Adrian continued to play mind games with Oliver in the latest episode of ‘Arrow’. We didn’t realize just how deep Adrian’s game was until Oliver traveled to a monastery to find Talia Al Ghul. Turns out that Talia trained Prometheus and knew that he was going to come for Oliver. Talia then revealed to Oliver that her last name is Al Ghul and that Raj Al Ghul was her father. She only trained Prometheus because Oliver killed her father. Talia then informed Oliver that Prometheus is Adrian Chase.

Oliver quickly returned to Star City only to discover that Adrian had taken Susan Williams hostage. He then informed the team about Adrian being Prometheus and taking Susan hostage. Oliver and Spartan checked Chase’s home and The Green Arrow was greeted by SCPD courtesy of Adrian. Oliver used a smoke bomb to escape and when he returned to the arrowcave Felicity finally made an appearance after being M.I.A.

Felicity was at Helix headquarters the whole time. Oliver pulled Felicity aside to tell her that he is worried about her. He knows that she is into something but she won’t tell him what she is doing…yet. However, Felicity’s connections came in handy once again and she was able to figure out Adrian’s real name; Simon Morrison. Oliver then gave that information to Captain Pike in hopes of getting Adrian arrested or at least removed from his position as D.A. but that backfired horribly.

Pike was attacked in an alley way by Adrian and is now in a coma. Of course Adrian was there by his side at the hospital. Adrian then told Oliver that if he kills him not only does he kill Susan but he also kills himself. He knows Oliver can’t handle another loss. Oliver headed back to the arrowcave after his chat with Adrian and proceeded to take out his rage on his suit and all his weapons.

In order to get a location on Susan Felicity had to redirect boarder control drones for Helix. She couldn’t do it alone so she enlisted Curtis’s help. He now knows what she is up to and isn’t pleased with the decisions she is making.

Luckily the team was able to use that information to find Susan and Oliver decided the only way to beat Adrian is to play his game. Rule #1, never try to beat a psychopath at their own game. They will always find a way to turn the tables on you. This was the exact case for Oliver. He thought bringing Adrian’s wife to see him as Prometheus would make him stop. Unfortunately for Doris Chase and Oliver that wasn’t the case. Adrian stabbed and killed his own wife to make a point.

This enraged Oliver and caused the two to get into a fist fight. Oliver was even willing to kill Adrian but before he got the chance Talia shot him in the leg with an arrow. The two then took Oliver hostage. Felicity once again had to use her Helix contacts in hopes of finding Oliver. Adrian began torturing Oliver toward the end of the episode as he wants Oliver to discover who he really is.

NEXT WEEK

Only confessing to being The Green Arrow will set Oliver free

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The post Adrian Chase’s True Identity Revealed – ‘Arrow’ Recap: “Checkmate” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

SERIOUSLY DON’T DO IT!

Now that that’s out of the way…. PROMETHEUS IS DISTRICT ATTORNEY ADRIAN CHASE!

Yes, you read that right. Good ‘ole D.A. Chase. The snake in the grass that no one saw coming and whom everyone believed was Vigilante. Props to the writer’s on this epic character reveal. It will definitely go down in the books.

The question remains, who is Vigilante then and why does he have a bone to pick with Oliver? He is obviously good with tech as his visor runs facial recognition software. Is it Tommy? A former Bratva member? A member of Helix (the group that gave Felicity the Pandora files)? Or someone we haven’t even met yet?

The team was close to closing in on the Vigilante thanks to Curtis’s tech. He created some metal balls that can attack and defend against other assailants. Unfortunately he got away. Felicity also used her own weapon in this episode; the Pandora files. The files were used to dig information on Collins who was the deciding vote on determining whether or not Oliver would be impeached. Oliver tells Thea not to use the information she got on Collins from Felicity. He warns her that fighting fire with fire is bound to get her burned.

