ARROW "THANATOS GUILD" REVIEW
Season 6 Episode 16:
Hey everyone, Arrow has finally returned after a hiatus, and this return is directed by Joel Novoa, which also marks the return of Katrina Law as Nyssa Al Ghul, who is out to seek Thea as a plot that relates back to Merlyn is revealed. So spoilers ahead for the episode let's recap.
Meanwhile, Dinah is investigating a drug deal gone wrong as Police Captain Hill confiscates the drugs from Dinah. Back at the Arrow cave, Nyssa tells team Arrow that the Thanatos Guild led by Athena is out to get Thea because as she is Merlyn's daughter, she can lead the Guild to find this treasure. Knowing that she can't keep running from Merlyn's legacy, Thea agrees to help Nyssa as Roy, and OG team Arrow also joins in. At a bar, Nyssa and Thea go to talk to a woman about the map that Marlyn left. The woman hands Thea and Nyssa a piece of paper which is the location in Star City where the map is. Suited up, Nussa, Thea, Roy, Oliver, and John go to the location. Nyssa finds a box in the ground which she passes to Thea. Athena and her ninja's show up. Oliver, John, Nyssa, and Roy fight the ninja's as Thea escapes with the box.
In the police station, Dinah searched for the confiscated drugs as Curtis seduces one of the police officers. Dinah finds the drugs, so back at their base, Curtis starts to run some tests on the drugs and they discover that it is a Central City drug "Vertigo". At the Arrow cave, Felicity tries to see how she can open the box, by trying to crack a code. Oliver has a talk with Nyssa as he tells her that she isn't his wife. Roy and Thea have a talk as she tells him that she needs to close the doors of the past the think about the future. Felicity manages to get the code, so Thea puts in the code on the box. After being instructed by Felicity, Thea opens the box and inside is a blank scroll. Felicity sees if she can read a message through the scroll with fire. Oliver has a talk with Thea as he tells her that putting on the suit makes him feel whole, and there might be a similar thing going on with Thea.
The Thanatos Guild activates a bomb which Felicity picks up, so the team suits up. Not seeing any sign, Roy and Thea are ambushed as the fight of the ninja's, as they get their asses handed to them. Nyssa, Oliver, and John join in on the fight. Roy goes to deactivate the bomb, but he has no electrical arrows left. Oliver shoots an arrow to stop the bomb. Thea has a one on one fight with Athena, as they both bleed. Threatening to burn the scroll, Thea stabs Athena, who gets away. With her blood on the scroll, the scroll unveils a map.
Back at the Arrow cave, Felicity tells the team that Thea's blood was the only thing that could reveal the map. It is discovered that the map shows three more Lazarus Pits, which Nyssa agrees to destroy, to "right her father's wrongs." Thea has a talk with Roy as she tells him that she needs to help Nyssa, as her father left her on this path. Roy tells Thea that we will join her. At the police station, Curtis asks one of the police officers out on a date as he tells Dinah that the police captain might be under Ricardo's payroll, as he might be producing Vertigo. The episode ends with Nyssa handing Oliver a blade which signifies the end of their marriage. Oliver says goodbye to Roy and his younger sister Thea, as the three leaves in a car for their journey.
To start off, I absolutely loved this episode as it had so much to offer, from Nyssa the awesome action scenes, to the cinematography, this episode was well crafted. So let's start off with the flashback. It was awesome seeing John Barrowman return to Arrow, even though it was a flashback, I was surprised to see him.
Now for the main story of the episode. I loved Katrina Law, she is great as Nyssa, so it was awesome to see her back on the show. The last time we saw her was in the season five finale. The story that Nyssa bought to the show could have been done poorly, however, we got a plot that was unique, however, did not feel too out of place. The twist at the end with the multiple Lazarus Pits was great, as it showed that the scroll was definitely worth dying for, as you could be brought back to life. But the episode came full circle with that twist. However the villain of Athena could have had a little clearer motivation like we see one of her fellow Thanatos friends get killed, and therefore she wants the map to bring her friend back. Something small that could have been established in that first present-day scene.
