Arrow
Season 4 Episode 2: “The Candidate”
Directed by John Behring
Written by Marc Guggenheim & Keto Shimizu
Created by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg
Starring Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Emily Bett Rickards, John Barrowman, Paul Blackthorne
The CW
Air Date: Wednesday, October 14th, 2015, 8:00pm

Last week Arrow returned strong, giving us a glimpse at Olicity (Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards) suburbia, which was adorable as expected. But that would end up being a boring show that got canceled, so of course, Laurel and Thea (Katie Cassidy and Willa Holland) show up and interrupt a marriage proposal (Felicity is still in the dark). Needless to say, newly costumed Diggle (David Ramsey) is not pleased. There are “ghosts” in Star City, wreaking havoc, under the tutelege of Damien Darhk (perfectly cast Neal McDonough). He uses magic to suck life from people. He and his ghosts have killed 3 of 4 city leaders. The one survivor? The convenient Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne).

Some spoilers below.

Arrow 4.2 “The Candidate” recap/review: The opening fight scene looked super cool and well choreographed. It was also the door to open the villain du jour, as well as Thea’s anger management issues. When she gets in it, she acts like she’s going to turn into the Hulk or something.

The siblings meet up with an old family friend (Jeri Ryan), who tells them she wants to run for mayor. Doesn’t she know that the mayor position is like being the drummer from Spinal Tap? Sure enough someone tries to kill her. When that doesn’t work, her daughter is kidnapped. Lonnie Machim (Alexander Calvert) is the villain of the day, going against Darhk’s orders, who comes off this episode very much like Ra’s al Ghul – purposeful and wise, in an evil way. He even gives Lance the girl’s location. I still need to know what’s up with that. Is it simple, “I’ll kill your daughter?” Because… done that.

Felicity has to fire a bunch of people to make ends meet at Palmer Technologies, including Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum). Don’t worry. You know Felicity. She will fix this by the end of the episode. I just want to know how Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh) comes back.

Speaking of fire, crazy Thea sets Machim on fire. But don’t worry, he’s not dead. He’s just Anarky now.

Lance dislikes Oliver but decides to work together.

Diggle dislikes Oliver but decides to work together.

There are still flashbacks, and Oliver has to get in good with the army guys to see what’s what. He kills (with no qualms) and gets right in there. The soldiers are using slaves to harvest… I’m not sure, but I wanna say it’s the main ingredient in Mirakuru.

So I’m not really spoiling anything when I say they are going to Nanda Parbat to figure out Thea and stick Sarah (Caity Lotz) in the Lazarus Pit. We knew she was coming back, and we knew it was because of the pit. We just didn’t know Laurel would be the one to do it. We should have figured out that one.

Laurel opens Sarah’s coffin and…

I’m going to have nightmares for weeks.

On a good note, we probably get to see John Barrowman as the new Ra’s al Ghul next week.

And let’s see… code names for Felicity: Brain, Specs, Cybergirl, Mrs. Queen… anybody got anything?

Really good, fast-paced episode with more pieces to fit the seasonal puzzle.

Oh, and Oliver announces something at the end of the episode.

Arrow airs Wednesday nights at 8pm ET on The CW.

The CW’s synopsis:

Arrow
The Candidate (Ep# 402)
JERI RYAN GUEST STARS; INTRODUCING ECHO KELLUM — When an old family friend, Jessica Danforth (guest star Jeri Ryan), tells Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Thea (Willa Holland) that she is going to run for mayor, both Queens are concerned considering the last three mayors have been murdered. Despite their protests, Jessica makes her announcement so the Green Arrow and Speedy vow to protect her. Meanwhile, Thea begins to exhibit effects from the Lazarus Pit. In addition, Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) is faced with a tough business decision and looks to one of her employees, Curtis Holt (guest star Echo Kellum), for help. John Behring directed the episode written by Marc Guggenheim & Keto Shimizu (#402). Original airdate 10/14/2015.

Videos

Arrow | The Candidate Trailer | The CW

Without law the city will fall into Anarky. Arrow is new Wednesdays at 8/7c!

Arrow | Fight Trailer | The CW

A city plunged into darkness will need heroes to save it. Arrow is new Wednesdays at 8/7c!

Arrow | Arrow 2015 New York Comic-Con Sizzle Reel | The CW

Is Team Arrow enough to stop what’s coming? Arrow is new Wednesday at 8/7c!