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Arrow - Corto Maltese - Review

28 Oct 2014

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Arrow, “Corto Maltese,” was written by the team of Erik Oleson and Beth Schwartz and directed by Stephen Surjik. Schwartz has been with the show since the first season, but Oleson and Surjik are new to the show. Oleson has also written for Unforgettable, Chase, and The Agency among others. Surjik has an impressive list of credits including Person of Interest, The Blacklist, Burn Notice, Warehouse 13, Psych, and Wayne’s World 2. This episode really focused on the women of Starling City – and their transformations.

The episode picks up 6 months ago and we dovetail back to the season two finale, picking up as Thea (Willa Holland) gets into that limo with Malcolm (John Barrowman). Barrowman once again delights as the bad guy we love to hate. For her part, Holland finally gets to be the character we can get behind – she’s no longer the spineless, damsel in distress. She is taking control of her life from the moment she steps into that limo. She tells Malcolm she wants to come with him and learn from him because he strikes her as someone who can teach her not to feel the horrible pain she is feeling at that moment. All of the flashbacks in this episode are dedicated to Thea’s transformation. Clearly, there is more to tell about her time with Merlyn, so I really hope we’ll see more of that.

Malcolm’s first lesson to Thea is that she must fight with her mind first and then her sword. She has to learn to master the pain – both mentally and physically. We’ve seen this lesson before – and it parallels Laurel’s (Katie Cassidy) story in this episode too. Merlyn tells her that after his wife died, he was angry and hurt – just as Thea is now – and that the pain was unbearable. He tells her that while pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. He then pours hot wax over her hand. Both Holland and Barrowman are terrific in these scenes – and the episode – as we see Thea transition from the spoiled rich girl into something far more interesting. Barrowman goes from the man yearning for another child to love and be loved by to the hardened teacher that Thea needs to become something more than she was.

Thea, of course, resists, telling Merlyn she’s not like him, but in the end, she does prove to be her father’s daughter – at least to the extent of being able to bear the pain and channel the suffering. By the time Oliver (Stephen Amell) finds her on Corto Maltese, she is almost a different person. She is far more self-possessed than we’ve seen her before and far less emotional. I loved the final scene at the airport when the coffee is spilt on her hand – just as the wax was earlier – and this time she doesn’t react – either to the pain or to her emotions – she doesn’t get angry with the guy who spills it. Oliver and Roy (Colton Haynes) both take note of it. Perhaps they are most suited to recognizing something from their own training. I also liked that Thea’s response was Oliver’s patented, “I’m fine.” The final sword fight in which Thea “wins” her freedom is quite magnificent. Once again, my admiration for the outstanding stunt and fight team on this show knows no bounds!

Of course, the trip to Corto Maltese couldn’t just be about Thea. If I had one complaint about this episode it’s that it may have tried to do too much. When Diggle (David Ramsey) tells Lyla (Audrey Marie Anderson) about the trip, she suddenly has some ARGUS business for him to take care of. It was fun watching Oliver essentially work for Diggle in this episode. Unfortunately, Diggle’s interactions with Mark Shaw (David Cubitt) raise all kinds of questions about what ARGUS does to its employees – something we already know from Oliver’s flashbacks is more than questionable.

        Clearly, this is going to be an issue going forward, but I’m really enjoying Diggle’s happy family life and it’s nice to see one of the team able to have that so I hope that they aren’t preparing us for breaking that up. I also hope that Anderson gets to do more than play baby-momma (not that that isn’t an important role, but I’d love to see Diggle at home juggling the baby and his other work while she’s in the field too).

I thought it was a really nice touch when Roy was about to pack his bow and had to be told that it wouldn’t be allowed on the plane. Of course Roy would never have been on a plane before! How could a poor kid ever have afforded that? I also really liked Oliver’s homemade bows later in the episode. And of course, the quote of the week, that we’ve been seeing in promos for some time, was Oliver saying that he never said he couldn’t use a gun! As always there is lots of great action in the episode from the first chase scene to the skirmish on Corto Maltese.