The tone of this adventure was well illustrated, it was this thrilling adventure which still has humor in it, and it created for something fun to watch, and also delivered on great character moments. In the episode, we saw some amazing fight scenes. The choreography was well crafted, as to expect with League based episodes. In the fight scenes, we saw everyone get a moment to shine, which was great to see. If I did have to pick a favorite fight scene it would the one where Thea's blood unveils the map. The lead-up fight to that moment was incredible as it incorporated the all the heroes in relatively unique ways, ways which revolved around their personalities rather than their skill sets.
The side plot of the episode was kept to a minimum which was good, but I wouldn't have minded seeing Dinah and Curtis a little longer together. It was fun seeing them investigate the police force as they discover that the captain is corrupt. I do like seeing this story where Dinah and Curtis feel so small as there is no one that they can trust when there is so much corruption and evil out in the city.
My favorite scene of the episode was the ending as it was a really sweet way to leave the episode, as this makes Willa Holland's exit as a series regular. With the ending, we will not see that play out on screen ever, the plot with Nyssa, Thea, and Roy destroying the Lazarus Pits. I did like how the marriage of Nyssa and Oliver was officially ended, the episode did a fun job at teasing with that, especially with Felicity. The ending was great as it left the character's for a well-deserved drive into the sunset, and the characters are open to returning to the show at any point which is great. And from the events from within the episode, it appears that Thea and Roy will be vigilantes wherever they go.
Katrina Law was amazing as Nyssa, and by far she delivered the best performance. In portraying this character we got a sense for where the character is, after seeing her since last year, and that was all thanks to the acting of Law which manifested Nyssa in this episode. The character in this episode had amazing action sequences throughout the episode, as they were incredible to see. The character's personality shined through in this episode. I enjoyed the character and the humor she had, especially with Felicity, it made for some awkward jokes, but the way the character is written, and Law portrays her, the dry humor was all the more fun to watch.
Willa Holland's last episode as a series regular on Arrow. This was a fabulous episode, to sum up, the character on the show. In the episode, Holland showed how far this character has grown as we saw her and her relationship with William, and Oliver pan out. The character's story tied to Merlyn was great and brings the character full circle. The way that the character left the show was great and Holland's performance made all that the more memorable. Colton Haynes was great in the episode as well. I did enjoy his more supporting role in this episode, and how his relationship with Thea influenced the direction of the character. In the episode, we sadly didn't see the character in a red suit, but it was great to see him in the field nevertheless.
The rest of the cast in the episode was great. Everyone portrayed their character in line with the tone of the scene and episodes as a whole, which made for memorable character moments. Starring in the episode we had John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlyn), Stephen Amell (Oliver/ Green Arrow), David Ramsey (John/ Spartan), Emilly Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak), Jack Moore (William Queen), Paul Blackthorne (Quentin Lance), Juliana Harkavy (Dinah/ Black Canary), Echo Kellum (Curtis/ Mr. Teriffic), Eliza Faria (Zoe Ramirez), and Kyra Zagorsky (Athena).
In conclusion, this episode of Arrow was thoroughly exciting as we saw this unique, standalone plot enter the show. With the use of great cinematography and lighting, gorgeous choragraphy and acting this was one memorable episode; all the more memorable with some exciting guest stars a satisfying way to wrap up Thea's story. I will give this episode of Arrow a 9 out of 10. What did you think of the episode? let me know by dropping a comment below. You can click on the left for more DCTV, and click on the right for Avengers Infinity War. As always thanks for reading, take care.
Hey everyone, Arrow has finally returned after a hiatus, and this return is directed by Joel Novoa, which also marks the return of Katrina Law as Nyssa Al Ghul, who is out to seek Thea as a plot that relates back to Merlyn is revealed. So spoilers ahead for the episode let's recap.
