Arrow: 10 Greatest Episodes
3. The Climb (Season 3 Episode 9)
Arrow, as a general rule, is not so good when it comes to implementing the supernatural, but Ollie’s trial by combat with Ra’s al Ghul is maybe the one exception. As the title suggests, Ollie climbs a bloody high mountain to challenge the Demon's Head for the life of his sister, and the second the battle begins, he knows he is outmatched.
'The Climb' expertly cuts between the past and present, building up the showdown with Ra's, who had only appeared briefly up until now. Matt Nable proves to be a great addition to the cast as he delivers one of the show's most devastating twists. Not only does he win the swordfight, he kicks Ollie from the top of the mountain for good measure, and lets everyone know that Ollie isn't dealing with the average villain anymore. If only the rest of the season had kept the same momentum.