It would seem as though Season 6 may be on to something, and hopefully, we are not wrong about that. Aside from some explosive action and uneasy alliances, coupled with compelling performances, "All for Nothing" is a sort of game-changer for the season. While Cayden James (Michael Emerson) is still a bad villain, at least they are making the most of him. The death of one character was extremely shocking and disturbing and it proves the fact that Arrow can and will hopefully continue to clear its huge roster.
8 Reviews
Arrow - S06E12 All For Nothing
j_forbesy3 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
In this episode of Arrow we got the two sectors of Team Arrow working together alone with Vigilante to try and find some hard information to take down James. I thought this was a great premise for this episode because of the way it moves the story looking forward. The biggest problem with these longer seasons is that there is often a mid season slump because the writers can't fill that many episode with massive story points.
One aspect I really enjoyed in this episode was the arc with Diana. I always like when they make a character go against the thing they are known for in the show. In the first half of this season, Diana was the voice of reason to Diggle, however in this episode, her moral compass was way off, and it was understandable why. With the reintroductions of the flashbacks, I thought they really fleshed out their relationship enough to make you understand why Diana is acting the way she was.
Another aspect of this episode that I thought was quite strong was the stuff with Earth 2 Laurel and Quentin. Quentin has been one of my favourite character throughout this whole show, however Earth 1 Laurel was one of my lease favourite during her life span. With that, I was hoping that they would give Earth 2 Laurel a good story arc and I think they are starting to do that. Redemption has always been on the table for her, and this episode was the first time where I felt that they have made serious progression in doing that. While this is only a small thing, I thought the way Cassidy played the scene where Caden James orders her to kill Vigilante came off that she had that inner conflict. I really enjoy seeing character battle that inner conflict so I hope they continue to dive into that with Black Siren.
Moving into something I didn't like too much this episode was the reveal of why Caden James believes Oliver killed his son. While I really liked the idea of introducing this other big bad that has been playing Caden, I more question why Caden believed the video to begin with. Caden is meant to be one of the best tech people in all of the Arrowverse and to think that he simply believed the video seems too far out of logic. My hope is that this other big bad is able to make us overlook this flaw in logic.
Overall, I thought this was a solid episode. Of all the main three CW superhero shows, this is the only one where I feel like I can see some form of end in sight. In a show that has the amount of episodes that these season do, it is nice to see an end goal for them to work towards and a way for it to be achieved.
8.5/10
One aspect I really enjoyed in this episode was the arc with Diana. I always like when they make a character go against the thing they are known for in the show. In the first half of this season, Diana was the voice of reason to Diggle, however in this episode, her moral compass was way off, and it was understandable why. With the reintroductions of the flashbacks, I thought they really fleshed out their relationship enough to make you understand why Diana is acting the way she was.
Another aspect of this episode that I thought was quite strong was the stuff with Earth 2 Laurel and Quentin. Quentin has been one of my favourite character throughout this whole show, however Earth 1 Laurel was one of my lease favourite during her life span. With that, I was hoping that they would give Earth 2 Laurel a good story arc and I think they are starting to do that. Redemption has always been on the table for her, and this episode was the first time where I felt that they have made serious progression in doing that. While this is only a small thing, I thought the way Cassidy played the scene where Caden James orders her to kill Vigilante came off that she had that inner conflict. I really enjoy seeing character battle that inner conflict so I hope they continue to dive into that with Black Siren.
Moving into something I didn't like too much this episode was the reveal of why Caden James believes Oliver killed his son. While I really liked the idea of introducing this other big bad that has been playing Caden, I more question why Caden believed the video to begin with. Caden is meant to be one of the best tech people in all of the Arrowverse and to think that he simply believed the video seems too far out of logic. My hope is that this other big bad is able to make us overlook this flaw in logic.
Overall, I thought this was a solid episode. Of all the main three CW superhero shows, this is the only one where I feel like I can see some form of end in sight. In a show that has the amount of episodes that these season do, it is nice to see an end goal for them to work towards and a way for it to be achieved.
8.5/10
Stepping it up
TheRahul0074 February 2018
The first half of the season apart from the deathstroke episodes were just ok. But the second half has really stepped it up with some good character development. If spoilers are true the next episode will be the one where Dragon is revealed as the main v
illain. Looking forward to lots of Action. A solid episode, just the new team drama needs to end otherwise 9/10
That's how you progress
caravindan19942 February 2018
This is the best episode since the break the shows had. This tackled everything perfectly right from how the teams approached the problem in their own ways and how the villain is yet again a few steps further away from the team.
The arc between Laurel and Quentin isn't clear yet and it looks like we have a mysterious mind behind everything that's happening this season. This episode wasn't just another filler like Flash, this was much more intense and I am definitely sure the events of this episodes play a very important role in the next few episodes and the way in which the team gets back looks like its going to be a terrific thing to watch after this.
