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Arrow Season 1 Episode 9

Year's End

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AIRED: Dec 12, 2012

8.7

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Episode Summary

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When he discovers that Moira and Thea stopped celebrating Christmas since his disappearance, Oliver tries to throw a Queen Christmas party. Meanwhile, Tommy and Laurel disagree on how they should spend Christmas together.

FAN RECAP

TV.com Episode Review

102

Arrow "Year's End" Review: A Tale of Two Hoodies

I think the most interesting thing about this week's episode is not so much that the Dark Archer is way better and stronger than Oliver, nor that Merlyn is taking care of business in a way that Oliver refuses to,…

By Nick Campbell, Dec 13, 2012

Fan Episode Reviews (9)

Year's End

9.0

By TrueTvWatcher, Feb 01, 2013

Year's End was a fascinating and very entertaining episode of arrow. I really enjoyed watching because there were lots of flashbacks of Oliver on the island giving small clues perhaps to what is happening in the present. There was a lot of action drama and intrigue as the various characters dealt with their own issues. The fight scenes were awesome and I loved how challenging this new Dark Archer is for Oliver. The Dark Arrows identity is somewhat revealed and there are some interesting connections to him. I Lake tell everything played out and I look forward to watching what happens next!!!!!!!!!moreless
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A big 10 in all!!!

10

By SusanMontey1, Dec 15, 2012

I love this show! The twist and turns and the crazy action, what more can u ask for! Not to mention all the hotties in this show, lol!
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Year's End

10

By hell693, Dec 14, 2012

Arrow's first mid-season finale and they did it rite. The episode had many reveal and cliffhangers that keeps you wanting more. The Dark Archer was revealed (not gonna say who it's too good to just say it you have to watch it). Loved the dynamic with Arrow and Laurels father. Digs reminded me a lot of Alfred but a younger and stronger version of him when Oliver wanted his help. The last scene with Oliver in the hospital got me all excited and reminded me a little of TDKR. Can't wait till January 16 comes with an all new episode. Until then bye.moreless
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Oliver Queen, you have failed this city.

8.0

By titan4lizife, Dec 14, 2012

Well this mid-season finale was pathetically unexceptional... that is until the last fifteen minutes. While the flashbacks (which have been missing for some time) suggested that we were in for quite the event, the actual content of the first forty or so minutes didn't deliver. The hunt for the copycat wasn't as thrilling as it ought to have been due to the large amount of time devoted to personal issues. One minute we're with the cops at a bloody crime scene, the next we're with Thea and Oliver talking about Christmas. I see the need for both sides of the coin, but instead of trying to balance it 50/50, the writers should have devoted more time to the mysterious copycat which would have made a more interesting story.

That being said, the stunt choreographer saved the episode from desolation with another thrilling fight sequence between Deathstroke the Terminator and Yao Fei. As always, Deathstroke makes everything better. Similarly, the fight between Oliver and Merlyn (no, Tommy is not the legendary archer but who knows what he'll become) in which Oliver got his arrows handed to him, brought a level of excitement that was missing in the episode's first half.

Still, the copycat's reveal was not as epic as it could have been due to the same reasons stated above. For most of the episode, due to the influence of flashbacks, I figured it was Yao Fei who had come to Starling City to test Oliver. When that was clearly not the case, I suspected Deathstroke - again under the influence of flashbacks. By the time the dark archer was revealed and it turned out to be Merlyn, it really didn't matter much to me. It could have been anyone at that point; the episode was still largely a waste.

It looks like the second half of the season might be set six months into the future, that would be an interesting shakeup. A lot can happen is six months, it can either be and excellent development or the writers can botch it and undo everything they've achieved in the last nine episodes. I am looking forward to seeing what happens when the show returns. So I guess the mid-season finale did accomplish what is was supposed to - it's left fans wanting more.moreless
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Excellent show!

