Oliver Faces A Reset On Next Week’s Arrow
by Erik Amaya
As the Crisis looms near, the Monitor’s (LaMonica Garrett) latest trick is a doozy. With too many secrets exposed and a weapon with the potential to stop the Monitor in Team Arrow’s hands, Mar Novu has no choice but to reset Oliver (Stephen Amell) and present him with a happier life. But will Ollie reject that reality as he is, fundamentally, incapable of experiencing contentment? Or will it take the absence of Felicity to make him realize this new world is a mirage?
Meanwhile, this week presented a glimpse at a longer Season 8 we would’ve enjoyed watching. Oliver dealing with his grown-up children is such a fascinating pivot for the show. It also gives Amell, Katherine McNamara, and Ben Lewis a chance to shine with this curious family dynamic. If McNamara and Lewis maintain their sibling relationship on the potential Green Arrow and the Canaries spinoff, it will definitely be a worthwhile watch.
Also, its nice to see Anatoli (David Nykl) and Oliver on friendly footing again. As Amell mentioned at Comic-Con, the season is giving Oliver the chance to find resolution with many of the people in his past, and this particular relationship is one we’re happy to see resolved so amicably. But you have to wonder how Anatoli is allowed to operate his bar so close to Bratva territory.
In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how Roy (Colton Haynes) reintegrates with the team. Well, once Ollie wakes up from the Monitor’s phantasm.
Arrow airs Tuesdays on The CW.