"Arrow" Season 2, Episode 4 ("Crucible") gives the viewers a sneak peek into how Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) survived the Gambit tragedy. Black Canary is phoenix-like, it seems. She's died more than once, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) hints. Ollie lied to Laurel (Katie Cassidy) and Quentin (Paul Blackthorne) about Sara, but the viewers have yet to find out the whole story. Meanwhile, "Brother Blood" is building an army. Is he the new Malcolm Merlyn?

Spoiler alert: This review contains spoilers from Arrow Season 2, Episode 4, "Crucible." Read at your own risk.

Sara Lance Alive, Black Canary Origins Reveal Oliver Queen's Island Crucible

Sara Lance is alive. She's been through a crucible of her own, and may just have been through worse than Oliver Queen. Sara's backstory connects to Oliver Queen's life on the island. He tells Diggle (David Ramsey) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) only a tiny portion of the big story.

Meanwhile, Laurel Lance is sinking deeper into depression. Daddy Quentin's heart is crushing. It seems Arrow 02x04 is slowing down this week in favour of character development. It is understood, however, the series is packing more action for next time. It may be time for former detective Quentin Lance to know her other daughter didn't die off the Queen's Gambit.

Helena Bertinelli (Jessica De Gouw) once pointed out to Oliver Queen that the island had been his crucible. Sebastian Blood (Kevin Alejandro) noted the same in the fourth episode of Arrow Season 2. According to him, three things could happen to people post-crucible: die, become stronger, or get accustomed to the pain.

Oliver is worried that Sara Lance has gone so used to the pain. He urges her to let go of the past and come back to her family. Toward the end of the episode, it seems Sara has made up her mind about rejoining the Lances.

Avid Arrow viewers have known for a while that Katie Cassidy will eventually become the Black Canary. But Caity Lotz is filling in the dark boots, in the meantime, for the origins story. It seems to be working out, because Caity is proving to be a brilliant actress. There's a lot of vulnerability to show, given her past. But when she's fighting against evil men, she can be ferocious.

Oliver Queen vs The Mayor vs Brother Blood

Oliver Queen enlists the Black Canary to beat "The Mayor." The evil man has been ruling The Glades with his weapons since the earthquake from Arrow Season 1 finale. The two superhero ex-lovers proved to be as sexy in bed as in the battlefield. But they don't know their bad guy is about to get worse - with Brother Blood.

Brother Blood, also from the DC Comics universe, is expected to have some story twists in Arrow Season 2. He and Bronze Tiger (Michael Jai White) will be keeping Oliver Queen and Black Canary busy.

Arrow Season 2: More Stunts Coming!

There were more talks than riveting action in the latest episode of Arrow Season 2. The stunts featuring Arrow and Black Canary should be more than enough, though. It's understandable that the show has to lay down a few things first: the Brother Blood reveal, the beginning of the Sara Lance-Black Canary chapter, some Isabel Rochev (Summer Glau) exposure, and the evolvement of Roy Harper (Colton Haynes), among others.

Arrow showrunners are characters-centric in establishing the superhero series. As more characters are exposed, more complications rise to highlight their good and bad sides.

Next week, Arrow Season 2, Episode 5 ("League of Assassins") will show an assault against the Black Canary. It seems the same group that trained Malcolm Merlyn wants Sara Lance dead. The question is, how long before they succeed -- for real, this time?

More 'Arrow Season 2' and TV Guide Features:

Arrow Season 2, Episode 3 Spoilers: Black Canary Uncaged? Stephen Amell Says Oliver Queen Gets 'Blown Up by a Mortar Shell' [PHOTOS, VIDEO]
Arrow Season 2, Episode 2: Stephen Amell Promises 'Identity' is 42-Min Movie; Black Canary, Bronze Tiger in Oliver Queen's Starling City [PHOTOS]
'The Tomorrow People' Episode 4 Review: Backstory for John Young vs Jedikiah Price in 'Kill or Be Killed' [SPOILERS]