Arrow S2 E11 - 'Blind Spot' Review


The Saint of Starling City.
Laurel's investigation into Sebastian Blood comes to a head as she and the Arrow track down the Man in the Skull Mask, whilst Roy tests out his newfound powers with disastrous consequences.
The main plot this week followed Laurel as she enlists the vigilante's help to investigate Blood, who murders his mother in the mental hospital right at the start of the episode. Being one step ahead, Blood makes Officer Daily wear the mask and take on the Arrow, so that once he is unmasked the heat will be off the Alderman's back. A smart move ultimately, but frustrating knowing that this move sets back the progress made on discovering Sebastian's true identity. The other big moment this week came when Laurel's drug habits were revealed and her life came tumbling down. As I've mentioned previously, I don't always enjoy Katie Cassidy's performances, however it is great to see her take on all of this emotional turmoil in Laurel's life. Now that Quentin knows too, it'll be interesting to see how he and Laurel's relationship changes from here on out.
Roy lead the sub-plot in 'Blind Spot', joining up with Sin to take down the Starling Slasher using his mirakuru strength, however he loses control and puts the man in hospital. Colton Haynes does a brilliant job this week in his portrayal of Roy, particularly when the wannabe vigilante breaks down in the hospital following the incident. This all lead up to the big moment at the end of the episode that we had all been waiting for - the Arrow taking Roy under his wing! An awesome ending, I'm glad this next step has been taken on Harper's transition to becoming Arsenal.
The flashbacks revealed little this episode, although now Sara has officially sided with Oliver over Ivo we finally know where she stands and ideas of betrayal are pushed aside. I liked seeing Ivo switch on the crazy rage at the end of their conversation as well, as it furthers the idea that the character is unstable and dangerous, which his usual performance doesnt convey.
Overall, 'Blind Spot' is a good episode with some nice plot developments, although it does kind of feel like a step backwards in the whole Blood/Slade story-line now that Oliver is back to square one. Roy's story was also great and now he has began his training with the Arrow it wont be long until we see the comics character suit up and fight alongside our titular hero.

 STARRING: Brother Blood

 AWESOME MOMENTS:

  • That creepy murder of Blood's own mother was a chilling way to open the episode!
  • I liked Adam referring to his kidnapping at the hands of Count Vertigo earlier in the season!
  • "His last name is Blood, that can't be a good sign" - loved how Felicity pointed out this very true fact
  • Of course, THAT DEATHSTROKE MOMENT!! We finally get to see Slade's outfit and it was worth the wait! In a brilliantly violent debut, Deathstroke wiping out Bloods security was a treat to watch and teases the threat he poses.
EASTER EGGS:
- Laurel asks her boss to contact Judge Carlin in order to unseal Sebastian Blood's father's case file. Mike Carlin is a former DC editor who ran the Superman line of comics for many years.  From 1996-2002, Carlin served as the executive editor of DC, and now works at DC's Burbank offices
- A train running in the background of Laurel and Oliver's rooftop meeting is appropriately named the Arrow Line
- When Deathstroke hands Sebastian his father's case file, it's revealed that the father's name is Sebastian Sangre. Sangre is the Spanish word for blood.  It should also be noted that both the original Brother Blood (born in the 1300s) and the newest iteration were both named Sebastian
- This marks Officer Daily's (presumably) final appearance on the show.  Daily appeared in a total of six episodes this season
- The doctor who treats the Starling Slasher and commends Roy for bringing him to the hospital has appeared in Arrow before.  He treated Sin in Crucible, and also made an appearance in "The Huntress Returns" as McKenna's doctor.  The actor, Richard Keats, also played a doctor in several episodes of Smallville (and has appeared as a doctor in a total of nine different TV shows/movies)
- The Starling City Slasher is Arrow's take on the Seattle Slasher.  When Green Arrow and Black Canary move to Seattle at the start of Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters, the first criminal Green Arrow takes down is the Seattle Slasher, a serial killer preying on Seattle prostitutes.  

RATING: 7.9/10

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