Roy and Oliver both appeal to Thea to come home, but take very different approaches. Roy tells Thea all he ever wanted was for her to be happy, and he tells her to stay on the Island if that’s what makes her happy. Thea also appears to still care for Roy as she asks him if he’s ok. He tells her that he hasn’t been sleeping. This is new information – but spoilers would indicate that Roy is likely having nightmares about what happened when he was under the influence of the mirakuru. No doubt this is a story thread that will be picked up in the future.

Oliver knows he has to come clean with the truth in order to win his sister back, but Diggle tells him not to because the truth will just re-enforce how much Oliver has lied. Thea tells him that it’s not his own secrets that she’s mad about him keeping but the secrets about her own life. Oliver tells her about Robert’s sacrifice on the lifeboat. He then tells her that while she may not need him, he needs her. Oliver’s plea then, interestingly, is much more selfish than Roy’s. In the end, Thea decides to go home, but now she is the one keeping secrets.

Meanwhile, back in Starling City, Laurel tries to deal with her anger. Cassidy is doing a terrific job with this storyline, and like Holland, she must be relishing this new direction for her character. I know there has been some dissatisfaction with the character, but I hope now that the writers have put Laurel on the path to becoming Black Canary that we will see more consistency with the character. I liked using Laurel’s being at a meeting to reveal how she was feeling – that she was angry and didn’t know what to do with it, but that she didn’t feel like drinking. I was also relieved that we wouldn’t be revisiting that story line.

I know a lot of people, myself included, were rolling their eyes at Laurel’s stupidity to don a balaclava and attack the boyfriend in a dark alley. On the other hand, she did own her own stupidity. She explains to Quentin (Paul Blackthorne) that she “needed the world to be different.” She knew the world wasn’t fair and that people who should be punished most often weren’t. Rather a bleak declaration from a public prosecutor! Of course, Quentin tells her that she’s not the Arrow or her sister, which is simply a red flag to her, hardening her resolve.

Laurel isn’t stupid though and knows she needs training and goes to Oliver first. Like Quentin, Oliver’s first concern is keeping those he cares about safe, so he refuses to train her. I thought Amell and Cassidy were both great in this scene. Laurel then goes back to the gym she was at in the beginning of the episode. She asks Ted (JR Ramirez) to train her. Ted Grant is better known to those familiar with the comics – and those familiar with spoilers! – as Wildcat. So good on Laurel for instinctively going to an undercover superhero!

And the last of our female leads to embark on a new journey this episode is Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards). She begins her new job with Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh). She starts out by laying down the ground rules – this time there will be NO getting coffee! I loved this scene and Routh really shines in it as he looks curiously at Felicity. While we know Oliver values her, he does still take her for granted in many ways. Ray, however, truly values her special intellect. I loved it as she learns she has her OWN person assistant – Gerry Conway (David Kaye). Gerry Conway, of course, is also the name of the comics author who created the character of Felicity Smoak…. I also loved Felicity’s face when she realizes that she’s just been given Oliver’s old office.

Of course, Felicity is now juggling two very full time jobs. And this is also a nice shout out to Rickards herself, who is doing double duty between Starling and Central cities. I loved the scene in which Felicity is briefing Ray and then takes calls from Diggle and Laurel who both need information and help too. Ray is not stupid, however, and it can’t be long until he grows more curious about what Felicity is doing in her “spare” time. This is clearly also going to be a problem for Felicity as she is pulled in multiple directions. How will she manage to balance everything? Will she have to choose?

We are no doubt heading to a confrontation between team Arrow and team Malcolm. I would love to see Thea and Oliver confront each other – with masks on – and actually recognize each other by their eyes. Too much to hope for? This was a very packed episode, but it’s great to see the women characters all getting exciting storylines. The episode ends with Nyssa (Katrina Law) showing up wanting answers for the disappearance of her lover – Sara. One of the most disappointing elements of Sara’s passing – other than the loss of Caity Lotz was the loss of this relationship.