Hopefully looking forward to the rest of this season.
The arc between Laurel and Quentin isn't clear yet and it looks like we have a mysterious mind behind everything that's happening this season. This episode wasn't just another filler like Flash, this was much more intense and I am definitely sure the events of this episodes play a very important role in the next few episodes and the way in which the team gets back looks like its going to be a terrific thing to watch after this.
Hopefully looking forward to the rest of this season.
Solid
Abdulxoxo15 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Vince as Vigilante is not one of my favorite big reveal in Arrow, the Vigilante of last season seem a little different and has almost different motive, and is intimidating. Vigilante could have been the big baddie of this season, had he been handled well. Vince as Vigilante is not all that bad but it just took away the mystery and the ruthlessness of the character and only serve as a factor for Dinah's character development. Well, his death was a little impactful thanks to the little backstory about him and Dinah. Quentin believed he can see his "baby girl" in Laurel 2 and can turn her. it seems like an interesting subplot and I hope it won't be rushed so that it'll feel natural. I like Cayden James' mannerism and all but his motive isn't original, Oliver killed my father, Oliver killed my neighbor, Oliver killed my cat, Oliver scratched my car, Oliver this, Oliver that. It is getting really repetitive and it has been done better before with Adrian Chase in S5.
Just Get to the Reveal Already
ThomasDrufke6 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Even as we creep closer to the now inevitable big bad reveal this coming week, my interest in Arrow may be at an all-time low. Even when season 4 was at its worst, I still found myself looking forward to every Wednesday episode. At this point, just about the only thing that could save this season would be a villain reveal from one of the previous big bads (aka Malcom, Slade, Ras, or Prometheus). But even looking at myself type those names, I wouldn't want a single one of them to be revealed. It just wouldn't make sense. You know what else doesn't make any sense? This season of Arrow.
As I've stated throughout the last 4 episodes, there is nothing keeping me invested. The mere fact that I wait a couple days to watch and another couple more to review each episode should go to show you just how much I don't care about this season. With that said, I'm not going to come out and say that I'm quitting the show. This is the only show I've ever watched the premiere live and never missed a single episode throughout its 6 season run. Every other show I've either picked up during its run and caught up, or catch an episode every once in awhile. It's almost like I have a commitment to it that is unlike anything else on TV. With that said, that's why I'm more critical of it than most shows. Just listen to these last few paragraphs, I'm spending more time complaining than I am writing a succinct review.
The flashbacks came back, Vincent was killed, Cayden James threatened to blow up more of the city, Oliver wired more money to him, James kept the city under siege, Lance struggled to come to grips with letting go of Black Siren/Laurel, and each respective team fought within itself. Does this sound like every single one of the last 4 episodes? If it does, that's because the writers are just copying beat for beat the episodes that come before. Until they do something intriguing or commit to bringing back what we love about this show (you know, crime fighting against a criminal worth hating), then I refuse to give this show my undivided attention.
5.8/10
As I've stated throughout the last 4 episodes, there is nothing keeping me invested. The mere fact that I wait a couple days to watch and another couple more to review each episode should go to show you just how much I don't care about this season. With that said, I'm not going to come out and say that I'm quitting the show. This is the only show I've ever watched the premiere live and never missed a single episode throughout its 6 season run. Every other show I've either picked up during its run and caught up, or catch an episode every once in awhile. It's almost like I have a commitment to it that is unlike anything else on TV. With that said, that's why I'm more critical of it than most shows. Just listen to these last few paragraphs, I'm spending more time complaining than I am writing a succinct review.
The flashbacks came back, Vincent was killed, Cayden James threatened to blow up more of the city, Oliver wired more money to him, James kept the city under siege, Lance struggled to come to grips with letting go of Black Siren/Laurel, and each respective team fought within itself. Does this sound like every single one of the last 4 episodes? If it does, that's because the writers are just copying beat for beat the episodes that come before. Until they do something intriguing or commit to bringing back what we love about this show (you know, crime fighting against a criminal worth hating), then I refuse to give this show my undivided attention.
5.8/10
Vigilantism? Hell Yeah!
lassegalsgaard13 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Compared to last week's episode, this was a slight step up for me. The episode started off with a very strong opening, like the last episode did. I like the fact that Cayden James is always two steps ahead of our heroes, because it makes him a formidable opponents to Team Arrow. I have a feeling that he is going to have something big plant for the remaining episodes, 'cause it would seem too easy for him to simply continue to blackmail Oliver for money and deploy a virus to every possible computer in Star City. In this episode, he was able to kill an entire team of A.R.G.U.S. agent while they were in the water, which I assume he did through chips or something in their suits. I like to see him trying new things to toy with the team, and I can't wait to see what his ultimate endgame is.
