Into The Arrowverse: Arrow meets Groundhog Day

Arrow — “Reset” — Image Number: AR806A_0175b.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance/Black Siren, Paul Blackthorne as Quentin Lance and Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow — Photo: Colin Bentley/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Arrow Episode 806: “Reset”

The new Arrowverse episodes ended with a fresh Arrow. And thank goodness for that, because it was the best of the three. I needed something exciting after watching Black Lightning and The Flash, something that was going to get me hyped for Crisis on Infinite Earths, not wondering why it wasn’t a bigger deal.

This episode was presented in a Groundhog Day-like manner, with Oliver waking up in the same moment over and over again. It wasn’t until towards the end of the episode that he realized that the loop wasn’t going to end until he accepted his fate.

Every time he wakes up, Oliver is in his apartment as a football game plays in the background. He gets up to see Mia, William and Connor walking into the apartment and telling him that he needs to get to a fundraiser.

As you may recall, last week’s Arrow ended with everyone learning about Lyla’s betrayal and then being hit with tranquilizer darts. So naturally, Oliver is confused AF when Diggle and Lyla act like nothing’s wrong. Over the course of multiple loops, Oliver realizes what is going on and becomes quicker at getting through the obstacles that come up during each cycle.

The best part of this episode, and possibly of this Arrowverse week, is the return of Paul Blackthorne as Quentin Lance. I was so excited to see him return for Arrow’s final season.

During each loop, Laurel experiences the same thing as Oliver, so the two work together to break the cycle. One of the biggest obstacles they face is a bomb, but each time they solve a problem, another popped up. And every time, Quentin died.

During one of the loops, Laurel is able to hold a dying Quentin in her arms and express how much he means to her. It turns out that it was the key for her to get out of the loop! All she needed to do was say goodbye, and she finally got the chance.

It takes Oliver a bit longer to get the idea, but he gets there when he accepts his fate. This is another hint that he won’t survive the Crisis, something he’s now coming to terms with. And that’s what the Monitor has wanted all along, for Oliver to understand what fate has in store for him. The Monitor isn’t the bad guy! He’s trying to help everyone.

This was a powerful moment. I was starting to grow tired of the repetition, but they made it work.

With Oliver finally accepting his fate, he has just one mission left. It involves him and Laurel waking up in Lian Yu with Connor, William, Mia and Diggle waiting.

And just like that, Arrow proves why it’s the strongest of the Arrowverse shows this week. There were some moments that we could have done without and I wasn’t entirely sure what the point was right away, but we got there.

I can’t wait to see what happens in Lian Yu next week, because it’s the last Arrowverse episode left before the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover! Get excited guys, we’re almost there!

Grade: B-

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That’s about it for this week’s Arrowverse recaps! There will be plenty more to talk about in the coming weeks, but was your favorite moment in this week’s episodes? Share your thoughts below!

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