropping off a cliff and his spine remained intact. He didnt borrow Wolverines healing factor did he?

    Im actually liking how Diggle has been able to hold it together which he does talk about.

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  4. I am still surprised how many of the reviews of this episode including yours glossed off on the faults in this episode. This was a strictly average episode for me.


    Laurel being in the field was well and good but to do that they made Diggle stay back in the foundry. Diggle the most accomplished warrior among them sat out while Laurel who does not know how to fight and Roy who has under one experience of doing this went to fight the same man who kicked the shit out of Diggle last episode. Again in the second fight Diggle was reduced to a driver. I wouldn't have minded either had he been injured in some form. But they find it okay because after all he does not have a mask who would want to see him.


    This episode also marked as the one where Team Arrow went from being the good guys to people with really questionable character. So Felicity encourages Laurel. Yay I loved it. But after that when Lance's phone call comes she says "I know where to find the canary"? She could have simply said I am working on it. Also the phone call with Sara's voice was really unnecessary. Felicity could have called and got the information from Lance. It was bad enough Laurel was lying to Quentin now Felicity and Team Arrow is helping her? No one has an issue with it not even Diggle? Then her meeting Quentin as Sara just crossed a line. It's manipulative.


    To make Laurel relevant they took away from characters like Diggle and Felicity and what made them our favorites. I am not okay with that. Laurel was good in her fight scenes. I liked her but her having cheesy banter with the bad guy when she can hardly fight and does not have an escape route is annoying. Thea does not make any sense any more. At least Malcolm looks happy lol.
    They could have made this episode so much better. Really underwhelming.

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  5. I am very happy we get these episodes to breath and I don't mind Laurel getting some action - I am willing to give her character a clean slate - I do not have the impression it is on Felicity and Diggles expense. I do agree that there is a lot of inconsistencies this episode. My main issues are also Diggle beeing left behind - thent I can understand that he is the better tactician and needs an overview. The huge Sara-fake out - while it does not make much sense for Felicity, she did decide to help protect those that still live and she asking Quentin about his heart is the sloppy way to make everyone aware she also wants to protect him - I think the main problem is that the writers created this absured reason for keeping Saras death a secret just for dramas sake. And maybe the writers suddenly do not know what to do with all the "writing" space for the characters now that Oliver is not there.

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  6. Really enjoyed this episode!!

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  7. Ok, I see we do actually agree again 😊

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  8. My comment might have sounded anti Laurel but I am not. The best thing this 2 episodes have done for me is making me root for Laurel and Roy. I came out liking these two characters way more than I thought I would.


    When I wrote they forwarded Laurel's story by the expense of Diggle and Felicity I meant about the bad writing. They wanted Laurel to go out and fail in the mission. It is kind of unbelievable if Diggle goes with them Laurel will get a chance to fight Brick. So they benched Diggle. I get what they wanted to show but be smart about it. Give Diggle a gun shot wound last episode or some injury which needs for him to take a day's rest. The way they went about it I was so angry. Do they believe us audience that stupid?


    The whole Quentin thing again could have done better without making our heroes including Laurel look like manipulative jerks. Just don't talk to Quentin or go near him. Any way Sin is coming next episode to out the truth Laurel is not Sara. Even if they had to do it this way at least have a discussion about it. Let someone Diggle or Roy object to it. I really missed Oliver this episode.

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  9. Oh Lisa, I am all in for Olicity but I have to agree with you this time the scenes between Ray and Felicity were great. I like the trust they already have in each other and the acceptance of who they are.
    Thanks for pointing out all the strengths and the theme of this episode. Agree that this time the stunt were especially choppy. Like ODA I have also had some more issues - some scenes came of very bumpy, like Felicity supporting the lie regarding Sara - a girl to girl talk would have helped make sense of it.

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  10. Someone had to stay back. Laurel made it clear that she wouldn't - and it ended in disaster with her almost quitting. She learned a lesson there. The reason the final assault worked was BECAUSE the took Diggle. He was the ONLY one who could fly the helicopter. I would take your criticism more to heart if they left him in the car. He did provide a vital role and I think we were to see that they only succeeded in the field because he was there.


    I do agree that having Laurel impersonate Sara is pointless - especially, as I note, he's absolutely ok after an assault - a physical assault.


    I don't agree about Thea. She's moving to be a strong character - and one who will stand up to and be listened to by Malcolm.

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  11. So glad it's not just me with Ray and Felicity!
    I agree. Laurel continuing the lie about Sara is ridiculous. I'm going to excuse Felicity not talking sense about this because she's pretty distracted about Oliver and so forth...

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  12. So Laurel decided she was going out to fight so Diggle had to stay back? How does that make sense. If Laurel was not there at all would Diggle sit back and send Roy alone to face Brick? I get that they need Laurel to fail so that she will learn a lesson. I like that. That's why I said there should have been a valid reason for Diggle staying back. Because no way any one can justify Diggle sending one amateur fighter and one fighter with just one year experience go to find one of the most dangerous criminals they faced while he stayed back looking at the screen. I will give the writers leeway on the helicopter thing. Still it is a cop out. Diggle himself got his ass handed to him last episode by Brick. It still doesn't make sense. smh.

    Glad that we agree on Quentin :)

    Thea was talking very calmly with Malcolm about the undertaking which killed her half brother and imprisoned her mother. And she wants to fight for Malcolm? I don't see that as strength in character.

    It's not that I hated this episode. Laurel was great in field with her stubbornness. Little tweaking and this could have been a stellar episode.

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  13. I want Oliver and Felicity but Ray and Felicity were pretty great. I have thought that Laurel lieing about Sara was absurd from the beginning. How long can you really keep that up? BUT, in Laurel's defense if you're going to go big, GO BIG. she had to know that there would Canary sightings and they would get back to her father. if she wants to keep up the charade (which btw the way SHE SHOULDN'T) she had to do what she had to do. Stupid but I get it.

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