Heir to the Demon

"We all have to keep secrets, Ms. Smoak."

—Moira Queen to Felicity Smoak on her decision to keep Thea's true paternity a secret

"Heir to the Demon"
Information
Season 2 » Episode 13
Episode number	36 of 170
Original airdate	February 5, 2014
Written by	Jake Coburn
Directed by	Wendey Stanzler
Guest stars
Kevin Alejandro as Sebastian Blood Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/The Canary Colin Salmon as Walter Steele Katrina Law as Nyssa al Ghul Nicholas Lea as Mark Francis Alex Kingston as Dinah Lance
Chronology
Preceded by	"Tremors"
Followed by	"Time of Death"

"Heir to the Demon" is the thirteenth episode of the second season of Arrow, and the thirty-sixth episode overall. It aired on February 5, 2014.

Synopsis

As Laurel continues to unravel, Oliver and Lance try to convince Sara to stay in Starling City and finally reunite with Laurel and Dinah. However, Sara's fellow League of Assassins member, Nyssa, comes to bring Sara back to the fold, but when Sara refuses, Nyssa kidnaps Dinah. Realizing she's putting her family in danger by staying in town, Sara considers re-joining the league.

Plot

The episode begins with a woman at an airport going through security. While her credentials are being checked, an A.R.G.U.S. security threat alert pops up on the computer screen. Another guard appears behind the woman, ordering her to put her hands in the air. Complying, she does so, only to instantly disarm him and take down the other security personnel who attack her.

In Queen Consolidated, Moira, with Oliver, Thea, and Walter, is being introduced to what is going to happen now that she is starting a mayoral campaign against Sebastian Blood. In another room, Felicity approaches Walter and states that Tempest had made a monetary withdrawal into Starling National Bank. Walter says he will ask Moira about it, and thanks Felicity for bringing it to his attention. Mark Francis approaches Oliver and says that he will need to withdraw his support from Sebastian, to which Oliver says he will tell him. Oliver then receives a call from Quentin Lance.

Oliver arrives at a hospital room where Laurel, Quentin, and Dinah are in. Laurel refutes her father's belief in that she overdosed, but that she merely fell unconscious. A nurse comes in and states that they need to check Laurel's eye, as there could be some hemorrhaging from her hitting her head when she passed out. As Oliver departs, he kisses Laurel on the cheek, and a briefly glances into her "damaged" eye, seeing a yellowish reflection in her pupil. As they depart, Laurel holds Quentin back, and tells him that she vividly saw Sara, even though she espouses that she was only hallucinating.

Back at the Arrowcave, Oliver comes in to see Sara is doing pull-ups on the salmon ladder as Felicity and Diggle watch. Felicity mentions to Oliver that Sara has been doing that for an hour. Oliver states to Sara that she saved Laurel's life. She asks how he found her, to which he replies that he would never lose her again. She then says that she has to leave, as the League of Assassins will be coming after her. Oliver tells that her family needs her, including him. He then asks that Felicity retrieve Laurel's blood work from the hospital.

Quentin is sitting at a diner, and Sara arrives. Sara hugs him and he asks her to stay for a cup of tea. Quentin tells her that she just can't keep popping up every time one of her family is in trouble, as it's not the way to live, and that she needs to face things. Sara hugs him, and then walks out.

While walking down an alley, Oliver watches her leave, and is surprised when Nyssa appears from the roof. She walks towards Sara with a dagger in her hand. Oliver steadies his bow, prepared to shoot. When Nyssa is close to Sara, she surprisingly kisses her. Oliver lowers his bow, in shock. Nyssa then breaks the kiss and mentions Sara's "boyfriend". Nyssa mentions her desire to bring Sara "home" to the League of Assassins, but the Arrow won't hear of it. Sara takes him aside and tells him to trust her.

