Posted in: Arrow, Batwoman, Black Lightning, CW, Review, Trailer, TV | Tagged: arrow, Batman, batwoman, black lightning, bleeding cool, cable, comic books, Comics, crisis, dc, dc comics, Episode 2, Legends of Tomorrow, Review, season 8, streaming, supergirl, superman, television, The Flash, tv, welcome to hong kong, wonder woman

"Arrow" Season 8 "Welcome to Hong Kong": Fun "Crisis" Mission Suffers Slightly from "Spinoff-itis" [SPOILER REVIEW]

On this week's Arrow, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) continues to walk down memory lane of seasons past as we revisit Hong Kong in the build-up to "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (6 episodes left!). We're reunited with allies and rivals as Oliver continues on his path of proving himself to The Monitor (LaMonica Garrett).

In much the same way as the season opener, this was a nice jaunt into Oliver's past. This looks like it will be the template for future episodes, as our next episode teases a reunification with Thea and the League of Shadows. But while it brings us back to familiar faces, it keeps moving our story forward. The Monitor isn't happy that Oliver is diverting from single-minded devotion to his orders to stop along the way to help Tommy, Laurel, and others. So the MacGuffin for "Welcome to Hong Kong" is a Chinese scientist The Monitor needs…  for reasons.

This puts Oliver in the path of China White (Kelly Hu, who is always amazing) who wants the scientist for her own purposes, and Katana (Rila Fukushima). And because we're dealing with international terrorism, Diggle (David Ramsey) gets an assist from ARGUS and Lyla (Audrey Marie Anderson).

Overall, it's pretty fun, keeps up a good pace, and moves our story forward. It has all of the action we expect from Arrow when it's firing on all cylinders. Perhaps more importantly, it raises Oliver's personal stakes. Horrified at what happened on Earth-2 and grappling with the immense responsibility on his shoulders to prevent it happening literally everywhere, the normally stoic and resolved Oliver breaks from his intense, broody demeanor. It provides for a few specific very nice acting moments from Amell, who is really intent on leaving it all out on the field in the final episodes.

Meanwhile, the show continues to flash forward to what Oliver's and Diggle's kids are doing in the future. These continue to be cool setpieces and storylines (and I really dig the whole "Deathstroke Gang" bit), but they're somewhat distracting from the main plot. Like, ok, I care about what's happening in Star City in 2040, but is it really so important to keep cutting away to it instead of figuring out what's happening with the upcoming "Crisis"?

Here's hoping they find a way to tie it all together into something satisfying. Otherwise it's feeling like a weird spinoff hidden inside the main show. Because apparently that's what's happening? Ugh. Fine, but do it on your own time. We don't have much time left with Oliver and Company, so let's make it count.

Oh, and stick around for a final scene with The Monitor and a special surprise guest as we get our first look at his Harbinger that is going to make our story ever much more interesting. Of course, we've already pieced this together but unless you want a spoiler? Be forewarned…

Next week, Oliver takes a "Leap of Faith" and reunites with his sister as we continue to tie up backstory. Let's bet episode 4 or 5 is set in Russia, da?

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!