Arrow Recap: “Tribute”

Arrow had a disappointing premiere by ignoring that explosive season finale in favor of keeping all of its main characters.

However, “Tribute,” takes the show in an entirely new and surprising direction which forgives the series for last week’s lackluster episode. Will the series manage to survive the changing dynamic between all of the characters? “Tribute,” makes a compelling argument of sending the show in a new direction.

Oliver needs to have his secret identity revealed at least once a season and “Tribute,” deals with the fallout of this happening again. He quickly dispels the rumors to the news by pointing out that Bruce Wayne isn’t a hero in Gotham despite being a billionaire. It’s always nice when the DC Universe recognizes characters not in the show and here’s hoping the Dark Knight eventually makes a cameo in the Arrowverse. Nevertheless, this barely keeps the press at bay but Oliver has to deal with a more serious investigation courtesy of the FBI.

Not only does he have to deal with a serious FBI Agent, Samanda Watson, but also former friend Anatoly. Turns out the Bratva member has returned to Star City to hold a Morkovian businessman hostage unless Oliver pays him twenty million dollars. Of course, the Green Arrow doesn’t bend for anyone and Anatoly never gets his money but he is able to kill the businessman. However that’s not the only unsettling news with Anatoly dropping some thinly veiled threats against William.

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The young boy isn’t taking the recent press about his father well and gets into a fight at school. While Oliver offers him some brawling advice but is rebuffed by an angry William. His son isn’t upset about bullies and he doesn’t care about learning to defend himself, he’s worried that Oliver will get killed as the Green Arrow which will really leave him orphaned.

A few other members of Team Arrow are also reeling from worry that someone in their midst might not make it out of battle. In “Tribute,” it’s finally revealed that Diggle caught some shrapnel in the island explosion which left him with some serious nerve damage. Dinah isn’t willing to keep that secret from the rest of the team because his being in the field serves a serious risk to everyone else. Diggle claims that he’s getting it under control but it’s clear when Dinah’s life on the line and he’s still unable to pull the trigger, it isn’t true. He promises to address the issue rather than hide it so that no one else gets hurts but things are about to get a lot more complicated. At the end of “Tribute,” Oliver hands off the Green Arrow mantle to his best friend, realizing that his son is more important than anything else.

Will Arrow really have Oliver give up his vigilante identity? It’s definitely uncharted territory if the series does choose to go in this direction and it make sense.

Next: Arrow Season 6 premiere recap

On Legends of Tomorrow, it’s revealed that Diggle’s son, Connor Hawke, would go on to become the Green Arrow rather than Oliver’s canonical child. “Tribute,” does a good job of setting up the reasons as to why it’s time for Star City’s hero to pass on the torch, but can Arrow survive with Oliver Queen simply playing mayor?