Arrow, Season 3, Episode 6, 'Guilty' Review

The following is a review of Arrow Season 3 Episode 6 ‘Guilty’ and will contain mild spoilers

When Wildcat Ted Grant is framed for several murders, Oliver has to trust Laurel when she vouches for him. While Arrow helps Ted investigate, Ted ends up getting arrested for the murders, as well as another similar killing from six years previous.

Meanwhile, Roy tries to grapple with his suppressed memories, worried that he was Sara’s true killer, in a delayed burn off of the last of the mirakuru. His blood shows up negative when Felicity tests it, but that doesn’t reconcile his dreams, pr the fact that the virtual autopsy corroborates with them.

This episode seemed to be slightly disjointed in themes, with the overall theme of trust playing predominantly in the present timeline story, but the flashbacks involving memory tying to the subplot of Roy’s repressed memories. It was all related, but it seemed like the episode had to juggle some ancillary plot points.

Otherwise, It’s definitely one of the better episodes this season. It is likely one of the most successful episodes when it comes to easter eggs, getting jam packed with Green Arrow nods and easter eggs, from Oliver’s pronunciation of Chien Na Wei as “China White,” to the boxing glove arrow (finally!), and Roy’s reception of the ‘Arsenal’ moniker.

I’m happy with the way Laurel’s character is being slowly developed. She’s very obviously being groomed to replace Sara as Black Canary, but the transition hasn’t been rushed (so far). She’s definitely years of training away from getting to the place that Oliver—or even Roy—is, but hopefully she continues to hit a learning curve before becoming a vigilante herself.

It was also exciting to see Ted Grant’s Wildcat side finally explored. Although he didn’t actually suit up, the groundwork is laid for him to join the team in a future episode. J.R. Ramirez does a great job with the Ted Grant character, helping to smooth over what might otherwise be a rough transition for Katie Cassidy’s Laurel Lance.

The whole show is doing a very good job of using its cast well. Although the show’s namesake is definitely still the focal point, he manages to take a backseat to some of the other character developments, further solidifying his transition to more of a leader and role model, which is not a position that is natural or comfortable for Ollie.

After it’s revealed that the murderer attempting to frame Ted Grant is Wildcat’s former assistant, Isaac, who was also responsible for the killing 6 years prior. Ted was just trying to cover for him. The circumstances show Oliver that now it is more important than ever that he stick by Roy

Using a meditation technique he learned in Hong Kong to reveal Roy’s suppressed memories, Oliver shows Roy the memory is actually of him killing a police officer while under the influence of the mirakuru. This clears Roy of Sara’s murder, but weighs on him as confirmation that he is in fact a killer.

Although this episode featured more of a one-off villain, it effectively served in moving multiple character stories forward, even if it didn’t necessarily directly serve a larger narrative. Stephen Amell has said on several occasions that they are building their very own Justice League on TV, and slowly, but surely, that vision is becoming more clear.