Things certainly picked up in Arrow's recent episode 'Broken Dolls', setting up intriguing new plot lines and circumstances for future episodes. Some of the notable aspects of 'Broken Dolls' were the introductions of two DC characters and the mention of an especially big DC villain. So far Season 2 has gotten off to a very good start. Black Canary's proper introduction was very well handled. The sonic device she used in the episode's opening was a very clever adaptation of her powers in the comics. Arrow making her a priority at first was a nice touch as he's still concerned with copycat vigilantes, but she's clearly quite different from the rest of them. Not only is she very well trained, she seems to have come from a certain league known for training some superheroes and villains. Why she has come to Starling City will be a very interesting mystery to see unfold. Meanwhile, Arrow changed his priority once the murderer known as The Dollmaker became the central problem for our heroes. I was initially surprised Dollmaker made an appearance as he's a relatively new villain introduced in the DC Universe. Created by Tony Daniel (who got his own subtle reference in the episode) The Dollmaker in Arrow suffocates girls and preserves them in a doll-like state, having done so to several girls before getting captured by Detective Lance. Dollmaker fit right in the world of Arrow, making the show feel much darker in both tone and atmosphere. Much of the episode took place in darkness, heightening the creepiness of the story.
Dollmaker's revenge mission against Lance was good, though it was predictable he would eventually kidnap Laurel to turn her into a doll. What I didn't expect was kidnapping Quentin as well so he could watch Laurel die. That amped up the intensity and Paul Blackthorne's acting in the scene was excellent. Alternatively Michael Eklund made a very good Dollmaker, providing the right amount of creepiness and sadistic nature to the role. A huge positive around this episode was how Laurel was written. She has long been the show's weakest character and the reasons she gave last episode for going after Arrow were illogical and unbelievable. It was a very nice addition then that not only was she called out on her reasons by her father, she ultimately admitted she was shifting the blame of Tommy's death from herself onto Arrow. It was the first time in a long time I've felt connected or sympathised with her. Though I don't believe Tommy's death is her fault her reasons for believing it to be so are entirely valid, something which will make her future actions much easier to get behind. Now, as for that little reveal at the end of the episode, it certainly raises many questions. Last season when Malcolm Merlyn mentioned he had gone to Nanda Parbat, many fans assumed he had been trained by the League of Assassins, following a similar course Bruce Wayne took in the comics and Nolan films. To see Black Canary's old friend not only dressed similar to Merlyn, but also name drop Ra's al Ghul opens a wide door of possibilities. The fact Canary seems to have been trained by Ra's is also intriguing in itself, making this depiction of her very different from previous incarnations. Will we eventually be seeing Ra's make an appearance in Starling City? Only time will in this already impressive season.