Arrow: The Odyssey Review

Our verdict on the most blazingly speedy episode yet!
There was barely any time to breathe in Arrow's fourteenth episode of its first season, The Odyssey. Before you could say 'DC', we'd seen the Hood gunned to the ground by his own mother, then seconds later he had revealed his true identity to Felicity and entered a coma of extended flashbacks to the island. Quite the high ante opening, eh?

Thankfully, this strong sense of pacing for the most part didn't let up in this latest instalment. Having major jumps forward in the 'past' sequences such as the alleged death of Deathstroke (the irony of which wasn't lost on this viewer), the shift in Oliver's plans to escape the island and indeed the highlighting of one of his old friend's harsh family loyalties were significant and more compelling than any of the previous angst-driven malarky we've had these past few weeks. If this momentum continues to drive further instalments of flashback sequences, then it could become possible for the past to become just as interesting as the present for viewers.

Nevertheless, it seemed that for every element where the episode flourished, there had to be substantial shortcomings which held it back from true greatness. For instance, the present day sequences were mixed in terms of effectiveness, with Oliver's seeming reluctance to place any blame on Moira after the attack just not quite gelling after what felt like a major narrative step forward last week. In addition, there was virtually no updates on the various situations involving Malcolm, Walter, Laurel or her father, all of which could do with strong plot developments as we enter the final stages of this ambitious opening season.

Overall, then, while it's by no means a perfect episode, Arrow: The Odyssey thrives in its flashback sequences and at least gives strong teasers of the strength of its new modern-day regular Felicity for Season Two in the present day sequences.
4/5