'Arrow' Recap: 'We're In a Die Hard Movie With Bees'

Warning: This recap for the “Beacon of Hope” episode of Arrow contains spoilers.

Villains on The Flash tend to be there for a reason — they’re usually too outlandish to work on the darker Arrow. But tonight, Brie Larvan (Emily Kinney) — aka The Bug-Eyed Bandit — made it work, focusing on a down-to-earth rationale (wanting to walk) that kept up the momentum of this week’s episode while we wait for the inevitable return of H.I.V.E.

The Plot

Brie Larvin computer hacks her way out of jail and is after Felicity — Larvin has a tumor that will make her a paraplegic and she wants the chip that let Felicity walk again. She kills one of PalmerTech’s board members and promises to kill more, trapping them in the building — along with Thea and Donna — with her robot bees. Curtis Holt finds the Arrowcave and fills in for Felicity, hacking the bees and taking down Larvin. Meanwhile, Darhk — magicless and disowned by H.I.V.E. — works with Merlyn to activate his ace in the hole: Andy Diggle.

The Flashback

Oliver and Taiana think they have the upper hand against Baron Reiter, but the idol has made him invulnerable and super-strong. Just as he’s about to kill Oliver though, his power wears off. Reiter escapes to search for the idol as Oliver tends to Taiana. Rather than follow him, they decide to free the prisoners… by killing all the guards.

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Curtis Holt: The New Felicity?

Do you think Felicity is indeed done as Overwatch — and is retiring in favor of running PalmerTech? If she does, Curtis makes a great taller, darker replacement. He brings the same goofy vibe to break the tension of the darker scenes. By the end of the episode, they’ve both made decisions that point in that direction: Felicity was never into it for the thrill. Curtis prefers to be at home — which sounds like he won’t be jumping into the fray too often as Mr. Terrific, but might be willing to work behind the desk. Do you think Felicity is essential in the Arrowcave? Or would you be okay with them making some major staff changes in season 5?

Damien Darhk

Darhk has been a fun villain all season, but this version of him is the one that makes him a truly compelling big bad. Even without his H.I.V.E. connections or his magic, he’s still a formidable foe and, come on, you know he’s getting that magic back at some point. The question is: Is Merlyn there to help or hurt him?

Inside Comics Moment

“I could have sworn it was Neal Adams in data processing!” Curtis dropped this fun little reference to the iconic artist/writer responsible for the Green Arrow’s character-defining run in the ‘70s. Plus, his advocacy for creator rights led to Superman creators Siegel and Shuster getting pensions in their old age after famously selling the character for $130 back in the '30s. Now that’s a real hero.

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Quiverful of Thoughts

So many bee puns. How could Larvan not have called herself Bee-yonce? She’s the Queen B, for crying out loud!

Speaking of missed opportunities, how are there are no references to sparks in any Arrow drinking game? Has there ever been an episode without sparks?

Line of the Night: “Don’t be embarrassed; performance issues are common for men of your age.” Could we have a spin-off where both men lose their powers and they have to share an apartment, Odd Couple-style, just trading old man jibes?

Other Line of the Night: “I have to force your feelings out of you sometimes, like a… like a pistachio!” Fun fact: If you’re forcing pistachios, Donna, you’re doing pistachios wrong.

Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.