Al Sah-Him

"Al Sah-Him" is a dark, somber episode that explores the consequences of Oliver surrendering to Ra's al Ghul. Now stripped of his name and identity, Oliver is being reprogrammed into a killer once more-a loyal heir to the Demon. The League's brainwashing is brutal, showing just how far Oliver is being pushed away from the man he was.

Watching him train and act without emotion is unsettling. This isn't a version of Oliver we've seen before-he's cold, silent, and obedient. The episode sells the transformation well, especially with the way he interacts with his former allies. When he's ordered to kill Nyssa-Ra's' own daughter-it becomes clear that Ra's wants to eliminate all threats to his legacy.

Meanwhile, Team Arrow is trying to adjust without Oliver. Diggle, Laurel, and Felicity struggle with the idea that Oliver might actually be lost. There's tension, guilt, and a sense of helplessness that makes the stakes feel very real.

One of the most chilling parts: Oliver, now fully acting as Al Sah-Him, kidnaps Diggle's wife, Lyla, and nearly kills her to prove his loyalty. It's a brutal moment that confirms how far gone he seems.

I've been watching this show on Netflix one episode a day, with my kids, without fail. This is the one that almost made us stop. We didn't sign up to watch this Al-Sah-Him BS. We wanted the Arrow. If the writers wanted us, the audience, to feel frustrated and disappointed, they succeeded. I'll give this show one or two more episodes more, but if it continues this path, we're better off watching The Flash.

And yes, this show made me salty enough to reactivate my IMDB account.

Arrow has officially changed. We know that because the beginning is no longer the same. His opening monologue is no longer about Oliver Queen, it's about Al Sah Him. And I can honestly say that I don't really like what's going on. Last week we had so much great character drama and an overall well written episode. They have made changes to the show in the past, but none that significantly alter the show. I know that the basic premise is the same. Oliver is still doing everything he can do save his family, but the entire episode didn't feel like Arrow at all. Sure, he will likely come back from the brainwashing, but the show will never be the same if the events that take place now, change the dynamic of the show forever. I just don't want the writers to feel like they need to change so much to make it feel fresh.

So we knew from the promo that Oliver was going to have to make a choice about killing Diggle. In typical Arrow fashion, it wasn't really Diggle, but he did kill some random guy. On a side not, during that fight you can already see that his fighting style mirrors Ra's, with one hand behind his back. Moving back to Starling City, we had Laurel and Nyssa acting as normal citizens and as crazy vigilante fighters. Like Laurel said, I like seeing Nyssa in less hectic atmosphere. Katrina Law always kills it. It was also nice seeing the Diggle family and Felicity and Thea having dinner all together. It's the one time all night where we had a calm moment without any tension. And yes, I think there is such thing as too much tension. Throwing in the Diggle costume joke was a nice touch, and a nod to the entire Arrow audience who wants to see him suit up.

Everyone is trying to cope with Ollie's 'death', so Laurel's method was to scream. By that I mean her new Canary cry. I wonder if people who don't watch Flash even understood what that was. I really liked it. It at least adds a new dimension to an otherwise lackluster character. After seeing that fight, and the other fight at the neutral site, it's clear that the writers wanted to give us a rift between Oliver and Diggle's relationship. It was pretty much an episode dedicated to their friendship that really has become brotherhood after all these years. I really just don't want it to end. If there is anything in this show that I feel like should stay, it should be the trio. The original trio.

With that being said, it was cool seeing Thea come in for the save tonight. Season 3 has had it's highs and it's had it's bad lows, but I can say that Thea has been a revelation this year. I have loved her transformation into a strong female character, and it was a powerful moment seeing her stand up to her brother, brainwashed or not. Then of course came the big twist of the night that Nyssa and Oliver are to be married. The producers have said another marriage is coming, I cant say I thought it would be these two. I do think it brings yet another new dynamic to the show. Ra's also revealed that he plans to unleash the Alpha Omega weapon on Starling City, a la Batman Begins like. Tonight wasn't one of my favorites, but the writers are giving it their all.

+Diggle get-together

+Katrina Law

+Canary cry was pretty cool

+Thea with the save

+Marriage twist

-Too much change

-Will we be able to forgive Ollie even with brainwash?

-Needs a break from the tension. I'd welcome scenes with Diggle's baby.

7.6/10