Arrow: Season 3, Episode 17: Suicidal Tendencies
Task Force X. I remember the one episode of Justice League Unlimited by that name and it was unbelievably cool. I won’t get too deep into it, but it was good and I recommend it to anyone. I’ve seen several incarnations of the Suicide Squad and even though this one is easily the least appealing in terms of team members, this was a pretty solid mission. It seems as though where Oliver is Batman, Diggle is Rick Flag. They could’ve thrown in Bronze Tiger or someone equally awesome to be part of this, but it was good nonetheless.
The focus of the entire episode was about exploring the line between vigilante and family man. Can you have a family if you’re constantly putting your life on the line? Oliver and Deadshot don’t think so, but Diggle is living it. In fact, the episode starts with his remarriage to Lyla.
He is dedicated to his wife and daughter, Team Arrow and the Suicide Squad. It’s only after he and his wife both face grave danger and the possibility of their daughter becoming an orphan that they decide to live safer lives. Lyla resigns from A.R.G.U.S. and Diggle announces his intention to quit fighting beside Oliver. The episode even goes as far as to focus the flashbacks on Floyd Lawton instead of Oliver. Just in time for you to feel sympathetic when he dies.
Toward the end Deadshot allegedly sacrifices himself, but I’m pretty sure he’s just discovered a way to escape from under the eye of Amanda Waller. He probably heard about Captain Boomerang and decided to follow in his footsteps.
Oliver had a very interesting run in with Ray Palmer who is apparently Iron Man instead of the Atom. I guess this show didn’t want to get into shrinking technology. It was a fitting resolution to the Oliver-Felicity-Ray love triangle that strengthened the bond between all three. Even though the fight between the two heroes was quite brief. Why was the weakness on that suit so obvious and overwhelming?
Lastly there is the ongoing threat of the League of Assassins. Rā’s al-Ghúl has sent several of his men to impersonate the Arrow, making him a wanted man. They have been murdering criminals and building the atmosphere of fear in Starling City. I’m looking forward to see where this goes, especially after Maseo’s actions in the closing scene.
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