Felicity pays Moira a visit at the mansion to talk about Tempest. She traced a payment on Tempest to Dr. Gill, who delivered Thea, and has figured out that Malcolm is Thea's father. Felicity urges Moira to tell her children about this before they find out another way. Moira instead tries to emotionally manipulate Felicity into keeping quiet by using her feelings for Oliver, claiming he will hate her for destroying his life with this revelation. Moira says, "We all have to keep secrets". Shaken, Felicity leaves.

Sara tells Nyssa she had to make sure her family was safe and says she doesn't think she go back to the killing. Nyssa reminds her she swore an oath and mentions that she saved Sara's life. They discuss their romantic feelings. Sara wants Nyssa to ask her father for her release. Sara says "do what you have to", but Nyssa leaves peacefully.

Oliver is in the Arrow headquarter freaking out about Sara. Sara then mentions her trying to leave town. Diggle shows up and tells everybody that Laurel had snake venom in her blood, but no drugs. Oliver thinks Nyssa did it to bring Sara back to town.

At the hospital, Dinah leaves a sleeping Laurel to get water. Suddenly someone kidnaps Dinah and throws her into a van driven by Nyssa. Sara and the Arrow follow closely behind on his motorcycle. Sara jumps on top of the van but is knocked off by Nyssa, who escapes.

Sara calls her father and he meets her and the Arrow. Sara tells Quentin what happened with her mother and Nyssa. Sara thinks Nyssa wants her back romantically. Nyssa calls Sara and gives her 1 day to return, threatening to kill Dinah if she refuses. Oliver vows to find Dinah. Felicity discovers the Tibetan pit viper venom had to be acquired locally from the zoo and learns that it had been stolen. They are able to track down a license plate which may be connected to Nyssa.

Sebastian calls Oliver and tells him he understands why he's pulling his support. Moira and Sebastian meet and he warns her to get out of the race. He says he doesn't like the idea of destroying his friend's mother.

Quentin asks Sara where she met the Arrow. She doesn't give him a straight answer, claiming from a "vigilante club". An assassin shows up but is taken out by the Arrow, Sara and Quentin. He then quickly kills himself with a poison.

Before Moira's campaign event, Oliver, sensing something is going on with Felicity, asks what's wrong. Felicity reveals her father abandoned her and she doesn't get along with her mother. Felicity is scared of losing Oliver as well, to which he assures her that won't happen. Oliver asks Felicity to tell him what is bothering her. Felicity reveals she knows something about his family.

Nyssa calls Sara. Sara tells Nyssa if she lets her mother go she'll return with her. Nyssa says that it was the right thing for them both. Sara is standing at her grave, looking at a vial of poison.

At Laurel's apartment, Quentin is about to tell Laurel the truth about her sister. Just then, Sara calls and reveals she found Dinah and needs Quentin's help. She tells him to keep this a secret from the Arrow. Quentin then leaves without telling Laurel anything.

Walter brings Oliver to the stage. It appears Felicity has just told him the truth. Oliver seems shaken and his intro starts out slowly and emotional. He whispers, "I know" to his mother as he hands her the stage.

Oliver, Felicity, and Diggle return to the Arrowcave and finds the poison missing. Oliver thinks if Sara kills Ra's al Ghul's daughter, they'll all be in trouble.

Quentin rushes in to rescue his wife. Sara reveals to her mother she is alive, much to Dinah's joy. Sara sadly explains she has to go and tells her parents to leave. Sara begins to walk forward but then stumbles to the ground, having poisoned herself with Tibetan pit viper venom. Collapsing into Nyssa's arms, Sara says she can't take the killing anymore. Quentin rushes in and tries to call for an ambulance. In a fit of rage, Nyssa attacks Quentin but the Arrow shows up and battles her. The Arrow explains he can save Sara, but Nyssa continues to fight him until he traps her in a headlock. Sara stumbles over and pleads with him not to kill Nyssa. The Arrow rushes to Sara's side and gives her some Lian Yu herbs, saving her life. Sara begs Nyssa, "no more killing". Shocked and relieved that Sara is okay, Nyssa responds, "In the name of Ra's al Ghul, I release you". Nyssa and The Arrow then vanish as the police, Quentin, and Dinah arrive. Sara's parents embrace her, overjoyed that she is okay. Unbeknownst to them, Laurel is watching from a short distance and is shocked to see that her sister is alive.

