The show certainly seemed more consistent to me in the first season than it has in the last two seasons. I'm still enjoying it however but I do feel a small bit of disappointment that they have almost abandoned the season 1 formula entirely in the past two seasons. Season 1 was my personal favourite and I would have preferred that they built on that world using the same formula. I don't think that Roy and Laurel amongst others being added to the team has really added something to the show. I actually think that they have gotten in the way of Oliver, Diggle's and Felicity's relationship and chemistry which was so great in the first year and was a strongpoint of the show. Now a lot of time has been spent trying to fit Roy, Laurel and Thea into the team and it has become a bit too choc-a-bloc. Too many things are trying to be forced rather than be allowed to grow organically.
Perhaps I am in the minority here but I thought that Thea, Laurel, Tommy, Moira, Diggle and Felicity amongst others in season 1 grounded the show and brought a bit of realism to it. I could relate to them. They seemed like normal and believable people that you would see in real life whilst they were living in this crazy world. I do not think anyone has replaced Tommy or Moira and now Thea and Laurel have joined the heroes and are no longer believable, grounded characters and because of them taking up more time we do not get to see Diggle or Felicity ground the show like they did before (as an aside, I liked Tommy and Laurel together and I thought they worked well with each other and were good for the show. I don't know if that is just me. IMO the Roy/Thea relationship is not as strong and not as interesting as theirs was and it has not being a great replacement). I know its a superhero show and it is not meant to be full of believable characters but I thought that what made this show stand out from other superhero shows/films was the grounded nature of it and how it was realistic (or as realistic as you could get for a superhero show). It is becoming more and more like other superhero shows/films now with lots of superheroes in it and is focusing more and more on special effects rather than on the story like they did in season 1. I think what would be best for the show would be to get rid of some of the heroes and bring in more realistic characters to replace Tommy and Moira and get back to its roots in season 1 and focus more on making a great story and character development over special effects and relationship drama amongst other changes that could be made. Just my opinion of course. All that said, I am still loving the show.
I think season one of this show is heavily underrated. I remember how harshly the show was bashed prior to airing, then during the course of that one season it was deemed gem.
I personally think Ollie against the world was a huge part of what got me into the daily drama. Every time I see the 'arrow cave' filled with more than 3 people these days, when it's even 7 or more I just shake my head. It kinda reminds me of the diff between blade one and his last one. I'm just a big fan of a hero doing his struggle ala year one vs the entire batfamily and such. Man they need to clear out that cave.
A few more things...
Giving half of your story time to the mis adventures of Brandon Routh in his career rebirth is beyond irksome. Just thinking on how much time this season I've seen of this guy and his stuff and quanum processors and felicity time and so forth...go away already. Then there is this weird Canary stuff right now. The canary taking time away from Arrow used to be shrouded in mystery and bigger things and guilt and now it's just Laurel and her talk and her needing me to believe ninjas can't take her head of her shoulders..Canary and the never fun Laurel stuff has become one element on this show and it needs to get to where it's going in a hurry imo. Her being the dependable (metahuman)ally she is in all her other media.
Then there is his sister, like Laurel this presence has been there since day one but now it's also taken on this more time consuming in costume portion of the show. People used to be able to tune out during the out of costume stuff but his sister is right in there now, I assume her story ends in death...
Then there is Roy, dear god would these producers just commit to having this poor kid shine for once. They are taking the side kick in training thing too far imo. First Nyssa owns him, then the Evil LOA boyfriend, then cupid, then when arrow's gone more nonsense, every time I sit there thinking this will be the moment when he really really steps up but it never comes. Maybe they are finally doing that now but I have a feeling it really won't be the saving of the day.
Lastly there is the flashback stuff. This element was always the ace in the hole for the show imo. Even if a season one ep was lacking you could depend on that unfolding mystery to just keep the pace really flying. In season two it started to lose it's edge for me but what's going on right...it's hurting.
I'd mention the SS but really I'm indifferent on that.
Anyways I really 'dig' the show and if only one of these modern shows could be on today I'd vote for this one but I can see why people are starting to not love it. At least not use it to bash the DCCU anymore. I do see alot of hyperbole though, but it's to be expected of fans. It needs to play to it's strengths, such as how it can have the best fight scenes for they are so very grounded in premise vs racked with logic errors and godmode heroes playing games.
I still think the mid season finale is an example of why this show is one of the best on tv and none of the people that are supposedly done with it were saying much during that moment.
I also think the pacing of each episode is very much appreciated. Half and hour in to this very ep and I turned and told my friend that would be about 3 eps of walking dead plot, especially if they involved a scene of them folding their clothes. Stuff really moves on shows like this(and flash and others) and it's greatly appreciated.