Arrow - S5E12 - Bratva

Previously on Arrow, “Second Chances”

This episode, Oliver and friends took an impromptu trip to Russia on the mayoral private jet, which a) exists, and b) really shouldn’t be used for unofficial business, right? Impeachment is definitely somewhere in Oliver’s future, but that is small fries compared to the nuclear bomb that General Walker is selling off to the highest bidder. Of course, no Russian caper would be complete without the help of everyone’s favourite Bratva, Anatoli. I would watch a spinoff that was just alternating clips of Anatoli punching Oliver in the face and taking shots of vodka (hint hint CW).

Images: The CW

The Good

I’m still not sold on the need for another Canary, but Dinah is certainly growing on me. After what feels like years of watching the boys getting trained it’s refreshing that she has come onto the team already confident and competent.

I’m liking that Felicity has been given a storyline unrelated to Oliver, for the first time since… uh… The longer that the show can keep this (shudder) ‘hacktivism’ plot separate the better.

Quentin is home from rehab at last, and, glutton for punishment that he is, decides to immediately sign up for an interview with Oliver’s special friend. Luckily, he has Rene to help him prepare, and the two make for a surprisingly delightful odd couple.

The I-don’t-know-how-to-feel

Ragman is no more! Or, more specifically, the rags are no more, and the man is actually fine. Rory sacrificed his rags to save everyone from a nuclear bomb, which would have honestly been more impressive if he had actually died. Without his powers Rory sensibly decides to quit the team. If there’s one thing that Rory will be remembered for (and honestly, that’s a big if) it’ll be for being sensible.

On the one hand, Rory was at best the kind of inoffensive character that was mostly there so that other characters had someone to talk to to make their exposition more natural, and at worst incredibly boring and one note, but on the other hand, it feels like such a waste to have him just leave after all the effort to recruit and train him.

The Bad

For the love of God, can Talia Al Ghul get something to do other than train past Oliver (or as I call him: Bad Wig Boy). That she manages to still seem somewhat interesting with the material that she’s being given is a minor miracle.

I know I’m a broken record at this point, but this show genuinely has the most warped sense of morality. Are we really expected to take Rory seriously when he tells Felicity off for blackmail, when he kills people every other episode.

This is the third episode in a row without Thea and I am not taking it well at all.