Arrow (TV Series) Second Chances (2017) User Reviews

Second Chances

[betterbuddy · 8/10 · 1 February 2017]

This episode had some really good moments. I loved every second between Talia and Oliver. It is really interesting the fascination that she has with Oliver, her connection to Yao Fei, and her knowledge of Oliver's whole journey so far. The scene at the end when Oliver got back into his original arrow costume/Yao Fei's hood with the jacket was just magical.

It was such a relief to see that the Diggle storyline has finally wrapped up and that he is now a free man. Even after Oliver helped him escape from prison, Diggle just wasn't the true Diggle. I am so looking forward to him really be back now on the team and having him smile again.

The guy road trip had some cute moments, but I would have preferred Oliver with Diggle scenes. Wild Dog and Mr. Terrific are not bad characters, but the Team Arrow scenes with them just are not magical like original team arrow scenes always were. Ragman in the field is fine, but I am not a fan of how Rory/a.k.a. Mr. Egghead talks down to everyone and makes them feel like idiots. This is the third time he has done this. Even when Felicity goes techno-talk crazy she does not talk down to the others. This is making even Rory/Ragman annoying. My big concern right now is - will Quentin Lance ever return? I would love to see his reaction to everything that has happened these past few months since he went into rehab. And, now even Thea has disappeared as well, and here it seemed like Speedy was back at least part-time. Overall, not a bad episode, but it just was not a favorite so far.

Arrow - S05E11 Second Chances

[j_forbesy · 9/10 · 1 February 2017]

After what was a fairly good episode back to Arrow after a short break, I was worried that Arrow was going to pull an Arrow on use and start going down hill at the half way marks. From what I can see after this episode, they are far from it.

There were 2 main story lines that played out this episode as well as 2 side stories. I was on board with all of them. The first main story I want to talk about is of course the hunt for our new Canary. We first saw our new Canary, Tina Boland, or as we now know her as, Dinah Drake (one of the comic Black Canary's) at the end of last episode. I really like the origin they gave this new Canary. I think that going the damaged route like all the other members have been through is something that is really going to benefit this new Canary with the team. I thought her chemistry with Oliver with the mask and without was excellent and I can see them building a strong relationship in which ever way they take it. Importantly though, what stands out most to me is that she feels like she should be a vigilante. The biggest thing that didn't make Laurel work as Canary was that she wasn't suited to being a vigilante, she was more suited to being a lawyer rather than someone who runs around at night after a few karate lessons. Dinah is trained and has the drive to help that is required to not only be the Black Canary in this universe but be apart of Team Arrow.

The second big story line happened during the flash backs. As I have mentioned in previous weeks, I've really liked what they have done with these flash backs this season. I really liked what they did with Tahlia al Ghul during the flash backs. Of course this is just initial impressions after one episode but she is off to a strong start and I think much of that is credited towards to actress they have got. Not since Deathstroke have I felt a presence like this during the flash backs. I'm not sure if this is because of the parallels between the two mentor relationships but they have a screen presence where Oliver becomes a secondary character in their scenes.

The first side story I want to touch on is with Diggle. Last week I mentioned how much I'm liking the direction they are taking Diggle and while I thought they may have rushed this a little more than I thought it would, I'm still very on board with his story. As it appears now, he is going to be out of jail next episode but being such a long season, we know there is going to be some more twists and turns. Because of that, I'm excited to see what else this story has to toss up to us.

The final side story that played out this episode was one I didn't see coming and that was Felicity connecting with some Hackivists. What made Felicity such a good character during the first two seasons is how well she fit into that hacker role. Since season 3 she started to be pulled away from that role and moved to a love interest, which we all know how that went. So for me, it's great to see Felicity starting to head back to her roots and dropping back into that role of hacker. I'm interested to see where this heads in future episodes because it seems this new Hacker group is going to come into play at some point.

Overall, I really liked this episode. I'm completely on board with our new Canary as well as what they are doing with the other story lines both in the flash backs and modern day. This season is continuing to maintain a great level and all I can do is hope it doesn't drop off like previous seasons.

