Arrow Arrow Season 2 Episode 15: "The Promise" Rate and Review Thread

[Dr Lee]

Tom-ato, Tom-arto.

I can't help but feel that they had the scene of Ivo telling Zelenka that he just wanted an eye is more than just a random scene.

 

[Mr. Dent]

I get the feeling whoever knocked out Diggle, is more than a lowly henchman. I say that because the outfit seems a bit more customized, with the form fitting outfit and red highlights, so less random mercenary henchman.

And it goes by too fast, even slowing the scene down didn't help, but the person might be holding a black sword. Possibly like the one Slade had on the island. So an apprentice perhaps?

Slade did say he had his allies, and we're supposed to expect Team Arrow to go up against a Team of villains in the final, if I didn't get that wrong. So I'd say there are more prominent villains on the Team, than just Deathstroke and Brother Blood.

How awesome would it be, if it were Ravager?

Good call, Ravager makes a lot of sense.

 

[Boy Scout]

Slade said he had no children. Was he lying or did they retcon his son out of existence?

 

[AspieXLDS]

Slade said he had no children. Was he lying or did they retcon his son out of existence?

We already know that they haven't retconned his son out of existence since they mentioned Joe again this season. Seriously, what is with this thread and people talking about retcons when there aren't any? Slade's intention is clearly to get close to Moira. She would want to meet his son if she knew he had one, and he is focused on whatever his plan is (because honestly, I'm hoping the producers were being truthful about Slade having another agenda outside of the 'revenge for Shado' gig. They said his agenda would surprise Oliver, and getting revenge for Shado wouldn't surprise Oliver).

My guess? Slade returned home but found it difficult to adjust and eventually became a mercenary. His son knew he was alive, tracked him down (or maybe even joined ASIS to track him down, since we don't know how old Joe is supposed to be), and eventually became his protege.

 

[Boy Scout]

We already know that they haven't retconned his son out of existence since they mentioned Joe again this season. Seriously, what is with this thread and people talking about retcons when there aren't any?

Seriously, what is it with this thread and people overreacting over the most insignificant of things? I asked because I didn't know. Chill out.

 

[Herolee10]

So can anyone explain why ivo lookex so reluctant to kill oliver when slade was pressuring him to? I mean he looked like he was going to cry as well.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

Retcons are serious business.

 

[Human Torch]

So can anyone explain why ivo lookex so reluctant to kill oliver when slade was pressuring him to? I mean he looked like he was going to cry as well.

I dunno.I kinda figured he was freaked about what was going on and was afraid to shoot without Slade's permission.

 

[Nathan]

I think he was just freaked because he thought Slade would kill him any second. I really hope Ivo actually survives the Island. Ollie thought Slade and Sara were dead. Look how that turned out. There's just so much potential with Ivo. I want him to work for another big bad.

 

[godisawesome]

Gave it a ten. It's not perfect, but it's arguably the best single episode of the show so far.

Manu Bennett is a damn fine actor, and more than any other character, the show creators know how to write and interpret his character. Slade's repitition of "I don't care," was a fantastic characterization for one of DC's most deadly mercenaries; Slade's always been a combination of professional control and calm with a strong emotional center that can lead to irrational and even spiteful actions. It also nicely encapsulates what has happened to Slade. Having been betrayed by two best friends on a hellish island, separated from his only family and unable to even fully act on unrequited infatuation, Slade's ready to snap, and the instability and rage of Mirakuru basically burns out his emotions and self-control. He's still mostly rational, but only mostly. The island sequence manages to gracefully carry out Slade's turn to villainy, in no small part due to the scenarios created by the writing team and acted by the cast. Ivo shaking in his boots as he knows that Slade's playing a mind game on Ollie using him as a mere tool, and Slade's subsequent maiming of Ivo, manage to firmly establish Slade's new mental state in a believable and emphatic state. Thanks to firm conception and execution, we can fully believe Slade has morphed into what amounts to a superpowered pirate captain at the end of the flashbacks.

And there's perhaps nothing scarier or more fun to watch than modern-day Slade trolling Ollie for all he's worth. That creepy smile... Bennett clearly had fun without letting it get out of hand, and you actually want to smile at the sheer audacity of Slade covertly threatening Oliver while wining and dining his sister and mother. Add in some nice shots at a future Slade V Roy rivalry with their epic handshake and Slade's momentary surprise at seeing Sara again, and we know the creators know what works on this show, and we know we'll be seeing more of it.

And you know what? My future prediction of Slade "rescuing" Thea from Merlin just got some more ruffles. Slade will be watching the Queens closely, and if he sees an opportunity to endear himself to the kid sister, he just might.