The episode opens up in a flashback four years ago where we see an alive Malcolm Merlyn talking to a young Thea as he tells her that is a bad person, but he is doing everything to protect her. Back in present day, Nyssa is at a castle where a woman named Athena, is talking to her ninja army, the "Thanatos Guild", about getting someone from the bloodline of Malcolm Merlyn to find a map left by Merlyn to which leads to some treasure. In the army is undercover Nyssa, who takes off her mask and starts to fight the ninja's as she uses an explosive to escape. Back in Star City, Oliver and the team are throwing Thea and Roy a farewell party. Meanwhile, Dinah and Curtis see Zoey as they investigate the police force. Leaving the city, Roy and Thea's car tires are taken out. Two ninjas come to attack Roy and Thea, however, they are taken out by Nyssa.
Meanwhile, Dinah is investigating a drug deal gone wrong as Police Captain Hill confiscates the drugs from Dinah. Back at the Arrow cave, Nyssa tells team Arrow that the Thanatos Guild led by Athena is out to get Thea because as she is Merlyn's daughter, she can lead the Guild to find this treasure. Knowing that she can't keep running from Merlyn's legacy, Thea agrees to help Nyssa as Roy, and OG team Arrow also joins in. At a bar, Nyssa and Thea go to talk to a woman about the map that Marlyn left. The woman hands Thea and Nyssa a piece of paper which is the location in Star City where the map is. Suited up, Nussa, Thea, Roy, Oliver, and John go to the location. Nyssa finds a box in the ground which she passes to Thea. Athena and her ninja's show up. Oliver, John, Nyssa, and Roy fight the ninja's as Thea escapes with the box.
In the police station, Dinah searched for the confiscated drugs as Curtis seduces one of the police officers. Dinah finds the drugs, so back at their base, Curtis starts to run some tests on the drugs and they discover that it is a Central City drug "Vertigo". At the Arrow cave, Felicity tries to see how she can open the box, by trying to crack a code. Oliver has a talk with Nyssa as he tells her that she isn't his wife. Roy and Thea have a talk as she tells him that she needs to close the doors of the past the think about the future. Felicity manages to get the code, so Thea puts in the code on the box. After being instructed by Felicity, Thea opens the box and inside is a blank scroll. Felicity sees if she can read a message through the scroll with fire. Oliver has a talk with Thea as he tells her that putting on the suit makes him feel whole, and there might be a similar thing going on with Thea.
The Thanatos Guild activates a bomb which Felicity picks up, so the team suits up. Not seeing any sign, Roy and Thea are ambushed as the fight of the ninja's, as they get their asses handed to them. Nyssa, Oliver, and John join in on the fight. Roy goes to deactivate the bomb, but he has no electrical arrows left. Oliver shoots an arrow to stop the bomb. Thea has a one on one fight with Athena, as they both bleed. Threatening to burn the scroll, Thea stabs Athena, who gets away. With her blood on the scroll, the scroll unveils a map.
Back at the Arrow cave, Felicity tells the team that Thea's blood was the only thing that could reveal the map. It is discovered that the map shows three more Lazarus Pits, which Nyssa agrees to destroy, to "right her father's wrongs." Thea has a talk with Roy as she tells him that she needs to help Nyssa, as her father left her on this path. Roy tells Thea that we will join her. At the police station, Curtis asks one of the police officers out on a date as he tells Dinah that the police captain might be under Ricardo's payroll, as he might be producing Vertigo. The episode ends with Nyssa handing Oliver a blade which signifies the end of their marriage. Oliver says goodbye to Roy and his younger sister Thea, as the three leaves in a car for their journey.
To start off, I absolutely loved this episode as it had so much to offer, from Nyssa the awesome action scenes, to the cinematography, this episode was well crafted. So let's start off with the flashback. It was awesome seeing John Barrowman return to Arrow, even though it was a flashback, I was surprised to see him.
