- For the eponymous character, see Nyssa al Ghul.
- For other uses, see Heir to the Demon (disambiguation)
- "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" 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.[src] |
Plot[]
The episode begins with a woman at an airport, Nyssa al Ghul, 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 Nyssa, ordering her to put her hands in the air. Nyssa seemingly complies, 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 reveals that he will need to withdraw his support from Sebastian's campaign. Oliver agrees. He then receives a call from Quentin.
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 briefly glances into her "damaged" eye, seeing a yellowish reflection in her pupil. As they depart, Laurel holds Quentin back, and confides in 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 assures Sara that she saved Laurel's life. Sara wonders how he found her, to which Oliver replies that he would never lose her again. Sara insists she has to leave, as the League of Assassins will be coming after her. Oliver points out that Sara's family needs her, and so does he. He then asks that Felicity retrieve Laurel's blood work from the hospital.
Quentin is sitting at a diner when Sara arrives. Sara hugs him and Quentin asks her to stay for a cup of tea. He points out that Sara just can't keep popping up every time one of her family members is in trouble, as it's not the way to live, and she needs to face things. Sara simply hugs her father again, and then walks out.
While walking down an alley, Oliver watches Sara 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 instead kisses her. Oliver lowers his bow, in shock (and briefly smirks at the view). Nyssa then breaks the kiss and mentions Sara's "boyfriend". Nyssa expresses her desire to bring Sara "home" to the League of Assassins, but the Arrow won't hear of it. Sara takes Oliver 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 after the Undertaking and admits she doesn't think she can go back to the killing. Nyssa reminds Sara that she swore an oath and points out how she saved Sara's life on Lian Yu. They discuss their romantic feelings. Sara wants Nyssa to ask her father, Ra's al Ghul, for her release. When Nyssa refuses, Sara responds, "do what you have to", but Nyssa leaves peacefully.
Oliver is in the Arrowcave worrying about Sara. When Sara returns, she still considers trying to leave. Diggle shows up and reveals that Laurel was poisoned, as Tibetan pit viper venom was found in her blood, but no drugs. Oliver deduces Nyssa did it to bring Sara back to Starling City. Sara realizes her family is in danger from the League.
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 how Nyssa kidnapped her mother, explaining how Nyssa wants the former 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 drop out of the race. He claims 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 senses something is going on with Felicity and asks what's wrong. Felicity tearfully reveals her father abandoned her and she doesn't get along with her mother. She is scared of losing Oliver as well, to which he comforts her, promising that will never happen. Oliver implores Felicity to tell him what is bothering her. Felicity reveals she knows something about his family.
Nyssa calls Sara. Sara promises Nyssa that she'll return with her to the League if her mother is released. Nyssa agrees, claiming it is the right thing for them both. Meanwhile, Sara is standing at her grave, looking at a vial of Tibetan pit viper venom.
At Laurel's apartment, Quentin is about to tell Laurel the truth about her sister. Just then, Sara calls her father; she has found Dinah and needs Quentin's help. Sara tells him to keep this a secret from the Arrow. Quentin then leaves without telling Laurel anything, leaving her suspicious.
Walter brings Oliver to the stage. It appears Felicity has just told him the truth. Oliver seems shaken and his intro starts out slow and emotional. He whispers, "I know" to his mother as he hands her the stage.
Oliver, Felicity, and Diggle return to the Arrowcave and find the Tibetan pit viper venom missing. Oliver thinks Sara intends to kill Nyssa and believes they'll all come under fire from Ra's if she succeeds.
Quentin rushes in to rescue Dinah. 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. Quentin is forced to drag Dinah away as she tries to stop her daughter. Sara begins to walk forward but then stumbles to the ground, having poisoned herself with the Tibetan pit viper venom. Collapsing into Nyssa's arms, Sara says she can't return to the League. 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 the reunion from a short distance, shocked to see that her sister is alive.
In the mansion, 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, Dinah is elated that she was right about Sara being alive all along. Laurel pours herself a drink, refusing to talk to her sister; she is angry with Quentin for lying to her and lashes out at Sara over everything that's gone wrong in their family. Laurel rants that Sara got onto the Queen's Gambit with her (Laurel's) 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 and demands that she leave. Sara tearfully apologizes but Laurel flies into a rage and 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 was, 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 and make love.
Flashbacks
In a flashback from six years ago, Quentin is cooking lunch while on the phone with Lucas Hilton, discussing a suspect. 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 returns home while on a three-day weekend from college and is warmly greeted by her family. As they prepare to eat, Sara quickly texts Oliver that she has arrived home.
That night, Laurel spots Sara texting on her phone and teasingly wonders if her sister met a boy at school, which the latter denies. Sara then asks Laurel about her and Oliver's relationship status, to which Laurel happily reveals that she's looking at apartments for the two of them and believes marriage is around the corner. Sara brings up Oliver's habit of sleeping around, pointing out he might not be ready to settle down. Laurel becomes offended and accuses Sara of trying to sabotage her future. Sara then storms off to her room and texts Oliver, agreeing to meet him at the docks where the Queen's Gambit will depart (with their message history revealing she was having second thoughts).
A few days later, Quentin is watching a football game while doing the dishes. 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 drops a plate in shock.
Laurel breaks down in tears over 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.
Cast[]
Main cast[]
- Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/The Arrow
- Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance
- David Ramsey as John Diggle
- Willa Holland as Thea Queen
- Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak
- Colton Haynes (credit only)
- Manu Bennett as Slade Wilson
- Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen
- Paul Blackthorne as Officer Quentin Lance
Guest starring[]
- 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 Professor Dinah Lance
Co-starring[]
- Glen Gordon as Little Boy
- Marrett Green as TV Reporter
- Evans Johnson as Nurse
- Donny Lucas as Customs Agent
- Shaker Paleja as Assassin
- Rebecca Shoichet as Servant
- Rhys Williams as Security Guard #1
Production[]
Preparation ran from November 18 until November 26, 2013. Shooting ran from November 27 until December 10, 2013.[1]
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".
Goofs[]
- After Dinah is kidnapped, Sara receives a phone call from Nyssa just after speaking with her father at the hospital. While she answers and talks on the phone, Sara's phone screen and its reflection on her face display the ANSWER and REJECT call button images, meaning she didn't actually answered the incoming call, yet still has a full conversation with Nyssa on the other side.
Behind the scenes[]
- Colton Haynes was said to have filmed a fight scene with Katrina Law, though it was ultimately cut.[2] 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[]
References[]
Arrow season 2 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
"City of Heroes" • "Identity" • "Broken Dolls" • "Crucible" • "League of Assassins" • "Keep Your Enemies Closer" • "State v. Queen" • "The Scientist" • "Three Ghosts" • "Blast Radius" • "Blind Spot" • "Tremors" • "Heir to the Demon" • "Time of Death" • "The Promise" • "Suicide Squad" • "Birds of Prey" • "Deathstroke" • "The Man Under the Hood" • "Seeing Red" • "City of Blood" • "Streets of Fire" • "Unthinkable" |