Sometimes many people can look at the same situation and each see something completely different. Lets discuss this in a realm of innocent versus guilty. Our society is no stranger to this fact. Take, for example, the 1994 case of O.J. Simpson. The accusation was made was that the former football star killed his ex-wife, Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. They were found stabbed to death in the front courtyard of Browns condominium. Simpson was the first to be blamed for these murders. Most people saw him as guilty, while others saw him as innocent. However, he was found not guilty almost a year and a half after the murders had occurred. In fact recent accusations or evidence, depending on how you look at it, proves that Simpson took the blame for his oldest son. However, it seems that this case will always have people looking at different subjects. Justice is almost like a painting to some people. They believe it to be different than what the person standing next to them may see. This concept is called Negative Space. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the beauty of art. Its meant to be interrupted. Sometimes, thats the way people look at justice. Certainly, thats the way Oliver views it on the fourth entry into the first season. After the events of the Digg being poisoned by Deadshot in last weeks episode, we learn that Oliver offers him a position to work by his side in The Hood game. Digg calls him a criminal and a murderer. This is that art theory coming in again. Where Digg sees criminal activity and murder, Oliver sees justice: doing what he has to do in order to break Starling City of its corrupt ways. As the episode progresses, we see that he is not alone in seeing justice as a painting. When insomnia strikes, he stumbles down to the living room for some television, only to find Thea is unable to sleep as well. She is viewing a news report of Peter Declan. Declan is a man who going to be executed for the murder of his wife, Camille. Yet he is innocent, at least to what Oliver can see. Oliver takes that innocent hunch and runs with it. He learns that Camille Declan was employed by Jason Brodeur. Its revealed to us that Declan was pretty much involved in an open and shut case. They convicted him and sentenced him to the death penalty. But Oliver sees that there is something off about this case. Declans wife worked for Jason Brodeur as previously mentioned. Brodeur just happens to be a name that appears on the list, but he hasnt been investigated. Due to this unfortunate truth, an innocent man is actually facing the death penalty. Oliver has to reach out to a good lawyer to plead Declans case to set him free to let justice reign. Ironically, the lawyer he reaches out to is Laurel.
Once again, these writers introduce this modern day imagining of the Black Canary- Green Arrow partnership that has become so essential to the mythology of both characters. These writers have a very subtle way of presenting that fact to the viewer. Its brilliantly written and executed. Now, we have established again the partnership between The Hood and Laurel. We may face the fact, rather than bringing it up every time, this is an ongoing theme and thread woven throughout the storyline of the show. The two have been partnered together since the early 1960s. I dont think the creators of the show would spoil that for true fans of the characters. So, we know that Peter is on trial and facing execution. He claims he didnt murder his wife and Oliver believes him. He knows that there was a greater evil at work in the hand of his wifes murder. Surprise, surprise; that hand would be Jason Brodeur. At this point, we dont know too terribly much about Brodeurs character. However, in a scene in which Laurel seeks her fathers help to view the police file on the case, we learn just a little bit more about the character. This dude is cunning to say the least. He brilliantly framed Peter for the death of his wife after the two had an argument. We learn at our first encounter with Brodeur that he was illegally throwing away chemical waste. Camille Declan was actually going to go to the cops about the illegal activity and before she could she saw the curtains. Brodeur framed Peter for her murder to save his own skin. Yet, in order to get Peter Declan free, more evidence is needed. I truly love the little Easter eggs the writers play into the story lines. I just mentioned that in order for Declan to be set free more evidence is needed. So, with the Easter eggs in mind, The Hood goes to get evidence. He takes Camilles supervisor, Matt Istook, and handcuffs him to a train track (with an oncoming train, I might add). Here is where our first of two Easter eggs that makes its way into our story line. Oliver mentions the train is going to Blüdhaven. For those who have never heard this term, allow me to explain. Blüdhaven is a fictional city birthed into the DC universe in 1996. It is actually south to Gotham City, and it serves as the backdrop to Nightwings story lines. If Nightwing is an unfamiliar name to you, he was the original Robin who took up the mantle of Nightwing to create his own shadow. Back on track, we see some character development of who exactly the villain is in this episode. That little Easter egg we discussed earlier ended up actually being a confession from Istook that he lied in court about meeting with Camille the day before her murder. However this Hood obtained evidence is rejected when presented to a judge. The judge sited this was a court of law, not a court of justice. Sad to say thats actually our culture is now. Upon a second meeting scene between Laurel and The Hood she relays this message to him. He questions what it would take to get this man free. His answer is nothing more than a signed confession from Jason Brodeur saying he had her murdered. For anyone else this maybe a rather difficult task but not for a modern day Robin Hood. So I mentioned earlier there were two Easter eggs within this episode but have failed to tell of the seconduntil now. If youve noticed this far in this article I have failed to mention the plot that continues to weave its way in and out of the series. We learned in previous episodes that Olivers mother was responsible for their yacht being sabotaged. This episode grows in that even more. Towards the beginning of this episode we find out that Walter has uncovered a sum of $2.6 million missing from the companys records. This is our first sign of the sabotage coming to the light. These people thought they were slick but not that slick. Last week we were introduced to Felicity Smoake. She is once again brought back for a minor but crucial development point in this episode. Moira confesses to taking out that exact amount missing for a frame startup venture, three years prior.
This company doesnt exist though. At least thats what Ms. Smoake finds out through the investigation of the money trail. The money was used to set up an off shore LLC. So, are you ready for the Easter egg? That company was called Tempest. I know some of you guys are probably saying: This dude has lost his mind; how in the world is that name an Easter egg? The name Tempest is no stranger to the DC Universe. Its appeared four separate times, in different comics and different characters. First the name was birthed into the mythology of the underwater being, Garth, or as you might know him: Aqualad. Garth took up the name of Tempest after a fight with his uncle Slizzath. The name has also been taken up by Joshua Clay. Clay was a member of Doom Patrol, who was a fugtive after experiencing his powers give birth in the Vietnam War. The third of the four individuals to wear this name was a Vietnam veteran turned heavyweight boxing contender. Mike Tempest later joined the Secret Six. Our fourth Tempest was actually a reporter for the Daily Planet. So many tempests, I know, but there is history to this Easter egg. Lets continue to discuss this egg though. It is revealed that in 2009, the company purchased a warehouse in Starling City. When Walter comes to find the warehouse, he finds the remains of the Queens Gambit. This warehouse is a small piece to even bigger picture. Malcolm Meryln is an individual in this series that will continue to grow as the series progress. You will come to know him as a rather sinister man. While everyone else thinks The Hood is only targeting the rich, Meryln has discovered hes targeting the list. This is one of the richest episodes to play not only to the Green Arrow mythology but the DC Universe mythology as well. One minor thing to note that will come and build later in the series, it is revealed to us that Diggs brother, Andy, was killed by Deadshot. Towards the end of the season this will play heavy. However at the conclusion of this episode Oliver is arrested for suspicion to being The Hood. Thats what I wish to leave you with this week. Sources: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/simpson/simpsonchron.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/02/oj-simpson-book-jason-simpson-william-dear_n_1397583.html http://miasdrawingblog.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Canary http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bl%C3%BCdhaven http://www.comicvine.com/tempest/4005-2382/ http://www.comicvine.com/joshua-clay/4005-54001/ http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Michael_Tempest_(New_Earth) http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Margaret_Tempest_(Earth-One)