9.5

By VampyrByte, Dec 13, 2012

I absolutely love this show. It's managing to be dark without going the "nothing can ever be good" route. There's hope in this story. The way the show is filmed, the music and the whole atmosphere is spot on. I cannot wait to own this on Blu-Ray eventually. Having to do without an episode until January though is a killer! By the way, Willa Holland is absolutely gorgeous and she must stay in the show forever or I'll stop watching... hear that CW? Those are my terms!! ; p

This episode in particular had a well-paced story with plenty of action but Oliver is still attempting to bridge the gaps between his new "Arrow" side and the old Oliver people knew, or even an Oliver that he pretends to be now. It's a hard balance it seems. Seeing Oliver rely on Diggle was good as I couldn't imagine him doing this all on his own.

***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER***

I'm sensing a Norman/Harry Osborne "Green Goblin" thing (see the first Spider-man movie for reference) coming with Malcolm/Tommy as we know Tommy's only role is to become the real Merlyn. That's very obvious and they are playing the "Lex & Clark" friendship with the woman inbetween game as well. I look forward to seeing how they do this without it being as naff as Spider-man.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Stephen Amell	Oliver Queen/Green Arrow
Katie Cassidy	Dinah "Laurel" Lance
Colin Donnell	Tommy Merlyn
David Ramsey	John Diggle
Willa Holland	Thea Queen
Susanna Thompson	Moira Queen

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Brian Markinson	Adam Hunt	Guest Star
Paul Boyle	Elite Man	Guest Star
Lisa Marie Digiacinto	Attractive Woman	Guest Star
Sebastian Dunn	Edward Fyers	Recurring Role
Colin Salmon	Walter Steele	Recurring Role
Byron Mann	Yao Fei	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Willa Holland on Arrow

© 2012 The CW Network

Colin Salmon, Susanna Thompson, Willa Ho...

© 2012 The CW Network
Colin Salmon and Stephen Arnell on Arrow...

© 2012 The CW Network
Colin Salmon and Susanna Thompson on Arr...

© 2012 The CW Network

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (9)
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- Diggle: Maybe you can give the list a rest and just enjoy the holidays with your family. Besides, I hear St. Nick has a list of his own. I wager you're in the "nice" column. Go home, Oliver.
  EDIT SHARE
- Oliver: I think the vigilante needs a better code name than "The Hood." Or "The Hood Guy."
  Malcolm: I agree. How about "Green Arrow"?
  Oliver: Lame.
  EDIT SHARE
- Felicity: Did you know seven of the names on the list are guys that the vigilante has in his cross-hairs? That is, if bows had cross-hairs. Which they don't.
  EDIT SHARE
- Oliver: How do you know that Shane guy?
  Thea: We rob banks and smoke crack together.
  Oliver: That's funny, yeah. I have a feeling I'm not gonna be a fan.
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- Oliver: Felicity... you're remarkable.
  Felicity: Thank you for remarking on it.
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- Tommy: Merry Christmas, sir. How are you?
  Quentin: Proficient with firearms.
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- Laurel: Tommy, do you mind if I talk to Oliver for a minute?
  Tommy: Yeah, I'll go grab us a couple of drinks. And drink them both.
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- Thea: You bailed on your party.
  Oliver: It seemed like the right move. I mean, like you said, it... wasn't the best timing.
  Thea: Okay, but when I was saying that, that was me being a bitch.
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- Moira: And you won't feel a thing then, will you? Thousands of innocent people wlll be dead, and you'll feel nothing.
  Malcolm: That's not true. I'll feel a sense of accomplishment.
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NOTES (4)
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- Injoke: Quentin refers to "the corner of O'Neil and Adams." Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams recreated Green Arrow in 1969 in his best-known incarnation as a bearded man of the people and crusader for social injustice.
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- Emily Bett Rickards and Robert Moloney are uncredited.
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- In the comics, Brian Nudocerdo is the corrupt chief of police of Star City and actively worked against Oliver Queen when he was the mayor of the city.
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- International Airdates:
  UK: December 17, 2012 on Sky1
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