The Legacy of The Hood: The History Behind Green Arrow
Typically, in their mythology the Royal Flush Gang is a group of villains that are nothing more than a group of incompetent people dressed in playing card outfits. The only member featured in this mythology is Derek Reston, he is the lead of the Arrow-based RFG. In the comics he is the leader of a second generation of the gang, who goes by the name of Ace. In the comics, Reston is an android with superhuman strength that takes shape in the form of an average man. He is accompanied by Joe Carny (aka King), Mona Taylor (aka Queen), Jack (no other alias provided), and Wanda Wayland (aka Ten). King is an individual that becomes immortal after a metagene bomb and now carries the power of mind control. Queen controls the power to create realistic illusions and uses a wrist shooter which shoots spades. Jack has one real eye with one laser eye and always carries an energy-charged sword. Finally, Ten has an energy blaster in her gloves and also carries around explosive playing cards. Like I previously stated this is the second generation. The first generation was killed in a battle between this generation and the Justice League. Both a third and fourth generations followed after.
This is the first time in the mythology of these characters that have been altered for dramatic purposes. First, of which being there are no other characters and that they are all human. This series is grounded in reality. So its villains have to work as such to fit into their realm and be believable. Next, these characters were never actually a family in the comics. However, for the show, the writers got a crack to be creative with these beloved characters. Speaking of creators, they give another tribute to both The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises via the first heist from this super bad family. The hostages of the bank heist are portrayed as leaving out the front door of the bank with their hands raised. Here we have our nod to Rises. The hostages are seen wearing RFG-related masks. Remind you of anyone? How does the Jokers hostages in clown masks from The Dark Knight sound? When this group strikes once, they usually strike again. Unfortunately, for them The Hood was there to stop them from making any withdraws in their follow-up attempt. Digg is the push in the right direction Oliver needs to do pursue these guys. Originally, in the episode, hes so dedicated to just following through with the list. No one else matters. Claims he doesnt fight street crime, thats its the fuel to the fire of the cancer spreading throughout the city.
Funny, Green Arrow in Justice League Unlimited claimed he finds for the little guy (Season One, Episode One Initiation). We see that mentality being carried through Oliver has Digg gives him that push. The way the writers almost make the Digg character is similar to that of Alfred Pennyworth. Or dare I even say it, Jiminy Cricket. Digg must be contagious because Oliver is doing something along the same lines for Derek Reston. While trying to find where Derek Restons current location, he seeks out the help of Felicity. He learns that Reston was a former employee to Robert Queens steel factory. He was laid off after the factory was outsourced to China. Along with Reston over 1,500 employees were out of a job due to the business venture. By the way, keep this tidbit in mind, it leads to the bigger unveiling of the shows subplot towards the end of the first season. Oliver seeks out Derek in order to make things right on behalf of his father. He gives him the chance to start over new and give up the life of crime hes leading with his family. So, what does a new chance look like for the leader of a bank heist group? How about a guaranteed job at Queen Consolidated? However, when offered the job, Derek makes it very obvious he still holds bitterness and anger towards the Queen Company and family. It was the wrongdoings of his father that had left this man and his family to turn to their terrible life of crime. Reston is not the only one dealing with father issues here. During scenes of his flashback to the island, Oliver sees his father in a vision. For those you dont remember, it was revealed in a flashback scene, Robert Queen commits suicide while on the life raft. He kills himself in order for his son to live. Oliver is given the task to right his wrongs and this is where he finds the now infamous book. Oliver is looking at the current moment in time and his current circumstances. Growing up, Oliver was a billionaire. Very well taken care and pampered. For some of us, in Olivers situation on the island, we may be able to survive a bit easier because most of us have never had half the privileges that the Queen family has. This is the first time in his life Oliver has ever had to be self-dependent. We are still seeing him in the early stages of relying on his own strength to survive. Yet, in this vision, his father has faith in him. Some may not look at it this way and some may think Im crazy for looking at it this way. I believe that the darkest corners of our lives shape us for our destiny. They shape us for the mantle we will assume in the role we were made for. For Oliver that was The Hood. His father suicide had to have happened, so that he could save the city. Again, this is just my personal opinion. I had a friend commit suicide; this created in me a desire to do four years of suicide prevention music ministry. Look at Batman. The death of his parents, allowed him to clean up the streets of Gotham. He took up his proper mantle. Robert has faith in him to survive. Something terrible has to happen, like this vision that probably isnt easy, in order to further discover the steps to his purpose. After he wakes up from the vision, he learns heat triggers names from the invisible ink and unveils the names of the people corrupting Starling City. It uncovers his destiny, if you will. Never would have happened had it not have been for that vision. We all chose our paths. Even coming from my strong standpoint as a follower of Christ, the Bible discusses, God gives us the choice to choose whether we follow good or evil. Oliver gives Derek Reston, and even his family, a shot at redemption and they pretty much spit on it. Which sadly ends up costing Derek Reston, his life, or so we are lead to believe. During his last couple breaths, of at least what we can see, Reston confesses to Oliver that he made his son like this. He turned Kyle into the monster we see throughout this episode. If youve never seen this episode, Kyle is very money focused. He wants this life his father promised him. Tragically, for this family, its too late. However, its not too late for some families. Throughout this episode, and most of the series thus far, Oliver has actually been so focused on his pursuits for his fathers mission. He actually sometimes forgets to stop and enjoy his family that remains alive and well. In the same fashion, we view both good and bad relationships a father can carry with his son. We also see the neglect a relationship like that can have on your mother. In the course of this episode, every moment at rehabilitation for their relationship, Oliver is whiskered away to don the hood. Moira feels distant from her son and it shows. However, seeing how good these writers are, they bring the two back together in the end. The Big Belly Burger scene at the end of this episode actually serves as a breakthrough for the mother-son characters of Moira and Oliver. This episode is rich in the wake of effects families have on one another. How an older and hopefully wiser generation can actually influence. I read a book in the beginning of this year entitled Weird. At the starts of one of the chapters, it contains a quote from Robert Fulghum, which reads: Dont worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are watching you. Whether parents know it or not, they have influence on their children. Even if they dont wish to admit, that influence is still there. This episode showcases that perfectly.