Arrow 1.02 "Honor Thy Father" Review

           Arrow’s second episode “Honor Thy Father” was even stronger than the pilot. I felt that the pacing of the pilot was slowed down a bit by the necessity of filling in a lot of back story. This episode seems to hit its stride a little more strongly as we continue to get some back story but are carried along by the developing action and characters. One part of the back story that I am getting a bit more impatient to know more about is Oliver’s time on the Island.

            I want to begin this episode by giving a shout out to the production crew. The episode was directed by David Barrett and much of the action – both physical and mental – was supported and reinforced by the directorial choices. One great example of this is the tight focus and quick cuts of Oliver being surrounded and hounded by the Paparazzi. It’s easy to experience the claustrophobia and discomfort right along with Oliver before there is an admission on his part to how much he got used to being alone on the Island. The entire crew does a great job lighting some pretty difficult locations and dressing a wide range of sets – from the opulent offices and home of the Queens to the docks and legal aid office. The detail and attention put into the production really contribute to the final product.

            There were a number of great performances in this episode. I always enjoy watching Ty Ollson and his Martin Somer didn’t disappoint. He struck a balance as a bully, happy to terrorize the Nosentis of the world and terrified in turn of his bosses in the Triad. And I had to feel for him swinging upside down in that scene – he confessed on Twitter that it wasn’t much fun to shoot... Kelly Hu was fun to watch as China White and made a great match for Arrow. The fight scenes were masterfully choreographed and executed – but I wanted more!! I can’t wait to see her again – she got away, right? So she has to be back! My only quibble is that I prefer my fight scenes to have fewer quick cuts. I’ve been hearing on Twitter for months about how hard these actors and stunt people are working and I really want to be able to see them strut their stuff!

            Speaking of strutting their stuff, David Ramsey was terrific in this episode – and apparently John Diggle has got some moves! He’s quickly becoming a favorite character, and I’m hoping that Oliver is going to let him in on his secret before too much longer. Diggle is just too smart and perceptive for Oliver to keep him at arm’s length for long.

            My favorite scene in this episode was the one between Katie Cassidy and Paul Blackthorne. She convinces him that she is simply following his example by using the law to fight for what is right. It’s a fantastically acted scene, and I’m so looking forward to lots more Laurel; she’s a great character.

            The episode’s story was by Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim and the teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg and Guggenheim. It’s a tightly written piece that provides us with a few flashbacks to the Island but also moves the present day action along. We begin to see that Oliver is having trouble fitting back into his life of five years ago. We the audience know that he isn’t really trying to fit back in, but it’s clear that there are obstacles that Oliver wasn’t expecting as well. He seems uneasy and impatient with Tommy’s cavalier attitude. He’s obviously having trouble reconnecting with his sister Thea (Willa Holland). She points out to him that he might have been through hell, but it was hell at home without him. At the beginning of the episode, she is impatient with him and tells him to stay out of her business, but she obviously still cares about him as is obvious by her horror at seeing all of his scars.

            The voice over still feels a bit clunky to me, but not the monologues from Stephen Amell. His vow over his father’s grave to right his wrongs even if it means he has to dishonor his memory is a good example of one that works.

            Oliver does a good job of fooling those who think they know him. They expect to see a careless playboy, so that’s what they see. He keeps trying to push everyone away to prevent them from seeing anything different and in an attempt to keep them safe or because he doesn’t trust them, but he also comes to realize in this episode that that isn’t going to be the easy way out he thought it would be. Oliver realizes he is hurting people by pushing them away and lying to them, especially Laurel and Thea. It’s also going to mean he continues to be alone himself.

            This is what makes the John Diggle character so interesting. Diggle brings a fresh perspective to Oliver as he didn’t know him before the Island and Diggle is trained to observe people. He tells Oliver that he isn’t a fool, and he is far from it. He realizes that there is more to Oliver than meets the eye, that Oliver isn’t the shallow playboy that he claims to be. He tells him, “I’m just beginning to understand the kind of man you are.” And this introduces what seems likely to be a recurring theme of what honor is and how justice is best served. I particularly appreciated the irony of Oliver’s speech at the building dedication when he said, “I’m not my father – I’m not half the man he was. I never will be. Stop asking me to be.” He’s not half the man his father was, he’s twice the man his father ever was!

            The end of the episode sets up some interesting possibilities going forward. While we know Oliver didn’t die on the Island, our last shot of him is shot with an arrow and slumped over his father’s grave – so how does he survive that and who is the mysterious guy with the hood and quiver on the Island? Obviously a mentor... but who? And we see that Moira is trying to protect her son, but is pretty clearly involved in having sabotaged the yacht that lead to her husband’s death. Who is she talking to in the car? I’m wondering if it is the “Well-dressed Man” played by John Barrowman – some spoiler stills would seem to support this theory... And in the meanwhile, no doubt the Triad and China White will be looking for payback.

            I’m really looking forward to next week’s episode, “Lone Gunmen” directed by Guy Bee, one of my favorite directors. I’m wondering if we are going to see some kind of conspiracy plot aka XFiles...

What did you think of the episode? Let me know in the comments below!