Arrow: 5 Things That "The Calm" Did Right (And 3 It Didn't)

The Good:

5. Action

In a series with single seasons comprised of 23 hours of television, it takes a lot to wow audiences week after week, and even the vicarious thrills of watching a man in a hood shoot arrows from a motorcycle have the potential to fade over time. Fortunately, many of the main actors-including Stephen Amell as the titular Arrow and Caity Lotz as the late lamented Canary 1.0-came into their roles possessing the training and physical abilities to perform their own stunts, a distinction that has elevated the action of Arrow to the highest of standards. Consequently, viewers have come to expect greatness out of the action sequences on the show. "The Calm" delivered. The episode opens as Team Arrow-including new addition Roy Harper as Arsenal-works together to stop an arms deal in a chase sequence reminiscent of Indiana Jones in all the best ways. As Felicity coordinates from the foundry, the boys take down the bad guys and recover the weapons without breaking a sweat. It's a heck of a way to start the season. On a smaller yet no less impressive scale is a later sequence in which Stephen Amell basically beats himself senseless. Under the influence of a powerful hallucinogen, Oliver faces off with his Arrow alter ego in a no-holds-barred fistfight. Caity Lotz also has a moment to shine as she tags into the climactic final fight and gives herself a bo staff swan song worth a rewind.