What did you think of the episode? Whose storyline are you most excited to see play out? 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.

25 comments:

  1. I guess the women (with the exception of Felicity) aren't why I watch. I honestly found myself bored to death during this episode and spent most of my time surfing around the 'net on my Nook. (I do that a lot (multi-task, I guess) with all kinds of shows but usually I'm quite good at knowing what's going on in the show. This time not so much.

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  2. This episode imo was good. Not best but very good. This one like episode 2 was an ensemble episode where every character got something worthwhile to do. I am happy about that because that was my main complaint last season where they forget about characters for few episodes at a time and then use them as plot devices to reach their finale out come.


    Malcolm/Thea scenes were very compelling and advocates a strong case about how Thea can be this good in such a short time. Now if we are shown her not excelling against some real time ninjas or villains this will be more believable. I love her attitude this season but I am still annoyed by her reason to go away with Malcolm. Every one tell lies and I am in pain. She could have simply relocated and started a new life. *shrugs*


    Thea/Oliver was emotional and well done except when he said the truth about his father he refrained from saying the dude killed another person before dying. Oliver just doesn't learn when it comes to Thea. You are right he is still selfish.


    Roy/Thea was surprisingly very mature and for the first time I liked Colton Haynes's acting. Also Roy/Oliver dynamic is adorable,


    Laurel's storyline is way better than season 2 and 1 combined. But still I wish they had let Laurel grieve with Quentin first before going all out revenge and action mode. Yes she is not taking pills but she is not grieving either. It's still unhealthy. Also I wish we could have seen a little bit more of Ted Grant before they start training. This was like Laurel:"are you lying?" Ted Grant:"I get you girl and your anger issues. Here's the pamphlet". Two or three more scenes with the handsome hunk would have settled his character with Laurel.


    Felicity scenes were adorable. I would simply gush so I refrain from it :) Brandon Routh is so charismatic in this role.


    The weakest part was Digg's storyline. That was a set up for the later part of the seasons. I didn't feel any danger in those scenes. But the action scenes were so cool. Also Stephen Amell with a gun is my new ship. I vote for him being a cop or federal agent in his next show. That was damn sexy :p (can you see me drool?)


    Overall a good episode. Awaiting eagerly for Thea.

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  3. I loved your review, this really was a good episode for the women of Arrow, all of them embarking on new journeys. Thea and Laurel's story lines are the ones I'm most excited about this season, can't wait to see Laurel training with Ted and see Thea-Malcolm and whether she ends up on the side of good or not. I too would love Lyla to go out into the field and not just stay at home and be a mother/ex-wife.

    The only thing is the Argus story line I felt was lacking. Maybe they're bringing back Shaw for the Suicide Squad, but this is the third episode in a row where it feels like they're wasting a canon character in a half thought out plot (Vertigo, Lacroix and now Shaw).

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  4. I loved this episode. Agree, that Diggles reason for joining the Trip to Corto came out of nowhere and Marc Shaw as kinda pale, but for me this was more of a story built up than Saras death (ok we are at a dead end atm). Again we have that weapons dealer, the one that also tried to buy the prototype of the earthquake machine. And nothing has ever creeped me out so much on Arrow as Lyles casual comment about Amand beeing exactly the same wording as Shaws.

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  5. Only thing that bothered me - supposly the Team does not know where Felicity is working but Diggle new which landline to call after he was cut off on the cell?

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  6. and Lisa, I have not said anything this season so far. But thank you for your reviews. I look forward to them.

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  7. Too bad. I'm really liking what they're doing with the women - and Thea is a good little fighter!

