Arrow New Episode Review: 'Uprising' Brings Oliver Queen Back to Starling City

The CW's Arrow aired its new episode, entitled "Uprising," earlier tonight, and the hour brought the presumed-dead Oliver Queen back to Starling City as Brick was causing havoc in the Glades. By the end of the episode, the table had been set for the rest of Season 3, and much had changed for Team Arrow.

This was a big episode in terms of production, plot, and character development. As Brick humorously pointed out, there were costumed characters all over this episode. Arsenal, Black Canary, Dark Archer, Wildcat, and the original Arrow all took part in the final fight scene, and we haven't even mentioned Diggle or Sin yet. The production in the climactic battle was cinematic, as we watched a full-blown war take place for control of the Glades.

The climax also felt like a true conclusion to the trilogy that began two weeks ago with "Left Behind" and continued last week with "Midnight City." Appropriately, there were elements of The Dark Knight Rises all over this episode, from Oliver's return from a far away land to the battle to retake a lost city. After three weeks of hell and chaos, it was a triumphant moment when the Arrow finally got back in the action.

Despite the fast-paced action, Malcolm Merlyn was truly the focus of the episode. The flashbacks helped humanize him and allowed the audience to understand why he made the choices he did in the wake of his wife's death. The most dangerous villains are the ones who think they are acting for a just cause, and that has been Merlyn's M.O. for the entire series.

Merlyn himself even addressed this when he had Brick at gunpoint. If he had taken out the right man all those years ago, maybe he never would have went to the League of Assassins, started the Undertaking, and killed his son. In short, life would have been so much different if Merlyn had taken a different path, and he knows it. John Barrowman was brilliant in this episode, but he was at his best in this scene. The pain in his eyes was heartbreaking, and you could see him struggle with the decision as Oliver tried to convince him to spare Brick's life.

As if the fantastic action and character focus weren't enough, Team Arrow got plenty of time to shine. We continued to see how much they struggled in Oliver's absence, but each of the four allies stepped up in his or her own way. Roy, in particular, became a leader and pointed out that they needed to start making decisions on their own, not as if Oliver were still there. This character has come a long way, and he's better for it.

Diggle continued to be the sage of the group, while Felicity served as the conscience. And even Laurel fit seamlessly into the team, a feat that would have seemed impossible even a few weeks ago.

Now that Brick is taken care of, the stage is set for the rest of the season. Ra's al Ghul will learn that Oliver is alive and head to Starling City to take out him and Thea. But Oliver has now formed an alliance with Malcolm Merlyn, who is probably the only man who can help Ollie take out Ra's.

Unfortunately, this decision incensed Felicity. Oliver tried to explain, but Felicity wouldn't have it. She pointed out that she refused Merlyn's help because she thought Oliver would never work with him. She thought his near-death experience would change their relationship, but Oliver is now plunging headlong into another fight with Ra's.

And so she has reached her breaking point. She no longer wants to be a woman that he loves, because she's seen how that story ends. This will likely break the heart of all the Olicity fans out there, but this is a slow burn. If these two do get together, they will have earned it.

Notes:

- It's a rule that Malcolm must dramatically remove his Dark Archer hood after five seconds. Why does he even have that thing?

- Malcolm got his League name, The Magician, in the most adorable way possible, though I'm surprised little Nyssa didn't kick his ass anyway.

- "I need some air. I'm glad you're not dead." Don't ever change, Felicity.

- Thea and Lance have to know that Oliver is the Arrow by now, so it's only a matter of time before they share this knowledge.

- Speaking of Lance, Sin told him that the Canary is not Sara. Hopefully he learns the truth sooner rather than later.

- "Arsenal? You guys just pulling names out of a hat now?"

What did you think of "Uprising"? Let us know in the comments section.