Arrow season 5, episode 7, “Vigilante,” introduced a new masked man with a different approach to fighting crime.
In a season that is serving as a bookend to season 1 (last season of flashbacks, Prometheus is supposed to be a season 1 connection), it makes sense that with Oliver having moved into full-on hero territory that a new character would come in with a mindset echoing that of The Hood. When Oliver returned from Lian Yu, he was an unapologetic killer with a kill list made up of people who had failed Starling City. Now, Vigilante is on the streets, taking out criminals without remorse.
For a time, Oliver questions whether Vigilante doesn’t have the right idea; after all, plenty of criminals fall through the cracks of the criminal justice system for various reasons. The bank robber being targeted in this episode, for instance, was initially framed for a crime and it was his time in prison that turned him into a criminal. After being paroled, he got back up to his old tricks.
While lethal force may seem justified against those who pose a deadly threat to others, there is a wide range of criminal acts. Is Vigilante only going to focus on the deadly threats? Or will he bring his brand of justice to even those who pose minimal threats to innocents? Considering his lack of concern for “collateral damage,” I have to wonder. That, more than anything, bothered me about his methods. If you’re looking for justice, you can’t harm innocents in the process or you’re no better than the criminals you’re trying to stop.
Oliver, after talking to his new journalist friend, recognizes that he’s been on the right track all along. Team Arrow stages a bank robbery to draw out Vigilante, which leads to a confrontation between Green Arrow and Vigilante. Green Arrow looks to take the upper hand on Vigilante, but he gets away, leaving their confrontation to continue another day.
Vigilante is a mirror to the past for Oliver, allowing him to see just how far he has come since returning home and starting his mission to save his city. He knows exactly how Vigilante feels, having been in his shoes four years ago. But he found reasons to move away from killing; Tommy’s death pushed him to question everything he had done. Vigilante will need to find his own reason to turn away from killing — if he is to do that at all.
In the DC Comics, Vigilante is the alter ego of Adrian Chase — yes, current Star City D.A. His appearance in this episode, questioning one of the bank robbers about the location of her boss, was definitely shady. And the fact that Vigilante showed up at the hotel before the police could is definitely a clue that he is the one under the mask.
It’s disappointing to see someone who is committed to finding justice unconcerned about collateral damage in his quest to fight crime, but this internal conflict was a large part of his arc in the comics. I would not be surprised to see it play out on Arrow as well.
Also in this episode, Quentin resigns his post as deputy mayor. Thea, though, remains worried about him. He tells her about waking up bloody and with one of the throwing stars on his coffee table. She doesn’t think he is actually Prometheus, but it’s curious that he would go out of his way to try to frame him. When she tells Oliver about this, he realizes Prometheus must know the Green Arrow’s civilian identity.
Thea knows a thing or two about struggling to cope with grief, so she convinces Quentin to check himself into rehab. I’m so proud of Thea this season; she’s drawn boundaries to find a measure of peace in her life, she’s successfully helping Oliver keep the city running and she’s not giving up on anyone she cares about. She’s come so far from the girl who was busted doing drugs in season 1.
Quentin, meanwhile, breaks my heart. As much as I hate a female character dying to cause others — especially men — pain, Quentin is a character dear to my heart. So often, parents are killed off in superhero stories. Both Queen parents are dead, for instance. There’s something powerful about seeing what a parent of a hero (or two heroes) goes through. Arrow, I think, is doing something interesting in telling his story.
Also in this episode, Diggle is having a hard time with being a wanted man; it was John Jr.’s (remember, Flashpoint wiped baby Sara from existence and I am forever sad) second birthday, and Diggle wasn’t able to be there because his home is under surveillance. When Rene hears this, he proves that he’s a true softie at heart by looping in Lyla, so she sneaks away from her surveillance in order to bring John Jr. to Diggle to celebrate together.
I love that Rene and Diggle have formed a bond; Diggle was there to support Rene after he was captured and tortured by Tobias Church. Rene is loyal, and how he’s proving that Diggle was right to be there for him. Despite his first impression as a renegade, he definitely has a good heart.
Oh, and Evelyn seems to be working for Prometheus. Oy.
And in the flashbacks, Oliver discovers that not only does Kovar have Taiana’s mother in his employ, but he is working with the Bratva. Things are never as they appear on the surface. And Oliver trying to fight Kovar… doesn’t he know this man killed Apollo Creed? As he’s not Rocky Balboa, he’s got no chance.
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