Diggle then warns Felicity about using Pandora. That it is a dangerous weapon. Felicity lost all her empathy when Billy died and is in danger of going down a dark and dangerous path. Diggle tries to warn her about the consequences of doing so but she clearly doesn’t care. Felicity meets up with Kojo once more and officially joins Helix. What trouble is she going to get herself into and just how much havoc is she going to wreak upon those within the Pandora files?

Speaking of wreaking havoc, Prometheus forced Oliver to do one of three things:

1. Throw Adrian Chase under the bus for the cover up of Billy’s murder
2. Get impeached from office via throwing himself under the bus
3. Throw The Green Arrow under the bus and make him Public Enemy #1 in order to stay in office

Oliver chose the latter and blamed his alter ego for the murder of Billy Malone. Thus making his work as a vigilante that much harder. However, Prometheus’s game is just beginning. Adrian kidnaps Susan Williams, Oliver’s sort-of-still girlfriend, and tortures her.

Other happenings this episode:

• Thea resigns from office and leaves to work on herself before she gets any worse
• Oliver is still mayor
• Oliver saves Anatole and brings information on Kovar to the Bratva
• Paul hands Curtis divorce papers

NEXT WEEK:

Talia Al Ghul returns and tells Oliver that Prometheus is Adrian Chase

Adrian kidnaps Susan and tortures her. What is his endgame?

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The post Prometheus Unmasked! – ‘Arrow’ Recap: “Fighting Fire With Fire” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Led by Liza Warner, China White & Cupid break out of prison. While in transit the trio kill their prison guards, let the other female prisoners on the bus off and hijack the bus back to Star City.

While this is going on Oliver pays a visit to Amanda Westfield, Prometheus’s mother. He asks her to give him her son’s name so that he can help him. She refuses to do so because she doesn’t want her son to be caged up like an animal.

After that failed mission Oliver is cornered by Susan Williams. She flat out asks him if he is The Green Arrow. He tells her no. Shortly after Oliver divulges this information to Thea who then tells Felicity. Thea has Felicity hack Susan’s laptop and place evidence of plagiarism on it. Pulling something out of Merlin’s playbook, Thea then passes this information along to Susan’s boss and gets her fired. Susan then tells Oliver about her evidence and that she was planning to go public with that information but now she can’t because she has been discredited.

While Susan lost her job, Dinah got herself one. She is now a member of the SCPD. There she learns about Quentin’s personal vendetta with Liza Warner. Warner is former SCPD and Quentin had thought he had convinced her to turn over a new leaf. We later learn that she turned back because she saw Quentin working for Damien Darhk.

Liza, China White and Cupid take out members of the triad in hopes of finding information on where Tobias Church left his 100 million dollars. While hunting the trio of villainous woman, The Green Arrow is surrounded by ACU and told he is being arrested for the murder of Detective Billy Malone. He is able to escape capture by using a flash/smoke bomb from his bow. Oliver finds out that Prometheus sent Pike Billy’s autopsy that had information connecting The Green Arrow’s arrows with the death of Malone.

Oliver as mayor is able to get Pike to back off and the team goes after Cupid and the lot. Dinah now equipped with the Black Canary mask, given to her by Felicity, is able to knock down China White after she shoots Wild Dog. However, the ladies came prepared with their own group of thugs. Luckily Pike had the ACU track The Green Arrow and arrived on location to arrest all three women.

Unfortunately the big battle has just begun. Prometheus leaked information to the media that Mayor Queen and D.A. Adrian Chase covered up the murder of Detective Malone. Oliver now faces possible impeachment.

Next Week:

Prometheus and Oliver face off

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The post Liza Warner, China White & Cupid Team Up – ‘Arrow’ Recap: “The Sin Eater” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Last week’s episode of Arrow showed us Bratva in 2017 and 2012. We start off in 2012 where Talia and Oliver are having a little target practice on low level drug dealers. She tells Oliver the man who embraces the dark is never without sight.

