Season 2 Episode 3 of Arrow, titled Broken Dolls, revolves around Detective Lance, and a past case. We also see more of Black Canary, being a heroine, and another DC character is talked about in this week’s episode! Josh provides the episode recap for Arrow‘s Broken Dolls, with commentary on the episode by both Violet and Josh!
Don’t need the Arrow episode recap for Broken Dolls? Click here to jump directly to Josh’s thoughts on the episode!
To see Violet’s thoughts on this week’s Arrow episode, Broken Dolls, click here to get directly there!
Arrow, Season 2 Episode 3: Broken Dolls Recap Overview
Need a quick Arrow episode recap of Season 2 Episode 3, titled Broken Dolls? Here is a summary of events for the episode. Each event is linked to the more detailed Arrow episode recap for Broken Dolls if you need more information!
Arrow Episode Recap: Broken Dolls, the Details
Black Canary to the Rescue!
This week’s episode of Arrow, Broken Dolls, opens with Arrow in his standoff with Laurel. Laurel demands his surrender as Oliver tries to talk his way out. Black Canary crashes the party, and uses a sonic device to disable the cops. She doesn’t say a word to him, and flees as soon as they’re both out of harm’s way.
Oliver returns to the Arrow Cave, and tells Diggle and Felicity about the new vigilante in town. He has them begin investigating the new heroine in town. Felicity finds information on the girl, and we learn she is targeting rapists. Meanwhile, Felicity gets a call from Officer Lance, and asks to meet up with the Hood for what happens next…
Before we get to that, there is a small flashback. During the flashback, Slade and Oliver are trying to find a location where they can see their new-found enemies, leaving Shado to investigate some dead corpse.
A Past Case Haunts Lance
Officer Lance is getting some lunch when he receives a call on his radio– he is called off the case immediately for some reason, but Lance shows up anyway. The crime is a murder, and the MO seems to match that of Mathis, a killer who leaves female victims as “dolls”, choking them with plastic resin. We learn Lance put this killer in jail before, but he escaped during the earthquake. Lance arranges for a meeting with Arrow later that evening, and asks him for his help to catch Mathis. Oliver isn’t sure he wants to, but seems to eventually agree. Meanwhile, we see Mathis kidnap his next victim.
Back at the Arrow Cave, Oliver, Diggle and Felicity try to figure out where to find Mathis. Mathis seems to be a “lone wolf”, and Oliver decides it is time to pay Mathis’s lawyer a visit for information. Arrow also decides to have Roy find Black Canary, and who she is.
Meanwhile, Lance checks in on Laurel, and then asks her about Mathis’s attorney. Laurel tries to talk him down, but Lance seems to convince her. Thea also pays a visit to her mother, and Thea tries to remain positive about her mother’s pre-trial hearing. Moira tries to bring Thea to reality, and they share a hug.
Mathis Claims Another Victim
Lance has decided to pay the lawyer a visit. The lawyer refuses to talk to Lance, but Lance isn’t alone–the Hood is backing him up. Arrow decides to impale the lawyer with an arrow, which makes him talk. The lawyer says that he may be at the German museum in town. They head there, and search a room they think may be his. There is a phone, and it rings. Mathis has expected Lance to get on the case. Mathis also has his girl ready for death, and chokes her with the plastic resin with Lance on the phone. Felicity tries to trace the call, but is not able to, and the girl dies.
The police locate the dead victim, and Arrow has returned to the Arrow Cave. Arrow decides to team up with Lance again, and they pull the forensic evidence from the building conducting the tests on the victim. They realize a skin cream that the woman used was linked to other victims, telling them how Mathis chose his victims.
We get another flashback, and Oliver is unhappy about leaving Shado behind. Slade then makes the statement that people are better on their own, while Oliver disagrees. Meanwhile, Slade takes a tumble and relies on Oliver to save him.
Roy Searches For Black Canary, Arrow Can’t Find Mathis, Felicity Acts as Bait
Roy has gone on his personal mission, and sells some liquor to some rugged looking man. He uses this sell to try to find Black Canary, and he tells Roy about a girl who may be connected to the mystery heroine.
Slade and Oliver continue their search and spot a vessel off the coast of the island. The boat is firing on shore, and they assume it is firing on the plane–the plane Shado was left in.
Again back at the Arrow Cave, they can’t find a decent way to track Mathis down. Felicity volunteers to be bait though. Lance is once again a part of the operation, and Felicity goes and buys cream from the stores that carry the one the girls used. Meanwhile, Arrow and Lance discuss Mathis’s investigation and how rough it was on Lance. Felicity is then taken by Mathis. Lance moves in, calling for back up. Arrow moves in, and Felicity is okay, but mildly wounded. Mathis is able to get the drop on Lance, but Arrow is able to show up just in time. Mathis is able to flee, and the backup Lance called shows up. Oddly enough, Lance is held for obstruction on the investigation, since he technically is not a detective anymore, and working an investigation.
Oliver has arrived at his mother’s trial. Her lawyer tries to ask for bail, but it is re-denied. The prosecution then drops a bomb–they are going to pursue the death penalty against Moira.
Mathis’s End
The flashback continues, and Slade and Oliver try to get back to the plane under a hail of missiles. Oliver is knocked unconscious, but not before seeing Slade on fire.
