Arrow: Lian Yu
May 24, 2017 8:06 PM - Season 5, Episode 23 - Subscribe
The battle between Oliver and Adrian Chase culminates in a final epic battle on Lian Yu. Oliver recruits a group of unlikely allies, Slade, Nyssa, Merlyn, and Digger Harkness, to defeat Chase. However, Chase has his own army that includes Black Siren, Evelyn Sharp, and Talia al Ghul. (season finale)
*AV Club recap - Arrow completes Oliver’s 10-year journey from survivor to killer to hero
*IGN review - "I'm glad you came back, kid."
*Den of Geek review - The battle of Lian Yu rages on in the Arrow Season 5 finale.
*EW recap - Oliver mixes it up with former friends and foes as he tries to rescue his friends from the island
*AV Club recap - Arrow completes Oliver’s 10-year journey from survivor to killer to hero
*IGN review - "I'm glad you came back, kid."
*Den of Geek review - The battle of Lian Yu rages on in the Arrow Season 5 finale.
*EW recap - Oliver mixes it up with former friends and foes as he tries to rescue his friends from the island
My recording chopped off the very end of the episode, but, from the recaps I'm assuming I didn't miss anything? (I got the shot of bombs exploding all across Lian Yu, and a moment of Ollie's reaction, presumably it just ended on his reaction since the fate of all the other characters is the cliff-hanger?)
posted by oh yeah! at 7:34 AM on May 25, 2017
posted by oh yeah! at 7:34 AM on May 25, 2017
My recording chopped off the very end of the episode, but, from the recaps I'm assuming I didn't miss anything?
That's about it, and I liked how the explosions continued going off and echoing even after the show cut to the Arrow title card.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:59 AM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's about it, and I liked how the explosions continued going off and echoing even after the show cut to the Arrow title card.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:59 AM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
yes, that was a jaw dropper of an ending. like "I'm sure they all got plot-armor but how the fuck will they survive that??"
This season has been pretty damn good. Aside from the ho-hum filler moments, I'd say 90% of running time was dedicated to the season-long story arc, which is impressive for a comic book show. And characters acting like adults! And talking to each other! About their personal secrets! And admitting things to themselves! What!
And I'll admit, I got a bit misty when Flashback Oliver talked to Moira for the first time in five years
Me too! I saw the phone call about to happen and I was like "oh he's probably calling his mom but they wouldn't do a whole new scene with Moi-- HOLY CAMEO BATMAN" and the next thing I know I was like "NO YOU'RE CRYING"
posted by numaner at 8:23 AM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
This season has been pretty damn good. Aside from the ho-hum filler moments, I'd say 90% of running time was dedicated to the season-long story arc, which is impressive for a comic book show. And characters acting like adults! And talking to each other! About their personal secrets! And admitting things to themselves! What!
And I'll admit, I got a bit misty when Flashback Oliver talked to Moira for the first time in five years
Me too! I saw the phone call about to happen and I was like "oh he's probably calling his mom but they wouldn't do a whole new scene with Moi-- HOLY CAMEO BATMAN" and the next thing I know I was like "NO YOU'RE CRYING"
posted by numaner at 8:23 AM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
So I questioned myself "has this season really been good?" And I went back and read our threads of the last dozen episodes or so. We really gave this show a lot of flack! But I guess a season finale can really tie together all the wtf earlier moments. That said, my estimation of filler crap was probably less than what it actually was. I'm not gonna come up with another random percentage, but I'll say that I appreciated that the season's story mostly came together more coherently than previous seasons. The antagonist had a much clearer goal, and at the same time much more menacing. I think making the motivation very personal for Chase worked out really well as the main plot.
posted by numaner at 1:07 PM on May 25, 2017
posted by numaner at 1:07 PM on May 25, 2017
As an archery coach, I'm very careful to ignore the defects in every archery-related element in this show. I think by doing so, I somehow occupy my brain so that it skips over all of the other plot holes.
The one thing I can't ignore is that bloody awful bit of string music they play as a prompt that something bad is happening. It's like something from a cheap soap opera, and it's pretty much ruined this season for me.
posted by pipeski at 2:54 PM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
The one thing I can't ignore is that bloody awful bit of string music they play as a prompt that something bad is happening. It's like something from a cheap soap opera, and it's pretty much ruined this season for me.
posted by pipeski at 2:54 PM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
The one thing I can't ignore is that bloody awful bit of string music they play as a prompt that something bad is happening. It's like something from a cheap soap opera, and it's pretty much ruined this season for me.
