It's strange to think back at how Arrow started. No team, no Crisis, no Green Arrow. Just an island, a broken man and his bow. This where a hero's journey started and will begin its conclusion. "Purgatory" isn't the the most outstanding episode the show has ever done, but it's an important one all the same. I write with such seriousness because, well, this is it. The last proper, mostly true-to-form chapter of Arrow ever. Gosh, it's tough to say goodbye before the intergalactic end hits.
As much as I would have liked the return of familiar season one island baddies and an ally to be logically justified and for them to have proper motivations, but hey, space god's work in mysterious ways. Best to not question their full plan. I did appreciate how nostalgic the return of the OG Deathstroke was and how Yao Fei (Byron Mann) played a crucial dramatic role, even if both characters (and others) seemingly slipped into nothingness once the episode concluded.
However, when it came to emotional material, I would compare the farewells and heart-to-hearts, I would say this is as great as "You Have Saved This City", which might feature the best dialogue on any Arrowverse show period. The somber, sad goodbyes between pretty much everyone were further bolstered by Stephen Amell, who, yet again continued his hot streak of weary sternness, muscling and crying his way through it all. Amell's dramatic presence and ability to play both brooding hero and loving father is something I will never get tired of. Katherine McNamara and Ben Lewis also turn in exceptional performances as Mia and William respectively.
In terms of action, well, this was James Bamford's time to shine and shine he did. The final showdown between the island mercenaries and Team Arrow easily ranked amongst one of the most stylishly executed and visceral stunt scenes the show has done this season. It isn't Bamford's absolute best (that is still held by The Slabside Redemption and the Blue Fight in season five), but it's still epic as anything. The explosions and slow-motion also helped the battle from slipping into murkiness.
Overall, I would say this is Arrow's finale episode. More so than last season, we know what will come and we know what the characters must do. Crisis is here and the red, thundering skies signified it breathtakingly. "Purgatory" might not be Arrow's absolute best episode ever, but it's still strong and emotionally hard-hitting. If this is how the show wants to go out, at least it made it memorable and fitting. Consider me satisfied.
As much as I would have liked the return of familiar season one island baddies and an ally to be logically justified and for them to have proper motivations, but hey, space god's work in mysterious ways. Best to not question their full plan. I did appreciate how nostalgic the return of the OG Deathstroke was and how Yao Fei (Byron Mann) played a crucial dramatic role, even if both characters (and others) seemingly slipped into nothingness once the episode concluded.
However, when it came to emotional material, I would compare the farewells and heart-to-hearts, I would say this is as great as "You Have Saved This City", which might feature the best dialogue on any Arrowverse show period. The somber, sad goodbyes between pretty much everyone were further bolstered by Stephen Amell, who, yet again continued his hot streak of weary sternness, muscling and crying his way through it all. Amell's dramatic presence and ability to play both brooding hero and loving father is something I will never get tired of. Katherine McNamara and Ben Lewis also turn in exceptional performances as Mia and William respectively.
In terms of action, well, this was James Bamford's time to shine and shine he did. The final showdown between the island mercenaries and Team Arrow easily ranked amongst one of the most stylishly executed and visceral stunt scenes the show has done this season. It isn't Bamford's absolute best (that is still held by The Slabside Redemption and the Blue Fight in season five), but it's still epic as anything. The explosions and slow-motion also helped the battle from slipping into murkiness.
Overall, I would say this is Arrow's finale episode. More so than last season, we know what will come and we know what the characters must do. Crisis is here and the red, thundering skies signified it breathtakingly. "Purgatory" might not be Arrow's absolute best episode ever, but it's still strong and emotionally hard-hitting. If this is how the show wants to go out, at least it made it memorable and fitting. Consider me satisfied.
