A strong central story, with subplots that hang off the central narrative and flashbacks that contribute to the main plot. This episode is such a contrast to the last one that they could almost be from different shows! Ra's takes his plan to have Oliver succeed him to it's logical extreme; to drive Oliver out of Star City altogether by revealing his secret to Lance, who duly takes the bait hook, line and sinker in his desire to punish the man whom he believes is responsible for the death of one of his daughters, and for leading his other one into the life of a vigilante. His monologue to Oliver in the police van does bear some truth to it though, particularly when viewed from a lawman's perspective. One has to feel sorry for Ray Palmer though, not only does he have to wear that ridiculous suit for his hero escapades, but he takes an arrow for Felicity, then risks death at her hands from his nanotech medical kit only for her to baulk at his declaration of love for her. And as for Felicity! How dare this harlot look down on her mother for the way she dresses when she's bouncing from one hero's bed to another! Nyssa is already feeling protective of Laurel, as we see her step in to keep her out of jail (and welcome back, Miss Law), the plot is thickening nicely there. Roy has been looking to redeem himself all season, so his throwing himself under the bus for Oliver isn't totally unexpected. I'm not too sure he'll be able to keep his story straight enough for it to bring about Oliver's release, and Ra's is still waiting in the shadows anyway. Maybe Oliver has a red phone tucked away somewhere in the back of the Arrow-cave, if he does, maybe it's time he used it!
Review of Public Enemy
