Arrow: 5 Things That Improved 'State v. Queen'

Arrow Vertigo2 'State v. Queen' started off fairly weak, making me believe it would end up being an okay episode. By the end though, it went up from being an okay to a very good episode. It wasn't as good as last week's 'Keep Your Enemies Closer', but several plot developments helped shoot the episode up quite a few notches. So with that in mind, let's take a look at 5 things which improved 'State v. Queen'.

5. Count Vertigo's Fate

Arrow Vertigo Arrow's Count Vertigo was one of the weakest villains from its first season. He was too cheesy and over-the-top for the world Arrow presented and I was not very excited for his return in this episode. In fact, his appearance was wear thin soon into this episode as he once again acted took to scenery-chewing. I'd say the production team and the actor were trying too hard to make Vertigo Joker-like with his dialogue and mannerisms €“ the example of that in this particular story was Vertigo's video recording for all of Starling City to see, a scene quite reminiscent of Joker's own video message in The Dark Knight. Vertigo's appearance surprisingly became enjoyable with the reveal that he discovered Arrow's identity. Aside from Merlyn, no other villain on Arrow had put two and two together so it was a very nice surprise. It changed the climactic fight up as Oliver went in with his hood down and make-up-less. It also forced Oliver to put his new no killing rule to the test, one which he failed. Though he had justifiable reasons for doing so considering Felicity's life was at stake, it's worth considering how many more times Oliver might forgo his rule for the life of a friend or ally. Vertigo's death isn't pleasing because he was a weak villain, its pleasing for what it means for Oliver's development and where they might take it next.
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Richard Church has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a diploma in Television Writing and Producing. He is an aspiring writer for short stories, novels and screenplays. He is also an avid fan of comic books and graphic novels.