 

[Stephen K. Hone]

Anyone else think that at some point (way down the road) we'll find out that Oliver was injected with Mirakuru back on the island, but through mental discipline is able to supress it's negative effects, or perhaps he was given a diluted version of it?? Just a crazy thought. BTW 10/10 Episode. To pull off all that they did, with the constraints of a TV show budget was remarkable!

 

[Herolee10]

I get the feeling whoever knocked out Diggle, is more than a lowly henchman. I say that because the outfit seems a bit more customized, with the form fitting outfit and red highlights, so less random mercenary henchman.

And it goes by too fast, even slowing the scene down didn't help, but the person might be holding a black sword. Possibly like the one Slade had on the island. So an apprentice perhaps?

Slade did say he had his allies, and we're supposed to expect Team Arrow to go up against a Team of villains in the final, if I didn't get that wrong. So I'd say there are more prominent villains on the Team, than just Deathstroke and Brother Blood.

How awesome would it be, if it were Ravager?

If the person that knocked out Diggie is really one of Slade's allies, then I'm assuming that either Oliver or Amanda Waller saves him at the beginning of the next episode.

I had first thought that it was one of Amanda's people that knocked out Diggie in order to take him to one of her facilities (and thus setting up the next episode), but the fact that Slade knew about it as though he had planned it out ahead of time suggests that it was one of his allies instead.

Anyone else think that at some point (way down the road) we'll find out that Oliver was injected with Mirakuru back on the island, but through mental discipline is able to supress it's negative effects, or perhaps he was given a diluted version of it?? Just a crazy thought. BTW 10/10 Episode. To pull off all that they did, with the constraints of a TV show budget was remarkable!

Unless the Mirakuru was taken out of Oliver completely before he was rescued on the island, then I don't think he was injected with it because he shows no signs of enhanced strength or abilities in the present day.

 

[blknrdcllctv]

Gave it a ten. It's not perfect, but it's arguably the best single episode of the show so far.

Manu Bennett is a damn fine actor, and more than any other character, the show creators know how to write and interpret his character. Slade's repitition of "I don't care," was a fantastic characterization for one of DC's most deadly mercenaries; Slade's always been a combination of professional control and calm with a strong emotional center that can lead to irrational and even spiteful actions. It also nicely encapsulates what has happened to Slade. Having been betrayed by two best friends on a hellish island, separated from his only family and unable to even fully act on unrequited infatuation, Slade's ready to snap, and the instability and rage of Mirakuru basically burns out his emotions and self-control. He's still mostly rational, but only mostly. The island sequence manages to gracefully carry out Slade's turn to villainy, in no small part due to the scenarios created by the writing team and acted by the cast. Ivo shaking in his boots as he knows that Slade's playing a mind game on Ollie using him as a mere tool, and Slade's subsequent maiming of Ivo, manage to firmly establish Slade's new mental state in a believable and emphatic state. Thanks to firm conception and execution, we can fully believe Slade has morphed into what amounts to a superpowered pirate captain at the end of the flashbacks.

And there's perhaps nothing scarier or more fun to watch than modern-day Slade trolling Ollie for all he's worth. That creepy smile... Bennett clearly had fun without letting it get out of hand, and you actually want to smile at the sheer audacity of Slade covertly threatening Oliver while wining and dining his sister and mother. Add in some nice shots at a future Slade V Roy rivalry with their epic handshake and Slade's momentary surprise at seeing Sara again, and we know the creators know what works on this show, and we know we'll be seeing more of it.

And you know what? My future prediction of Slade "rescuing" Thea from Merlin just got some more ruffles. Slade will be watching the Queens closely, and if he sees an opportunity to endear himself to the kid sister, he just might.

My only objection, as many others have point out, is that there was not enough build up for Slade's affection for Shado. If Oliver's failure to save Shado AND his subsequent deception are essentially two of the three MAJOR plot points that drive the Big Baddie character arc in Season 2, we needed much more meat.

If Slade's grand plan for revenge is solely about making Oliver pay for Shado's death (with the whole losing an eye a non-factor or a much distant second), then there's part of me that can't help but think this is getting dangerously silly. The plan of revenge is nowhere near commensurate with the amount of pain Oliver "afflicted" upon him. And honestly, had Slade been in that same situation, I doubt he would have even pleaded for both women's lives as Oliver did initially.

Anyway...if he wants Oliver to suffer then he should just kill Sara and take out one of Oliver's eyes. There we go.

