Arrow: Betrayal Review

Our verdict on the first season's thirteenth episode.
Whereas when reviewing other show's episodes such as those of Merlin, Being Human and Life's Too Short these past few months, it's been inevitable that their impending cancellation has meant there was an air of melancholy over each and every article on them. Thankfully, that's not the case with Arrow, as Betrayal marks another bold instalment for the first season of a show that's already confirmed to get a second run this Autumn.

The narrative here focuses on a devious warlord gaining parole from prison, and the effects this has on Oliver's relationship with the Lances. Meanwhile, we see Diggle begin to unearth more deadly truths about Moira Queen, ultimately leading to a sensational cliffhanger as the Hood breaks into Queen Enterprises and tells his mother that she has "failed this city". Again, the flashback elements chaining together the Hood's battles with his experiences on the island gelled really well, and we're moving back to a stage where the developments of Oliver's five-year past are just as compelling as the modern day sequences. The episode's primary antagonist doesn't have much to do really, yet that doesn't matter too much as the rest of the plot is hugely compelling.

Primarily, Betrayal's strengths lie in its focus on the primary storyline arc of the first season. That we see significant steps forward in terms of the knowledge of Oliver about his father's legacy, the Oliver-Laurel relationship and indeed Moira's conspiracies in aid of Malcolm stands in good stead for ensuring that the final nine episodes move along at a steady and progressive pace rather than treading water as so many other US shows do nowadays in the middle third of their prolonged seasons. Of course, as I mentioned this arc focus carries one or two drawbacks, for instance Laurel's boyfriend showing a random concern for his love's exploits in a rehash of their previous relationship problems, and indeed a bizarre resurgence in her father's antagonism towards the Hood in spite of all of his courageous actions for Starling City.

It's difficult to complain too much, though. Where other UK and US shows can so often become complacent with the foreknowledge of at least another season of episodes to come, Arrow's thirteenth episode seems intent on showcasing instead the bold innovation and audacity of the series' writers. It's impossible to deny that with Betrayal, The CW have pretty much ensured that the vast majority of fans will remain eager to see what plays out in the remainder of this brilliant premiere season and indeed in seasons to come...
4/5
Check out a thrilling preview of the nine remaining episodes of Arrow Season One below...