Arrow: 10 Best Episodes So Far

Written By: Jake Coburn & Keto Shimizu

Directed By: Thor Freudenthal

Season 3 was largely a jumble of ideas that didn’t really land but The Climb marked a high point in which there still looked to be a lot of promise left. All of the build-up paid off with a thrilling fight sequence atop a mountain and a resolution to Sara's murder.

Before Sara’s murder was resolved, the suspects dwindled to the point where Thea seemed the most likely choice. It would have been more interesting had she done it of her own volition instead of being hypnotized, but it still created a welcome dilemma for Oliver to solve.

One of the other highlights of the episode was Maseo’s reveal in the present. Though not as moving as when Slade did it in Season 2, it was still a surprise to see Maseo again, especially aligned with the League of Assassins.

Ultimately, though, this episode owes its success to that final fight scene. Before he became bogged down by bad writing and poor motivations, Ra’s al Ghul was a nearly mythic figure in the Arrow universe. His power was that he was so mysterious and his subtle confirmation of his immortality only furthered that intrigue. More than that, he proved to severely overmatch Oliver in their fight, leading to a completely shocking conclusion with Oliver ‘dying.’