The CW's Arrow - Episode 2.11 Blind Spot
Oliver is conflicted after Laurel reaches out to the Arrow to investigate Sebastian Blood; Sebastian exposes Laurel's drug addiction and has her arrested; Roy reveals his new super-strength to Sin, who wants to test out his abilities; and Oliver is surprised when Sarah reveals a secret about Laurel.
"Blind Spot" spends a lot of time and focus on Laurel. For whatever reason, that is the one (important) character who just doesn't seem to be clicking on this show. She's important in the comic book mythology - but on this show she's almost like an afterthought. The series always makes sure to give her something to do but by doing so they also have established this bit of inconsistency. It's funny in this episode when someone quips how she was ready to arrest the Arrow and now she's working with him. But that's also very true. Now, the character is hellbent on exposing Sebastian Blood as the man behind the new dangers to Starling City. Yes, she is completely right and the show is betting that we find this whole new ordeal to be sympathetic character development for her. It's just not - and I still am not sure entirely why.As Laurel comes to the forefront more, some of the more interesting elements had to be reigned in a bit. Diggle and Felicity only get a few lines tonight - even though they are some of the best of the night especially Felicity's quip about Blood's name signifying his villainy. Plus, we get an entire B-story about the continuing struggles of Roy. The show has made some strides in that side of the universe with Thea and Roy - especially by adding in Bex Taylor-Klaus to the mix. And yet, I'm much more excited to see the Arrow take him under his wing and teach him how to harness this new power of his. That could in turn lead to him being more involved with the main story with Oliver, Diggle and Felicity which could be great since that stuff has been so amazing lately.
Some more thoughts:
- "Blind Spot" was written by Wendy Mericle & Beth Schwartz and directed by Glen Winter.
- Maybe the key to fixing Laurel is to have her interact more with Felicity - the unabashedly most likable character on the show.
- Or now that's she unemployed, she can find purpose in the vigilante corner of the show.
- All the gunfire at Oliver and Laurel in the evidence room seemed completely unnecessary.
- In island flashback news, Sara contacts Ivo and they chat for a bit. Ivo has definitely become one of the more interesting villains on the show - entirely because they've put the time in with him.
