I must confess, I was not excited for this episode. Coming off the underwhelming "The Thanatos Guild" and a handful of poorly written and meaningless Team Arrow drama episodes, Arrow seemed to be on yet another downward spiral. Thank goodness I was wrong as "Brothers in Arms" turned out to be arguably one of the show's best episode yet. The writers really upped their game here, conveying excellent dialogue and motives for Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Diggle (David Ramsey). It was a true shocker to see these two brothers butt heads and for things to end so melancholy. The cinematography was also keen on presenting the quarrel and lended a hand with the drama. Another welcome return was Katie Cassidy as Laurel. While she did not do much, moments with her really made me doubt her redemption. This brings me to my next point. Kirk Acevedo as Ricardo Diaz will never get old. He may be one of the scariest Arrow villains ever and we are finally getting places with him and his plans for Star City. Worth mentioning is the corruption that he has created and the vertigo drug trade. "Brothers in Arms" had its fair share of gritty action, but the hardest hit was the dark, gloomy twist it took with Oliver and Diggle, proving that Season 6 still has hope and has come a prolonged awakening.
14 Reviews
What were the writers smoking?
cinnamon-th5525 November 2019
Season 6, with the exception of the crossover in episode 8 and episode 9, has been very disappointing. I get that the intent was to leave Oliver on his own but the way it was done was whiny, unrealistic and lazy. Creating conflict is fine but at least try to make it believable. I don't buy any of it. Not sure I even care to finish watching till the end.
Finally
ThomasDrufke10 April 2018
There have been many arguments and fights between Oliver and Diggle. The biggest and most impactful was probably following season 3 when Ollie decided to kidnap Lyla and Diggle's daughter in order to defeat Ras Al Ghul in a rather convoluted matter. But I'm not sure they have had a better scene (acting wise) then they had during this episode.
I went from writing down "this is a stupid fight" in my notes to start the episode, to writing in all caps "WOW!" as the episode drew to a close. It just goes to show you that for as much as I dislike Marc Guggenheim's decisions sometimes, they often have something up their sleeve. In many ways Diggle is right about Oliver not being a good leader, often contradicting himself about retiring/not retiring as the Green Arrow. But on the other hand, Diggle is as much at fault about the rise of Diaz as anyone and to see both characters go mono e mono was a real joy to watch.
Though I will say that the fight itself doesn't necessarily feel earned. In some ways, it feels as though the writers wanted to make Oliver once again work alone and break up the team and they needed a reason to get there. So, they made Diggle jealous of Oliver donning the hood once again. Is that really something his character would ever do? I'm not so sure. But if we had to create that decision in order to get perhaps the most well acted scene between these two gentlemen then I guess I'm okay with that.
So it looks as though we will get a throwback episode next as Oliver and Felicity are doing things on their own while there are two other separate teams doing things as well with Diggle now teaming up with Lyla at ARGUS. Whether or not the final 6 episodes can keep building on the momentum that they have the last few weeks is unclear, but if what Amell said about the finale being something "they will never be ever to undo" is any indication of the last arc, then I'm excited. My prediction has and will continue to be that Oliver is officially outed (or he reveals it himself) as The Green Arrow. No going back from that.
9.0/10
I went from writing down "this is a stupid fight" in my notes to start the episode, to writing in all caps "WOW!" as the episode drew to a close. It just goes to show you that for as much as I dislike Marc Guggenheim's decisions sometimes, they often have something up their sleeve. In many ways Diggle is right about Oliver not being a good leader, often contradicting himself about retiring/not retiring as the Green Arrow. But on the other hand, Diggle is as much at fault about the rise of Diaz as anyone and to see both characters go mono e mono was a real joy to watch.
Though I will say that the fight itself doesn't necessarily feel earned. In some ways, it feels as though the writers wanted to make Oliver once again work alone and break up the team and they needed a reason to get there. So, they made Diggle jealous of Oliver donning the hood once again. Is that really something his character would ever do? I'm not so sure. But if we had to create that decision in order to get perhaps the most well acted scene between these two gentlemen then I guess I'm okay with that.
So it looks as though we will get a throwback episode next as Oliver and Felicity are doing things on their own while there are two other separate teams doing things as well with Diggle now teaming up with Lyla at ARGUS. Whether or not the final 6 episodes can keep building on the momentum that they have the last few weeks is unclear, but if what Amell said about the finale being something "they will never be ever to undo" is any indication of the last arc, then I'm excited. My prediction has and will continue to be that Oliver is officially outed (or he reveals it himself) as The Green Arrow. No going back from that.
9.0/10
The calm before the storm
whitearrow-236237 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
'Brothers in Arms' was another beautifully executed segment of the arch Season 6 of Arrow has taken thus far. I'm really starting to see how Marc Guggenheim's approach to removing all of Oliver's support structures is leading up to a major comeback on his part towards the end of the season (or early next season).
