We look at our top eight moments from Arrow season 3, episode 16, “The Offer.”
Arrow season 3, episode 16, “The Offer,” served as something of a calm moment, if a shootout at SCPD can constitute a calm moment, before the oncoming storm: Hurricane Ra’s. In this episode, Arrow returned to its roots with a villain of the week before the story inevitably shifts back into high gear in the coming weeks.
The episode had some incredible moments, though, and we look at our favorites.
Ra’s introduces the Lazarus Pit
In making his pitch to Oliver for becoming the next Ra’s al Ghul, Ra’s gave Oliver a brief lesson on the mysteries of the Lazarus Pit, though he’s surprised to find Oliver isn’t exactly wowed. Oliver does have a friend who can run hundreds of miles an hour, so the Fountain of Youth probably shouldn’t faze him at this point.
What’s particularly interesting about this, though, is that it’s an outright introduction of magic to the world of Arrow. Yes, we’ve seen super soldiers and metahumans, but both of those can be hand-waved with a declaration of “Science!” The Lazarus Pit and its life-extending properties, though, is outright magic.
“The world of magic fits pretty well into the world of Arrow,” says executive producer Marc Guggenheim. “We’ve already seen superpowers on the show. Once you’ve seen super powers, the occult and magic — that actually fits better in Arrow than superpowers.”
No matter what, the world of Arrow has truly been altered for good.
Captain Lance breaks up with the Arrow
Now that Captain Lance knows about Sara’s death, he’s heartbroken, grieving, and struggling with those he trusted lying to him. It wasn’t just Laurel, after all. Lance realized the Arrow knew about Sara’s death as well, and that was too much for him to keep supporting vigilante justice. He called the Arrow out on his lies and broke the partnership they’d built. It’s a completely understandable response, and we’ll be curious to see how far Lance takes his return to his season 1 views on vigilantes in Starling City.
Nyssa leaves home
Nyssa had a rough go of it in this episode. After Thea let her out of her cell, Nyssa was attacked and tranquilized by Roy and Laurel. She later returned to Nanda Parbat, where she was informed her birthright — leadership of the League of Assassins — had been offered to Oliver Queen. And when Nyssa refused to take the slight lying down, it sure seemed like she was disowned by her father.
A highlight of this change in Nyssa’s fortune, though, is her budding relationship with Laurel. They both miss Sara deeply so are able to mourn her together. They’re also both dealing with some major daddy issues at the moment. Also, Nyssa offering to train Laurel? Who better to train the Black Canary than one of the people who trained her predecessor? Plus, it’s wonderful to see the women on the series bonding and supporting each other.
Felicity and Oliver don’t kiss but make up
Oliver and Felicity have been on the rocks since Oliver imploded their budding relationship before it could turn into more than a dinner interrupted by a bombing. Felicity has struggled with many of the decisions Oliver has made this season, and Oliver’s jealousy has been painfully present as Felicity has gotten closer to Ray Palmer.
However, the two seemed to find a sense of equilibrium in this episode that has been missing lately. Felicity helped Oliver clear his head, and the two shared a flirty, genuine scene that told us that their partnership was back. It’s good to see the core of Team Arrow healing its wounds.
Roy and Thea reunite
Another relationship that has bee on the rocks has been Roy and Thea. Since realizing Roy was among those lying to her, Thea broke up with and distanced herself from him. However, their chemistry is undeniable, and Roy’s actions this season have proven that he truly has Thea’s best interests at heart. Thea has clearly recognized this, as she sought comfort in Roy’s arms in the wake of Malcolm taking up residence in her apartment.
Oliver refuses Ra’s’ offer
The core of this episode was whether Oliver would accept Ra’s’ offer to take over the League of Assassins. Ra’s made a strong sales pitch, and Oliver seriously considered it. However, it was Felicity telling him that he needed to remember why he does what he does — and subsequently stopping Murmur’s gang at SCPD, saving the lives of a number of officers, including Lance — that gave him the strength to reject the offer despite the threat of retaliation.
Ra’s goes green
Maseo warned Oliver that Ra’s would retaliate if Oliver refused his offer, and the Demon’s Head didn’t waste any time in doing so. He predicted that Starling City would turn on the Arrow, and he’s ready to fulfill that prophecy himself by donning an Arrow costume and killing criminals. With a lone survivor left to tell the tale that the Arrow is back to his murderous ways and Captain Lance done putting up with vigilantes in his city, this development can only mean bad things.
Shado?!
In the flashback, Oliver and Akio fled from A.R.G.U.S. agents through Hong Kong before Oliver was brought short in front of a woman who looked just like Shado. We’ve had no indication that Shado somehow survived Ivo shooting her on Lian Yu — and we’re pretty sure that would have been relevant during Slade Wilson’s quest for revenge last season.
So, what exactly is going on there? Could this tie in to why Oliver wasn’t surprised by the restorative properties of the Lazarus Pit? Is Amanda Waller scheming to get under Oliver’s skin?
Most importantly, is this actually Shado?
These moments set up what will undoubtedly be some crazy things to come as Arrow finishes its third season.
Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET on The CW.