Arrow Episode Guide: “Muse Of Fire” (Season 1, Episode 7)

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Original Airdate: 11/28/2012
Story by: Andrew Kreisberg
Teleplay by: Geoff Johns & Marc Guggenheim
Directed by: David Grossman

Starring: Stephen Amell (as Oliver Queen/Arrow), Katie Cassidy (as Laurel Lance), Colin Donnell (as Tommy Merlyn), David Ramsey (as John Diggle), Willa Holland (as Thea Queen), Susanna Thompson (as Moira Queen), Paul Blackthorne (as Quentin Lance)

Guest Stars: Colin Salmon (as Walter Steele), Roger R. Cross (as Detective Hilton), Kelly Hu (as China White), Jessica De Gouw (as Helena Bertinelli/the Huntress), Jeffrey Nordling (as Frank Bertinelli), Tahmoh Penikett (as Tom Salvati), John Cassini, John Barrowman (as the Well-Dressed Man/Mr. Merlyn)

First Appearance: Helena Bertinelli/the Huntress, Frank Bertinelli, Tom Salvati

Trivia:

– This episode reveals that the Well-Dressed Man is actually Tommy Merlyn’s father.
– While a character very much like this was featured in DC Comics starting in late 1977, and currently in the new 52, the Helena Bertinelli version of the character first appeared in 1988’s Huntress #1 by Joey Cavalieri and Joe Staton.
– It was the Helena Wayne (daughter of Batman and Catwoman) version of the character that appeared on the TV series Birds Of Prey. Ashley Scott played her in that series.
– Co-writer Geoff Johns was also involved with the Green Lantern movie as well as the Smallville episodes “Legion,” “Absolute Justice,” and “Booster.”
– “No one can know my secret” is a call-back to the series premiere.

Summary:

As Oliver meets his mother for lunch, the man she is speaking with, Mr. Caponi, is shot and killed by a passing motorcyclist. Oliver rushes after the assassin, but cannot catch up. Several of mob boss Frank Bertinelli’s men have been murdered, and while Frank suspects the Triad, Detective Lance believes it’s a mob war. Both are unaware that it is actually Bertinelli’s daughter, Helena.

Oliver learns that Caponi worked for Bertinelli, so he decides to infiltrate the family and meet with him. Frank offers to help Queen Consolidated, but must leave before the end of their conversation. Frank sends Helena out to dinner with Oliver to discuss the deal. At the restaurant, Tom Salvati, Frank’s associate, threatens the owner to force him into repaying a bill. In costume, Helena intervenes, along with Arrow, and he knocks off her helmet to see her identity.

Tommy attempts to woo Laurel with takeout and she agrees to go on a date with him. His credit card is declined at the restaurant. To clear up his financial drama, Tommy pays a visit to his father, who turns out to be the Well-Dressed Man. Tommy later confesses to Laurel that he has been completely cut off from his family’s money.

Oliver follows Helena to the grave of her deceased fiancée and there Salvati abducts the two. Salvati mentions that he was the one who killed her fiancée after finding evidence that he was talking to the FBI. Helena confesses that it was her computer and a throwdown ensues, with Helena killing Salvati to protect her secret. Oliver and Helena end the episode in a liplock, with her aware of his identity as Arrow.

Quotes:

Thea: Just bite the bullet and have a cobb salad with the woman.
Oliver: You know, Thea, sometimes it’s difficult to remember which one of you is my mother.

Laurel (to Tommy): You brought me dinner to ask me to dinner?

Diggle: Have you ever though about just being there for your family?
Oliver: I tried that today with Thea. She told me I wasn’t being honest with her and she’s right. I can’t very well explain to her that I left our mother alone and bleeding on the pavement because I’m fast enough to almost run down the attacker. But what I can do is protect my family.

Oliver: And Tommy, if you hurt her, I’ll snap your neck.

Oliver: I’m trying to figure out who took a shot at my mother, not take down all of organized crime.

Diggle: Oliver, you’re supposed to being going under cover not speed dating.

Helena: I didn’t have a choice, Oliver. No one can know my secret.

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