Back in Star City Quentin returns and sets up an interview with Susan Williams to address his absence and his stint in rehab. Diggle is then released from prison after he was exonerated. Unfortunately Walker also released himself from prison. He and his team broke out of custody and stole a nuke to sell to the Russians. This then forced the team, including Dinah, to take off to Russia. Well, all of the team except Rene who is babysitting Quentin. Rene and Quentin practice interview questions. Quentin gets fired up after Rene mentions his late daughter Laurel, leaves and tells Rene to be gone by the time he gets back.

When the team arrives in Russia Oliver is not welcomed by Anatole; he is greeted with a fist to the face. A member of Bratva and former brother of Oliver’s, Alexi Lenov was killed by Slade because of Oliver. He broke his oath and is told to go home by Anatole.

Later on in the episode Oliver meets with Anatole to make amends. Anatole still owes him for killing Gregor. Oliver asks for Anatole’s help. He offers if Oliver will help him. Oliver refuses and so does Anatole.

Felicity with her new found courage and knowledge (Pandora Files) ropes Curtis and Rory into going under cover as Bratva to get a location on Walker and the nuke. Rory tells Felicity that he is worried about her and that she needs to use that powerful information wisely. As Uncle Ben once said “with great power comes great responsibility”.

The team finds Walker and Oliver, Diggle and Dinah go after him. Oliver and Diggle are ambushed by Walker and his men. Dinah saves them by using her powers and they take a man hostage. They torture him to get information on the buy. Diggle goes rogue and beats Walker’s man to a pulp without getting information from him. Oliver is then forced to take Anatole up on his offer in order to gain his help with Walker.

The episode then jumps back to 2012 where Oliver goes after the man who sold drugs to Thea in Starling City years ago. He kills all the dealers.

Jumping back to 2017 Dinah reminds Oliver that he has more to offer than his past mistakes. Oliver tells Felicity and Diggle that they need to remain good. Anatole arrives with information on the buy. The team goes on the move again.

Ragman and Dinah use their powers to neutralize Walker and his men and take back the nuke. The Bratva orders them to drop their weapons. Unfortunately the team discovers the bomb wasn’t in the van and that it is in a hanger and armed. Felicity has to shut it down or she will have another Haven Rock situation on her hands. Rory realizes the bomb can’t be disarmed so he wraps his rags and himself around the bomb to absorb the shock. He survives the blast and saves the day.

Diggle has Walker at gunpoint but he lets him live so that he can face trial.

The team celebrates Russian style with Bratva. Dinah becomes Anatole’s favorite American (sorry Diggle) because she can hold her vodka. Anatole then tells Oliver that his oath to Bratva is for life. It isn’t temporary.

The episode then jumps back to 2012 Russia again. This time Anatole is in a hospital bed after being beaten to a pulp because he questioned Gregor about his loyalty. Oliver offers to kill Gregor for him.

The team returns to Star City and Oliver finally seals the deal with Susan. Quentin also has his interview with Susan and all goes well because Rene told her to go easy on him. He told her a story of when Quentin told him he could be more than a thug when he was a kid and caught him tagging a building.

When Rory gets back to Star City his rags no longer work; they got destroyed in the blast. Therefore he decides to leave for now and asks Felicity to let the team know.

Felicity receives a text from Kojo and confirms that she plans to continue with Pandora. What trouble will she get herself into? Will she be able to get out of it? Who else is in those Pandora files?

Susan “The Snake” Williams is still looking into Oliver’s past in Russia. She is beginning to piece together that Oliver is The Green Arrow. What does this mean for their relationship? More importantly, what will she do with that information?

Next Week:

The team needs to change their approach to save the city.

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The post ‘Arrow’ Recap: “Bratva” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Star City was not short of vigilantes in last night’s episode of ‘Arrow’. A new vigilante attacked and killed members of a human trafficking ring saving the young girl they were about to sell. He then hung two of their bodies out in the alley for the SCPD to find.

