Arrow - 2.10 - Blast Radius - Review: Get Your Head in the Game

'Get Your Head in the Game'

Summary

Title: Blast Radius | Writer(s): Jake Coburn & Keto Shimizu | Directed by: Rob Hardy

Synopsis: Oliver must tackle a new threat to the city when bombs start to go off in Starling City. Felicity discovers the person setting them off is Mark Scheffer, a man who goes by the nickname Shrapnel. The Arrow discovers Shrapnel's next target is Sebastian Blood's "Unity Rally" and tries to talk the alderman out of hosting it, but he refuses. The Arrow sets off to stop the bombing, but Shrapnel tricks him and traps him in a bomb-laced antique store where he is unable to move without setting off the device. While Felicity helps Oliver, Diggle races to the plaza to find the bomb before it goes off. Meanwhile, Roy continues to hide his new strength from Thea but, after she witnesses his super strength in action at the rally, she demands answers. Laurel's suspicions about Sebastian grow stronger once she learns that he grew up with Cyrus Gold, the man who killed Lance's partner.

Timeline: 5 weeks after the events of the mid-season finale, 2x09: Three Ghosts.

Grade: C+

Reason: This was an average episode of Arrow. I was disappointed to learn that Arrow writers and executives didn’t learn from their mistakes from last season. I know that writers’ room is brilliant when it comes to premieres and finales, so what’s so hard about applying those same principals for the mid-season equivalents? This episode recycled quite a few things and not in a good way. Example 1: This time last year Ollie was also in a burning building trying to save lives. Example 2: We just had a car flip action sequence less than three episodes ago. Example 3: The Arrow shooting through the bomb’s cord was very reminiscent of a shot he took in the episode that featured The Dodger.

There were also some very blatant filler scenes, which shocked me because Arrow doesn’t do filler scenes (unless you are of the opinion that indeed is what the island flashbacks are). 33 episodes in and we still have the villains not being built enough to be even remotely interesting. There was very little action, which what little we got of it was also very repetitive; we’ve seen the Arrow bike numerous times chasing someone through Starling City now.
Upside with Dr. Ivo not making a physical appearance, the flashbacks were almost tolerable. They are working on the character of Laurel and I think this cool, proactive, heroic subplot just might be here to stay. Fingers crossed. We also got some solo Quiggle time, for however brief that was. Of course, I should mention that Ollie is now learning how to apologize after he’s been a douche. So, there’s that.


Awards

Character of the Night

Laurel wins this category hands down. It’s amazing how such a few small proactive actions can make a huge difference. My hope is that the audience likes this turn of events and can begin to root for her.

Best Character Interactions

Roy and Thea - How the heck did a teen romance become the best relationship by leaps and bounds on a “serious” and “grounded” TV show about a guy running around with a bow and arrow fighting crime? I have no idea. But Colton and Willa have major chemistry and it sizzles. They genuinely care about each other and the only time the fight is when is being a major pain in the butt about something and needs a good old fashioned Gibb slap. Thea is worried about Roy and Roy hates to make Thea worry. But when they work together it’s magic.

Blood and Ollie – Every story needs a compelling villain. We have yet to have one on Arrow in my opinion. One of the most interesting comic book villains out there, especially in DC comics, is Lex Luthor and his relationship with Clark Kent. Sebastian Blood has the potential to be that kind of epic level foil for Ollie (since Tommy isn’t around, and truth be told, I didn’t want to see an evil Tommy anyway). I like how Ollie and The Arrow got pulled in by his charm. I also like Slade is the one pulling the strings of Sebastian makes it even more intense, wouldn’t you say?

Favorite Moments

1. Slade smelling Shado’s hood, he officially oozing creepiness.
2. The Arrow gets caught in Shrapnel’s trap.
3. A box falls on Roy and Thea interrupting their make out session.

Favorite Lines

1. Felicity: Were you apologizing to me or talking to your quiver?
2. Diggle: Hey, is this it’s going to be with you two from now on?
3. Felicity: The whackadoo in question goes by the user name ‘Shrapnel’.

Favorite Scenes

1. Laurel comes into the station to ask Quentin for a favor.
2. Laurel discovers the truth about Blood.
3. Quentin and The Arrow on the rooftop while another bombing takes place.

Creeper Award

Slade Wilson, for smelling Shado's hood after it's been taken off her dead body.

Glaring Mistakes

Papa Queen's grave marker.

The Get It Together Awards

3rd Place - Blood being associated with the Queens in any way, shape or fashion while running for political office. I guess everyone has a short term memory in Starling City.

Runner Up - Blood’s campaign slogan is ‘Sebastian for Starling’.

1st Place - Thea not noticing Roy’s knee has miraculously healed. They live together, they work together and umm, they see each other naked, so how has she not noticed?

Worst Product Placement Award

Quentin: Because Aunt Maya is nuttier than a Snickers bar.


Shameless Plugs & Self Promotion

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