This week has been pretty mind-bending in superhero television.
What a weird coincidence.
Anyway, were here to talk aboutArrow.
Credit: Colin Bentley/The CW
This isnt the first timeArrowhas pulled the alternate reality card on its characters.
The lack of angst shouldve been Olivers first clue that something wasnt right.
Ramseys use of long takes here heightens the sense that there is something wrong with this world.
As Oliver makes his way through the party, he eventually runs into the mayor: Quentin Lance.
Their reunion, though, gets interrupted by a hostage situation at the precinct.
Oliver suits up and joins Quentin and Dinah on the scene.
He infiltrates the precinct and disarms the mercenary as Quentin distracts him.
But then a hidden bomb goes off and everything fades to white.
And then, Oliver wakes right back up where he started: on a couch.
With each repeat, Oliver learns something new, but also the wrong something.
How can they make it out this labyrinth of suffering?
I was surprised by how muchIwanted to see them get this catharsis.
It turns out thats what Laurel needed to experience to be free.
The next time the reality resets, shes gone.
Stubborn as always, Oliver ignores her and buckles down on saving Quentin.
And so he does.
On the next go around, Oliver follows Quentins lead and accepts that Quentin will die.
Lyla and Mar-Novu needed Oliver to recognize thats not possible.
What I particularly liked about this lesson, though, is how it works on a meta-level, too.
Apparently, this is where their last mission will occur.
Does the episode explain what the nature of that alternate reality was?
And Im glad it doesnt because thats not the point.
Wall of Weird:
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