Episode Report Card Tippi Blevins: A- | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT War Games
By Tippi Blevins | Season 9 | Episode 17 | Aired on 04.09.2010
She pulls up some security footage of John talking to Tom Bergeron, who she identifies as one Edward Lott, the CEO of a manufacturing company. "He seems pretty high-profile for a secret agent man," she says. Oliver thinks Checkmate may be recruiting people who are already established in business, while Clark suggests they may be planted there. The computer beeps with new information. "You're not going to be happy with where he was planted next," she says. Soon after his talk with John, he wound up in the morgue. Clark and Chloe trade serious looks. Oliver puts the brakes on: "Whoa, slow down, guys. You can't seriously think John murdered this guy." Instead of answering, Clark turns to leave. Chloe offers to go with him, but he zips off before she can finish getting the words out. "Looks like you got benched," Oliver says brightly. Chloe looks grim, but she's already thinking of their next move. Together, she and Oliver figure out they should be looking up the nearest psych ward to talk to Icicle, who killed Pemberton. Oliver's raring to go, but Chloe stops him: "You know, Oliver, now that Green Arrow's officially on Checkmate's radar, I think it might be a good idea to just hang your tights for one night." The words sound like professional concern, but her tone and expression are personal. Oliver protests that they're not tights. Heh. "But I see your point," he says. "Unfortunately for me, that means attending a LuthorCorp shareholders dinner, which, yeah, I'd rather be shot at." Chloe smiles and starts to leave, but Oliver calls her back. A little stutter in his voice, he asks her to be careful. Aw. Chloe's as charmed as I am. Oliver watches her go, his expression going from proud of her to worried about what might happen to her.
Smallville. The permanently full moon has decided to pay a visit to the old Luthor mansion. Inside, guests mill about and drink champagne and wonder why they had to go all the way to a farm town for a party. Oliver arrives in a black suit and matching shirt. He catches up to Tess and they jokingly complain about the rough day they've both had, neither knowing how true the other's words really are. Then he teases her about a bad deal with China she'll have to explain to the shareholders. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," he says. He was so eager to get there, in fact, that he barely had time to change clothes. Tess looks at his outfit and agrees: "Black on black? That's a hard look to pull off." "It's easier than you think," he says, a moment before realizing that Tess is echoing the Green Arrow's words from earlier. They both get "Oh, shit!" looks on their faces when they realize they've inadvertently learned each other's secrets, while giving away their own. "Green Arrow," Tess says unnecessarily. Commercials!