Throughout the episode the presence of this new vigilante makes Oliver question whether or not he should continue on the righteous path or go back to his old ways. The new vigilante is getting results much faster than he is. Ollie reveals his concerns to Susan Williams who reassures him that doing things the right way is the only way. Even if the results are harder to come by. She then goes on to invite him out for a friendly drink.

Thea is once again on Quentin patrol. Quentin comes clean to Thea telling her he never was on the wagon; he’s been drinking the whole time. He then hands her his letter of resignation for Deputy Mayor. Thea won’t let him get off that easily. She goes to talk to Quentin and show him that they are still here for him. That he is like family. Quentin then goes on to tell Thea about the blood and ninja star Prometheus left him. Why is Prometheus trying to frame him? Quentin says he is damaged goods and wants to stay away from Oliver and Thea for their safety. You think he would realize Thea hasn’t and won’t give up on him that easily. Thea brings Quentin to rehab and tells him the Deputy Mayor position will be waiting for him when he gets out.

While this is going on the new vigilante is stalking new prey; a group of robbers led by a former prisoner named Dunn. Oliver attacks the new vigilante before he kills Dunn. Dunn escapes and the new vigilante tells Oliver and company “If you’re not with me then you’re against me.” Oliver tells him that they are against him and in return the new vigilante tells Oliver he is a dead man.

The team then goes on the hunt for Dunn, hoping to find him before the vigilante does. During re-con Spartan goes AWOL and punches a guy a few times. He was unwisely taking out his frustrations on him because Spartan is now a fugitive and had to miss his son’s second birthday. Meanwhile Ragman and Artemis do some re-con of their own, trapping another man in the alley. The man tells them how Dunn picks a bank; he choose them based on their proximity to the SCPD. Unfortunately for Dunn the new vigilante finds them first and goes on the attack. Team Arrow arrives and the vigilante fires at them. Dunn is injured but once again escapes.

Ollie finds an injured Dunn in a hotel. The new vigilante goes on the attack, shooting up the hotel room. Ollie saves Dunn and keeps him safe until they can deal with the new vigilante. John then comes up with a plan to rob a bank in order to draw the new vigilante out. The vigilante sneaks up on Artemis and Mr. Terrific who are staking out in the arrow-van. He takes Terrific hostage and beats him up. He wants Oliver one on one. He then goes on to tell Ollie that he is not getting the job done because he isn’t taking it seriously. Ollie saves Curtis and takes on the new vigilante. He captures him momentarily but a smoke bomb goes off and the new vigilante gets away.

The Green Arrow delivers Dunn to SCPD and Thea tells Oliver about Quentin and the throwing star. Ollie thinks Prometheus knows he is the green arrow.

Back at the arrow-cave Wild Dog shows his sweet side after the mission and brings Lyla and John Jr. to Diggle for a party.

In Russia, Oliver has his own party of sorts’. Konstantine Kovar has… well forces Oliver to have dinner with him while he is captive. A week of capture, a week of torture and he still won’t give anything up. He is very impressed.

Later on in the episode we learn that Kovar’s maid is Tiana’s mother. The woman from the island who Oliver killed along with her brother. Tiana said Kovar was a monster. Kovar then throws out another hand from his bag of many tricks and gives Oliver the file of Pyotr Friedkin, the guy he killed jail and gave info on black market site now controlled by Bratva.

Done with the games Oliver pulls a knife on Kovar and tells him to release him. Kovar is able to trick Oliver and he is recaptured. Kovar beats up Ollie and he learns Bratva made a deal with Kovar.

There seems to be a lot of double-crossing going on in the arrow-verse. Speaking of…

Artemis is a double agent! She is working with Prometheus!!!! But why? What does he have over her? Or does she know him? Who is Prometheus?!?!?!

Next Week:

Heroes v Aliens 4 night crossover event! Crossover palooza!!!!

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The post ‘Arrow’ Recap: “Vigilante” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

As we saw in last week’s episode of ‘Arrow’, Wild Dog (Rene) is being tortured by Church and the team is having difficulty locating him. However, Oliver is optimistic that they will find Rene in this week’s episode, “Human Target”.

