Ep 7. State v. Queen

In "State v. Queen," the seventh episode of Arrow's highly-rated second season, things get serious for Oliver Queen (played by Stephen Amell) and his vigilante alter-ego as he finds himself in legal trouble with the city. This episode takes place in the aftermath of the previous episode, where Oliver saved Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy) from her evil ex-boyfriend and cop killer, only to have a video from the incident leaked to the press, exposing his vigilante antics.

The episode begins with Oliver's legal team preparing for his trial, which is set to start in just a few hours. As his team strategizes, they realize they face an uphill battle against the powerful district attorney, Kate Spencer (Chelah Horsdal) who is determined to make an example of Oliver. Meanwhile, the mayor of Starling City, Sebastian Blood (Kevin Alejandro), is on a mission to take down Oliver and the Arrow by any means necessary.

As Oliver's trial begins, we see flashbacks of his time on the island, where he is forced to make a tough decision about a dangerous weapon. Back in the present day, true to his character as a streetwise superhero, Oliver is unfazed by the legal proceedings. He sticks to his story and refuses to reveal the true identity of the Arrow, even if it means going to prison.

During the trial, Laurel takes the stand as a witness, followed by Oliver's team calling in Diggle (David Ramsey) and Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) to testify as character witnesses. As the trial progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that the DA has a personal vendetta against Oliver, and her tactics and arguments become more aggressive.

When it seems like all hope is lost for Oliver, an unexpected witness enters the courtroom: Roy Harper (Colton Haynes). With his testimony, the tide of the trial slowly begins to turn in Oliver's favor. However, just when it looks like Oliver might be in the clear, another shocking twist is revealed that throws the case into chaos.

Throughout the episode, we also see how Oliver's legal troubles have affected those closest to him. Laurel is torn between her loyalty to her father, Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne), and her feelings for Oliver. Meanwhile, Moira Queen (Susanna Thompson) struggles to keep her family together as Oliver's legal battle threatens their entire reputation as a family and the family business.

"State v. Queen" is a riveting episode that explores the themes of justice, loyalty, and sacrifice in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances. With excellent performances from the cast and a well-written script, this episode is not to be missed for fans of the show. By the end of the episode, viewers are left wondering where this will all lead for Oliver and the rest of the characters in Starling City.