Both Arrow and Flash took a step back from their main villains this week in what was clearly filler for both, but Flash definitely got the better of the two outings. Sure, we had some cool singular moments in tonight's episode, but it was a very weak episode overall. That's unfortunate, because I usually like when we get a bigger focus on Diggle and Felicity, but it just didn't come together as well as it should have.
The Diggle-centric episode revolved around a former organization called the Shadowspire, in which Andy Diggle was involved with back when the brothers were overseas in war, and their plans against ARGUS. I know the idea behind having an episode with the Diggle bros was to get us to care for and trust Andy more, but I'm still not there. I just simply do not care for the character. Heck, even the flashbacks focusing on them didn't do much for me. But perhaps having Baron Reiter show up at their base will add something new to the current dull flashbacks we have, who knows.
Having ARGUS in the episode meant bringing back Amanda Waller, who has been noticeably absent from the show for quite a while, only to have her be killed by the generic leader of Shadowspire. I'm sorry, that was easily the most anticlimactic way to kill off big supporting character of the show. Sure, she can still come back in the flashbacks but I feel like there were plenty of directions you could have taken her character in the present day. I can't help but think its a result of the Suicide Squad movie and Warner Bros possibly asking the show-runners to not have her on the show to avoid confusion? Possibly.
The highlight of the episode was definitely Oliver and Felicity's dynamic though. I think they have finally recaptured that relationship to what made it so great in the first place. Seeing Felicity battle her old self was a little strange at first but it grew on me as the episode progressed. The code name Overwatch seems fitting for a hero whose powers are her brain and watching over the entire team. But by far what made the episode was the mention of Oracle as the nickname that's "already taken". I never expect to see Batman or any of the Bat family to appear on the show, but the subtle references are always fun to hear.
It's also worth mentioning how good the stunts and fight choreography were in the opening truck scene and the final ARGUS fight. But overall, this was clearly a filler episode that didn't do much to further the plot at all, but it had a few redeemable qualities.
+Fights
+Overwatch
+Oracle mention
+Possible life given to flashbacks
-Anticlimactic death to Waller
-Generic leader of Shadowspire
-Still not into the Andy side arc
6.8/10
