Prochnost
- Episode aired Nov 19, 2019
- TV-14
- 42m
Upon learning the key to oppose The Monitor, Oliver and team return to Russia on a mission to gather the necessary materials. Connor reunites with a figure from his past.Upon learning the key to oppose The Monitor, Oliver and team return to Russia on a mission to gather the necessary materials. Connor reunites with a figure from his past.Upon learning the key to oppose The Monitor, Oliver and team return to Russia on a mission to gather the necessary materials. Connor reunites with a figure from his past.
- Rene Ramirez
- (credit only)
- Dinah Drake
- (credit only)
- Connor Hawke
- (credit only)
- General Alexi Burov
- (as Barry Levy)
Storyline
Did you know
- Trivia"Prochnost" means "strength" and is a word Oliver learned from long-time friend Anatoly Knyazev who first appeared in episode 2x4 "Crucible;" both men have been known to use it often as a toast and salute.
- Quotes
Oliver Queen: So, specialty arrows. And each one has a specific purpose.
Mia Smoak: What does this one do?
Oliver Queen: Explosive arrow. Lighter payload, meant to divert and disable. Acidic arrow, meant to breach covertly or weaken structurally. Bolo Arrow, to secure and subdue. These are just tools. If you rely on them too much, they become crutches.
Mia Smoak: Then why have them?
Oliver Queen: To get out of a fight, or to end one before it begins.
"Prochnost" was undoubtedly the briskest episode of the show to date. It zigged and zagged a lot. Not just in locations and with its many characters, but with its tone. On one hand you have Oliver, weary of a looming cataclysm trying to connect with both his time-displaced kids. On the other you have Laurel (Katie Cassidy) doing her best to hold her redemption arc down and then Anatoly Knyazev (David Nykl) cracking a funny one-liner. It's all over the place. When you factor in the Russian fight club element, things get even more intense.
Speaking of intensity, it's was kind of fitting for accomplished director Laura Belsey to take the reins this episode. The showrunners and producers massively underestimated her talents as a director in season four and squandered her talents again in season six. It's good to see her in her element, especially when it comes to those satisfyingly brutal brawls. Considering how intense episodes like "Kapushion" and "The Slabside Redemption" where, I could have used with a bit more blood though. Or bone crunches.
The family drama was also a great element that continued to yield its rewards after that killer twist from a couple weeks back. The dialogue and the emotions hit the right notes. I dare say I actually like the future team of heroes now. When paired with their dad or other members of Team Arrow, they shine and make sense as characters.
Roy Harper's (Colton Haynes) return was welcome, but completely unnecessary in my opinion. At least in the context of this particular episode. He had no thematic connection to the Russian happenings and his little stint with Diggle (David Ramsey) really wasn't that enjoyable, minus that slick yellow-green lighting that illuminated the two in some truly cinematic ways.
I also found that the Crisis aspect was sorely lacking. Moreover, the whole idea of "we have to stop the Monitor" dimmed out quickly. That development never made too much sense at all. Why not have Oliver just do as he is told when he knows so much is at risk? Send him to another Earth, that worked amazingly well in the premiere.
The ending though, once again is a pretty neat one, so keep your eyes and ears open...
So, while imperfect with its tone and uninteresting with its re-introduction of Roy Harper, "Prochnost" hit the right emotional notes with the Queen-Smoak family and did it with a dash of brutal Russian fisticuffs along the way.
- highmarksreviews
- Nov 20, 2019
Details
- Runtime42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD