Arrow - Season 3

Title: Arrow

Season: 3

Number of Episodes: 23

Broadcasting Station: The CW

Official Page











Official Trailer

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With the excitement of the first season of The Flash, and the epicness of the previous season, our expectations were sky high when this season started. Alas, from the get-go, it was a disappointment. From Sarah's death in the second episode, the series was filled to the brim with terrible writing. First, Malcom's plan in the beginning. From what I can tell, Malcom's plan was to kill Sarah by means of Thea, to draw Nyssa out, which in turn would eventually lead to a confrontation between Rah's and Oliver. So, basically, he brainwashed his daughter, killed a pottential ally, and drew his biggest enemy to Starling City. Thing is, it worked. But, somehow, Thea managed to give Malcom to the League of Assassins in her stead, clearing herself of the 'charges' placed on her head by Sarah's murder. This would have been a great conclusion, but no, this wasn't even the mid-season episode. Because, for some reason, Oliver thought it was a bad idea, and decided to save Malcom from the League, and put himself in the path of it by protecting Malcom. You know, the enemy of a distant, non-enemy league is definitely your ally, or something. This brought about one of the worse group of episodes since Smallville season 10. The episodes after Oliver 'dies' at the hand of Rah's are the most boring episodes I've ever seen, but the worst thing is, it gets worse. Because, when Oliver comes back, Rah's wants to make Oliver the next Rah's Al Ghul, and won't take no for an answer. As the righteous vigilante that he's not supposed to be, Oliver declines, slowly forcing Rah's to use worse and worse tactics to force Oliver to obey. But, here's the thing: If Oliver had just said yes in the beginning, he'd have been able to do everything earlier, and no one, at all, would have had to die. The end itself was, without a doubt, anticlimatic, with it ending on a inconvincing high note of Oliver and Felicity driving into the sunset. Which, you know, would totally bum Ray Parker out. This, with the inclusion of Deathshot's death and the mere existance of Cupid, this season is the worst one of the three we've seen so far. (And don't get me started on the Felicity and Oliver scene in Rah's temple.)

On the other hand, this season also has some of the best moments in the series, and yes, they belong to the one and only Barry Allen. In his first official appearance as the Flash in Arrow, the two duke it out in an amazing fight. The interactions between Oliver and Barry were cool and fresh. Deadshot's few moments were pure gold. And, in all honesty, even Ray seemed more likable to me than other characters, like Felicity or Laurel, that have become something the writers want to ram down your throat. That one episode, were Thea and Oliver go back to the infamous Island to train, during which Deathstroke gets loose, is quite fantastic. But, I wish it would've had a bigger impact on the story and not been a one-time thing. Katana was a happy surprise (no, I didn't know it was her until I saw the ridiculous mask), and that's about it. So, in conclusion, literally everything good about this season comes from somewhere else: The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, or better Arrow seasons.

Arrow - Season 2

Title: Arrow

Broadcasting Station: The CW

Season: 2

Number of episodes: 23

Official Synopsis: Starling City has been torn apart by the Undertaking, so the need for the hooded vigilante archer – now known as The Arrow – is more urgent than ever in the explosive second season of the hit action series based on the DC comics character. After retreating to the island where he was once stranded, Oliver Queen returns to protect his mother, sister and besieged corporation – but comes to realize that allies and enemies have switched sides, and the stranglehold of evil on family, friends and city is diabolically linked to his fateful shipwreck. A comrade-at-arms from the island and a mind-warping, strength-enhancing serum developed there may prove to be the mightiest adversaries The Arrow has ever encountered. [...] 

Official Page



STEPH SAID

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There's not much to say about the second season of Arrow, and in this case, that is a good thing. Almost everything about this season is great.

The new characters, and the further development of old minor ones, are this season's best presentation card. For starters, Thea gave a turn for the best. She stopped whining, became all mature, and started being understandably reasonable.  In the end of the season, everyone betrays her, and she rebels again. Though this time, instead of whining and doing drugs, she actually stood up for herself, talked straight and demanded the truth. When none of those worked she took the only route she saw as possible. At this moment I realized I cared for her. And, of course, shooting Merlin was just the cherry on top. 

