Arrow: Muse of Fire

After a Thanksgiving break, "Arrow" is back, with the Huntress.

In the first part of this special Huntress double feature on "Arrow" we see the debut of a DC Comics super-heroine with a decidedly special pedigree.

History lesson time. Originally the Huntress was Helena Wayne, the adult daughter of the Batman and Catwoman of a parallel universe called Earth-Two. She was an extremely popular character, representing a next generation of crimefighters on that world.

When DC Comics decided to clean house in the 1980s, they effectively erased Earth-Two from continuity and rebooted the Huntress as Helena Bertinelli, the vigilante daughter of a crime boss. Notably this version lacked the charm of the original and was subsequently less popular.

When the CW (of was it the WB then?) decided to bring the comic Birds of Prey to the small screen about a decade ago, they featured the Huntress as once again the daughter of Batman and Catwoman. The show only lasted one season and was, while sometimes fun, mostly bad, and a mish-mash of comic continuity. It's interesting that the show came up at dinner with friends the other night, and it was remembered with only contempt. You can read my thoughts from the time on the "Birds of Prey" series here.

Interestingly enough, DC Comics has returned to the Earth 2 concept and brought the Huntress back to her first origins. It's a shame that "Arrow" has decided to use the Helena Bertinelli version for their show. Maybe they thought the Batman reference would be confusing? Well, then they'd better stop referencing Bludhaven is all I have to say.

I think it's worth noting up front that in the comics, the Huntress and Green Arrow are two characters that have had very little interaction, despite their choice in common weaponry. The Huntress is an odd selection to show up here, just saying.

As "Muse of Fire" opens, Oliver's mom is caught in the crossfire of a mob hit. She was having lunch at the time with the mobster. And the hitter turns out to be our lovely Huntress, as played by Australian Jessica DeGouw, not the most charming or likable or even talented actress. Disappointingly her character turns out to be simply a female version of Arrow, working through her own list. I could think of more interesting ideas than that.

This episode also features the return of Kelly Hu as China White, as the Triad is revealed to be a rival of Helena's dad, crime boss Frank Bertinelli. The latter, scared, starts to rattle the cages toward a mob war. One incident leads to the first confrontation between Arrow and the Huntress. Great exchange between Diggle and Oliver follows as they try to figure her motives. I love Diggle more and more every episode. I just wish he wasn't so 'Alfred' in this one.

Anyone else ever notice that Tommy Merlyn is always around? At the Queen house, at their job, at Laurel's job, but he's never there to see his best friend Oliver. It's just odd. Did he just take his place with the family in a very creepy way while Oliver was on that island thought dead?

Tommy goes to dinner with Laurel, and Oliver goes to dinner with Helena. There is clever well written dialogue for both, and Stephen Amell does his best, acting against the cardboard wall that is DeGouw. Meanwhile Captain Jack Harkness visits Oliver's Mom's sickbed. It has been frustrating but I have admire how well the writers have concealed the identity of the character John Barrowman plays on "Arrow."

Spoiler alert for those who have seen it yet, but the secret comes out here. He's not Maxwell Lord, or John Deleon, or Count Vertigo. He's someone rather boring, at least for the comics fans. John Barrowman is Malcolm Merlyn, Tommy's dad. Of course, wouldn't it be cool if Barrowman turned out to be Merlyn the Magician?

There's a nice shout out to the co-creator of the comic book Huntress, Joe Staton, in the name of Helena's late fiancé. Nice touch. He also gave her the cross she wears around her neck - as much a symbol for the second comics Huntress as the bat was for the first.

The episode ends with Oliver and Helena entwined in a kiss, kindred souls in justice, revenge, and an understanding of one another. What happens next? Be here tomorrow, same Arrow time, same Arrow channel.