Arrow S2 E2 - 'Identity' Review


You'll Never Be A Hero.
'Identity' didn't impress quite as much as 'City of Heroes', but was a fun, slightly more focused episode in which we are introduced to Sebastian Blood and Bronze Tiger. The flashbacks dive deeper into Oliver's relationship with Shado and how it is affecting Slade, which foreshadows the dramatic events to come for the trio.
The plot this week was strange and a bit weak, with Triads targeting medical vans for no apparent reason. Unfortunately, this thin plotline was made weaker by the return of China White as the villain of the week, who is once again strangely wooden and at this point feels like the meme of the Arrowverse. Don't get me wrong, for some reason I love it whenever she crops up randomly, but damn she is a REALLY weak character. It seems some of this rubbed off on her associate Bronze Tiger, who made his debut this week in similarly random fashion. His introduction explained none of his motivations beyond wanting to kill the Arrow and his cheesy dialogue and little screen time didn't help to flesh the character out. His action scenes were great however and I look forward to the character returning at a later date.
Sebastian Blood also made his debut and was much more developed. He gives off a creepy, unhinged vibe which forebodes his transformation into Brother Blood later this season, however he also makes some good points in defence of the Glades. Oliver made a truly stupid decision choosing to hood up and save one truckload of supplies rather than staying at the fundraiser and encouraging Starling city's wealthy to chip in. I visibly face-palmed when he made this decision, although it was cool how the shots of the Arrow suiting up and riding into battle were mixed with Blood berating Oliver Queen. I can't wait for the conflict between the two characters to continue in the coming episodes.
On the island, Oliver grows closer to Shado whilst Slade warns him against becoming attached. It's all very ominous, as comic fans know that the pair are enemies thus it is only a matter of time until their bond breaks. This episode highlights that Shado plays a large part in the deterioration of this friendship.
Overall, 'Identity' was an okay episode which disapoints after the highs of the first entry of the second season. Bronze Tiger was cool but under used and Laurel still annoys me, particularly with her uncharacteristic switch to suddenly hating on the vigilante. The ending was gripping however and I had to move straight on to the next episode to find out what happened, which is always credit to the director/show-runners.

 AWESOME MOMENTS:

  • Bronze Tiger slicing Oliver's arrows was badassery at it's finest
  • "Health care has enough problems without you punks!" is one of the funniest, cringiest lines I have heard so far on this show but I love it
  • Love the way Roy has become the street-smart informant for Arrow, was becoming as frustrated as Thea with his nightly adventures
  • Oliver discovering the arrowhead in the past is a nice connection to the present. This series more than any other really links back nicely to the flashback storyline
  • "I'm just his black driver" - a great gag pulled off brilliantly by David Ramsey
  • Also enjoyed the coffee making theme throughout the episode
STARRING: China White, Bronze Tiger

EASTER EGGS:
- The news of starling City is 'News 52' which is a nod to DC's New 52 comics
- Oliver tries to convince Felicity to be his secretary telling her that he needs a "Girl Wednesday." She corrects him, saying that the movie he is referencing is "His Girl Friday." This could be considered a wink to the viewing audience, since "Arrow" airs on Wednesday nights
- The FEMA truck is number 52 which is a nod to DC's New 52 comics
- After the news report on the arrest of China White, if you listen carefully you can hear a male reporter mention the particle accelerator at STAR Labs, a reference to The Flash (2014) which is a spin-off and exists in the same universe as Arrow
- Michael Jai White, who plays Bronze Tiger, also played a character named Gambol in The Dark Knight (2008); both franchises are in the DC Comics universe
- Last present day appearance of China White. She is seen several times again in season 3, but only in flashback
- China White calls Arrow the 'Emerald Archer', a reference to his alias in the comics

RATING: 7/10

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