Ep 19. The Dragon

Oliver Queen has had a tough time trying to save Star City from the crimes that plague it. In the latest season of Arrow, many adversaries have emerged to challenge Queen's position as the Green Arrow and harm the city's inhabitants. But, things have never looked as bad as they do in "The Dragon", the nineteenth episode in this action-packed season.

The show begins with a flashback of Ricardo Diaz's past, detailing his past and relationship with his father. We see a young Ricardo grow up amidst poverty and how his father had beaten him time and again. The fact that his father was killed by a rival group, urged Ricardo to seek vengeance and power - a pursuit that would take him to the vilest of ends.

Jumping back to present-day, we see him walking into a bank, holding up all the customers and vaulting the cash in a cramped bag. Oliver Queen, of course, intervened and tried to stop him before he could hurt anyone. But, this time, Diaz was not going to go down that quickly. As he confesses to Queen that he was trying to retrieve his money and that he would stop at nothing to achieve it, it's clear that the criminal has become even more dangerous in his pursuit of wealth and power.

Meanwhile, William, Oliver's son, struggles to come to terms with the fact that his father is the Green Arrow. Flashbacks showcase Dinah and Oliver, helping William get away from Diaz's clutches. But, William has realized the danger of living with a superhero, and desperately wants to have a normal life. This subplot only adds to the complexity of Oliver's personal life, as he continues to fight against Diaz for the safety of his family and his city.

Once again, the show's plot thickens with the return of Anatoly. The criminal has arrived in Star City and is determined to assist Diaz in his pursuit of power. However, he has his own agenda and has no idea that Diaz is aware of his hidden secrets. This sets up a classic game of cat and mouse, as the audience watches Diaz try to manipulate Anatoly's plans while the latter tries to outsmart Diaz and prove his worth.

Meanwhile, Oliver discovers that Diaz has hired Longbow Hunter, a dangerous assassin, to hunt him down. The result is a riveting chase scene, as we see Oliver leap from building to building, dodging bullets, and sprinting through the city in his Green Arrow attire. The action sequences are truly heart-thumping and serve as a reminder of why Arrow remains one of the best action series on television.

Towards the end, we also see Diaz's backstory come back to haunt him. His past comes back to haunt him, as he sees how the men he himself grew up with, have become a bunch of callous and ruthless criminals. It won't be long before Diaz realizes that his thirst for power has come at a price, and he may have to confront the ghosts of his past to move forward.

Despite its high instances of action and suspense, Arrow season six episode nineteen also delves into the emotional aspects of Oliver's character. The stress of maintaining his family's safety in conjunction with his duties as Green Arrow is a theme that hits close to home for many viewers. The Dragon is a gripping episode for both its action and emotional arcs and serves as a reminder of why Arrow will continue to stand the test of time.