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  8. I think that Laurel is still in the anger stage of grieving. I also think it reasonably believable that she wouldn't want to risk losing her father by telling him.
    Definitely, agree about liking Roy and Oliver together.
    I think Ted Grant is supposed to remain mysterious until later in the season...

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  9. Agree that the mission came out of nowhere, but it also parallels last week's flashbacks about ARGUS using family members to make agents do things... it's all rather sinister...

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  10. Thanks! I completely agree - can't wait to see more of these ass-kicking women! I'd love to see Lyla, Thea, Laurel, and Felicity have to rescue the boys from time to time!


    If I've had one criticism of the show, it's that they really give short shrift to the guest villains. I wish we could have them stick around for at least 2 or even 3 episodes....

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  11. Yes!!!! I would think it might be a big deal that would need to be discussed that Felicity was back working at Queen Consolidated, right?

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  12. Thank you so much! Always my pleasure! And I very much look forward to the comments and discussion!

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  13. and it shows how many long arch are going on at the moment. I pretty sure they will come back to address this. Love that Arrow is more serialized now.

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  14. I believe there was a scene shot where Felicity informs Oliver of her job change and that was cut. SA said in an interview about that scene.

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  15. If Lance was lying in a hospital icu in critical condition I would have approved of Laurel keeping Sara's death from him. But now he is a man with a heart condition who is working a high stress job as a captain. This condition is never going away. Is she never going to let Lance know about Sara? I thought writers are just looking for unnecessary dramatic confrontation between Laurel and Quentin here.

    As I said even with all the reservations I have I still like this journey for Laurel. I just hope during this journey they find a space to show us Laurel mourning for her sister.

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  16. Decent enough episode, but with some problems, as you note (e.g. the Corto Maltese Oliver and ARGUS coinkydink--if it WAS a coinkydink; maybe it wasn't!). I'm still trying to figure out just what good Oliver was supposed to be in that first blind meet. The whole point seemed for him to be ineffective so the guy could get away. This is not a good plotting strategy!
    And, minor point, but if Thea's been all boiling waxed on the back of her hands, shouldn't she be covered in scar tissue?
    Looking forward to watching Katie Cassidy do the salmon run lol!

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  17. Meh. I wasn't sure if it wanted to be a Thea episode or a Diggle episode. The Thea story felt like it simmered in the background, while the Diggle story felt weak. And the less said about Laurel the better. Seriously, her stupidity levels went through the roof this week. Rather than staying safe and not risking Quentin becoming childless, she decides to potentially risk her life? I get why she did it but she's an idiot. Good on Oliver for refusing to teach her.


    Weak episode imo.

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  18. Good point! If his job doesn't kill him - or running around at night trying to be the Arrow himself, she should be able to share...

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  19. Ah! Thanks for the info - but POO! Wish they hadn't cut that scene!

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  20. I don't think boiling wax would scar... ;)

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  21. We'll have to agree to disagree - though I do agree that it tried to do too much - I would have liked more Thea. As for Laurel, I was most impressed that she recognized and owned her own stupidity.

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  22. Given that I am unwilling to do what it takes to test the theory, we'll have to leave it as speculative, I guess!

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  23. Was that wax? I thought it was boiling water as Malcolm spoke about some tea before pouring it onto her hand. But even boiling water can leave a scar sometimes.

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  24. I would LOVE to see Lyla-Thea-Laurel-Felicity team up and kick ass. But since that's not likely, Lyla heads Argus, Thea becomes Laurel's sidekick and Felicity stays Felicity, giving us the beginning of Birds of Prey team.

    They definitely short shrift the guests, but this season it annoyed me more, because they're canon characters and in the case of Vertigo... WHY KEEP BRINGING THE CHARACTER BACK IF YOU DON'T PLAN ON FINALLY FIXING HIM??? HOW HARD IS IT TO MAKE HIM A COUNT OF A MADE UP COUNTRY AND GIVE HIM TECH THAT CAUSES VERTIGO??? Sorry, it just pisses me off.

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