I have a feeling though that Slade may slaughter everyone - Moira, Thea, and Sara. I would almost bet money that two of those three are goners.

I would agree though - best episode of the season and the series.

 

[Crimz]

At first I said that the one who knocked out Diggle could be Harley, but after thinking about it, it doesn't make sense. They look like they could be a woman and they are wearing black and red. I think it might be Nyssa.

 

[Herolee10]

I do hope that someone asks one of the producers regarding this whole situation with Shado and her death being the supposed reason for why Slade turned out like this.

 

[Rorschach2012]

Yeah it could definitely be Nyssa. It'd be interesting if Deathstroke was connected to the League of Shadows. That's actually in keeping with that new Son of Batman movie with Ra's and Deathstroke as the villains.

 

[Rorschach2012]

I do hope that someone asks one of the producers regarding this whole situation with Shado and her death being the supposed reason for why Slade turned out like this.

I think emotional trauma + mood altering Mirakuru is a reasonable enough explanation

 

[The Sage]

"So, what would like to do now...Mr. Wilson?"

Someone should make an animated gif of Slade assessing and glancing at Team Arrow.

 

[Quasimod0]

I was just able to watch this tonight. I would give it a 10/10. My 2nd favorite episode behind the flash origin one. I loved the intensity with Slade behind in Oliver's house. That was perfect. And it was great when Roy showed up, and then Sarah. Loved the look on Slade's face. lol

 

[Herolee10]

Another thing worth mentioning was the production value for this episode. I felt like they spent more money in making this episode than they did for season 2's premiere episode.

 

[Boy Scout]

I do hope that someone asks one of the producers regarding this whole situation with Shado and her death being the supposed reason for why Slade turned out like this.

Why? All you need to do is keep watching.

 

[Herolee10]

Why? All you need to do is keep watching.

Well, I'd like to know if they're aware of how quite a few people are raising that issue regarding Shado and Slade.

 

[godisawesome]

My only objection, as many others have point out, is that there was not enough build up for Slade's affection for Shado. If Oliver's failure to save Shado AND his subsequent deception are essentially two of the three MAJOR plot points that drive the Big Baddie character arc in Season 2, we needed much more meat.

If Slade's grand plan for revenge is solely about making Oliver pay for Shado's death (with the whole losing an eye a non-factor or a much distant second), then there's part of me that can't help but think this is getting dangerously silly. The plan of revenge is nowhere near commensurate with the amount of pain Oliver "afflicted" upon him. And honestly, had Slade been in that same situation, I doubt he would have even pleaded for both women's lives as Oliver did initially.

Anyway...if he wants Oliver to suffer then he should just kill Sara and take out one of Oliver's eyes. There we go.

I have a feeling though that Slade may slaughter everyone - Moira, Thea, and Sara. I would almost bet money that two of those three are goners.

I would agree though - best episode of the season and the series.

It's funny you should mention that. I'm feeling that those three ladies have a pretty good chance of making it through the season, with Thea as the strongest, Sara as second and Moira as a distant third.

However, I do think we've got at least one major death coming. Particularly because Slade was addressing Thea as much as Oliver when he said "I believe you have a responsibility to honor a loved one who's died." I keep thinking that if anyone's going to end up being Thea's escort down the "dark path" they've mentioned, Slade makes more thematic and logical sense then Malcolm. For one thing, Malcolm's pretty much the most despised character in the series, and I don't see Thea ever letting him determine her destiny at all, while Slade has been established in this episode as a charmer. Second, I think there'd be a nice contrast and inversion of Slade's training of Oliver if he's the one coaching Thea into becoming a Speedy/Ravager hybrid, plus it would give Bennett his own major subplot after this season if he stays on as a regular.

Also, anybody else see just how much they had Slade go full pirate in this episode? Missing an eye was kind of the episode's visual theme, he literally commits piracy when he kills the captain, and he pointedly drinks rum for goodness sakes! He's like Captain Hook's badass modern day nephew!

 

[Loki882]

It seemed like Moira was "into" Slade, if you know what I mean. First Malcolm and now potentially Slade, jeez Moira.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Brilliant episode, I thought they got the cutting back and forth spot on and built the story and tension to a gripping climax. Manu Bennett and Amell were fantastic as they exchanged looks and words, with Slade taunting Ollie in front of an oblivious Moira and Thea.

Few shows have a villain as ominous and compelling as Slade Wilson and this ep took him to a whole other level.

I wonder who the guy was that knocked out Diggle before he could take the shot? I'm also wondering if the creepy preacher guy with the pet mouse will be a future villain.