ARROW “Left Behind” Review

Without its titular hero, does this show matter? Read on to find out.

The official description from the CW:

In the aftermath of Oliver’s fight with Ra’s al Ghul, Diggle and Arsenal continue to protect the city in the Arrow’s absence.

We can rest a little easier my fellow fanboys and fangirls because the series that time and again renews our faith in DC awesomeness is back with new episodes. This week we find a similar but different tone as a dark day has come, where the mortality of the vigilante has come into question. To be honest I was wary about the plot and how I would feel with its implementation but after tonight it’s clear the people behind it have got this.

“Left Behind” finds all the principal players working through the lack of the Arrow in their own way. It’s a visual exercise as we see the important members of his life deal with his disappearance. Without spoiling too much I’ll simply say that the script did exactly what it needed to and the moments where revelations were required the cast responded in kind. There were a few plot elements that were a tad bit over the top and some might say even corny, but these did little to hamper the forward momentum now propelling the second half of season 3.

There’s something undeniably true about this franchise, John Diggle as played by David Ramsey, is the backbone that solidifies everything and everyone involved in it. And that’s true here as he plays emotional rock to Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) and Roy Harper (Colton Haynes) in a moment where they need it more then ever. Each of these actors lived their roles as a deep and depressing circumstance hung over their heads. I’ve had my doubts when it came to Katie Cassidy (Laurel Lance) and her eventual transformation into her comic book persona, this episode nudged me toward accepting this iteration in her vigilante role. And let’s not forget the former Superman, Brandon Routh (Ray Palmer) who got only two scenes and stole the spotlight as a depressing arc forced confrontation.

Arrow “Left Behind” may not be groundbreaking, but there’s no doubt in the mastery behind its execution. The team yielded something worth tuning into as this outing did everything it possibly could to build up whatever possible future exists after The League of Assassins. Recommended.