Episode description: Detective Lance charges Oliver with murder, so Oliver hires Laurel to be his attorney. Given Oliver's time on the island, the district attorney offers Oliver an insanity plea with an indeterminate amount of time spent in a psychiatric facility under a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Oliver declines, and offers to take a polygraph test for Detective Lance to prove his innocence. Although his test indicates he is telling the truth about not being the vigilante, the experience causes Oliver to have flashbacks to his time on the island. Oliver specifically remembers when he is caught by the armed professionals and tortured by Deathstroke before being saved by the hooded archer. While under house arrest, Oliver reveals to Diggle his plan was to get caught so that he could convince everyone that he was not the vigilante from the start. To accomplish this, Oliver has Diggle dress in his costume and go after a German arms dealer who is in the city to sell automatic weapons to the city gangs. Oliver's plan works and the charges are dropped against him. Meanwhile, Moira meets with an unknown associate, who is tied to the list that Oliver has, regarding the vigilante attacking members of their secret organization. Walter leaves the house after confronting Moira on her deception.
The Review Machine
GENERAL REACTION TO THE EPISODE
Reviewer's note: This is still a good episode, solid story and acting. They can't really blow our minds every episode.
STORY
Reviewer's note: This episode is about alibi, this gives Oliver Queen running around as Green Arrow more credibility.
ACTING
Reviewer's note: I'm still having problems with Amell's potrayal of the "party animal" Oliver Queen but the other aspect of the character I think he is doing a good job.
DIRECTING / EDITING
SOUND EDITING / MUSICAL SCORE
COSTUME DESIGN / CHARACTER LOOK
Reviewer's note: The big reveal in this department was Deathstroke. I have to say that the stills were better than when we actually see the costume in action. I can't say that I'm really disappointed but in some angles the costume didn't really work well. But the comicbook geek in me was giddy seeing the design (sorry to Smallville fans there, but I would still take this version of Slade than that show's version.)
ACTION QUOTA : WE'RE COMICBOOK FANS WE LIKE CARNAGE OF SOME SORT
Reviewer's note: The fight between Deathstroke and Yao Fei, I'll say is the highlight of this episode.
FX: Because we like to go Oooh! Ahhh!
Reviewer's note: The arrow that Ollie shot was a little bit off, render-wise but that's just me nitpicking.
EASTER EGGS : BECAUSE WE'LL KNOW MORE THAN THEY'LL EVER KNOW
Reviewer's note: One word. Deathstroke
BASING ON THIS EPISODE ONLY, WHAT'S THE CHANCE OF YOU WATCHING FUTURE EPISODES?
Reviewer's note: I can't see myself dropping this show, I believe they have been consistent from the episodes that they have. And thrilled about the news I heard for future episodes. So, I see myself for the long haul on this show.
AS A COMICBOOK FAN WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SHOW SO FAR?
Reviewer's note: I think Oliver Queen, Green Arrow really translate well for a TV show. He is a great vehicle to tackle many social issues, as he has done a lot in his comicbook appearances. (And we could give BATMAN a rest for just a while.)
Final Rating :
7.09 out of 10
Verdict:
Good
Bonus Feature: COMICBOOK CONNECTIONS
The Characters
GREEN ARROW
Comics: Green Arrow is a vigilante superhero who fights crime using archery, technology and martial arts. In his secret identity he is liberal politician and billionaire Oliver Queen, a hot-headed social activist and owner of Queen Industries.
Green Arrow was created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, first appearing in More Fun Comics #73. (1941)
Live Adaptation: Oliver Queen recently returned to Starling City after being stranded on a remote island for five years, much to the surprise of everyone since he was assumed dead. On the island, Oliver learned to fend for himself, and so upon his return, became the vigilante known as Arrow.
Portrayed by:
Stephen Amell
DINAH LAUREL LANCE
Comics: Dinah Lance is Black Canary's secret identity, she is a superhero vigilante who fights crime using martial arts and a sonic scream attack. She is one of the greatest fighters in the DC Universe, and also a strong tactical mind.
Black Canary was created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino, first appearing in Flash Comics #86. (1947)
Live Adaptation: Dinah "Laurel" Lance is the ex-girlfriend of Oliver Queen, the daughter of Detective Quentin Lance and the sister of the late Sarah Lance. Laurel is part of a group called CNRI that helps people in need. With the insistence of her father, Laurel received extensive hand-to-hand combat training allowing her to defend herself very effectively.
Portrayed by:
Katie Cassidy
MOIRA QUEEN
Comics: Moira Queen is married to millionaire industrialist Robert Queen and the mother of Oliver Queen, who would grow up to become Green Arrow. The family was on safari in Africa hunting when the parents were both killed by lions. Oliver still blames himself for their deaths because he was too hesitant to pick up a weapon and hurt the animals.
First appearance: Green Arrow Annual Vol 2 #7(1995)
Live Adaptation: Moira Queen is the mother of Oliver and Thea Queen, and the wife of Walter Steele. When her son returns, she is seemingly happy that he is alive. After Oliver is abducted, she voices concern over his safety, and hires John Diggle to be his bodyguard. However, at the end of "Pilot", she is shown to be the one behind Oliver's abduction after his arrival.
Portrayed by:
Susanna Thompson
SPEEDY
Comics: Mia Dearden is the second and current Speedy. She is a young girl adopted by Oliver Queen who rescued her from a life on the streets as a prostitute.
