Apart from the dissapointing fight between Arrow and China White (Not likely Kelly Hu's fault Guard) I thought episode 2 was a step up, especially in the acting.
I enjoyed the scenes with Ollie and Thea most, but I felt his development with Diggs, who has not aknowledged the fact that a supposedly soft rich boy choked him out last week, was interesting and it seems likely Diggs will be in on his secret and his ally before too long.
In general I think Amell is doing a good job in the role, it requires a certain intangible as Hugh Jackman once said about playing an action lead, and I think he has enough of it.
The cop needs to simmer down a notch but I thought the scenes with him and Laurel were pretty good and Katie Cassidy is doing fine, but I agree her sidekick needs to either improve or be replaced.