Hello. I was a casual Arrow watcher and now I seem to be roped in. I've watched mostly the recent episodes. I was wondering if you could recommend me some episodes for someone who is Stan Laurel?
Oh, boy, you came to the right place. So storywise, there are really three authors that I trust the most with Laurel and her stories. That would be Andrew Kreisberg, who absolutely adores her, Beth Schwartz and Ben Sokolowski.
The ten bolded episodes are definite must sees.
As a Laurel Stan, some of my favorite episodes ever are written by these people and let’s just go down the line, chronologically of the great episodes for her:
Pilot (1x1) - We get to see a really a summary of Laurel’s character. She’s kind but she’s also pissed off because she’s been hurt.
Honor Thy Father (1x2) - We get to see Laurel and Oliver interact really alone and as a couple for the first time and there’s a very nice tenderness to this whole episode when it comes to Laurel.
Lone Gunman (1x3) - The first time we see Laurel kick some ass and I would be remiss if I didn’t say it was one you should see.
Damaged (1x5) - This is a really great episode, because the history and chemistry between Oliver and Laurel is explored a little bit, but you also see Laurel helping put to rest some of her pain and how really wants to believe the best in everyone.
Muse of Fire (1x8) - Doesn’t have a lot of Laurel, but what it does is really important. Who Laurel keeps around is important and some of the misconceptions that people might have about Laurel get blasted to bits in this episode. This is especially important considering “The Return”.
Vendetta (1x9) - The first time we see her interact with Helena. Very important. Her want to support her friends and romantic interests is very clearly established in this episode.
Burned (1x10) - This is really the first time we see Laurel going on her own with a case. She also does this outside the law which is something that is sort of character development for her in season 1.
Vertigo (1x12) - Laurel looks after Thea. I mean there’s really not much else to say about that. There is such the important groundwork for their relationship in this episode, it’s just great. Also the iconic coparenting scene. It’s fab.
Home Invasion (1x20) - This is probably one of my favorite Laurel episodes. It’s very Laurel centric and pretty much shows her in all of her badass glory. She cares for a young boy who just lost his family, has great romantic moments, fucking is a badass with a shotgun, homg if you can only watch one episode, watch this one, because it is the best.
Now those are season 1 episodes, which I think show a pretty good range of who Laurel is and how when she’s up, she’s up and she’s not gonna let anyone kick her down. Season 2 is great for emotional scenes so:
City of Heroes (2x1) - This for the grave scene at the very end. The rest of the episode is kind of Laurel light, but the grave scene where you see Laurel and Oliver as friends and they’re holding hands, this scene is so great and it’s really a good payoff for the emotional toll we’ve been prescribed.
Broken Dolls (2x3) - Ensemble episode, everyone’s really involved in this one, so it’s a good episode just all together, but as a Laurel episode, we see her trajectory for the season and how this is the straw that broke the camel’s back.
State v. Queen (2x7) - The one where Laurel should be appointed for sainthood. She risks her job and professional credibility to keep Moira off the stand because she wants to not send Moira to her death. This is really important because we know more than anything Laurel loves Lawyering and she’s willing to put that aside. And no one fucking recognized it.
Blind Spot (2x11) - Easily one of the most underrated Laurel episodes. The plot is heavily moved by things relating to Laurel, including her investigation of Sebastian Blood, her apartment being ransacked, and her killing the first person she’s ever killed. It’s easily one of the most heartbreaking though as well, considering the interrogation room scene.
Heir to the Demon (2x13) - This is not one I recommend lightly because as a Laurel stan, it will pretty much make you hate the males characters in Laurel’s life. It is extremely stressful to watch Laurel go through what she’s going through, because the point of the episode is that Sara is back, but Laurel has been drugged, her mother is kidnapped, she has all of this pain, and there’s this wonderful breaking point at the very end, where Katie Cassidy just kills it, because there’s been so much build up to this moment, it’s just great.
Time of Death (2x14) - This is a begrudging rec. Because I pretty much hate this episode for how it treats Laurel. The only redeeming quality is the big sister speech at the end of the episode, which made me cry, and why it’s recommended.
Birds of Prey (2x17) - Could also be called, Laurel saves the day and the show, because no one else took the time to actually talk to Helena ever and she did.
Deathstroke (2x18) - Laurel light and a damn shame, but has one of its best moments when Laurel and Slade meet and she shows grit and determination in the face of the one the scariest men to come across Starling.
Man Under the Hood (2x19) - Laurel puts all the pieces together and comforts heros, like the superheroine she is.
City of Blood (2x21) - Laurel saves the day by convincing Oliver not to commit suicide after she investigates Blood and reveals, she knows Oliver’s secret. Oliver tells her to stay safe and she says fuck that and saves his life again.
Streets of Fire (2x22) - Laurel shoots the bow and tells Oliver to take care of the city. This is such a big step given the entire journey of season 2. She also restores Sara’s faith in her ability to be a hero and even has hero moments herself because of her ability to be a good person.
Now just in case you’re not fully up on season 3. I’m also gonna recommend those episodes, because season 3 has been I think an improvement on season 2, which was a downgrade on season 1.
The Calm (3x1) - For the harkening back to the pilot. Laurel is lawyering, good at her job, she’s come full circle, and then the iconic line.
Sara (3x2) - This was a Laurel episode if ever there was one. It focused a lot on her pain and how she had to handle that pain. We got to see Laurel interact with the team in a really emotional way.
Left Behind (3x10) - Laurel’s absolute faith that Oliver will come back is one of the most amazing and beautiful things I have ever seen. And then of course, there’s the fact that she puts on the mask and you can’t help but flail a little bit.
Midnight City (3x11) - Laurel’s resolve is tested. She’s not as good as she thinks she is. She has a big bad guy to go up against and she quite frankly doesn’t win, but that’s not as important as bringing the entire team together to fight this thing.
Uprising (3x12) - Team Canary releases the glades from the shackles of Brick and well, that fundamentally includes Laurel. We also see really where Oliver fails, Laurel shines, like team building and being a beacon of belief.
Canaries (3x13) - Stands up for herself and learns what she needs to be a vigilante. There is also the great Laurel and Felicity scene which makes my heart palpitate with love.
Nanda Parbat (3x15) - Laurel finally freaking knows and she shows compassion and grace. She also calls Oliver out for his bullshit and is generally sassy which is always freaking amazing.
And that my dear, gets you up to date.
