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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Our heroes are confronted with faces from the past, and this could put them in jeopardy for the future. Here is a review of Arrow‘s fifth episode of its sixth season titled Deathstroke Returns.
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead!
Plot Summary
In this episode, Slade Wilson/ Deathstroke returns for Oliver Queen. The two travel thousands of miles away from Star City in search of Wilson’s son. Meanwhile, a member of the group encounters an old face and is left with a tough decision.
FBI Agent Watson’s investigation on Team Arrow continues as they once again come across Vigilante, who is now targeting a corrupt politician.
Discussion
Despite what the title may suggest, Deathstroke Returns features the return of not one, but two old villains from the show’s past seasons. Their involvement proves useful as our heroes from Team Arrow end the episode having faced a revelation that will drive the show into a different path.
From Oliver and Slade, we learn that being a father and a vigilante has its pros and cons. For Deathstroke, this would be more of the latter. They show the difficulty of having to hide secrets from their children.
Likewise, Vigilante has a different reason for returning to the show. In addition, he teaches something somewhat similar. His lesson to viewers is that we cannot hide behind a facade. This hits deep when he tells one of our heroes, “I’m not the only one wearing a mask.”
In addition, we are given more insights on the crucial debate on heroism and vigilantism. “When people take the law into their own hands, we’ve got anarchy.” We can also gather that when the past comes back to face us, it may not always look pretty. When those shocking moments come to light, we must use good judgment and make even better choices.
Overall, this episode of Arrow is pretty great and facilitates flashbacks in such a way that it drives the story forward and reveals something about our characters.
Easter Eggs, References, and Trivia Facts:
- Ferris Air
- This fictional airline has been teased in past Arrowverse episodes–including this week’s The Flash–and has yet to introduce a famous verdant hero into its world. In this week’s episode of Arrow, Slade Wilson’s son says that “Nick’s dad works flies for Ferris Air.” Although there is no apparent Green Lantern Corps member with a son named Nick, this is a good shoutout (for the second time this week) to the airline that Hal Jordan works for.
What do you think of Season 6 after just five episodes? Do you think we need more of Deathstroke and Vigilante? What are your opinions on the episode’s reveal? Let us know! For more Arrow-related news and reviews, follow Geek Motivation on Twitter (@GEEKMOTIVATION) and Instagram (@geekmotivation).
Written by: John Tangalin
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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