The Climb

When people talk about the most unforgettable moments in Arrow, this is the episode they point to. "The Climb" is a tense, emotional, and devastating midseason finale that delivers on every front-story, performance, stakes, and one of the boldest endings the series has ever dared.

The League Demands Justice

Following Sara Lance's murder, Oliver learns that the League of Assassins wants answers-and blood. Ra's al Ghul himself gives Oliver a chilling ultimatum: find Sara's killer within 48 hours, or face the League's wrath.

The tension is immediate and relentless. The mystery surrounding Sara's death intensifies. As Team Arrow digs deeper, all signs point to a shocking revelation: Thea Queen, under Malcolm Merlyn's manipulation, was the one who unknowingly killed Sara. Malcolm drugged her, used her, and set the entire plan in motion to force Oliver into a duel with Ra's. Diabolical.

Heavy Themes, No Easy Choices

Oliver is pushed into an impossible position. Reveal the truth and condemn Thea-or protect her and sacrifice himself. His choice defines who he's become: not a killer, not a coward, but a hero willing to bear the weight of others' sins.

There's a quiet, powerful scene between Oliver and Thea before the duel. He doesn't tell her what he knows, but he forgives her without saying it out loud. It's heartbreaking and beautiful.

Ra's al Ghul: A Force of Nature

Matt Nable's Ra's al Ghul is calm, regal, terrifying. When Oliver agrees to a trial by combat, Ra's meets him at the top of a snow-covered mountain-shirtless, armed with twin swords, and absolutely unfazed.

What follows is arguably the greatest fight scene in Arrow history. The choreography is raw, brutal, and cinematic. Oliver gives it everything-but Ra's is simply better.

"I will take your last breath... and I will watch your city rot, and I will tell your sister that you died in cowardice."

And then it happens.

Ra's stabs Oliver through the chest. Twists the blade. And kicks him off a cliff.

Silence. Snow. Death. Credits.

The Boldest Cliffhanger Yet

No outro monologue. No glimmer of hope. Just shock.

At the time this aired, fans were stunned. The show killed off its main character at midseason-and made you believe it. It was a narrative risk that paid off in suspense, emotion, and a lasting legacy.

There have been some great episodes that The CW has put out over the past two years for Arrow.

This episode, however, breaks all bounds that the show has set before for a "good episode." Every single plot point, conversation and character from this episode plays such a crucial role to the plot's development and the show's overall progress forward for characterization and connectivity between character stories.

Every single scene is so important to watch and experience and if this episode is watched more than one time, one will slowly realize that if a normal viewer were to miss a single scene, they would be missing a great deal of the plot even if it were just for 5 minutes.

This episode not only tugs on your emotions but keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire time.

Truly spectacular.

....the final 'battle' on top of the mountain. Really? There are still 14 episodes left before the end of the season, and everyone is supposed to believe Oliver was killed? Pu-leeze!

The rest of the episode was rather good, probably about a 7 rating. But the tear jerker good-byes with the team began the meltdown, followed by the pathetic battle with the fake 'death of Arrow/Oliver'. The fight scene was rather good, don't get me wrong. But the end of it was pathetic. First Oliver has his throat slit by a blade of some sort (you can see the blood through his fingers when he grabs his throat). Then he gets the sword run though him to the hilt, and his slit throat had suddenly disappeared. And just before he is pushed over the edge, the view of his chest reveals --- no stab wound!!

If this had been the final episode of the season it would have been a good cliff hanger. But with 14 episodes left it isn't a cliff hanger, it's a slap in the face of viewers.

You'd think things would calm down after season 2's incredible run, but no. The actors and the story continue to surprise. This particular episode contained a perfect mixture of suspense, horror, and darkness. Without spoiling I can say this episode is easily one of the best. Arrow is known for making killer episode 9s of seasons, and this trumps all of them. Featuring horrifying revelations, significant characters brought back that just complete this episode in making it one of one of the best pieces of television content ever made. The overall tone of this episode will leave you as empty as it did me when you finish watching.

10/10 writing 10/10 acting 10/10 themes & performance.