Arrow Recap: The Huntress Returns
The episode begins with the return of Helena aka The Huntress going after her father’s attorney to gain information of where her father is, after being arrested by the FBI. However, she finds out that her father has cut a deal with the FBI by turning over evidence for Witness Protection. She knows that she can’t take out a whole force on her own, so she goes to the only person who could ever possibly understand her and help her, Oliver.
Back in Starling City, Oliver is excited for his club’s opening-Verdant, but he is still unhappy how he and Tommy haven’t made amends yet. He tries to talk to Tommy, but his former best friend says it is a little to late for the truth since he can’t trust what comes out of his mouth.
As for Laurel, well she and Quentin meet up for some heart to heart, but Dinah shows up informing Quentin about her theory of Sarah still possibly being alive. He cannot believe what he is hearing and pleads to them both to stop, knowing the toll Sarah’s death took on him. Laurel and Dinah both ask him just to listen, but the whole situation is too overwhelming so he leaves to save his insanity and his heart. After giving her father some time, Laurel tries to talk to her father into giving her mother a chance just to say her peace, even it means in the end, setting her straight.
Diggle informs Oliver about Helena’s latest escapade and the possibility that she could be in Starling City. He has Diggle reach out to the Bravta to see what they can find out, but ultimately there ends up being no need as he finds Helena talking to Thea in his living room. Thea seemingly unaware of the tension between Oliver and Helena, asks Oliver to give Roy a job at the club. He agrees just so that Thea can get out of the room and far away from his crazy ex. Helena explains the situation concerning her father, but Oliver won’t help in anyway shape or form stating he isn’t a killer. She doesn’t like his response at all, hinting at that she will go after his family to “persuade” him.
Flashback – Oliver and Slade decide then need to go after Fyres’ missile launchers to ensure they prevent Fyres from doing unspeakable acts. The only way to do so is by blowing up the launchers so they will be of no use. But how do they get to the launchers in the first place? By a simple “bait and switch” routine that helps them walk right into camp.
The night of Verdant’s opening is a huge success. Oliver couldn’t be happier, the club is packed, Steve Aoki has the crowd pumped up and he has McKenna and his family by his side. Thea and Moira are happy for Oliver’s success, as they know this is a big step for Oliver. However, the night takes a turn for the worse when Helena kidnaps Tommy as leverage to ensure Oliver’s assistance in helping find her father. He agrees to her terms to protect his friends and family, but tries to reason with Helena anyway. She is adamant in her decision and there is no way of swaying her.
Oliver informs Diggle of his new partnership with Helena and the try to find a way around the situation, but as Helena and Diggle both point out that if Oliver didn’t still have feelings for Helena he wouldn’t have put himself in this type of situation. As Oliver and Diggle explain to Helena about her father’s transport, Felicity shows up unexpectedly, but Oliver quickly turns her away to protect her from Helena.Once Felicity leaves, Oliver further explains that while her father will be transported there will be two vans, one a decoy and he doesn’t which one is the real one. Helena decides that each should hit up a van, but when the time finally comes both vans end up being decoys thanks to the Starling City Police Department who anticipated Helena ends up being arrested with Oliver arriving on scene just after it happens.
Meanwhile, Thea visits Roy after finding out he never showed up for his new job at the club. He tells her that he doesn’t need handouts from some rich girl and can do find on his own. Thea gets the message loud and clear and leaves, but she is cornered by a couple of thugs. Roy defends Thea, but ends up getting stabbed during the process. She takes Roy to the hospital to get him stitch up and ends up finding out about his phobia of needles. She distracts him with a kiss leaving Roy confused and stumped.
Back the Police Department, Quentin and McKenna question Helena about her connection to The Hood. They offer her a deal in exchange for a name, but Helena decides to toy with McKenna instead. Helena brings up her past relationship with Oliver and warns McKenna that she will only end up hurt he she continues on with Oliver. At this time, the emergency lights at the department go off and some type of gas starts filling up the station forcing everyone out of the building. The Hood appears helping Helena escape, before she said anything else. Once they are free and clear, Oliver gives Helena a passport and a ticket to Rome where she can start off a new life. She takes him up on the offer, but cannot help rub his ever present feelings of her in his face, before she takes off.
Flashback – Slade and Oliver are able get rid of the reminder of the guards to gain access to the launchers. Oliver informs Slade that instead of blowing up the launchers he can just take out the circuit board, rendering the launcher useless. Slade likes the new plane as it give the pair leverage against Fyres.
Felicity leaves Oliver a message, regarding robbery of a local sporting goods store and the theft of a high powered crossbow, that leads her to suspect that Helena is still in town. As she continues talking, Helena shows up forcing her to hack into the FBI servers to find out where her father is being held.
Oliver rushes to Felicity aids after hearing her message and finds Felicity bound in her office. She informs of what she has uncovered and Oliver decides that the only way to end this madness is stop Helena once and for all. Helena arrives at the safe house taking down cop after cop. Oliver arrives shortly thereafter and finally confronts Helena, initiating the showdown between master vs pupil. He ultimately shoots one of his arrows at her, but she catches the arrow midair. McKenna arrives on the scene yelling at the pair to drop their weapons. Helena takes the opportunity to shoot McKenna knowing Oliver will be too preoccupied with his girlfriend to chase after her.
Oliver visits McKenna in the hospital, only to find out that McKenna is moving to Coast City for physical therapy and that they might as well end things now to save each other extended heartache and pain. After the breakup of another failed relationship, Oliver stops by the club to decompress. He runs into Tommy and the two start talking once again. Tommy explains that now he understands the toll it must have took in keeping this secret. Oliver explains that having this secret is so draining, but it is the only way to keep his loved ones safe. But it also means that he will be forever alone and it is cross to bear.
At the end, the show flashbacks once more with Oliver and Slade radioing Fyres for exchanging. The circuit board for a way off the island.
Originally posted on Affairs Magazine