The Green Arrow and crew kick off the episode by picking up some human targets of their own, specifically street thugs, in order to find Church. While Church tortures Rene he reveals his reason behind coming to Star City. He needs the city’s water access in order to build his drug empire. Unfortunately Rene also gives Church a bit of information. He tells him The Green Arrow’s true identity; Oliver Queen. Moments later Oliver comes to his rescue and Rene comes clean.

Back at the arrow-cave Diggle calls in a friend with a “unique skillset” to help Oliver deal with Church. Diggle also tries to talk to Rene about what happened when he was being tortured to see if he remembers anything that can help the team figure out what Church is up to. At first Rene doesn’t remember anything but Diggle tells Rene about when his brother tortured, which in turn gets Rene to open up. We finally learn why he was dishonorably discharged; He beat a P.O.W. to get answers.

Diggle helps Rene go back to when he was captured to help unlock repressed memories. He is able to remember Church mentioning a meeting with the head of crime lords from other cities at private airstrip outside Penny Town. Church is looking to create the largest drug empire on the east coast.

Mayor Oliver Queen also got into some hot water with a councilman. He was trying to convince him to vote yes on re-zoning to create lower income homes. The councilman won’t budge due to Queen Industries and the city building sky rises instead of low-income homes in the past. Later in “Human Target” Oliver discovers the real reason behind is no vote; the councilman wants the land for himself as he has investors interested in the land. Oliver manages to get the councilman on his side by the end of episode. Mayor Queen also convinces Susan Williams to give him 1 month without bad press in order to earn her trust and work to fix Star City. He then gets her number.

I don’t think this potential relationship will last long as Susan is already digging for dirt on Mayor Queen the minute she leaves his office. A source of hers, Ian, gives her dirt on Oliver’s past. He uncovers a photo of him from 5 years ago in Russia when he was supposed to be on the island.

We also got to see Oliver in Russia in this episode. Oliver meets the head of Bratva, Viktor and is threatened by him. Viktor tells Oliver he isn’t really Bratva and he will never truly be Bratva. He then attempts to have Oliver killed in an alley way by luring him with a young woman who seemed to be in danger. Oliver is saved by Christopher Chance who was hired by Anatole.

Back in Star City Church makes his move on Mayor Queen. He hires a man to take him out. Turns out that man was being impersonated by the guy Diggle was talking about; The Human Target aka Christopher Chance. The same man who saved him in Russia 5 years before.

Oliver fakes his death in order to get Church to move forward with his plan in order to figure out what he has planned.

The team then figures out Church’s plan and heads out to break up the party. Spartan (Diggle) rejoins the team and so does Wild Dog. At the airstrip Wild Dog goes after Church again and loses him after an RPG goes off. Ragman and Artemis are about to be taken out by the archer Church hired but they are saved by Chance who was in disguise as a thug.

Oliver finds Church inside an air hanger and takes him on mono-e-mono. After beating Church up, he tells Oliver about Prometheus and his quest to end Oliver. Mayor Queen returns to the podium and civilization after Church and crew are captured and the rezoning for lower income housing passes. However, in route to prison the transport van Church is in is attacked. Prometheus comes for him and Church gives him The Green Arrow’s real name in hopes of having his life spared. Prometheus thanks him for the information and then kills him. That escalated quickly.

“Human Target” also showed some trouble in paradise for Billy and Felicity. Billy tells Felicity he took a job at the ACU and asks if Oliver knows about the two of them. She lies and says he does. This comes back to bite her when Chance accidentally lets Oliver know about Billy and Felicity. Oops. Oliver later confronts Felicity about her relationship with Billy and the fact that she hid it from him. Did she avoid telling him because there is a chance she still wants to be with Oliver?

Next Week:

Prometheus tries to bait Oliver killing people to send him a message. He is saying Oliver is the serial killer. Who is this guy and why does he hate Oliver so much?

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