Mia Dearden was created by Kevin Smith and Phil Hester, first appearing in Green Arrow (Volume 3) #2. (2001)
Live Adaptation: Thea Queen is the sister of Oliver Queen, she idolized Oliver as a child. They used to be close and, according to Oliver, she used to chase after him when she was younger; thus her given nickname, "Speedy. An archery trophy can be seen in her room in the "Pilot."
Portrayed by:
Willa Holland
WALTER STEELE
Comics: Walter Steele is the new CEO of Queen Industries.
Created by J.T. Krul, Diogenes Neves. First appearance Green Arrow Vol 4 #1 (August, 2010)
Live Adaptation: Walter Steele is the step-father of Oliver Queen. He works for Queen Consolidated.
Portrayed by:
Colin Salmon
MERLYN
Comics: Arthur King is "Merlyn the Magician," a well known archer. On one occasion Merlyn has challenged Green Arrow to an archery duel and ended up defeating him. Merlyn uses his talents primarily for crime. He is known to have been a member of the League of Assassins.
Merlyn was created by Mike Friedrich, Neal Adams & Dick Dillin. First appearance was in Justice League of America #94 (November, 1971)
Live Adaptation: Tommy Merlyn is a billionaire playboy "trustafarian", and the best friend of Oliver Queen. When Oliver returns to Starling City, Tommy believes the good times will roll again but is greatly mistaken as Oliver is a changed man. It is not yet known if this Merlyn is an able archer.
Portrayed by:
Colin Donnell
DETECTIVE LANCE
Comics: Larry Lance is a private detective working in Gotham City, formerly an officer in the Gotham City Police Department. His wife was Dinah Drake, the Golden Age vigilante Black Canary. They had a daughter together named Dinah Laurel Lance who would succeed her mother in this position. Eventually Lance was killed by Aquarius during a Justice Society adventure.
Larry Lance was created by Carmine Infantino, first appearing in Flash Comics #92. (1948)
Live Adaptation: Detective Quentin Lance is the father of Laurel and Sarah Lance. He is a police detective, and is partners with Detective Hilton. Lance is described as a “gruff, determined city detective” who believes true justice can only come from law and order.
Portrayed by:
Paul Blackthorne
YAO FEI
Comics: Through his tragic actions, the soldier Yao Fei became the latest man to hold the mantle and supernatural powers of the Accomplished Perfect Physician.
Created by Grant Morrison. First appearance 52 #6 (June, 2006)
Live Adaptation: Yao Fei is an expert archer and a mentor to Oliver Queen while he was shipwrecked on Lian Yu.
Portrayed by:
Byron Mann
Newly introduced character/s to the show with connection to the comics.
DEATHSTROKE
Comics: Deathstroke is the world's greatest assassin/mercenary and an enemy of the Teen Titans. Originally a soldier in the U.S. Army, he was part of an experimental super-soldier project where he gained enhanced strength, agility and intelligence. His vendetta against the Titans began when he swore revenge for the death of his oldest son Grant; his other two children would go on to become Titans members as Jericho and Ravager. Traditionally his actions have been limited by a strong personal code of honor, although his motives became more villainous following the death of his wife Adeline Kane. Through this time his only steady companion is his loyal manservant Major Wintergreen. He has been a member of Checkmate, H.I.V.E., the Injustice League, the Secret Society of Super-Villains, the Titans and Titans East. Deathstroke was created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, first appearing in New Teen Titans #2. (1980)
Live Adaptation: Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke, is a mercenary and assassin. He appears to be associated with man named Edward Fyers. When Oliver was stranded on Lian Yu, he was captured by Fyer's men who were looking for Yao Fei, for unknown reasons. When Oliver refused to give up Fei's location, he was tortured by Deathstroke. Oliver is later rescued by Yao Fei, who engages Deathstroke in battle and temporarily subdues him; escaping with Oliver.
Portrayed by:
Jeffrey Robinson
EDWARD FYERS
Comics: Eddie Fyers was a skilled mercenary and close allies of Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow. He first met Oliver Queen when employed to the CIA when he was given the task of capturing or killing Shado. This brought him into direct contact with Green Arrow who was also trying to capture Shado.
Created by Mike Grell. First appearance: Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters #3 (October, 1987)
Live Adaptation: Edward Fyers was a man that Oliver was captured by on Lian Yu. He at one time or another had Deathstroke in employment. He was also looking for Yao Fei for unknown reasons.
Portrayed by:
Sebastian Dunn
KATE SPENCER
Comics: Kate Spencer was a federal prosecutor who grew increasingly tired of seeing guilty criminals evade punishment. Copperhead, a criminal on trial for multiple murders and cannibalism, avoids a death sentence and escapes from custody after killing two guards. Angry, Kate stole equipment from an evidence room and killed Copperhead. Calling herself Manhunter, Kate blackmailed a former weapons manufacturer for numerous villains named Dylan Battles — who was in the Witness Protection Program — into building, maintaining, and upgrading her armor, weapons, and gadgets.
Created by Marc Andreyko, Jesus Saiz. First appearance: Manhunter Vol 3 #1 (October, 2004)
Live Adaptation: The prosecutor assigned to convict Oliver Queen, with the accusation that Queen is the vigilante known as the Hood.
Portrayed by:
Chelah Horsdal
Source/s:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_(TV_series)#Episodes | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd8vBRL0x7I | http://arrow.wikia.com/wiki/Arrow_Wiki |
If I miss any characters feel free to post it on the comment section below