Arrow Season 7: 2 Ups & 3 Downs From 'Crossing Lines'
Ups...
2. The Violence
Though other DC properties may be struggling to get the balance between the right and wrong times to use violence, Arrow isn't having any of those issues. Ever since the debut of its seventh season, the show has returned to its darker roots, providing us with an abundance of unnerving and graphic scenes. Of course, the main reason for that is down to Oliver Queen's imprisonment at Slabside Maximum Security Prison.
The former vigilante isn't just locked up in an environment of DC's worst villains and disgruntled officers, he is among enemies that he was responsible for putting behind bars and, as you would expect, that makes Slabside an even more volatile place.
Under normal circumstances, prison has the potential to be a violent place. However, given Oliver's surroundings, it's no surprise that the show has taken a darker approach to its storytelling. This was conveyed in this week's outing as Ollie, at a loss, suddenly snapped and broke Sampson's arm before violently assaulting four security guards with a blade.
The Green Arrow has been involved in some vicious confrontations before, but this was one of his bloodiest yet, and kudos to the creative team for highlighting just how violent prison can be, as it complements the storyline perfectly.