Our verdict on the eighteenth episode of Season One...There's a definite sense on Arrow now that we're racing towards the season finale with renewed vigour. Indeed, Salvation furthers that ramping up of the pace and marks a number of significant arc developments which should prove pretty impactful on what's to come in the remaining five episodes.
One part of the episode's storyline which I found surprisingly enjoyable was that of the Lance dynasty. It would have been a massive twist if Sarah had survived her demise, yet Alex Kingston's performance as a mother finally accepting her part in her daughter's death was stunning, a true improvement on her appearances in the previous two episodes. This reviewer hopes that Doctor Who's very own River Song returns at some point for more material in Season Two, yet for now this was at least a strong resolution to her character arc.
Meanwhile, we also had breakthroughs with both the list and Black Archer arcs. John Barrowman's seedy antagonist appears to be fully back in action judging by the episode's exciting cliffhanger, while it's great to know that another corrupt businessman has been crossed off Oliver's list so as to progress the original premise of this season. Again, the flashback sequences didn't seem to be of huge substance in terms of pushing forward the island adventures with five years to cover, but hopefully we should have jumps forward in time there soon just as we have now moved eight months in the modern chronology.
Overall, Salvation was another fantastic episode of Arrow. The sequences set five years in the past weren't anything revolutionary, but it's intriguing to see Roy Harper and the Black Archer begin to develop into budding DC Comics elements within the show. If Arrow can keep up the pace and ante beyond Salvation into its final five episodes of Season One, then we should be in for one hell of a climax to a breathtaking first season.
4.5/5
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