Arrow season 3, episode 15, “Nanda Parbat,” aired tonight. Read our recap and discuss the episode with fellow fans.
The threat
In Nanda Parbat, Nyssa finds her father taking a dip in a Lazarus Pit. She says that Oliver is alive, but Ra’s knows. Nyssa is furious, but Ra’s has his own agenda.
In the foundry, Malcolm trains Oliver and Thea, stressing teamwork. Diggle arrives and informs them that A.R.G.U.S. has upgraded Verdant’s security. He has no time for Malcolm, however.
Later, Roy confesses he knew Thea killed Sara. Thea is annoyed, so Roy tells her about killing the cop while on his Mirakuru rage, but Thea doesn’t think the two situations are comparable.
Meanwhile, Felicity finds Ray in his home office, where he’s been working on his A.T.O.M. suit for over a week. He’s scruffy and clearly exhausted, and he nearly blows up the building. However, Ray is haunted by his helplessness during Brick’s attack so refuses to stop working.
Confession
After Laurel leaves her father a voicemail asking him to call her, Thea arrives and confesses to killing Sara while under Malcolm’s influence. Laurel immediately puts the blame where it belongs — on Malcolm — but she doesn’t understand why Thea still lets Malcolm into her life when she knows who and what he is. She has other choices.
Later, Laurel tells Oliver she can’t remember Sara’s smile and hates not knowing who her killer is. Oliver promises that they will find who did it, and Laurel calls Oliver out on lying. Oliver retorts that Laurel has been gung-ho for vengeance, but Laurel is insulted he thought she would hurt Thea.
Oliver heads to the Queen apartment and is angry at Thea for telling Laurel about Malcolm, but Thea isn’t here for Oliver quoting Malcolm. She says the only one in any danger is Malcolm.
Avenged
On the streets, Black Canary confronts Malcolm but is completely overmatched — causing her to pull a gun. She’s saved from becoming a murderer, though, when Nyssa and other League members arrive. They hold Laurel back while Nyssa defeats and captures Malcolm. She says Laurel can rest because Sara’s murder is now avenged.
Oliver is furious with Laurel though he doesn’t believe Malcolm will show Ra’s the tape of Thea killing Sara. However, he says he wants to rescue Malcolm so Thea doesn’t have his death hanging over her head. Laurel and Felicity think Oliver is crazy, but Felicity is eventually convinced to help and sends Oliver to an airfield.
The Arrow interrupts the prisoner transfer. Nyssa holds him off so her men can escape with Malcolm in a helicopter, but the Arrow captures her in the process. She’s caged in the foundry, and Diggle asks Oliver not to save Thea’s soul at the cost of his own.
Nyssa, though, is happy to tell Oliver where Nanda Parbat is because he will die there. After the various members of Team Arrow try to convince Oliver not to go, Diggle asks him why he’s really going. Oliver says it’s just for Thea. (Bull.)
Rescue mission
Meanwhile, Felicity locks Ray out of the Palmer Technologies server. She tells him that she will give him the password if he eats, showers, and sleeps. Ray agrees. He eventually emerges from the shower shirtless, and Felicity is uncomfortable. They banter a bit, but Ray says he trusts Felicity and they kiss — and then do more.
At Verdant, a furious Thea confronts Oliver. But Oliver wants to control the women in his life and leaves. He joins up with Diggle, who Lyla encouraged to accompany Oliver.
In Nanda Parbat, a bound Malcolm is brought before Ra’s al Ghul. Malcolm is (satisfyingly) terrified and begs to serve Ra’s again. Ra’s is having none of it, though. Outside, Oliver and Diggle plan to use surprise to get inside but are spotted. They manage to take out most of the guards and chase the survivor inside.
Trap
In the foundry, Laurel and Nyssa talk. Laurel is conflicted about Malcolm’s impending death because hating Malcolm was like holding on to a piece of Sara. Nyssa tells Laurel how Sara’s laugh made Nyssa fall in love with her. Laurel thanks her.
Nanda Parbat: Oliver and Diggle take out some men, then Oliver tracks Malcolm with the arrow he shot him with in episode 4. They find him bloody and hanging over hot coals. When he comes to, he whispers, “Trap” just as a cage captures them.
Chained up, Oliver and Diggle have a heart-to-heart; Oliver confesses that he’s haunted by his fall from the mountain and by Ra’s. Diggle asks Oliver to be his best man, assuming they don’t die. Oliver gladly accepts. Aw.
The offer
Starling: Roy takes Thea to the home of the family of the cop he killed. He brings them money, groceries, and toys to assuage his guilt. Thea, though, says she let Malcolm in to her life knowing what he was and worries she’s no better.
At Ray’s, Felicity and Ray sleep off their activities until Ray wakes up, inspired. He hurries to his lab and finishes up the A.T.O.M. suit, suits up, and flies around the city.
In the foundry, Thea tells Nyssa that while Malcolm set events in motion, she shot Sara. She opens the cage and hands Nyssa her sword.
Nanda Parbat: Oliver is brought before Ra’s. Oliver begs for Diggle’s life. However, Ra’s is not interested in killing Oliver; instead, he wants Oliver to become the next Ra’s al Ghul. What?!
Five years ago…
Oliver debriefs, and General Shrieve relieves Waller from duty. Oliver will return to Japan with the Yamashiros before heading home. On their way, though, Oliver and co. are attacked by a group of A.R.G.U.S. agents. As Oliver tries to give cover to the Yamashiros to flee, Akio is separated from the group. Maseo and Tatsu beg Oliver to rescue Akio, so Oliver grabs him and runs.
Watch a promo for the next episode
