The CW's newly released synopsis of 'Arrow's season 4 episode 9 warns that things may not end well for Oliver Queen and Team Arrow as the show reaches its mid-season finale. Damien Darhk and his army of brainwashed soldiers launch a brutal attack on Oliver and his party in one of his mayoral campaign events. Given that the mid-season finale usually ends in a cliffhanger, fans are already speculating if this assault will lead to a team member's serious injury or even death.
There is a tone of foreboding in that synopsis quoted in a CarterMatt report: "After the city is attacked again, Oliver (Stephen Amell) makes a bold move against HIVE. Malcolm (John Barrowman) checks in on Thea (Willa Holland) and leaves her with a warning. Things take a horrible turn when Damien Darhk (guest star Neal McDonough) retaliates in a brutal manner at Oliver's mayoral holiday party."
Comicbook's photos of that episode tease what's further in store. There is one evening Christmas celebration which has even the usually dour Detective Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne) enjoying himself under the glitzy lights. Then there is a daytime community gathering that seems to be related to Oliver's mayoral campaign. Queen and company are having a ball until something happens - gunfights, chases, people ducking for cover.
Darhk's attack is also fueled by his rage at being unable to manipulate Oliver. In an interview with TV Line, McDonough explains what sets his character off: "...He thinks he can use [Oliver] as his pawn. We then find out rather quickly that that pawn is not for sale, which certainly sets [Damien] off and makes [him] do some really horribly, dark things."
If Felicity (Emily Beck Rickards) ends up paying the ultimate price in Darhk's retribution, then Oliver's world in the next few episodes will be very dark indeed.
'Arrow's" mid-season finale, "Dark Waters," will air on December 9 on The CW.
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