Sara Lance as “The Canary” was simply badass. (I apologize if you find this word vulgar.) She always had the right mind-set and attitude. It is really sad that she is not the real “Black Canary”. Her sidekick Sin, was adorable. Sin's attachment to Sara, and subsequently to Roy was endearing. I only wish I would have seen more of her.

Another character I would have love to see more of is Deadshot. I found about Deadshot through Smallville, and immediately became a fan. I was glad to see him in the first season of Arrow, and to see him return to the second season. Still, he deserves more.

Some that did appear more this season were Roy and Slade. Their evolution through the season was a sweet surprise, and their respective endings were unexpected. Slade's ending is amazing because it leaves the door open for him to appear again on the show. Roy's ending, on the other hand, left a bit to be desired. After struggling for more than half a season with the effects of Mirakuru, Roy ended up Mirakuru-free. This, along with the fact that Roy didn't achieve much tanks to it, makes the storyline seem useless. It takes a turn for the worst when you realize that if Roy hadn't have the Mirakuru Thea would still be with him. Fortunately, something good came out of it, and now we will see Roy join Team Arrow officially.

On top of all of this is the Special Appearance that stole everyone's heart: Barry Allen, as the future Flash. Grant Gustin was excellent as the awkward, nerdy scientist. I'm definitely looking forward to his own spin-off series.

The overall writing of the season is better than the first season's. This time every episode was good. And the background story as good, if not better, than the present-day story. Although you could guess how the Island story was going to end for Slade and Oliver, it was never boring, it always kept me at the edge of my seat.

Two things I didn't enjoy about this season. Firstly, Laurel. During this season she behaved as Thea did on season one. Even though Laurel went through an ordeal, she made it really hard for me to understand her or feel sorry for her. Secondly, I didn't like Oliver's decision to not kill. I understand why he did it, but I don't support it. Take Slade for example. Oliver left him alive, that means he could escape at anytime and finish what he started. It's not an easy decision to make, but he knew he had to kill ever since he decided to “clean” Starling City. Also, his end-justifies-the-means attitude is one of his traits, otherwise he'd be another mild-manner Superman.

Despite these unsavory situations, that did put a bit of a damper on the story, the season was thrilling, dramatic and intense. It had many plot twists and touching moments. In the end it was all worth it.

Arrow (The CW) - Season 1

Title: Arrow

Year: 2012

Season: 1

Broadcasting Station: The CW

Official Synopsis: After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. [...] As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow - a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. [...]

For more information you may visit its Official Page or its TV.com Page.



STEPH SAID

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I didn’t know what to expect from this series. I’m a fan of Smallville and its Green Arrow, but I had heard that Arrow was not going to follow into Smallville’s footsteps. I’m not entirely sure that it doesn’t.

Arrow was an amazing introductory season, most of the time. This season is full of intrigue, drama, intensity and thrills. It focused on giving a more mature, dark and realistic feel to the superhero and his troubles. Most episodes of this season follow the same pattern: Oliver tries to stop a bad guy while the background story is developed in accordance to what’s happening in the present. The background story –what happened to, and while, Oliver was stranded on an island for five years and what got him there and out– is as interesting as what’s happening in Oliver’s present, sometimes even more. 

The characters were another plus for this series, most of them. They were interesting, intriguing and with something to hide. The actors portraying them were even better. Susanna Thompson, Paul Blackthorne, Emily Bett Rickards and David Ramsey are amongst the bests, but it was John Barrowman, as Mr. Merlyn, who impressed me the most. Also, Seth Gable's small appearances were scene stealers. 

However, not everything was good in Arrow land; and, what was its stronghold proved to be its downfall at one time. About halfway through the season, the episodes began to get really boring, monotonous and dull. Nothing interesting happened. I mean, they were OK, but, when you watch a TV series that has thrills to the max, where every episode is more intriguing that the previous one and where every episode ends in a mind-boggling cliff-hanger, having a relaxed episode where not much happens is not a good thing. Nevertheless, the dullness lasted for only a couple of episodes. Afterwards, Arrow came back hard, better than it was before.

This TV series is so thrilling that you can't just watch one episode per week. Fortunately, the first season already ended and you can watch the episodes back to back. Unfortunately, you won't be able to do that with the seasons to come. So, get ready for days full of tension and torture while you wait for the next episode to air.