9/10

Dinah Drake

[ThomasDrufke · 7/10 · 1 February 2017]

Much like last week, 'Second Chances' was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While I'm not really on board for a full-fledged new Black Canary, I thought Julianna Harkavy did a good enough job in the role to win me over. We'll see just how much her role is expanded going forward.

So I'm okay with Harkavy, and I also found Lexa Doig's portrayal of Talia al Ghul to be compelling as well. I never really thought about a possible Yao Fei connection so that was a pleasant surprise. However, I'm still a tad bit confused about why she actually cares to train Oliver at all? And how did she get a pass for leaving the League in the first place? This obviously isn't a mission that Ras sent her on, so why? But even if it doesn't make all that much sense, I think she'll provide a boost for the flashbacks. Speaking of which, I think it's about time we get another Dolph Lundgren sighting right?

Another villain who sat this episode out was Prometheus. I know that his identity isn't technically a secret anymore (being the illegitimate son of Justin Claybourne), but is it still out of the question that he could be Talia? Talia "trained" him, we know that. But have they confirmed that it is a male? I know it's far-fetched, but it still seems weird to me that they would bring in a character like Talia and not have her play a major role in the back half of the season.

Felicity had a big episode as she acquired a flash drive full of data that helped exonerate Diggle from his "crimes". It also supposedly gives her an "out" to go back to her hacktivist lifestyle with a mysterious organization. I know we've heard about "dark Felicity" in season 5, but really? Hacker stuff? I'm so done with that part of her character's life. It was cool the first time in season 3, but enough is enough.

Tonight's episode featured some great action, although some involved meta-humans, and impressive stunts, but ultimately more of the same plot wise. Oliver trying to redeem himself through other people? How many times have we honestly seen that? And on a side note, I'm very tired of Oliver revealing his identity within a day of meeting someone. I didn't mind the episode, there was a lot to enjoy, but I'd like a more clear direction. Please give me another straight up Prometheus episode soon. Lastly, I think it's past time we see some Quentin, Thea, and even Ragman in action. I don't like Ragman, but why hasn't he been out in the field as of late?

+Stunts/action

+Potential to Talia

+Harkavy has some charisma

-Rehash of old themes

-Felicity stuff

7.5/10

Its just a fantasy and not even a fiction

[magneticmacho · 2 February 2017]

Writer Sarah Tarkoff is sick and twisted with the fantasy of women doing all the job and her co-writer Speed Weed is a spineless creature who just happens to be noting more than her pet, agreeing to everything she fantasizes. Tina takes full advantage of Oliver's kindness and patience towards her as his weakness and proves to him how much she can walk all over him each time when she is offered help. Tina also proves to be the hypocrite she is when meets Oliver and announces her decision to join the team. She is so ugly with that polyp on her face, even the makeup doesn't cover it! And Talia? Seriously? Why don't you go ahead say you trained Ras-Al-Gaul your own father as well while you are at it?! Whom are you kidding?! These roles are so pathetic and way out of touch with reality even for the plot line with meta-humans!

Second Chances

[highmarksreviews · 8/10 · 2 February 2018]

Arrow has had a ruff spot in its mid-season premiere and while "Second Chances" showcases the potential that the second half of the season has, it is still nothing very special. The Russia flashbacks seem to thrive of the Al Ghul edition and while the Prometheus act has been advancing rapidly, the lack of any real conflict and annoying Team Arrow drag the episode down a bit.

Excellent example of how bad this show is

[nlmike · 3/10 · 15 March 2021]

Besides the fact that the storyline is incoherent, the sound level mixing between the action or non action keeps me adjusting every time...

The main gripe here is the morality joke of a story here. They battle at a roof with a helicopter and about a dozen men. All get killed and or blown up. Half by Oliver. And when the new character faces her enemy at gunpoint he starts whining about how she shouldn't shoot him....... SERIOUSLY?

This series is camp as it is, but the morality blame game it the absolute worst.