Arrow S2 Ep18 – Deathstroke

Since the conclusion of “Time of Death” Ollie has been on edge with the knowledge that his arch enemy Slade Wilson/Deathstroke is in Starling City. In “The Promise” we are given the impression that Slade wants to get his revenge on Ollie, but we are never told exactly how. Now, in this week’s episode titled “Deathstroke,” we learn that Slade’s vengeance may be more complicated than simply taking out Ollie’s loved ones.

Slade Wilson arrested?

Following the events of last week’s episode, Thea Queen has been kidnapped by Slade. Meanwhile, a mayoral debate between Moira Queen and Sebastian Blood commences. All seems to be going well at the debate until video of a captured and frantic Thea makes its way onto the video screen behind the candidates. Deathstroke has played his hand and now Ollie has to rescue his sister.

After making Isabel Rochev (Summer Glau) temporary CEO so he can focus his attention on saving Thea, Ollie and his team find Slade. With the assistance of Detective Lance, Slade is then arrested. Of course, having nothing but a vigilante’s word the cops have no choice but to let Slade go. After he is freed, Team Arrow tries to follow him to where he is most likely holding Thea, but end up losing him. Slade returns to Thea and lets her go, but not before telling her a secret about her brother.

Meanwhile, Isabel Rochev has taken full control of Queen Consolidated thanks to Ollie’s rash decision to make her temporary CEO. Upon returning to the company a distraught Ollie questions her about her betrayal. It’s here that Rochev reveals that she has been working for Slade and tells Ollie he will pay for the sins of his father.

Later Team Arrow finds out the location where Thea is being held. Ollie fights his way through an assortment of henchmen until he gets to his goal. When he gets there he sees Thea has already left. Felicity then informs him Thea made her way to the police and told them about Slade. It turns out having Ollie head to that location was only a distraction, so Slade could hijack a prison bus filled with convicts.

Afterwards we find out what secret Slade told Thea. Clearly, we’re meant to believe Slade told her that Ollie is Arrow, but what he actually tells her is far more hurtful. Slade tells Thea that she is Malcolm Merlin’s daughter and that Ollie has been keeping it a secret from her all along. Ollie: the only person Thea thought was completely honest with her. In addition, Slade, now wanted for the kidnapping of Thea Queen, also pays Laurel Lance a visit. He then tells her the truth of how Ollie spends his nights.

This whole episode consisted of Slade ruining Ollie’s life piece by piece. He takes away his company and reveals two huge secrets to two people in Ollie’s life. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want to actually kill any of Ollie’s loved ones. It’s as if he just wants Ollie’s loved ones to no longer be there for him. I’m sure there will be repercussions from Ollie’s secret identity being revealed to Laurel, since her father ends up getting arrested for conspiring with Arrow. Will she use this secret to help clear her father’s name? I’m sure if Detective Lance were to tell the Starling City Police Department who Arrow was, then they might be able to swing him a deal.

The character I appreciated the most in “Deathstroke” was Roy. He basically said everything I was thinking. He complains that if Ollie hadn’t made him break up with Thea, then she wouldn’t have been kidnapped in the first place. He then begins to question Ollie as a leader. He has every right to. Unfortunately, his credibility is nearly ruined when he says some hurtful words to Sara and nearly breaks Diggle’s arm. After seeing that Thea is safe he ends up quitting the team and leaving Starling City. I’m very interested in seeing what happens with him down the line.

Moira Queen worries for Thea

There was a bittersweet scene between Moira and Ollie that I really enjoyed. They sort of reconcile their differences, as Moira displays regret for what’s she’s done. She opens up to Ollie about how she mourned for him when he was supposedly lost at sea, and doesn’t want that same feeling again with Thea. It was very touching and a lot of credit is due to Susanna Thompson for her acting. She’s made Moira one of the strongest characters in the series.

The island flashback scenes in “Deathstroke” had a little more to them then usual. For the most part these scenes in Arrow feel like filler. While in “Deathstroke” they still felt a little out of place and took away from the present-day madness that was occurring, they did help reinforce how crazy Slade has become from the Mirakuru. It turns out he still sees Shado everywhere he goes and his delusion of her is even telling him what to do and say.

The fact that Isabel Rochev was working for Slade didn’t come off as all that surprising to me. I kind of knew from the beginning that Rochev might turn out to be bad, even though I didn’t want her to be (being a huge Summer Glau fan and all). I just hope this evil plan that Rochev, Slade, and Sebastian Blood have starts to make sense and pays off. Right now it seems Slade wants to enact vengeance on Ollie by taking down his entire city. Rochev’s reasons for joining up seem to be different and reflect more on Ollie’s father’s wrongdoings. Sebastian Blood just seems confused at Slade’s plan altogether.

Overall, “Deathstroke” was a satisfying episode. There wasn’t much action as this focused more on character drama, but the action scenes that were there were very entertaining. I enjoyed all the twists and turns that occurred, but just want something to happen already. What are Slade’s plans for those escaped convicts? I’m sure Arrow is building up to an epic season two conclusion. There’s only a few more episodes left. I can’t wait to see what happens.

Next week it seems Team Arrow will take the fight to Slade. Also, two actors from The CW’s upcoming series, The Flash, will make an appearance. Carlos Valdes and Danielle Panabaker will guest star as S.T.A.R. Labs scientists Cisco Ramon and Caitlin Snow. I wonder what they will be up to? Check out the extended promo for next week’s episode titled “The Man Under the Hood” below and feel free to let us know what you thought about “Deathstroke” in the comments.