After becoming suspicious of the Monitor in Hong Kong, Oliver travels to Nanda Parbat on Arrow season 8, episode 3 to discover answers about who he’s really working with. Meanwhile, he runs into a few familiar faces.

We had a chance to watch Arrow season 8, episode 3 early, and this is an episode that changes the future of Arrow (and the Arrow-verse) forever. Some things come to light, while others are just introduced, and Oliver’s continuing to realize the implications of what he agreed to help the Monitor with.

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We’ve put together a few teases and a spoiler-free review of what’s to come on Arrow season 8, episode 3 when it airs on Tuesday, October 29 at 9 p.m. ET.

‘Arrow’ season 8, episode 3 screener secrets

This episode of Arrow, like the first two, is quite intense. Now that Oliver is questioning the Monitor, it calls into question everything he’s already done, and the deal Oliver struck with him during “Elseworlds” last year. I mean, the reason he even went to Nanda Parbat is to find the truth about Mar Novu; however, don’t get your hopes up.

I’d say this episode is my favorite of Arrow season 8 thus far. It’s just as — if not more — emotional as the Arrow season 8 premiere, while not distracting from the task on hand.

Thea’s return

Oh, how I’ve missed Willa Holland’s Thea Queen. Her relationship with Oliver has always been one of my favorite things about the series, and the writers clearly know how important it is to see Thea and Oliver’s bond once again, if this episode is any indication.

There’s no shortage of sweet moments between the two siblings, and there are a few heart-to-heart conversations, which really put their growth over the last decade in perspective. One of these conversations is my favorite that they have ever had over the duration of the show. Additionally, we do find out where Thea’s been and what she’s been up to since we last saw her depart Star City.

Deathstrokes

The future timeline continues where it left off, though there’s a surprise with William, leading the newly-formed team on a mission to stop JJ once and for all.

The events of these scenes really show how undisciplined and bull-headed Mia can be, which is clearly going to be her biggest obstacle to overcome on the spin-off if it’s picked up. However, there are a few emotional moments with Mia and William that show us another side to her that hasn’t been touched upon very often.

Diggle and Lyla

Diggle and Lyla are a well-oiled, married machine on Arrow season 8, episode 3, as they lead their own sub-plot involving Connor Hawke in the present day. Plus, as we saw Laurel and Oliver deal with the aftermath of watching Earth-2 be destroyed in front of their eyes, we get a glimpse into how that changed John and how he’s reacting to it. It’s a pleasant surprise because I didn’t expect we’d see his emotional reaction.

Another shocking ending

Honestly, Arrow is ending with the best cliffhangers this season. This episode ends on a note possibly even more shocking than the season 8 premiere, which saw Earth-2 destroyed. Somehow, it’s even less expected, at least it was to me. It changes everything about how the season — and even “Crisis on Infinite Earths” — will go down. And, after, certain things finally start to fall into place and make sense.

Also, there may or may not be a character death that shakes things up and changes the dynamic between several characters… and it’s unrelated to the shocking ending.

‘Arrow’ season 8, episode 3 review

As I said before, this is a solid episode. The return of Thea Queen is really what makes it great, though there are a few interesting stories to embark on that are each used to set up the remaining episodes. Like the premiere, this episode shakes things up and sets the remaining episodes on yet another path, which I think makes more sense than anything I’ve seen speculated about on social media.

I wish Laurel had been in the episode, but I can’t blame Katie Cassidy-Rodgers for not pulling double duty. There is a brief mention of Laurel to Thea… but it’s very brief.

It was nice to see Dinah and Rene again, even if not for very long. This was an amazing episode, beautifully directed by Katie Cassidy-Rodgers, who clearly channeled the strengths of her fellow cast members with every shot.

Arrow airs Tuesday, October 29 at 9pm ET on The CW! Our full review will be posted following the episode!