Arrow S1 E15 - 'Dodger' Review

I'm Not Robin Hood.
The villain this week shares a name with the title of the episode, but Dodger is a lacklustre character to say the least. This is a typical Arrow trope of dropping a dull, one-off villain in to pad out the 22 episode season. Aside from the adequate main plot revolving around Dodger, we are introduced for the first time to Roy Harper! Roy is a great, grounded character and one that will go on to be a fan favourite, but for now we just learn about his current social status.
Additionally, both Diggle and Oliver go on dates this week and it is a nice change of pace to see them in a different environment to taking criminals down. Hilariously, both dates go terribly although in true Arrow fashion, all is resolved by the end of the episode.
We get a darker look at Oliver in this weeks flashbacks, as he is forced to accept that trust cannot be given freely to all those in need. Oliver understands the dangers now that the island poses and thus takes a stronger stance and refuses to be tripped up through naivety.
Overall, 'Dodger' is a mixed bag. The Dodger is a disappointment, as is his wafer-thin plotline. Moira finally trying to escape the Undertaking is a nice twist in that particular story, and her choice to hire China White to kill him nicely sets up the next episode. Ultimately, the strongest part of this episode is the very limited flashback story, which makes the viewer also question Oliver's actions. Yet another mid-season feeling episode, here is to hoping next episode steps up the pace a bit.

STARRING: The Dodger (Winnick Norton), China White

EASTER EGGS:
- When Thea is describing Roy over the phone, she describes his face as 'Abercrombiean', Colton Haynes who plays Roy was an Abercrombie & Fitch model
- The concept of the Dodger forcing innocent people to carry out his robberies is based on the so called 'pizza bomber' case from August 2003, where a pizza delivery man was strapped with a collar bomb and told to rob a bank. The man was intercepted by police and the bomb exploded, killing him. As of 2011, two people have been convicted for their roles in the case
- While tracking the Dodger, Felicity says "He's headed towards Adams & O'Neill." This references Neal Adams & Denny O'Neill, artist & writer of the landmark Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series of the 1970's
- First appearance of Roy harper who would go on to be a series regular and then main cast member. In DC comics, Roy was not only Green Arrow's sidekick Speedy but was the nephew of another DC superhero named The Guardian. Jim Harper was a cop who was selected by the research group CADMUS to be reborn as a super soldier; eventually becoming the DC equivalent to Captain America, Guardian
- The gem at the start is named "The Sherwood" which may be a reference to Robin Hood, another hooded archer. Sherwood Forest was where Robin Hood hunted
- Chin Han's character, Frank Chen, mentions "interests in China". In the film The Dark Knight (2008), Han plays an accountant for the mob who takes refuge in China
- When Roy Harper is introduced, he is seen wearing a red hoodie. This will become his signature look when he becomes the Arrow's sidekick
- Roy Harper is in the DC Comics "More Fun Comics" #73. He is Speedy (Green Arrow's sidekick) and is known as the Red Arrow in Kingdom Come #2 where he is also Green Arrow's Sidekick

RATING: 6.4/10