As Oliver is held underwater, he remembers killing Adrian's father and all the other men that he killed. Adrian pulls him out of the water and explains that his father struggled underwater for 145 seconds until he died. The arrow pierced his aorta arch but it didn't kill him. He was conscious enough to drown. Oliver points out that Adrian has only tortured him, and Adrian explains that he chose the name Prometheus because he challenged the judgment of the gods, just as Oliver played judge, jury, and executioner. He says that he's come up with something better and the only way Oliver can step his plan is to confess to the one thing that he's been afraid to admit to himself. Oliver yells that he doesn't know what Adrian was talking about, and Adrian shoves him underwater again.
Five Years Ago
Oliver, Anatoly, and the Bratva men bring Gregor to the bar and ask what he meant by saying that if they kill him then they kill themselves. Gregor refuses to explain, and Oliver digs the bullet out of Gregor's arm. Anatoly stops Oliver, saying that Gregor can't be tortured into telling the truth, and asks Gregor if he's talking about Kovar. Gregor tells him that he will beg Kovar to spare him, and says that everything and everyone that he loves will wither and die at his touch.
Gregor dies and Viktor says that they have to sear in a new Pakhan, and it's determined be seniority. The Bratva lie Gregor out and Anatoly explains that they prepare him for what he will face in the afterlife. The Bratva gather around Gregor's body and Viktor transfer the ring to Anatoly. Viktor cuts Anatoly's hand and seals his oath of allegiance with blood, and gives the knife to Oliver. Oliver cuts his hand and swears his allegiance the same way.
After Anatoly and Oliver leave, Oliver realizes that Viktor isn't happy that Anatoly is the new Pakhan. Oliver wonders if Kovar and his men will kill them all, and Anatoly says that he'll ask when he talks to him .As the new Pakhan, he has to meet with Kovar or Kovar will suspect something is up. Oliver offers to talk to Galina, Taiana's mother who works for Kovar.
Later, Oliver tracks down Galina sin the open-air market. He approaches her and points out that she works for Kovar, and Galina tells him that Kovar said that Oliver was a bad man. Oliver explains that he and Taiana were friends, just as a man asks Galina if Oliver bothering her. The man recognizes Oliver and goes for his gun, and Oliver tackles him. Once the man is down, Oliver tells Galina to tell Kovar that she saw nothing.
The next day at his manor, Kovar meets with Malcolm and they drink together. Malcolm says that the shipment was routed to the designated location and all Kovar has to do is retrieve it. Anatoly arrives and Kovar assures Malcolm that he'll get the information he desires as his payment. As he goes, Malcolm shakes hands with Anatoly. Kovar congratulates Anatoly on becoming Pakhan, and Anatoly tells him that Gregor said his killer was Kapiushon: the archer. His host has heard that Anatoly had problems with Gregor because of his deal with him, and Anatoly says that he's obliged to live up to Gregor's commitments. As Kovar talks about how criminals took over after the Soviet Union fell, Anatoly sees a file on Kovar's desk. Meanwhile, Kovar suggests that the "Sanoval'Schnnia" was the cure once and could be so again.
Back at the bar, Anatoly tells Oliver that Kovar is planning something big and terrible. He suggests that Oliver go back to America, but Oliver reminds him that they are brothers. Anatoly says that Kovar is going to overthrow the Russian government, Sanoval'schnnia is a coup, and Kovar was getting a shipment from an American businessman. Anatoly saw that the address was a shipyard din Moscow, and says that when Oliver took the bullets out of Gregor, he saw the face of the monster. He warns that the place isn't good for Oliver, but Oliver refuses to let Kovar murder him. The two of them shake hands as Anatoly agrees.
Now
Adrian visits Oliver in his cell and puts up pictures of the men that Oliver killed. Oliver says that they did terrible things, but Oliver says that they had families. He tells Oliver to confess his secret and once he gives him a gift, Oliver can go home. Oliver calls him a hypocrite and points out that Adrian murdered his word. After a moment, Adrian shows him a photo of the Count and says that if Oliver doesn't confess then he'll put the same three arrows in him that Arrow put in the Count. Oliver tells him to go to hell, and Adrian shoots him with the arrows.
