Arrow (TV Series) Code of Silence (2016) User Reviews

The Perfect Gift

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 17 February 2016]

Tonight could have very easily been a chance for the writers to take a week off and write a filler episode for the show which can sometimes happen when you have to execute a 23 episode arc, but 'Code of Silence' proved to be one of the better episodes of this season and much more fun than I thought it would be. The fight scenes were meticulously choreographed with plenty of great stunt work and we got plenty of unusually long takes for scenes, which something network TV shows rarely get a chance to do. I just had so much fun watching everything come together. James Bamford not only proved to give us phenomenal fight scenes, but he directed this episode almost to perfection. I would welcome many more episodes directed by him.

The premise seemed pretty formulaic as Darhk hired a 'demolition team' to kill all of team Arrow by blowing up a few buildings they would show up in. After awhile, you tend to predict that wherever they show up there will be the 'shocking' twist of having that be the next building to be blown up, but I wasn't too bothered by it. It was Bamford's choice of filming these long and uninterrupted fight sequences in different areas that made it worth while. Seriously, watching him flawlessly weave from hero to hero throwing punch after punch was a joy to see. I also love the moments when the team would go immediately from talking politics in dress suits to suiting up in their spandex to fight crime, it felt like something right out of the comics.

I also found myself enjoying Janet Kidder's few moments to shine as Ruve Adams AKA Damien Darhk's wife. The idea of having her go up against Queen for mayor seemed clichéd at first but it should make for some tension for the show without having the main character to wear a costume. As the team shut down pretty much all of what Darhk's demolition team tried, they were forced to call a meeting which apparently also included Malcom? So is he officially working for Darhk now? Knowing Malcom he's probably just getting on Darhk's side for a reason, but we shall see in the coming weeks.

Not working for Darhk anymore is Quentin, who notably found his way back into the show this week as he dealt with Donna and the trust problem they have with each other. Sound a whole lot like Oliver and Felicity? Well, it should. Although the link between the two couples was spelled out for us perhaps a few too many times tonight, it worked pretty well. Seeing the preview for next week seems to me like they will take the Oliver and Felicity issue a step further. With that said, I really liked how Thea reacted to finding out about Oliver's son. Maybe it shouldn't come as a surprise knowing she responded well to Oliver revealing himself to be the Green Arrow, but I just expected there to be a bigger dramatic moment like Arrow often does. Either way, I like the way that was handled.

Darhk took Malcom's information of William and turned it into a hauntingly creepy way to end the episode as we saw him having a 'play date' with Darhk's daughter. Quite a way to end an episode huh? Especially after seeing the heartwarming gift Curtis made for Felicity. Another scene which could have fell flat but it hit just the right amount of emotions for me. Hearing Oliver call Curtis terrific was a nice touch as well, knowing his comic book identity. In all, this was a phenomenal episode that really worked on almost every level. I never thought fight scenes at a theater for political debates could look so awesome, but I guess I shouldn't underestimate Bamford's ability. The addition of Diggle's repeller type thing was cool, as was the scene in which Laurel and Quentin escape from an exploding building all in one long take. Wow tonight was just awesome. Well done Arrow. Well done.

+Stunts/fight choreography

+Political debate setting worked well

+Good link between Donna/Quentin and Felicity/Oliver

+Demolition team served purpose well

+Really sweet/touching gift from Curtis

+And then brutal WTF ending with William

9.6/10

Great episode for filling out more story

[jensemann_nn · 9/10 · 22 February 2016]

This episode feels like a filler episode through and through, and I really like that. It brings a lot to the table in terms of fleshing out characters.

This is probably the first episode in the whole show that I've liked Donna as a character. In her prior appearances I feel like she has been just a woman without any substance. This changed this episode. The writers gave her a purpose and brought out some true emotions and i think she really shined this episode.

As for the episode itself it was a good episode with some intense fighting scenes. Damien Darhk is always awesome when he shows up on screen, so thats a plus as well. The conversation between Thea and Oliver concerning William was also a powerful scene.

As for most of the flashback scenes this episode was killer. They didn't drag this one out like they have done in the last few episodes.

For future episodes, I hope they give us more of Curtis. I'm really starting to like his character.

To sum it all up, I think this was one of the better episodes of this season, and I'm really looking forward to see where this goes. Especially with William.

Arrow - S4E14 Code of Silence

[j_forbesy · 8/10 · 19 February 2016]

This opening sequence was the best we've had for a while. Starting with the Mayor Oliver campaign, progressing to a great chase. Some of the motorbike work was fantastic, especially the jumper over the street by the Green Arrow. This was than followed by a classic Arrow fight scene, with a bonus, a Diggle flying kick. That kick alone got me pumped for this episode.