Oliver confronts his mother about the truth, furious that she lied to him and Thea again and even tried to threaten Felicity. Moira insists she did so to protect Thea from Malcolm but Oliver responds that lies are what she is and now, she's made him a liar. Oliver states Thea can never find out about her parentage and tells her, "Privately, you and I are done". Oliver then leaves despite Moira's pleas.

At Laurel's apartment, Quentin and Dinah warmly embrace Sara. However, Laurel is furious with her sister, blaming Sara for everything that's gone wrong in their family. Laurel rants that Sara got on the Queen's Gambit with her boyfriend, didn't bother to at least contact her family to let them know she was alive even though it could've saved their parents' marriage, and brought an assassin back home with her who nearly killed Laurel and their mother. Laurel accuses Sara of stealing the former's life away from her and demands that she leave. Sara tearfully apologizes but Laurel throws a glass of wine at her sister, screaming for her to get out.

Slade warns Sebastian not to underestimate Moira and tells him that he'll take care of the situation with her.

Sara goes to the Arrowcave and finds Oliver training. He notices that Sara has been crying and she reveals Laurel isn't happy to see her. Oliver advises her to just give Laurel some time. When Sara asks what's wrong with him, Oliver says his mother isn't who he thought she is without going into detail. As the two wonder what's next, Sara tells Oliver she knows for certain she's home now. They passionately kiss.

Flashbacks

In a flashback from six years ago, Quentin is on the phone with Lucas Hilton on a work-related matter while cooking lunch. Dinah, who is grading some papers, cheerfully urges Quentin to hang up and spend time with his family. Laurel arrives in the kitchen and discusses applying to law school with her parents. Sara then arrives home from college while on a three-day weekend and is warmly greeted by her family. As they prepare to eat, Sara quickly texts Oliver that she has arrived home.

That night, Laurel sees Sara texting on her phone and teasingly wonders if her sister met a boy at school, which Sara denies. When Sara asks about her and Oliver's relationship, Laurel happily reveals she's looking at apartments for the two of them and believes a marriage is around the corner. Sara tries to warn her about the possibility Oliver may not be ready to settle down, which outrages Laurel and the sisters get into an argument. Sara then storms off to her room and texts Oliver, agreeing to meet him at the docks where Queen's Gambit will depart.

A few days later, Quentin is watching a football game while doing the dishes when Laurel arrives, lamenting her struggle in apartment hunting for herself and Oliver. They reflect on Quentin moving in with and ultimately marrying Dinah. Just then, a news report broadcasts that the Queen's Gambit is missing.

Laurel breaks down in tears Oliver's supposed fate as Quentin tries to console her. Shortly after, Moira arrives and sadly informs Quentin and Laurel that Sara was on the yacht with Oliver.

Production

Preparation ran from November 18 until November 26, 2013. Shooting ran from November 27 until December 10, 2013.

Trivia

• The episode's title explicitly refers to Nyssa, the daughter of Ra's al Ghul. However, it also discreetly refers to the idea that Thea is also an "heir to the demon", the "demon" specifically being Malcolm.
• When talking to Oliver about her past, Felicity implies she has a strained relationship with her mother, which was confirmed in the Season 3 episode "The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak".

Behind the scenes

• Colton Haynes was said to have filmed a fight scene with Katrina Law, though it was ultimately cut. This was from a deleted scene in which Oliver tells Roy to go to the hospital to watch over Laurel. There, Roy witnesses Nyssa kidnapping Dinah and faces off against her, though ultimately loses.

Gallery

Videos

Arrow 2x13 Promo "Heir to the Demon" (HD)

Promo

Arrow 2x13 Extended Promo - Heir to the Demon HD

Arrow 2x13 "Heir to the Demon" Sneak Peek