We knew this was bound to happen eventually. After discovering that Roy is Arsenal and Laurel is the Black Canary 2.0, Detective Lance has finally learned that Oliver Queen is the Arrow. Now, a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought this to be a big deal, considering how the two of them used to be on such great terms. But the key word there is "used" to be. Lance is holding a serious grudge these days and during Wednesday night's Arrow episode "Public Enemy," it all finally came to a head. Because Lance doesn't just know, he announced Oliver's secret identity to all of Starling City.
That's right, folks — Oliver has officially been unmasked to the world, which is a huge faux pas in vigilante circles. (I hear anonymity is kind of a big deal for those guys.) Not only does this epic reveal put Oliver at risk, but now his family and friends practically have a bullseye on their backs like they've never had before. So where exactly does this leave us going forward? I mean, even if Oliver is found innocent for all of these crimes, his identity has still been compromised. Can he still be the Arrow after having that be taken away?
I have absolutely no doubt that the writers have a plan behind all of this, however, I can't help but worry that this will make Oliver even more prone to take Ra's al Ghul up on his offer. Sure, he's turned himself in to the police for now, but, let's face it, I doubt this is something that's going to stick. (Nobody puts Oliver Queen in a corner… I mean, a prison cell.) Regardless of how this shakes out, though, I think it's safe to say that things on Arrow have now significantly changed for good.
Images: Diyah Pera/The CW
