Ep 13. Spectre of the Gun

Oliver Queen is the central character of "Arrow" season 5 episode 13, titled "Spectre of the Gun." He is the Green Arrow, and he lives in Star City, where he helps to keep the streets safe from villains by donning his superhero moniker. In this episode of the show, our hero is forced to confront one of the most significant issues in America: gun violence.

The setting for the episode is Mayor Queen's office, as Oliver and his team try to figure out how to combat gun violence in the city. Someone shoots up a city hall meeting, leading to a memorable scene of citizens expressing their fears to the mayor. In an effort to understand the problem better, Oliver has his team dig into the shooter's background to try and figure out what led this person to gun violence.

As the storyline progresses, we see Oliver come face to face with a difficult decision when the city council decides to pass a controversial bill to purchase more guns for the police force. The bill becomes a polarizing issue with the city, and Oliver must navigate the political and domestic complexities of both sides of the argument.

During the course of the episode, the show addresses some of the more significant issues surrounding gun violence in America. It shows how the debate has become highly politicized, leading to feelings of fear and dismay. Although it remains part of the current conversation, the show successfully portrays the fear and consequences of guns in society without taking sides or taking a polarized view about the issue.

The acting of the cast members is definitely worth mentioning. Stephen Amell and the rest of the team bring a sense of gravitas and humanity to an issue that's often viewed through a lens of partisanship or sensationalism. They are earnest in their portrayals of their respective characters, and fans of the show will appreciate the emotional gravitas that they bring to the episode.

While the subject matter may be heavy, the episode is by no means a downer. It features some of the show's signature humor, such as when Oliver quips about his moniker: "Green Arrow is a terrible name." In the same vein, fans of the series will still be able to enjoy the action sequences the show is famous for with plenty of arrow slinging and hand-to-hand combat scenes.

In terms of production, the episode is visually stunning. As usual, the show's set pieces and backdrops are spectacular. The aerial camera work, designed to showcase the vastness and beauty of the city, is particularly impressive, giving the show a cinematic feel that is often lacking in superhero and comic book adaptations.

Overall, "Spectre of the Gun" is a memorable episode of "Arrow," tackling the issue of gun violence in a sensitive and nuanced way. It illustrates how even in the world of superheroes an issue such as gun control can reverberate within communities, and gives fans of the genre a chance to see a favorite character confront a real-world issue. Anyone who enjoys great storytelling, superheroes, or just great television should give this episode a view.