Arrow: 10 Best Episodes So Far
5. City of Blood (Season 2, Episode 21)
Written By: Holly Harold
Directed By: Michael Shultz
Though there were still two more episodes left, City Of Blood undoubtably marks the beginning of the end for Season 2. Ramping up towards Oliver’s final confrontation with Slade, this episode took the time to set the stage for their battle and remind us of the emotional stakes involved.
Following his mother’s gut-wrenching murder in the previous episode, Oliver is at his lowest, hiding out in a secondary facility and ready to turn himself over to Slade. The bad guys are winning and each of the antagonists looks like they are going to get what they want. Of course, with a little motivation, Oliver returns and the real fight begins as the episode ends, leading into the bombastic final two episodes of the season.
Before the conclusion, the episode still succeeds, with moments like Oliver talking to Sebastian Blood, telling him how crazy Slade is and watching Blood legitimately consider whether he should bail or not. Then there’s Felicity’s hilarious interrogation of one of Blood’s guards that completely subverts expectations. And finally, Laurel’s admission that she knows Oliver is the Arrow. Despite the thrills of the final two episodes, it's the more quiet moments here that cement City Of Blood as the best of the three.