Amongst all the build up to our hero's first encounter with an al Ghul, The CW forgot to highlight that once "Heir to the Demon" was over, audiences would have to wait three weeks for the next Arrow. Olympics, schmolympics. Let's look at it like a mid-season finale for the second half of the second season. Right? Maybe not, however, the episode did feature enough action to make it feel like an event with Katrina Law's (titular) guest spot featuring four or five big set-pieces. Yet, as exciting as the fight and/or chase sequences were, I had two major issues with "Heir to the Demon," both of which will be discussed as part of their respective DCU tie-in. Here's a hint, they both have to do with the end. But first...
4. The Bloods
Unlike last week's "Tremors," which was jam-packed with DCU references, "Heir to the Demon" was rather quiet on the easter egg front because it was so focused on the main conflict. The episode did find a way to work in Sebastian Brother Blood, however, with the mayoral candidate and second season underboss showing up to gently threaten his new competitor in the Starling City municipal election. After threatening the Queen matriarch, Blood is able to stay on Ollie's good side but can't convince Moira to back out. That job will now be handled by this year's big bad, Deathstroke. Even though there was no time spent on Lian Yu, the one-eyed mercenary still made a brief appearance in the present storyline to let us know that Mrs. Queen is under his purview.
3. The Queens
The Moira running for mayor storyline continues to baffle me (still not one of my two major quibbles with "Heir to the Demon") but it's happening and at least the situation creates more conflict between the Queens and the Bloods (and Wilson). Still, how Walter Steele and company can think that the woman recently tried for mass murder (or whatever) would be elected by the people. Remember, Malcolm Merlyn, aka Thea's daddy, is the only reason that she wasn't given the death penalty. Silly. Thea's secret parentage was a major plot point this week with Oliver joining the list of people who know thanks to Felicity's investigation into Tempest, Moira's off-shore holdings. Oh, and her huge balls. Felicity is the best.
2. The Lances
Even though the episode didn't take a trip back to Lian Yu, there were still flashbacks with this week taking a look back at the Lances before the incident with the Queen's Gambit. Of course, the Lances learn of the crash from the local news but Channel 52 doesn't have the details about Sara, they don't get that bit of information until Moira pays them a visit. In the present, the family is dealing with the return of the lost daughter and everyone is happy to see her save Laurel. Laurel instead grabs the bottle and plays the blame game. Sure, Black Canary may have caused a lot of the familial strife but, uh, did you see her on the salmon ladder? Holy shit. The canary cry was pretty rad too. Too bad, (here's one major issue) the ending went for a romantic (re)union instead of a superhero alliance. I would have way rather seen Ollie and Sara suit up together instead of strip down. This is a comic-book show.
1. The al Ghuls
Since I'm talking about my issues with "Heir to the Demon," I might as well get to the other major problem I had with the episode's resolution. There's a moment when Ollie tells Dig about the Ra's al Ghul rumors and what would happen to them all if they dared to kill his daughter that got me all worked up only to have them solve the conflict with Nyssa in a way that left them all on good terms. Why?! I want to see the wrath! Bring on the entire League. Maybe if a certain someone turns out to be Talia, then Ollie might run into the Demon. In the meantime, I guess Nyssa will just beat up a few more airport security guards on the way back to Nanda Parbat. I'd have to revisit but I think the last time the "League of Assassins" came looking for Sara was better. Oh well, there's always next time.
Arrow returns with Episode 14, "Time of Death," Wednesday, February 26 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. Created by Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg and Greg Berlanti, the DC Comics inspired series stars Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Willa Holland, Colton Haynes, Manu Bennett, Paul Blackthorne and Susanna Thompson.
