Arrow 6x02 "Tribute" provides clarity and a new, interesting direction for the show.

One of the trends that Arrow is following in storytelling in a 20+ episode season is to break up the season into more notable arcs. It has been a fairly noticeable practice especially last season where the season began with Oliver assembling a larger team of like-minded crime fighters, culminating in them taking on Tobias Church before tackling the threat of Prometheus, who had lingered in the background.

Season six similarly fashions a threat around another attempt to reveal Oliver's secret identity and it seems it will remain for the moment as enemies (or frenemies in Anatoly's case) take advantage of the discord and confusion for their own gains. Despite the events, in the history of the show that this incident is almost like another day at the office for the team, it doesn't suddenly override their life.

It also seems likely there is another player working in the background - possibly with ties to Helix - as the episode eventually confirms the leaked photo of Oliver Queen in costume as the Green Arrow is proven to be digitally doctored. What happens is upon this instance in which Oliver Queen is essentially revealed to be the Green Arrow again, an FBI investigation ensues, causing trouble for Oliver and his team as they have to operate under greater scrutiny. Whether this will mean the stakes have changed or not will remain to be seen.

The pairing off of Dinah and Diggle prove to be effective as the issues of Diggle's scars and condition become fully known to the audience, and at least to Dinah. Having taken shrapnel at the end of season five, Diggle is suffering from degenerative nerve damage, meaning his aim, and thus his performance in the field is now incredibly lacking. Dinah, being the only one to call Diggle out on it is rightfully angry to have to worry about someone who cannot watch her back. Although he promises to tell Oliver about the problem, with Oliver convincing him to become the Green Arrow so Oliver can give up the mantle to take of William (not to mention Diggle already has a child and wife), it seems like the inevitable conclusion to these events will lead to an explosive fallout with no one happy about the decisions that were made.

That isn't to say that Oliver's relationship with William is more important than Diggle and his family, but this is Arrow and Oliver is the focus of the show. The scenes with Oliver and William feel more interesting as it provides a different and new aspect of Oliver (and by extension, Arrow) to be explored and gives Stephen Amell more interesting material to work with as he navigates through fatherhood with the pitfalls and faults that come as a byproduct of Oliver Queen.

Lastly, there is a smaller subplot involving Felicity and Curtis which almost begins as a lampshading of how different members of Team Arrow provide for themselves, ultimately pairing the two characters over the course of discovering the origin of the Green Arrow photo as they solve that particular problem. It's an interesting premise and something that feels unlike the first five seasons of the show and I will be curious to see where it leads in the future of the season and show.

• Love many of Anatoly's barbs that he has for Oliver. In a twisted morality he does find himself an honourable person, or at least allows some deference to Oliver despite it all.
• Some really good action and directorial work even without Bamford at the helm of the episode, especially with Oliver rampaging through the kitchen area.
• I thought that the team and Oliver was at least under more scrutiny or FBI observation. Kind of surprised to see the whole crew assembled in the mayor's office to make plans when the bunker is just as good (and they also get cell reception down there!)