Laurel is able to get the charges dropped on Lance. Laurel gets angry with Lance for working with the Hood. I like Lance’s retort to her: “A guy with an bow and arrow can’t save a guy with a building falling on top of him”. Lance then says that Laurel feels guilty about Tommy’s death, and that is the reason why Laurel is so mad about the Hood.
Meanwhile, Roy has continued his search, and finds a lead. She makes a run for it, and Roy gives chase. They wind up in a clock tower, and he is knocked out after losing her. He wakes up to Black Canary talking to him. She asks him questions about “them sending him” but he is confused. She eventually tells her friend to let him go.
Lance, in a parking garage, approaches a muttering man, and we learn it is Mathis, and he has Laurel too. Meanwhile, Oliver talks with Thea about their mom’s situation. Felicity texts Oliver while they talk, and tells him to turn on the news. He learns that Mathis has both Laurel and Lance, and Oliver heads to help. We see Mathis has set up Laurel for her death, and Lance pleads for her life. Mathis begins pouring his mixture, but Oliver shows up and is able to stop the process. He frees Lance, and chases Mathis. Meanwhile, as Mathis flees, Black Canary has chased down Mathis, but he gets the better of her. Arrow shows up to take him in, but Black Canary decides he deserves death, and shoots him dead with her own bow.
Moira’s Possible Death Penalty and Secrets, Laurel’s Self Blame
Afterwards, Laurel has a breakdown, blaming herself for Tommy’s death. Lance tries to calm her, but she is bent on now blaming herself, and breaks down. At home, Arrow meets with Lance while Laurel sleeps. Lance appreciates his help, and they seem to have an understanding.
Back with Moira, her lawyer tries to reassure her. We learn that she has more secrets that she doesn’t want Oliver and Thea to know. The episode ends with Black Canary talking with a ninja looking person, and we learn that Ra’s al Ghul has summoned her back, but she refuses to comply. The ninja refuses to help her hide, and so Black Canary kills him. Finally, we have a flashback, with Oliver imprisoned, aboard the boat they had seen from the island.
Josh’s Thoughts: Arrow, Season 2 Episode 3: Broken Dolls
I liked this episode of Arrow. I really enjoyed the team up of Lance and Oliver working together to catch Mathis. Despite Lances reservations about Arrow’s methods, we could see the desperation that Lance had to re-catch this killer.
Speaking of Mathis, he certainly was a creepy bad guy. He had a dark, almost Dexter-esce quality to him, meaning he seemed like he would be one of Dexter’s victims. Seeing the girls turned into “dolls” was rather disturbing for a CW series.
I have a feeling Black Canary is Laurel’s sister. I bet she is not dead, and actually perhaps may even be on the island with Oliver with Oliver’s knowledge. Even if it is not Laurel’s sister, it has to be someone Oliver knows personally. Also, it was interesting how Ra’s al Ghul was brought up this episode. It seems like perhaps he trained Black Canary. If so, Black Canary is a bit of a wild card, as we know that Ra’s al Ghul can go to some extreme measures to do what he feels is “right”.
As for Moira, what secrets is she still holding? They seem to be pretty dark if she is so bent on keeping them from her kids, that she might wind up on death row. I have a feeling these will come out eventually though…
I am pretty excited to see what happens next. I am really glad this season is turning out as good or better than season 1 so far!
Violet’s Thoughts on Season 2 Episode 3 of Arrow: Broken Dolls
Arrow has been really good this season so far! Even though Oliver has decided he will no longer kill anyone, I don’t feel like this is detracting from the show in any way. On the contrary, it seems like Arrow is not afraid to hold anything back. This was a rather dark and creepy episode, what with Mathis being a real life “Dollmaker,” turning innocent young women into dolls. We even got to see the whole process in action, as Oliver was unable to save one of the girls. How frustrating that must have felt to be on the other side of the line, listening helplessly as the girl dies. I thought for sure he would swoop in at the last second and save her. But we are quickly learning that all bets are off when it comes to Arrow.
Seems like Lance has done a complete 180 on his opinion of the Hood, who he has now appropriately dubbed “Arrow.” Finally Oliver gets a name other than “The Hood” or “The Vigilante.” As I mentioned before, I thought it was implied that Oliver was going to start going by either Arrow or Green Arrow at the end of the first episode this season. I certainly didn’t expect Lance to be the one to give him a name transformation. So, how long will it take for this “Arrow” nickname to catch on, and how long before it transitions into “Green Arrow,” if ever?
Now that Laurel has admitted to herself that the real reason that she held so much animosity toward Arrow, will all that hate dissipate? Will she trust him again? Or will she continue on her quest to bring him down? It was ironic in this episode how father and daughter had changed places from last season in regards to their opinion of Arrow. Maybe now they can get on the same page? I guess we’ll soon see.
Finally, I liked how they brought up Ra’s al Ghul. It was nice to have some sort of recognition of Arrow’s existence within the DC universe. It reminded me of how Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will bring up aspects of the Marvel universe from time to time. (Side note: I have no Marvel or DC preference.) Looking forward to learning more about Black Canary, her agenda, and her true identity!
Scenes from Arrow, Season 2 Episode 4: Crucible
Here are scenes from the next episode of Arrow, titled Crucible:
Scenes from Arrow, Season 2 Episode 4: Crucible
Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or comments on this week’s episode recap for Arrow, Broken Dolls!
