Arrow 'Vendetta': Oliver Has A Case Of The Lonlies

I think we all knew the outcome of this episode when the huntress was first introduced in the previous episode. Vendetta saw Oliver trying to reach out and help her, despite Helena obviously not wanting his help. In a way Oliver was pushing himself onto her, but let's face the fact, no one is truly like Oliver. Furthermore this proves that Oliver is still human despite all that he has been through, and he needs that human connection. Other than Oliver, we saw Tommy and Walter venture into the unknown with their own journeys of sorts. Tommy going past his past to ask Oliver for help and a job. Walter to keep investigating his wife's secrets.

So Vendetta takes us to hours from where the previous left us and we find Oliver and Helena in bed together (I'll let your imagination play there). Helena soon sneaks off to continue her hunt for ways to hurt her father, but you can't just simple sneak away from Oliver. Unknown to her, Oliver follows and thwarts Helena's plan, and tells her that there are other ways to do get her justice.  Helena turns this down, but changes her mind then Oliver, the next day, when takes her to Sarah Lance's grave, and explains how he watched her die. With her agreement, he begins teaching her how to shoot an arrow, and claiming it help her with control or something like that. An unhappy Diggle walks in, who earlier had told Oliver how he is wary of Helena. After Helena leaves, Diggle points out that Oliver is helping out Helena because it helps ease Oliver's own loneliness. Oliver denies this and continues with his mission to show Helena true justice.

What made Vendetta really stand out for me what how it showed the impact of Oliver's double life on himself. Arrow has touched on this before, as Oliver had to distance himself from his friends and family. Vendetta showed us though that Oliver still wanted that connection despite having Diggle working with him. The fact is that as much as Diggle helps out and is a good friend, one person can't be responsible for just one person. Oliver desperately wanted to make a difference and make a close connection with someone, that he looked past Helena's brand of justice. This is also where Diggle's job of keeping Oliver in check plays out well as Diggle really sets himself up as the one person Oliver can trust. Other cool stories of Vendetta was that Moira also had a book of her own. Does this mean a secret club (cult?) in Arrow?

With looking into Oliver's matters of the heart, Vendetta was pretty good overall. I just have a few issues here and there. First, as much as I liked that Helena brought out Oliver's human side, for those who knew about the huntress, it was obvious where she was going and that heartbreak was on Oliver's way. Also did anyone notice how it was always raining when Oliver was in his lair? There was always water pouring down his windows. I also would like to know why Arrow feels the need to get Oliver to work out every episode. You know not working out one episode won't kill Oliver. Writers you seriously need to find something else for Oliver to do while talking rather than flexing his muscles (which are nice might I add).

I felt that this episode of Arrow connected with me better, as I enjoyed it much more. I'm all for character development, and love it when characters are forced to realize truths of their character. So Arrow adds another villain to their list of bad guys to use later on in the series. Which brings me to my next point, Arrow is bringing in a lot of characters from the comics, can't they think of their own characters? As for Walter, keep digging for us audience members and find out what is happening. Although I get this sinking suspicion that Walter is going to be killed off as he keeps digging for the truth. I do hope I'm wrong. Looking forward to next weeks episode was Oliver gets a copycat.

What do you think the book is for? Loving the Diggle and Oliver friendship?