In the previous episode, upon her departure, Thea helped her brother realize that being the Emerald Archer was undoubtedly his purpose in life, which looking back on the past three seasons makes me believe that Oliver had gradually lost sight of that along the way, with becoming Mayor and then becoming a full-time father to William. I see it more fitting for Oliver to remain the Emerald Archer while he still can because in the long run, that's his legacy. After all, Oliver's implementation of archery as his weapon of choice in fighting crime was his way of honoring his first mentor, Yao Fei, while wearing the hood was his way of honoring Shado. At the same time, especially since Season 2, his fighting skills are in a sense his way of honoring Slade Wilson, who although had once been his fiercest nemesis and had been responsible for the death of his mother, Oliver still managed to not only thank him for embodying him with those skills but more recently coming to his aid in tracking down his son. Therefore, in the long run, while it is true what Diggle had once said, that this crusade was no longer just Oliver's crusade, it was still nevertheless HIS crusade.
Diggle's reaction to Oliver's decision to reclaim the title, although not entirely unreasonable, seemed to be a bit harsh given what Oliver has gone through over the course of the past year. True, Oliver may have acted a bit prematurely in telling Diggle he planned to permanently retire from vigilantism, but at the same time at the time he made that decision, he was adjusting to his role as the sole parent of a 12-year-old boy he barely knew, had just experienced a traumatizing loss with the death of his mother at the end of Season 5, and feared Oliver's duties as the Green Arrow would surely get him killed, leaving William an orphan. At the time Oliver made that decision, he could hardly have known his relationship with Felicity would progress as quickly as it did, as Felicity played a crucial role in helping William become more comfortable with Oliver being the Green Arrow, and even that playing out as it did could hardly have been predictable.
In the next episode, I can only imagine how the combination of the removal of the last member of Oliver's team along with the escalation in the charges against him is going to push him to the breaking point.
In the previous episode, upon her departure, Thea helped her brother realize that being the Emerald Archer was undoubtedly his purpose in life, which looking back on the past three seasons makes me believe that Oliver had gradually lost sight of that along the way, with becoming Mayor and then becoming a full-time father to William. I see it more fitting for Oliver to remain the Emerald Archer while he still can because in the long run, that's his legacy. After all, Oliver's implementation of archery as his weapon of choice in fighting crime was his way of honoring his first mentor, Yao Fei, while wearing the hood was his way of honoring Shado. At the same time, especially since Season 2, his fighting skills are in a sense his way of honoring Slade Wilson, who although had once been his fiercest nemesis and had been responsible for the death of his mother, Oliver still managed to not only thank him for embodying him with those skills but more recently coming to his aid in tracking down his son. Therefore, in the long run, while it is true what Diggle had once said, that this crusade was no longer just Oliver's crusade, it was still nevertheless HIS crusade.
Diggle's reaction to Oliver's decision to reclaim the title, although not entirely unreasonable, seemed to be a bit harsh given what Oliver has gone through over the course of the past year. True, Oliver may have acted a bit prematurely in telling Diggle he planned to permanently retire from vigilantism, but at the same time at the time he made that decision, he was adjusting to his role as the sole parent of a 12-year-old boy he barely knew, had just experienced a traumatizing loss with the death of his mother at the end of Season 5, and feared Oliver's duties as the Green Arrow would surely get him killed, leaving William an orphan. At the time Oliver made that decision, he could hardly have known his relationship with Felicity would progress as quickly as it did, as Felicity played a crucial role in helping William become more comfortable with Oliver being the Green Arrow, and even that playing out as it did could hardly have been predictable.
In the next episode, I can only imagine how the combination of the removal of the last member of Oliver's team along with the escalation in the charges against him is going to push him to the breaking point.
Amazing episode
abdiluqman-4759311 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is underrated and deserves kore credit.Oliver and diggle share a powerful confrontation here.Things are tough,Diaz has the city under his grips and team arrow is falling apart.Kudos to Stephen Amell and David Ramsey for this amazing performance.That scene only gives this episode a 10/10 rating.
Really? So much for brotherhood?
prometheus198709 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Honestly it's a little pathetic on how diggle wants to be Green Arrow. He's literally acting like an 8year old child who dreams of being a super hero. The episode is tense, I'm not going lie but it's all unnecessary.
This season has been more about Team Arrow fighting amongst themselves rather than the enemy.
Diggle does make a point of Oliver being stretched too thin but for his own benfit so that he can become the green arrow.
Honestly a problem that could be solved with a simple, meaningful, empathizable(not a word, I know) conversation has been made into a meaningless fist fight by striking each other's nerve.
It seems that Diggle wants to leave Team Arrow because of his lame differences with Oliver.
Average episode overall.
This season has been more about Team Arrow fighting amongst themselves rather than the enemy.
Diggle does make a point of Oliver being stretched too thin but for his own benfit so that he can become the green arrow.