Five Years Ago
Anatoly, Viktor, and Oliver go to the shipyard and find the shipment. It's sarin gas: enough to kill thousands.
Now
Adrian pulls an arrow out of Oliver, and reminds him that he said his friends are his strength. The DA says that Felicity doesn't know that he was in her apartment, and until Oliver confesses his secret then everyone he loves is at play... even Oliver's son. Oliver accuses him of bluffing and says that he doesn't even know where the boy is, but Adrian says that he'll find him eventually. When Oliver says that he doesn't know what Adrian wants, Adrian tells him that he just has to say the words. Oliver doesn't say anything and Adrian walks out.
Five Years Ago
Oliver spots Kovar's men approaching and opens fire at a nearby gas can. The explosion knocks Kovar's car off course, and his men open fire on Oliver. Kovar shoots and hits one of the Sarin tanks and the gas kills one of Anatoly's men. While Kovar's men, Oliver shoots Kovar's truck driver. Kovar shoves the man out and drives off in the trailer, and Anatoly realizes that they're all dead men.
Viktor takes Anatoly to the bar to get treatment. When Oliver arrives, Viktor says that the Sarin gas killed their man and asks where Oliver was. Oliver says that he was keeping overwatch, and Viktor points out that they're in a mess because of Oliver's vendetta against Kovar. He argues that they should honor Kovar's pact with Gregor, but Oliver says that once Kovar overthrows the government then he'll wipe out the Bratva. He goes to question a prisoner and explains that he'll skin the man alive unless he tells him Kovar's plans. The prisoner insists that he doesn't believe him, and Oliver goes to work.
Later, Anatoly comes in and demands to know what Oliver has done. He says that what Oliver did isn't human, and Oliver explains that putting on the hood helps him direct the darkness inside of him. Oliver has learned what Kovar is planning, but Anatoly warns that cloth can't divide a man from a monster. When Oliver reminds him that he knew what Oliver was capable of back on Lian Yu, and Anatoly tells him that he's become more like Slade or Ivo. When Oliver says that he was practicing, Anatoly asks him what he's practicing to become.
Back at the bar, Oliver tells Anatoly and Viktor that Kovar is inviting key members of the government to the opening of his casino. Then he'll kill everyone and take charge. Oliver figures that they need to get into the casino and stop the attack before it happens. When Viktor points out that they'll need an inside person, Oliver says that he knows someone and asks for a second chance with Galina.
Oliver goes to the market and pulls Galina into the shadows. He apologizes for scaring her the other night and says that he knew Taiana and Vlad. Oliver admits that they're dead, and Kovar is lying when he's claimed that he's looking for them. When Oliver tells Galina that Taiana made him promise to bring Kovar to justice, she taught him to be strong as well. He asks Galina to help him keep her promise to Taiana, and Galina gives him the key card to get into Kovar's building. She blesses Oliver and asks him who killed her children. Oliver merely says that a monster did it.
Now
Adrian returns to the cell and shoves a battered Evelyn in. He says that he made her more complaint and punches Oliver in the stomach, and then tells him to get up and give himself a choice. Adrian tosses a knife on the floor and says that he wants Oliver to kill her. When he comes back, he'll let the survivor go. If Oliver doesn't kill Evelyn then Adrian will break her neck. Oliver still doesn't know what he wants, and Adrian says that he thought it would remind him. Once Adrian leaves, Evelyn says that she can't take another day there and picks up the knife.
Five Years Ago
At Kovar's casino, the hooded Oliver takes out a guard and opens the door using Galina's key. Meanwhile, a guard tells Kovar that they have a situation.
In the security room, one of the two men notices a cart with a tray of food outside. He goes out into the hallway to check it and when he removes the tray lid, a flash-bang explodes. Oliver runs in and kills both men, and then gives Kovar's location to Anatoly and his Bratva soldiers, and opens the door so that they can go in.
Anatoly goes to his office where his men have Galina captive. They tell Kovar that Galina doesn't have her security key, and Kovar is furious that she has betrayed him.
Viktor tells Anatoly that he's studied the plans and leads him to Kovar's location. They find Kovar and their men waiting for them, and Anatoly realizes that Viktor sold them out.
