Arrow S1 E4 - 'An Innocent Man' Review


A Modern Day Robin Hood.
This episode shows Oliver's more human side as he attempts to get an innocent man, Peter Declan, off Death Row. He battles notorious businessman Jason Brodeur, who is also on the list. The Hood enlists Laurel's help for the first time (after enlisting Quentin's help the last episode) and she goes from loving him mid-episode, to not trusting him and saying he is too violent by the end of it. The transition feels a bit too rushed, but it's nice to establish the relationship between the Hood and his romantic interest, no matter how much I REALLY don't ship the pair of them.
 In flashbacks, Oliver makes his first kill (a chicken) in order to survive. Some cool moments include the train interrogation and the moment when Oliver gets arrested at the end, which makes for an effective and surprising cliffhanger since this is only the show's fourth episode. Also was exciting finding out about John Barrowman being a bad guy and in the show, as I remember being shocked at such a high-profile actor's inclusion in this new show. I loved Barrowman in Doctor Who and Torchwood, so to see him play the role of the villain in this season is an absolute treat.
Diggle joining up with Oliver is a cool moment and marks the beginning of Team Arrow properly too, which is a momentous occasion in regards to the show's history. The revelation that Moira has had the Queen's Gambit salvage is also another great cliffhanger and maintains the viewer's interest in the List story line which is still very much lurking in the background at the moment.
Overall however, this episode was disappointing. A slow burner and a jumpy plot which doesn't flow very well hampers it and although I am glad that the show took a break from the 'villain-of-the-week' vibe, it is a shame that when there is no villain there feels like something is missing. It's like they just can't win!

 STARRING: Jason Brodeur, Yao Fei

 EASTER EGGS: 
- When interrogating Matt Istook on the train track, Oliver mentions that the oncoming train's destination is Blüdhaven, a neighboring municipality to Gotham, and the city which is patrolled by Nightwing. Nightwing is the persona created by Dick Grayson after leaving the role of Batman's sidekick Robin
- Iron Heights is referenced. In the DC Comics Universe, Iron Heights Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison in which are incarcerated the many villains of the Flash's "Rogues Gallery". It also featured heavily in The Flash (2014)
- This episode marks the first time Oliver uses a device to disguise his voice
- At the very end of the last episode, Diggle found out that Oliver was the Arrow. In this episode Diggle officially becomes the first member of Team Arrow (after its founder of course)

 RATING: 6.7/10

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