'Arrow' Review: "Canary Cry"
![](https://emertainmentmonthly.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/04/arrow-04x19-b-0045b-178017.jpg)
Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Co-Executive Stage Editor
Arrow returned this week after a short hiatus and it was an episode dedicated to the memory of Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy). After a gut-wrenching, emotional episode where fans said goodbye to a fan favorite character, Arrow follows it up with an episode that rides on the backs of emotional moments from several actors. Arrow’s latest episode entitled “Canary Cry” showcases the acting range from Paul Blackthorne and David Ramsey in a beautiful way.
Directed by Laura Belsey and written by Wendy Mericle and Beth Schwartz, Arrow returns seconds after Laurel Lance met her demise after a run in with Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough). Paul Blackthorne is the all-star on Arrow this week as he shows a side to Quentin fans haven’t really seen. In the four seasons of Arrow, Quentin has lost his daughter’s multiple times. He lost Sara (Caity Lotz) to Lian Yu, the League of Assassins and eventually death and now Laurel. With all of this weighing heavily on Quentin, Paul Blackthorne delivers his best, most heartbreaking performance to date.
Arrow kicks off right where the previous episode ended with Quentin and Oliver (Stephen Amell) in the hospital hallway dealing with the sudden loss of Laurel. Right from here, fans know that they will be on a non-stop rollercoaster of emotions. An interesting take on the grieving father, Arrow doesn’t have Quentin break down right away, instead he searches for answers. Blackthorne does an incredible job at having Quentin’s despair slowly burn throughout the episode. His denial is more heartbreaking than a sudden, emotional breakdown. Mericle and Schwartz write to Blackthorne’s strengths and that shows during his scenes of utter denial. When a Black Canary impersonator (Madison McLaughlin) is spotted using Laurel’s sonic device, Quentin begins to believe his daughter is still alive. This heartbreaking symbol of hope for Quentin will make any fan shed a few tears this week. Blackthorne has transcended expectations in his role as Quentin. He has created a character that is essential to Arrow and this episode further shows how he affects every other character.
Stephen Amell and Paul Blackthorne have both had incredible seasons. Amell has showcased Oliver’s vulnerable side through his relationship with Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) while Blackthorne has become a key player on Team Arrow and his relationship with Donna Smoak (Charlotte Ross) helps him break out of his shell. I guess Smoak women really do bring out the best in people. With Quentin slowly losing hope, Amell and Blackthorne engage in the most heartbreaking scene in this week’s episode. Oliver must break the harsh truth to Quentin that Laurel is dead and nothing is able to bring her back. Amell triumphs in this scene as he shows a range of emotions. He has grown the most this season in terms of emotional vulnerability and development and it shows in this scene. Blackthorne finally takes Quentin to the heartbreaking place he’s been avoiding since the episode began. He tells Oliver, “When we lost Sara, when I became a drunk, when no one else believed in me, she did. She’s always been there! She’s my rock. She was my rock…” Between Amell’s tears and Blackthorne doubled over in grief, this scenes writing coupled with the acting makes it stand out as one of the best this season.
Of course as if dealing with Laurel’s recent death isn’t enough for Team Arrow, they must deal with an imposter Black Canary who is going around Star City essentially diminishing the Black Canary mantle. Each character deals with this in their own way, but what really comes out of it is a monumental scene between the Black Canary impersonator and Green Arrow. When Black Canary storms into a Ruvé Adams party, Green Arrow jumps in to save the day. In a remarkable scene, Amell defies expectations as he desperately pleas with Black Canary to stop what she’s doing. The desperation behind each word plays very well on screen as Green Arrow asks the fake Black Canary, what would the real Black Canary do? This moment is equal parts Green Arrow, equal parts Oliver and Amell gives this scene the extra heart it needs.
Since leaving Team Arrow, Felicity hasn’t really been present, however that all changes this week. Rickards brings her A-game as she shows Felicity’s internal struggle. Felicity wonders what would’ve gone differently if she was with the team the night Laurel died. This internal struggle, although small, is powerful to see. Rickards does an amazing job at showing a range of emotions in every scene and her work opposite Ramsey and Amell showcases this. One of the best scenes Rickards has a hand in this week involves the extended limo scene following Laurel’s funeral.
Arrow delivers an episode that allows fans to grieve the loss of Laurel. Although the story does move forward, Arrow almost takes a well-deserved pause for fans and characters to survey the impact of the loss. It works in all the right ways and was a good send off for such a beloved character. With this episode, Arrow hurdles towards its final episode of season four and it will surely be a wild ride.