And speaking about Cayden James, I think his cabal of antagonists are shaping up to become very lethal opponents to Team Arrow. We have seen a little bit of what everyone are willing to go through to get what they want, and I like how they are all playing a certain part on the team. There is a scene in which Anatoly and Diaz are torturing Vincent, and even though we didn't get to see that scene play out, I thought it was a great idea that they are willing to do that to one of their own if they are uncertain about their loyalty. It gives them depth, which I always like.
However, I will say that the torture of Vincent wan't a scene where I felt for the character, because he is so poorly written. Last episode, they introduced this idea that he was an undercover cop, though they never stated for who. I don't buy that, because throughout the entirety of Season 5, he ran around killing random people without a care about them. Where have all that lore gone to? Have the writers simply forgotten who Vigilante actually was, because they wanted to create some boring love story between Vincent and Dinah? I hate this character for all the wrong reasons, and I was happy that he got killed in this episode, because it means that he is out for good. Or at least, I really hope that is the case.
I am, however, a big fan of what they are doing with the flashbacks in general this year. The fact that they are using them to tell some stories that we have heard about, but never seen is a fascinating concept that I like very much. Even though I don't care for Dinah and Vincent, it was fun to see how there relationship originally unfolded, even though it felt very rushed, even in the flashbacks.
And all that brings me back to the thing that I have constantly complained about. The recruits are still horrible on their own. I don't like the hypocrisy that is present in their group, and I don't like that they are constantly trying to remind the audience about how terrible they felt being part of Team Arrow. They hated that team because they couldn't trust them, however, as far as I have seen these past episodes, they can't even trust each other. They are becoming anchors for this season and at this point, I wouldn't mind if the writers simply got rid of them. Especially Dinah, who is becoming such a dumb character to still include. I can't wait to complain about her storyline next week, because what they set up in this episode, is almost too laughable to believe in.
And last, I a little mixed on Quentin's storyline. I like the fact that he has something to do in the season, but I can't find the meaning in that storyline yet. I liked that they brought in Laurel as a villainous character, so I don't like the fact that they are slowly starting to turn her around and making her a good guy once again. I'm not interested in seeing that.
And speaking about Cayden James, I think his cabal of antagonists are shaping up to become very lethal opponents to Team Arrow. We have seen a little bit of what everyone are willing to go through to get what they want, and I like how they are all playing a certain part on the team. There is a scene in which Anatoly and Diaz are torturing Vincent, and even though we didn't get to see that scene play out, I thought it was a great idea that they are willing to do that to one of their own if they are uncertain about their loyalty. It gives them depth, which I always like.
However, I will say that the torture of Vincent wan't a scene where I felt for the character, because he is so poorly written. Last episode, they introduced this idea that he was an undercover cop, though they never stated for who. I don't buy that, because throughout the entirety of Season 5, he ran around killing random people without a care about them. Where have all that lore gone to? Have the writers simply forgotten who Vigilante actually was, because they wanted to create some boring love story between Vincent and Dinah? I hate this character for all the wrong reasons, and I was happy that he got killed in this episode, because it means that he is out for good. Or at least, I really hope that is the case.
I am, however, a big fan of what they are doing with the flashbacks in general this year. The fact that they are using them to tell some stories that we have heard about, but never seen is a fascinating concept that I like very much. Even though I don't care for Dinah and Vincent, it was fun to see how there relationship originally unfolded, even though it felt very rushed, even in the flashbacks.
And all that brings me back to the thing that I have constantly complained about. The recruits are still horrible on their own. I don't like the hypocrisy that is present in their group, and I don't like that they are constantly trying to remind the audience about how terrible they felt being part of Team Arrow. They hated that team because they couldn't trust them, however, as far as I have seen these past episodes, they can't even trust each other. They are becoming anchors for this season and at this point, I wouldn't mind if the writers simply got rid of them. Especially Dinah, who is becoming such a dumb character to still include. I can't wait to complain about her storyline next week, because what they set up in this episode, is almost too laughable to believe in.
And last, I a little mixed on Quentin's storyline. I like the fact that he has something to do in the season, but I can't find the meaning in that storyline yet. I liked that they brought in Laurel as a villainous character, so I don't like the fact that they are slowly starting to turn her around and making her a good guy once again. I'm not interested in seeing that.
It doesn't make sense
LittleStorpingInTheSwuff24 August 2018
Cayden James is not a big man physically. He doesn't appear to carry any weapons or have any super powers. And yet all these hoods and villains just blindly follow his every command and kill whoever he wants to have killed. They also die for him in ridiculous shootouts and fights. Even Laurel with her death scream (there's a joke if there ever was one) could easily take him out, Yet she also just blindly follows him and does his will and bidding. It just doesn't make sense.
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