Oliver bursts into Kovar's office and finds Galina dead.
Five Years Ago
Oliver tells Evelyn to free him so that they can ambush Adrian. Evelyn says that they can't beat him, and he kept telling her that she's dead because she was a part of Oliver's life. She attacks Oliver, who disarms her and knocks her back. As he works on his manacles, Adrian comes in and points out that Oliver has killed people for less. He grabs Adrian in a neck hold and demands that Oliver tell him what he's too afraid to tell his family and friends. Oliver still can't answer and Adrian breaks Evelyn's neck. When Oliver vows to kill Adrian, Adrian says that they're getting somewhere and tells Oliver to confess.
Five Years Ago
Anatoly contacts Oliver over the radio and says that Viktor has betrayed them. Oliver runs through the hallways, killing any of Kovar's men that he finds.
In the casino, Kovar addresses the guests and says that the Bratva tried to attack the place and assassinate them all there. His men bring Anatoly and his loyal soldiers in.
In the basement, Kovar's men put on gas masks and prepare to release the gas in the vests.
Kovar says that the Bratva were going to make a gas attack. They succeeded but it backfired and killed them all. A man hands Kovar a gas mask and leaves, as the gas pours out of the vents.
Now
Adrian tells Oliver that he killed Adrian's father because he was more than a name on a list.
Five Years Ago
Oliver gets to the basement, kills Kovar's men, and shuts off the gas. Kovar and his remaining men come in and Kovar says that Oliver is too late.
Now
Adrian tells Oliver that the list was just an excuse. He tells Oliver to tell him what it was an excuse for.
Five Years Ago
Oliver kills Kovar's men, and Kovar charges him.
Now
Adrian tells Oliver that he can't free himself and break his neck. Oliver charges at him but comes up on short at the chains, and Adrian tells him that Oliver wants to do more than just kill him. He tells him to confess.
Five Years Ago
Oliver manages to take Kovar down. He then takes Kovar upstairs to the casino and tells Anatoly that he'll finish it. He attacks Kovar and Anatoly watches as Kovar grabs a knife and comes at Oliver. Oliver disarms him and prepares to kill him, and Anatoly tells him that Kovar will face justice. As Kovar starts to get up, Oliver tells Anatoly that Kovar will face justice and cuts his throat.
Now
Adrian tells Oliver to confess that he doesn't kill because he has to. Oliver confesses that he wants to and he likes it. Adrian smiles and sits down, and asks Oliver how it feels. Evelyn stands up, unharmed, and says that she knew Oliver would break just like Adrian said. Adrian tells her that he knows Oliver better than he knows himself and has her leave. Once they're alone, Adrian says that Oliver's crusade was based on a lie. He uses Robert's memory to justify a killing spree, and there's a price to be paid. Moira paid it, Tommy paid it, and Laurel paid it. Oliver reminds Adrian that he promised to let him go, and Adrian says that he'll keep his word but has a gift of him. Oliver apologizes for whatever pain he caused Adrian, and Adrian says that he believes him but doesn't care. With that, he applies a blowtorch to Oliver's Bratva tattoo so he'll remember confessing.
Five Years Ago
Back at the bar, Oliver and Anatoly get their new Bratva tattoos. Anatoly tells Oliver that thanks to the tattoo, any Bratva he meets will know what kind of man he is. He gives Oliver his hood and admits that he's surprised the scared boy he first met killed Kovar. When Oliver says that it was the hood, not him, Anatoly tells him that it's an excuse that he uses to kill. Oliver insists that he hates killing, but Anatoly warns him that someday the deal he made to blame his bloodlust on the hood will fall apart. When it does, Oliver won't like the man he sees underneath.
Kovar's man tells Malcolm that it will take weeks until Kovar is back on his feet. Malcolm asks who did it to him, and the man says that it's Kovar's business.
Now
Oliver wakes up in the cell. Adrian removed the chains and left the cell door open.
At the bunker, Felicity and Curtis tell Diggle that they're doing everything they can to find Oliver. Oliver comes in and drops his quiver on the floor, and explains that Adrian had him and let him go. He tells them that it's over for him: he's shutting everything down.
Written by Gadfly on Mar 23, 2017