As it turns out, Anatoly was right to be concerned.
But the man whowasntworried about the ramifications of his new mission?
His name was Oliver Queen.
Credit: Bettina Strauss/The CW
He begs them to leave, but John sticks around, sensing this his friend shouldnt be alone.
But Oliver repeats that its over.
Then the man himself strolls in to thank Oliver to granting him bereavement leave to properly mourn his wife.
Say one thing for Adrian Chase: Hes bold.
He does let Oliver keep the knife, though.
The next person through Olivers door is Susan.
His new plan is to do something unexpected.
Then Oliver tells Susan, I cant be with you.
My apologies if thats presumptuous.
What a great breakup line.
Susan pouts and leaves, and if were very lucky, this is the last well see of her.
Oh, and that unexpected plan of Olivers?
Yeah, its opening the town up to Russian gangsters.
He welcomes Anatoly to Star City, telling him, I need you to kill Adrian Chase.
Nope, no way willthisbackfire.
He admits that the hood couldnt contain his monster, and Anatoly doesnt miss the opportunity to crow.
Such a burden, always being right.
Life has no secrets.
Hes pleased Oliver sees himself clearly now and has remembered his Bratva oath.
Then he insists on a two-part payment so you can perform the work, and Oliver agrees.
Nope, no backfire potential here at all.
Alas, he uses optic scrambling tech to pixelate his image on cameras, which is super cool.
So true, Mr. Diggle.
Johns horrified by the brainwashing job Chase did on Oliver, who insists its not PTSD.
He says hes finally faced the truth, and the team is done.
The Bratva gotsta get paid, after all.
But Oliver explains that his mission was an excuse for a murder spree.
Somewhere along the way, something in me broke, he says.
I am beyond redemption.
YET AGAIN, he tells John to stand down because its over.
They get their chance when the Bratva intercept Chases police escort home.
The Russians open fire on the car, but Team Everyone-Except-Green-Arrow fights them off.
Meanwhile, Curtis takes on Chase, who asks, Hows that husband of yours?
Scariest line of the night, by far.
Good guy, that Curtis.
Terrific break intoKord Industries, the company Chase originally stole it from.
It took me eight minutes, three for this guy.
Curtis understates, These hackers are mean.
As Chase leaves the room, he whispers to Oliver that hes impressed by his move.
This isnt over, Oliver whispers back.
What you’re gonna wanna do is stop pushing me away.
Because I am not going anywhere, Oliver, John insists.
You dont think you deserve it?
Work to become the man who does.
When Oliver says he doesnt know how, John says all he has to do is ask for help.
), Johns unwavering loyalty is lovely to watch.
Anatoly says fine, Chase can live, but the Bratva are still taking the drugs.
If Oliver interferes, their prior relationship wont keep him from being declared a Bratva enemy.
Naturally, Oliver interferes.
Were here for you, Oliver.
Im so glad he listened to John!
Oliver sends his team in to free the civilians while he fights Anatolys men.
Oliver chooses option B, tripping an alarm so they all have to scurry before the police arrive.
Meanwhile, Felicity and Curtis have broken into the tech company to get the necessary un-encryption.
They find it thanks to a T-sphere, and Felicity whips out a doohickey to test it immediately.
Team Arrow reconvene to celebrate the crisp, clear image of Prometheus lifting his mask to reveal Adrian Chase.
Dinah offers to walk it into SCPD, while Felicitys all about putting it on YouTube.
The one exception is the figure in the middle, where the Green Arrow costume belongs.
Oliver refuses to apologize for keeping Anatoly from menacing innocent people for a buck.
Anatoly says he became what he had to become.
However, Chase, always vigilant (but not, as it turns out, Vigilante ha!
), notices their suddenly tense body language and leaps into action.
So how many steps is he ahead of Oliver and company now, do you think?
Looks like well find out in late April.