Honestly a problem that could be solved with a simple, meaningful, empathizable(not a word, I know) conversation has been made into a meaningless fist fight by striking each other's nerve.
It seems that Diggle wants to leave Team Arrow because of his lame differences with Oliver.
Average episode overall.
Brothers in arms
Abdulxoxo20 October 2020
I find Diggle's obsession with being the Great Arrow to be out of character for him. he all whiny now and blaming Oliver like the newbies did. It's very hypocritical of him to say Oliver's been giving bad call all this time while he's by his side and never said anything. like Oliver said "you were there" he could have said something everytime he thinks the the call wasn't right or something, since Oliver always listens to him. I enjoyed them throwing jabs at each other, it felt realistic 'cause no matter how close and open you are to someone they always have underlying thoughts about you and it's only moments like this, that they get to spill it out. No matter what they said about Oliver, I'm still on his side. he is been matured and calm and always first to apologize even if he's not at fault. He respects everyone's decisions; if they want to leave, leave , if they want to stay, stay.
finger crossed to see what happens next now that the team has disbanded, I bet they're going to make Oliver go solo for a while.
finger crossed to see what happens next now that the team has disbanded, I bet they're going to make Oliver go solo for a while.
Writers are losing it
aopek20 February 2021
Let's hope one day Oliver Queen will be again the bad ass hero he was before this bunch of cry babies wannabe superheroes of "team arrow" was in the show.
They don't listen to him, they don't respect him, they always rant and yell all the time.
A bunch of nobodies.
He should beat their sorry asses and tell them to get lost.
He is the original hero, the mayor of the city, the Ras al Ghul, the leader, the savior of the planet, and they are some useless nobodies.
Get the old Oliver back. Send the cry babies away.
I am sick of them.
They don't listen to him, they don't respect him, they always rant and yell all the time.
A bunch of nobodies.
He should beat their sorry asses and tell them to get lost.
He is the original hero, the mayor of the city, the Ras al Ghul, the leader, the savior of the planet, and they are some useless nobodies.
Get the old Oliver back. Send the cry babies away.
I am sick of them.
This show has completely lost its way!
rsvp3216 April 2018
It's not about heroes anymore, it's all about personal relationships. I don't know why they even leave their hideouts!
The good guys can't win a fight anymore. lol
They cover up for a murderer (Laurel), allowing her to escape justice (she sadistically killed a good guy...remember?!)
Everyone uses City money like it's their own, walk around like royalty, nepotism everywhere...I guess they'll put Oliver's kid in charge of something soon, eh? School lunches?
Yay! Thea's back! ...again...and again...and again... I wonder if she will ever be able to deliver two consecutive sentences without her arms crossed? Is that a superpower? I can't be the only one to notice she always talks with her arms crossed, sitting or standing?
I think this series with these actors and writers is *done*! Reboot, after Curtis battles Oliver (and wins), and everyone else gets amnesia never to be heard from again.
Start this superhero series over!
The good guys can't win a fight anymore. lol
They cover up for a murderer (Laurel), allowing her to escape justice (she sadistically killed a good guy...remember?!)
Everyone uses City money like it's their own, walk around like royalty, nepotism everywhere...I guess they'll put Oliver's kid in charge of something soon, eh? School lunches?
Yay! Thea's back! ...again...and again...and again... I wonder if she will ever be able to deliver two consecutive sentences without her arms crossed? Is that a superpower? I can't be the only one to notice she always talks with her arms crossed, sitting or standing?
I think this series with these actors and writers is *done*! Reboot, after Curtis battles Oliver (and wins), and everyone else gets amnesia never to be heard from again.
Start this superhero series over!
Felicity is the only good character
scramblewithme15 September 2019
All the characters have become complete idiots except Felicity. And I'm so sick of having homosexuality (and other sins like the bad language) shoved down my throat. I would never recommend this or any other DC show to anyone.
One of the season's most tense episodes!!
jadielndlima7 April 2018
I know this episode was not perfect, it's far from being, but it was a great episode. Both in acting (emphasizing for David Ramsey) and directing.
Delivering excellent action scenes and, for the most part, good dialogue; this episode was one of the best of the season, in my opinion.
The only problems I had with this episode was Curtis's bow with his new "boyfriend", very unnecessary and tiring. However I will highlight the highlights of this episode.
My hate: 9,2 / 10
My hate: 9,2 / 10
Reached the bottom
canenero23 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The serie has become painful to watch. Very poor writing and questionable storyline, after half season after a bad guy they dispatched of him and put someone else that didn't have any carisma, so feels like half a season was a filler. When it is supposed to get meaty they stuff more filler with this Thea and Roy storyline.
I'm very inclined to stop watching the show.
I never found it enthralling but was interesting finding more about an under used hero of the DCU, but seems like they just live on cross references and they feel great when they can namedrop Bruce Wayne.
Such a shame.
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