Darhkness lurks in this recap of “Code of Silence”…
Last week’s episode of Arrow “Code of Silence” gave team Arrow a win, but for how long?
“Code of Silence” opens to Oliver meeting Ruvé Darhk nee Adams, at the venue for the upcoming mayoral debate. As she claims she’s not married, the first of subtle innuendo tips its hat towards Team Arrow – and us – for the upper hand this week. As the team struggle to find any oppositional research on Ruvé, focus shifts to discovering what could be used against them – other than Oliver’s frat boy days.
As Ruvé leaves, Team Arrow suit up to follow her. Upon confrontation, Ruvé enacts her wrath on behalf of Darhk; whom Oliver stood up, in order to escape in the midst of the battle of Ghost vs. Queen.
Back at the foundry, the team try to figure out what they’re missing as Darhk’s absence stems not, from fear, but a new phase in his plan. Unbeknownst to Oliver, Darhk’s latest plan involves his son; William. Ruvé, however, thinks impending death is the easiest route.
At the phase 4 meeting, Malcolm joins Darhk’s buddies. Perhaps hesitant to mention it himself, one of his buddies suggests the capability of Ruvé in attaining City Hall, for phase 5 of their plan. Still powerful; despite his unvoiced doubts, Darhk is seemingly able to use his power via satellite to kill his doubting colleague.
First on the agenda, is Quentin Lance. Called out on a police call; way below his pay grade as captain, it is only Laurel’s suspicions and skills and the Canary that saves him from Darhk’s murderous intent. Ordered to stay in the foundry, secrecy begins to threaten Lance’s relationship with Donna.
Elsewhere, Thea confronts Oliver about a cheque from Moira to Samantha clayton aka Oliver’s baby daddy. With sense seemingly out the window, Oliver tells Thea not to look into it; ignorant to the fact he enemy could also find it – without Malcolm’s help.
In the first flashback to Lian Yu, Baron Reiter has Oliver and the other prisoners, tunnelling out the prison. Upon his exit, his fellow inmates seek justice for Vlad with the agreed ignorance of the guards.
With Taiana’s defence and the revelation that Conklin is the one to blame, Oliver is spared with the obligation of killing Conklin. As Taiana advises a redeemed Oliver to return to his roots as an assassin, she hints at Oliver’s future. “It takes a monster to fight monsters” as the notion of Oliver reaffirming his original mission becomes ever more possible with our to-be buried victim.
Having left the foundry, Donna questions Quentin at the police station. Fearing for her safety, and apparently; not his own, he tells her they need a break. This is the first time that the show blatantly points Donna out as a potential victim in Darhk’s plan. With Laurel taking care of herself, perhaps Darhk is likely to take out Donna, much like William.
Raising a red flag in her history of vigilante husbands, Donna is pissed. Calling him on his BS, she dumps him on a permanent basis…unless she is let in on the truth. Will Oliver feel responsible should he choose not to let her in?
Catching the tail-end of the fight, Felicity informs lance that they’ve located Hive’s demolition team aka his almost-assassins’ base.
As team Arrow arrives at the locale, a fight ensues as the building is due to self-destruct. As the team escape unsuccessful, Speedy acquires their laptop. Whilst nailed shut, this is a non-issue for Overwatch and/or Curtis (p.s. where is his codename?)
Having narrowly escaped the blast, Andy reveals Hive’s terrorist links; in case you didn’t know they were the bad guys. With further reference to season one, albeit a nostalgic throwback to their first meeting, Felicity agrees to pull what data she can off the damaged laptop – of which she is familiar with.
With an arrow in the heart of this Olicity moment, Lance tells Son-hiding Oliver that he is lucky to be with someone he doesn’t have to keep secrets from.
Back on Lian Yu – or back to – Reiter assigns Oliver mythic status in destiny’s plan; as if a mystical tattoo wasn’t enough to level him up against present day’s enemy.
As Lian Yu is revealed to have a device of untold power, Oliver is – as legend states – the only one who can acquire it.
Almost over-confident in his mortality, Oliver sets upon Conklin as we flash forward to modern day wherein Felicity and Donna are discussing Lance.
With a quick nod to the Flash in her attire, Felicity comforts Donna; who has been living vicariously through her only to lose her own happiness, before it truly began.
With another jab to the irony of Olicity being truthful to one another, and the tragic humour of Oliver’s future parenting ability, we know that Olicity as we know it, will peak soon enough.
With a glint of hope, Felicity observes that Lance’s (and perhaps vicariously; Oliver’s) secrecy is done for the safety of his loved ones. Urging Donna’s trust, perhaps Felicity can take her own advice – although I don’t see the harm in her knowing.
During prep for his debate, Thea confront Oliver on her discovery of William. Providing evidence that the only reaction isn’t, distrust, Thea agrees that secrecy is the right thing to pursue with his son. If being a frat boy was threatening enough to Samantha Clayton; being a vigilante is inconceivable.
Focusing once more on Hive, the discovery of their demolition acid unravels a much bigger takedown in site.
Flashback to Lian Yu, Oliver informs Taiana, that an angered Reiter intends to kill them all; regardless of their aid. Score one for the villain trope. Almost villainous is Alex’s absence during the debate; because surely, his character isn’t that simple. Coincidentally, Curtis calls to warn the team that Hive intends to blow up the debate venue; leaving Ruvé the sole survivor.
Pulling a fire alarm to evacuate the building, team Arrow split up to destroy the charges. As Ruvé orders Hive to not let Oliver leave alive tells Hive, that they can’t let Oliver leave alive, Donna and Felicity tug at our encompassing dread by wanting to enter the building. Luckily, gives-no-shits Quentin goes in instead. With 13 minutes to deactivate the countdown, fights ensue with our demolition team; and a nail gun. With faith in Team Arrow, the nail gun; and my history of being shot with one (no joke) proves to be scarier. Perhaps it’s time for a twist.
With another subtle fuck you to Ruvé, to truly highlight the dirtiness of politics, how long will it be before Oliver is connected with his vigilante alter-ego? Winning the debate, phase 5 of Darhk’s plan, seems stalled as Oliver is predicted to become Mayor.
As things are looking up, Donna and Quentin make up without any secrets being revealed; because she’s a vegas girl you know…and they can take on bad guys (and the ones with mythical powers).
With help from Ray Palmer -in absentia – Curtis presents Felicity with a wedding gift. A bio-stimulant it seems -as pictured below- that Felicity will walk again.
Ending with some much-needed twisty goodness, Darhk introduces his daughter to William, who seems to be there of his own volition. As a dramatic, new episode airs tonight, will William be saved, and what happened to Samantha?!
With the Vixen’s help, Arrow airs tonight at 8|7c on the CW!
[Featured Image Courtesy of Bettina Strauss/The CW; Source Content for Gifs: Arrow “Code of Silence”, The CW 2016 ]
