ARROW: "A Matter of Trust" -- A Missed Opportunity and the Olicity Moments this Season Needs

Don't be fooled by my title -- I absolutely loved the latest installment of ARROW, just like I adored the first two episodes. 

The action, especially the slow-mo moments are absolutely spectacular. We're getting great little dollops of drama in between as past relationships are sussed out and Oliver (Stephen Amell) learns to train and work with a new crew. And I'm loving that our latest villain, Tobias Church (Chad L. Coleman) is -- so far -- just your average crime boss looking to run Starling's criminal enterprises rather than a super-villain determined to destroy the city like in season 1. And 2, 3 and 4. 

Sure we've got another Big Bad lurking in the shadows, the mysterious Prometheus, but the show is taking its time revealing that figure's nefarious plans so we're not dealing with another whole season of Oliver getting beat each week until his expected rally in the season finale.

And in my opinion that's exactly what the show needs right now, a string of formidable (but beatable) villains-of-the-week to build back up the Green Arrow's bad-ass rep that's justifiably been shaken over the last four seasons after getting bested time and again by the likes of Malcolm, Ra's Al Ghul, Slade/Deathstroke and Damien Darhke.

So, all in all, Season 5 is looking like it'll be the best one yet. (Although to be honest, I've enjoyed all the seasons and have never been on the "seasons 1 and 2 were he best" bandwagon -- I've thoroughly enjoyed them all). 

The only notes that I'm missing so far this season are the Olicity ones, and I can't wait to see where the show takes this forever couple. And whether you're a shipper or not, Olicity has become the grand romance of this show. And it's a ship that this show definitely needs.

ARROW: "The Promise" and the Destruction of Becoming a Better Man

It's a thing of beauty when a story manages to be both infinitely clear and intriguingly mysterious at the same time.

Arrow's season 2 episode 15, "The Promise," accomplished just that.

As promised (wordplay intended), this episode served to be a definite game-changer. 

Finally, we see Oliver (Stephen Amell) transform into a full-fledged hero for the first time on the island(kinks and all). Plus, there's a new twist in his journey, in that his presence in the city he returned to save has now attracted an enemy poised to destroy it.

That twist comes with a whole host of unexpected layers that suggest the rest of this season will be spectacular.

And perhaps the most intriguing outcome of all is that we now know why Oliver is so internally conflicted...

It's because the qualities he's learned on the island that have made him a better man are primed to lead to his ultimate destruction.

And just how might that be, you ask?

ARROW: "Time of Death" -- Hit and Miss

Just one look... can ruin a relationship.

And that's exactly what happened in the last 30 seconds of Arrow's "Time of Death" episode when, as Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) babbled adorably about being his girl (but not his "girl-girl"), Oliver (Stephen Amell)gave her a pitying look. 

With that look, Felicity was transformed from an unsteadily sexy computer wiz with moxie (and a puppy-love crush on her hero boss) into a piteous creature.

Now, before anyone gets all up in arms that I seem to be criticizing the talented Amell (and he is, him and Rickards, and David Ramsey and the rest of the cast, and crew, and writers etc. are why I watch the show -- I'm not normally big on comic-inspired shows), let me assure you that I'm not. That look was right for the scene as written, it's just that the Felicity-Oliver story arc went awry halfway through the episode.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. That moment wasn't the only misfire in the episode.