‘Arrow’ Episode 4.6 “Lost Souls” (6 out of 10) Starring Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Emily Bett Rickards, Paul Blackthorne. Guest Starring Brandon Routh, Charlotte Ross, Neal McDonough, Echo Kellum, Caity Lotz, Jimmy Akingbola. First aired November 11, 2015
“Arrow” as a television series is very busy. Too busy. So even when I like things that are happening, it all gets so bogged down in a dozen different characters that it can be hard to either remember or care what’s happening. A big part of the problem is in the flashbacks, which add even more characters, spread across a slower storyline. Just let me watch my damn stories! This episode, like a few others on both “Arrow” and “The Flash” this season, is lining up some of those characters to be sent off into their own spinoff, “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.” Which will hopefully help clean up the stories of the parent series. It will at least get some of the characters off the plate.
That was behind reviving Sara Lance over the last few episodes (she goes on a mission, but loses control, and goes off into the sunset as a lone wolf in this episode), and it’s behind Felicity’s subplot for a few weeks, as she and Curtis Holt decode the messages coming from the Still Alive Ray Palmer.
Turns out Ray’s alive, but very very small. And being held captive by Damien Darhk. The stress and guilt of discovering all this takes its toll on Felicity, who takes out some of that pain on Oliver and their relationship. And Oliver, bless him, trying to have a healthy normal relationship for the first time in his life, does all the wrong things. Tries to fix her problem, invites her mom over for dinner, offers to make the dinner — and Felicity throws up walls at every turn. She has good reasons, and it’s kind of nice and kind of not to see her lose control.
‘Arrow’ is a series that’s very busy. Too busy.
We also bring Curtis Holt closer into Team Arrow, with him providing not just tech support, but being an active role in rescuing Ray Palmer, and closer to his full-on superheroing as Mister Terrific. He’s a fun character, and obviating everything I said above about this show being too crowded, he’s one I’d keep around. As Felicity has become more intense, we’ve needed comic relief, and he’s fun. He examined Oliver’s face closely, putting up a hand to mask his eyes…deciding for himself that Oliver is not Green Arrow.
Other than springing Ray Palmer from his fishbowl, not much happens in the way of moving stories forward. He and Sara are moved into position so they can be launched into “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” but otherwise it’s a pretty mundane episode. Yes, Felicity and Oliver’s relationship is strengthened. Yes, it looks like Thea’s moving on to her next chiseled boyfriend. And yes, I’m pretty sure Felicity’s mom and Laurel’s dad are hooking up. But otherwise, a quiet outing for Team Arrow. I hope things get more interesting soon.