I may be in the minority on this, but I think the show went way, way, overboard with the Ra's stuff. For me "Arrow" works best when it's an urban street crime and corruption show - Oliver and his allies protecting the city from the kinds of villains the police can't handle. I know the DC...
Laurel took down two men in her apartment in the show's first season, so she's always known how to take care of herself. She should have had no problem taking out the street thug with a knife at the start of the show. But obviously she's still a long way from Sara's level - it's just nice that...
Laurel's decision was scripted as a terrible one, but I can't figure out why it was - a violent mob was descending on a bank, and sending cops in riot gear is a bad idea?
They just seem determined to wallow in misery on this show. I like the series but enough is enough. You don't have to constantly put your characters through hell. No wonder "Flash" seemed like such a breath of fresh air.