Arrow 7x12 : Emerald Archer review

Be warned there will be *SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it.

150 episodes of Arrow. Quite the accomplishment in TV making. This episode is almost like a celebration of sorts as we get various throwbacks from season's 1-7. It begins with none other than Quentin Lance speaking in 2014. He's speaking about Vigilante's before it cuts to various other familiar faces. Including Sara Lance Barry Allen, Diaz and others. It's all done in a documentary style as a crew follows Oliver around with a camera. Documenting his every move including even private family moments it's all incredibly interesting and honestly a refreshing take on an episode of Arrow. William returns to home from his time at boarding school and seems incredibly angry almost the moment he steps in the door. It's later revealed that he got expelled from the boarding school and fake his test results online to make Felicity think she was doing good. This is just a tiny plot which I'm sure will be explored more as the season goes on. But the reason we're here? well it's to catch a new vigilante hunter who after kidnapping Emiko is targeting Oliver next. 

With more interviews spread in between all the action of Oliver and the rest of Team Arrow (Yes I said Team Arrow) who are back in a big way. After talking with Oliver Dig suggests that Team Arrow reunite in an attempt to stop this new vigilante killer who Curtis has named Chimera. After getting his location Oliver, Dig and even the camera crew go to investigate and they masks placed on mannequin heads. We see Ragman and even Helena Bertinelli's mask much to the surprise of Oliver himself. Not soon after this the vigilante shows himself and is suited with Wayne Tech inspired Armor and blasters attached to his arms. He actually looks pretty badass to be honest and really takes it to Oliver and Dig. He gets away this time but later as Oliver is going up against Star City's mayor in a debate which includes the for and against conversation against vigilante's. Just as things begin to heat up Chimera shows up again but this time Oliver has proper back up in Dig, Curtis. Dinah and Rene who all except Dinah suit up. A titanic battle ensues leading to the defeat of Chimera who is actually revealed to be a crazed fan named Kevin Meltzer who after being saved by The Hood 7 years ago took on his own mission to collect various vigilante masks. But before all of that and not seconds after saving everyone in the building, Team Arrow are all placed into custody by the mayor who really makes it her mission to disgrace all vigilante's. The reveal of Chimera was a bit of a let down but the battle that took place between Chimera and Team Arrow was pretty intense. 

The episode ends back at SSPD as we see Dinah place her badge on the mayor's desk. She tells her that she is handing in her resignation. Surprised by her decision they are both interrupted by Oliver who says that she will have to arrest him too if she is really going to go through with arresting all Team Arrow members. The Mayor who really doesn't like what she is about to do and say actually doesn't arrest anyone as Laurel decides not to press charges but that's not all the Mayor says. She actually deputizes all Team Arrow members leaving them free reign to help the SSPD's cause. But it doesn't end there at all as we're shown a girl watching the same documentary of Oliver that was being filmed throughout this episode. Turns out this is in the future and the girl is the same person that we saw a few episodes back as William and the others were looking for her. But she is also joined by Connor Hawke who mentions that the documentary is banned. Flash forward a bit and we're brought to the old bunker which looks similarly to the Batcave. Underground, full of growing plants and looking completely run down. And that's where it ends. All in all though this episode was fantastic. A fine tribute to Arrow and a just a great episode overall. Here's to the next milestone of this show which will be 200 episodes. 

★★★★