Ep 22. Darkness on the Edge of Town

With the season 1 finale of Arrow, titled "Darkness on the Edge of Town," the series takes on a serious tone that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. The show starts right where the previous episode left off, with Oliver Queen on the brink of discovering Malcolm Merlyn's (John Barrowman) devastating plan to destroy the Glades and rebuild it in his own image.

Oliver (Stephen Amell) is still shaken from the revelation that Merlyn is behind the sabotage of the earthquake machine that put the Glades in jeopardy. However, Laurel (Katie Cassidy) and Detective Lance (Paul Blackthorne) finally start to believe Oliver when he reveals the true motive behind Merlyn's actions.

Meanwhile, Roy (Colton Haynes) continues to search for the Hood, unaware that he is actually Oliver. He and Thea (Willa Holland) team up to investigate a lead that takes them to Merlyn Global Group. It's here where Roy is shocked to see Thea's biological father, Malcolm Merlyn, and his violent sidekick known as China White (Kelly Hu).

As Oliver tries to stop Merlyn's evil plan, it becomes apparent that he won't be able to do it alone. He teams up with Diggle (David Ramsey) and Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) to stop the device that Merlyn has programmed to destroy the Glades. But it's not just Merlyn that they have to worry about. Moira (Susanna Thompson) reveals to Oliver that she knows about Merlyn's plan and the fact that he is actually her husband.

The episode then takes a turn for the dramatic as Oliver is forced to confront Merlyn in a brutal fight to the death. Meanwhile, Detective Lance races against time to evacuate the residents of the Glades before the device detonates.

"Darkness on the Edge of Town" is an intense episode that serves as a satisfying season finale. There are plenty of twists and turns that will keep viewers engaged, including a shocking revelation about a character's true identity. There's also plenty of action, as Oliver faces off against his greatest enemy yet.

Overall, the season one finale of Arrow is a gripping episode that will leave viewers anxious for the next installment. It's a great way to end the show's debut season while also setting up future storylines for the rest of the series.