I really liked Lance's role in the episode. His been in the background in recent episodes but he really got a role that got him the step up. Everything from his confrontation with Donna and his scene with Laurel running out of the blowing up building. I feel as though Lance is going to be a big part of the rest of the season, which really makes me think there's a strong possibility that he is the one in the grave.

They really spent a large amount of this episode revolving around William, Oliver's son. I feel that they are really starting to build up strong to the reveal to Felicity of the truth. I fell as though that moment could be coming soon as it is revealed at the end that Dark has taken William away from his mother. When the reveal does come it is going to be big and could easily be the thing that drives them apart.

In recent weeks the flash back scenes have been great and this week was no different. We finally get to see the confrontation between Oliver and solider that the flash backs have been building to since the start of the season. It was great and we finally got to see Oliver get his finish him.

My favourite part of the episode was however was at the debate. After Team Arrow discover that the building is next of the demolition list through Curtis's tech skill, they break into a great action scene with HIVE. We got to see Speedy and the Canary team up against a HIVE agent, while we got to see Diggle use his new gadgets with by repelling the metal sledgehammer. I thought that was really cool and hope it could be used throughout the season.

I can't write a review for this episode and not touch on the major reveal at the end. The first was great and a special moment for Curtis and Felicity. Curtis was able to create a new piece of technology which will enable Felicity to recover and walk down the aisle. Although I don't this we are going to actually have a wedding between Oliver and Felicity, it will be great to see her walking around again.

8/10 - See more reviews at https://thenotsonerdynerd.wordpress.com/

Great balance of action, drama, humour and romance

[mginoz · 10/10 · 17 March 2016]

Code of Silence was a great balance of action, drama, humour and romance that displayed director James Bamford's ability to evoke powerful, emotional performances from his cast.

The central theme of Code of Silence was secrets and lies and the heavy price for both. Oliver is keeping the existence of his son from his fiancée, Felicity and Quention is covering up the source of his injuries to Donna. Fictional characters, as in life, aren't perfect; they sometimes make poor decisions. What is important for a drama is that they suffer consequences as a result of these decisions as Oliver may find out with the kidnapping of his son, William by the Season 4 villain, Damien Darhk.

Director, James Bamford and the Arrow stunt team brought their A game once again for the stunts. Highlights included the motorcycle jump over the taxi, but under the bridge. Additionally, the Speedy slide under the table was brilliant. The camera followed the action closely in what seems to have become a signature for Bamford directed episodes.

The episode's villain, the Demolition Team, are mercenaries hired by Damien Darhk to take out Quentin and Oliver. Rosie (Stargate Atlantis' Rachel Luttrell), Jackhammer (X- Men's Daniel Cudmore) and Hardhat (300's Marc Trottier) were impressive adversaries firing nail guns and bringing down buildings, although it would have been nice to explore their characters further. Each had a showdown with members of Team Arrow and the actors did a fine job with the fight sequences.

With regard to performance, the MVP for Code of Silence was Charlotte Ross (Donna Smoak). The bond between Charlotte and Emily shines on screen between the Smoaks. In particular the conversation in the loft where Donna shares her fears and that she's living vicariously through Felicity brought tears to my eyes. I certainly hope she will be around next season.

James Bamford's direction was incredible. There were so many hero moments for the characters, important for a comic-based show My favourite was a simple shot of Black Canary standing atop the Vogue Theatre roof.

Transitions between the current action and the flashbacks have also become a signature for Arrow and James Bamford accomplished these in a creative way. My favourite two were the cell bars to champagne flutes and the eye to eye.

Code of Silence was an excellent second foray into direction for James Bamford and I hope he'll have many more opportunities in the future. I'd love to see his work on a cinema screen.

More of the same

[kjv-06229 · 19 July 2019]

Opening fight scene was predictable. Bad guys always lose. Donna is annoying as hell. What qualifies Thea to work on Ollie's campaign? Ollie lies to baby sis once again and gets busted. Once again Ollie goes back and forth with "disguise" voice. Does he need to disguise with his team? Finally big mouth Conklin gets shut up. How is it that Thea and Ollie never have an arrow fall out of their holders during fights? Going downhill quickly.

More lying 'cos it's all my fault, I'm protecting you, honest!!

[baudalaire · 5/10 · 7 August 2021]

I hope Lance really is breaking up with the annoying dimwitted Donna!

Getting a bit fed up with Arrow. The narrative seems to be propelled from episode to episode solely by who is lying to who each time, whether to protect them, to take the blame, whatever. Lazy writing.