Arrow: 13 Action Sequences That Totally Blew Our Minds

3. Arrow Vs. Deathstroke/Oliver Queen Vs. Slade Wilson

arrow oliver queen slade wilson deathstroke
The CW

Episode: 2x23 – Unthinkable

Combatants: Arrow/Oliver vs. Deathstroke/Slade

What Happened: Injected with the Mirakuru cure, Slade Wilson nevertheless proves a formidable opponent for Oliver as they face off in mask and hood for their showdown in the present. They are fairly evenly matched before Oliver manages to restrain Slade with a pair of trick arrows. In a nice touch to communicate the physical toll of the fight, Oliver immediately thereafter staggers from his injuries. 

Intercut with the present showdown is a brutal flashback battle on the Amazo as Slade inflicts a vicious beating on his former friend even as they are knocked to and fro by the sinking freighter. Fortunately for Oliver, Slade is left at his mercy after a chunk of debris pins him to the floor of the sinking ship. Spurred by Slade’s threats against his family, Oliver stabs Slade in the eye with an arrow rather than administers the cure.

Why It Was Great: The climactic battle of the Season 2 finale is almost certainly the best action sequence of the series thus far. Stephen Amell and Manu Bennett are apparent throughout as Oliver and Slade, and the juxtaposition of past and present is marvelously effective. There’s character nuance within the stunt work, and it remains a highlight of the series.

Winner: Oliver

Contributor
Contributor

Fiction buff and writer. If it's on Netflix, it's probably in my queue. I've bought DVDs for the special features and usually claim that the book is better than the movie or show (and can provide examples). I've never met a TV show that I won't marathon. Follow on Twitter @lah9891 .