The Longbow Hunters make their run and are opposed by ARGUS and Felicity’s team. Oliver is faced with an impossible choice; kill a guard in exchange for info or die himself. In the flashforwards, Roy and William make a discovery.

This season continues to impress and do so in the places the last season didn’t. Felicity, so often a tone deaf liability during last year’s community theatre rendition of Civil War, is front and centre here in the best way. She’s spiky and off her game, a little frantic and it’s the most interesting she’s been in years. Plus the conversation between her and Diggle about the cost of the Arrow hood is one of the show’s highlights so far. In fact, their whole dynamic is so fun that the first of what will presumably be a season’s worth of ‘I’ll get you next time Gadget!’ moments even lands.

That’s true elsewhere too, with Curtis and Rene greatly helped by the new dynamic. Best of all those is the Dinah and Laurel show! There’s a brilliant piece of action here where the two sonic powered heroes are fighting a Longbow Hunter whose power is to suppress sound. The crunchy, close in brawl is neatly contrasted with Diggle and his team getting dismantled very loudly by the other Longbow Hunters. It’s smart, character-driven action and it’s what this show always does best. Especially the payoff scenes between the two Canaries on one hand and Diggle and Felicity on the other.

But the most fun this week? Oliver. I know right?! Amell is clearly revelling in the new dynamic, and this buttoned down, cautious version of Oliver is surprisingly good fun. Oliver is at his best when his back is against the wall and his creative, pragmatic and bluntly terrifying solutions here give the episode many of its high points.

The entire cast get a ton to do.

The Longbow Hunters arrive in Star City and the team works together with ARGUS to try to stop them from stealing a weapon with incredible destructive capabilities. Felicity and Diggle clash over their priorities in dealing with Diaz, leading Felicity to strike a deal with Agent Watson. Meanwhile, Laurel and Dinah are forced to put their feud aside and work together while Oliver tries to get rid of a prison guard in exchange for info on Diaz from Brick. In the flashforward, William and Roy find a clue hidden in Oliver’s bow which leads them back to Star City.

Verdict: Everyone gets stuff to do. All of it’s fun. The plot accelerates. None of those things could be said about some episodes of Arrow last season. They could be said about every episode of season 7 to date. Excellent stuff from top to bottom. 9/10

Alasdair Stuart