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Happy Arrowversary: ‘Dodger’

We’ve got another Arrowversary this week! And it kind of builds on last week’s as well.

Did you know it’s been five years since “Dodger”?

You know the episode. It gave us OTA’s first time out in the field and a few iconic lines that still get quoted from time to time because of how it potentially inadvertently fit into Olicity’s story.

It was the first episode where the trio were kind of getting a feel for how this dynamic would work. From the initial disagreement between Oliver’s methods and Felicity’s determination to stop him from doing so, it’s a fun hour to go back and watch.

Happy Arrowversary: 'Dodger'
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OTA’s first time with everyone conscious in the foundry also gave us Felicity’s no-nonsense attitude which was fantastic and the wonderful delivery of the line, “you’re not the only one that knows how to reboot my system” from Stephen Amell.

There’s just something about that line.

The episode also gave us quite a few OTA quality moments like the one at Big Belly Burger as Oliver and Digg get teased by Felicity about their romantic pursuits. We get hints of this every now and then in current seasons, but there’s a lightness to this interaction that was fun even at the beginning. Digg eventually asking Carly out offers more insight into Digg’s relationship with Carly (and what would eventually break them up later).

The hour leads up to OTA’s first time out in the field at a charity auction and opens with Oliver and Digg talking and the line “that’s not exactly who I’m looking to catch.”

Then the camera does some fantastic work as it pans from Oliver’s face to Felicity, who was looking around for Digg and Oliver. In hindsight and re-watches, that moment adds something to Oliver and Felicity’s story and a bit of potentially inadvertent double meaning there. Of course, this only comes after a re-watch and seeing where the pair is now.

Happy Arrowversary: 'Dodger'
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We all know that narratives and stories were shifted when Felicity was first introduced back in “Lone Gunman” so it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility to believe that this was a small hint of things to come, right?

“Dodger” also introduces us to Roy Harper who we would later become an addition to season 2’s Team Arrow. Comic knowledge aside, the moment he stole Thea’s purse was the beginning of his Team Arrow story, and ultimately, he would come in with the save during one of Oliver’s run-ins with Lance and the SCPD when they get a little too close for comfort in season 3.

Happy Arrowversary: 'Dodger'
Arrow — “Dodger” — Image AR115b_0259b — Pictured (L-R): Colton Haynes as Roy Harper and Willa Holland as Thea Queen — Photo: Jack Rowand/The CW — © 2013 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved

And for those Battlestar Galactica fans, Gaius Baltar (James Callis) himself played the big bad of the week. The final confrontation between Oliver and the Dodger show Oliver neutralizing him in a way that he uses again as comes up against Cayden James just a few weeks back!

It was fun seeing the villains of the week and recognizing them from other shows I’ve watched. Spent most of my time catching up with the first season and a half pointing and spotting favorites (Sean Maher in season 2 and of course Seth Gabel as my favorite iteration of The Count).

So, let’s talk “Dodger.” What did you like about the episode? Any memorable moments stand out for you?

Arrow returns from its hiatus Thursday, March 1 at 9/8c on the CW.

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