God yes; the Prometheus Theme. Now that Chase is dead, hopefully we've heard the last of it.
posted by Servo5678 at 4:19 PM on May 25, 2017
God yes; the Prometheus Theme. Now that Chase is dead, hopefully we've heard the last of it.
posted by Servo5678 at 4:19 PM on May 25, 2017
pipeski,
Actually, I'd love to hear some of your comments about the archery related portions of the show. There was one coach writing online somewhere (I'm sure I could dig it up but it's not at the tip of my fingers at the moment) who wasn't terribly harsh, even while acknowledging some of the more problematic elements. (I'm pretty sure it was the same guy who just filleted the Hawkeye bow work in Avengers.) His observations were really fascinating, and I'm sure yours would be equally compelling.
At first I wasn't sure if that was a new scene with Moira or a flashback to something that was shown in season one. Either way, it was fitting to bring the character back for one last moment, now that we're done with the flashback version of the show.
It's funny, but I don't really have too many comments about the main plot or action. It did bother me how easily the team (especially Rene) took down highly trained ninjas. I still don't like Lexa Doig as Talia. (She's much, much better on The Arrangement, playing the producer wife of the evilScientologist cult-leader.) I was a bit puzzled how those bombs could be networked together so easily on an island without electricity, given that there seemed to be a computer acting as the bomb controller.
The thought that seemed to lodge most prominently in my head was one about Slade's son. It would be fabulous to see a character like Joey on TV, either in his civilian persona or acting as the hero Jericho. His powers would be a really good addition to the Arrowverse, as they really don't have any good guys with similar abilities. And even if they keep him plain, old Joey, it would be interesting to watch how they tackle a character with a real disability (as opposed to a temporary Felicity impediment).
Looking forward, I'm curious what the writers will do with the extra five or ten minutes they'll gain each episode that was formerly devoted to the flashbacks. Maybe it will give them enough breathing room to do a bit more character development.
Anyway, I'll leave a similar comment here as I did this week on the Flash post. It's been fun watching this with all of you. Nobody in my real life watches this, so if I want to laugh or cry about something in the show, you guys have been the people I've shared my thoughts with. I hope to see everybody back next season.
posted by sardonyx at 8:07 PM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Actually, I'd love to hear some of your comments about the archery related portions of the show. There was one coach writing online somewhere (I'm sure I could dig it up but it's not at the tip of my fingers at the moment) who wasn't terribly harsh, even while acknowledging some of the more problematic elements. (I'm pretty sure it was the same guy who just filleted the Hawkeye bow work in Avengers.) His observations were really fascinating, and I'm sure yours would be equally compelling.
At first I wasn't sure if that was a new scene with Moira or a flashback to something that was shown in season one. Either way, it was fitting to bring the character back for one last moment, now that we're done with the flashback version of the show.
It's funny, but I don't really have too many comments about the main plot or action. It did bother me how easily the team (especially Rene) took down highly trained ninjas. I still don't like Lexa Doig as Talia. (She's much, much better on The Arrangement, playing the producer wife of the evil
The thought that seemed to lodge most prominently in my head was one about Slade's son. It would be fabulous to see a character like Joey on TV, either in his civilian persona or acting as the hero Jericho. His powers would be a really good addition to the Arrowverse, as they really don't have any good guys with similar abilities. And even if they keep him plain, old Joey, it would be interesting to watch how they tackle a character with a real disability (as opposed to a temporary Felicity impediment).
Looking forward, I'm curious what the writers will do with the extra five or ten minutes they'll gain each episode that was formerly devoted to the flashbacks. Maybe it will give them enough breathing room to do a bit more character development.
Anyway, I'll leave a similar comment here as I did this week on the Flash post. It's been fun watching this with all of you. Nobody in my real life watches this, so if I want to laugh or cry about something in the show, you guys have been the people I've shared my thoughts with. I hope to see everybody back next season.
posted by sardonyx at 8:07 PM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
I am so glad that goddamned Lian Yu is finally blown up at last.
Less happy to think of a blown up Felicity, Thea, etc. They probably aren't dead, I hope.
I will miss Malcolm.
I don't care about William. He is a plot device, not a character. I do not care about him just because he's a kid.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:29 PM on June 7, 2017
Less happy to think of a blown up Felicity, Thea, etc. They probably aren't dead, I hope.
I will miss Malcolm.
I don't care about William. He is a plot device, not a character. I do not care about him just because he's a kid.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:29 PM on June 7, 2017
I'm betting Malcolm wasn't killed by the mine (managed to use a bad(der*) guy as a shield), went straight to pick up the backup Argus boat, and swung around to pick them all up in the nick of time. Well, they had to dive in and swim for it, but close enough. Maybe one person dies, but mostly the plot armor is thick and buoyant.
*I know, I know, badder is not a word.
posted by ktkt at 9:20 PM on August 12, 2017
*I know, I know, badder is not a word.
posted by ktkt at 9:20 PM on August 12, 2017
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And I'll admit, I got a bit misty when Flashback Oliver talked to Moira for the first time in five years.
posted by Servo5678 at 6:49 AM on May 25, 2017