Oliver's heavy-handed approach to getting information from his mother backfires and she manages to shoot him in the shoulder. He turns to Felicity Smoak for help getting back to his hideaway. She and Digg do their best to nurse him back to health. Flashbacks to Oliver's time on the island reveals an early attempt to escape. Oliver's loyalties however prevent him from taking advantage of the situation. The reason for Yao Fei's betrayal is revealed.

Quentin Lance's ongoing attempt to capture the vigilante is put to a halt when a recently released criminal kidnaps his daughter to get to Arrow. Meanwhile, John Diggle insists on spying on Moira Queen to learn her secrets.

Thea is about to go to trial for being under the influence but she doesn't care because she is convinced that her mother was unfaithful to her father. Oliver tries to tell her the truth and he decides to go after who is behind the drug that she was on called Vertigo. So he tracks down one of the dealers and gets him to say who is the one behind it and he gets the name The Count. He eventually goes after him but the Count gives him some Vertigo which nearly kills him.

Oliver's confidence is shaken after being beaten by the Dark Archer and he takes a break from being Arrow. However, when Laurel calls Arrow for help investigating a firefighter's suspicious death, he reluctantly agrees but his hesitance while fighting almost costs him his life. Meanwhile, Tommy throws a benefit for the firefighters and Thea tries to lift Moira out of her depressive state.