Now for the main story of the episode. I loved Katrina Law, she is great as Nyssa, so it was awesome to see her back on the show. The last time we saw her was in the season five finale. The story that Nyssa bought to the show could have been done poorly, however, we got a plot that was unique, however, did not feel too out of place. The twist at the end with the multiple Lazarus Pits was great, as it showed that the scroll was definitely worth dying for, as you could be brought back to life. But the episode came full circle with that twist. However the villain of Athena could have had a little clearer motivation like we see one of her fellow Thanatos friends get killed, and therefore she wants the map to bring her friend back. Something small that could have been established in that first present-day scene.
The tone of this adventure was well illustrated, it was this thrilling adventure which still has humor in it, and it created for something fun to watch, and also delivered on great character moments. In the episode, we saw some amazing fight scenes. The choreography was well crafted, as to expect with League based episodes. In the fight scenes, we saw everyone get a moment to shine, which was great to see. If I did have to pick a favorite fight scene it would the one where Thea's blood unveils the map. The lead-up fight to that moment was incredible as it incorporated the all the heroes in relatively unique ways, ways which revolved around their personalities rather than their skill sets.
The side plot of the episode was kept to a minimum which was good, but I wouldn't have minded seeing Dinah and Curtis a little longer together. It was fun seeing them investigate the police force as they discover that the captain is corrupt. I do like seeing this story where Dinah and Curtis feel so small as there is no one that they can trust when there is so much corruption and evil out in the city.
My favorite scene of the episode was the ending as it was a really sweet way to leave the episode, as this makes Willa Holland's exit as a series regular. With the ending, we will not see that play out on screen ever, the plot with Nyssa, Thea, and Roy destroying the Lazarus Pits. I did like how the marriage of Nyssa and Oliver was officially ended, the episode did a fun job at teasing with that, especially with Felicity. The ending was great as it left the character's for a well-deserved drive into the sunset, and the characters are open to returning to the show at any point which is great. And from the events from within the episode, it appears that Thea and Roy will be vigilantes wherever they go.
Katrina Law was amazing as Nyssa, and by far she delivered the best performance. In portraying this character we got a sense for where the character is, after seeing her since last year, and that was all thanks to the acting of Law which manifested Nyssa in this episode. The character in this episode had amazing action sequences throughout the episode, as they were incredible to see. The character's personality shined through in this episode. I enjoyed the character and the humor she had, especially with Felicity, it made for some awkward jokes, but the way the character is written, and Law portrays her, the dry humor was all the more fun to watch.
Willa Holland's last episode as a series regular on Arrow. This was a fabulous episode, to sum up, the character on the show. In the episode, Holland showed how far this character has grown as we saw her and her relationship with William, and Oliver pan out. The character's story tied to Merlyn was great and brings the character full circle. The way that the character left the show was great and Holland's performance made all that the more memorable. Colton Haynes was great in the episode as well. I did enjoy his more supporting role in this episode, and how his relationship with Thea influenced the direction of the character. In the episode, we sadly didn't see the character in a red suit, but it was great to see him in the field nevertheless.
The rest of the cast in the episode was great. Everyone portrayed their character in line with the tone of the scene and episodes as a whole, which made for memorable character moments. Starring in the episode we had John Barrowman (Malcolm Merlyn), Stephen Amell (Oliver/ Green Arrow), David Ramsey (John/ Spartan), Emilly Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak), Jack Moore (William Queen), Paul Blackthorne (Quentin Lance), Juliana Harkavy (Dinah/ Black Canary), Echo Kellum (Curtis/ Mr. Teriffic), Eliza Faria (Zoe Ramirez), and Kyra Zagorsky (Athena).
In conclusion, this episode of Arrow was thoroughly exciting as we saw this unique, standalone plot enter the show. With the use of great cinematography and lighting, gorgeous choragraphy and acting this was one memorable episode; all the more memorable with some exciting guest stars a satisfying way to wrap up Thea's story. I will give this episode of Arrow a 9 out of 10. What did you think of the episode? let me know by dropping a comment below. You can click on the left for more DCTV, and click on the right for Avengers Infinity War. As always thanks for reading, take care.
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