Arrow First Time Watching Arrow (Go Easy on Spoilers)

[sjsharksfan39]

Hey all,

First off, I'm new here and hope to stay for a while. The reason I signed up though was because I was looking for a place to talk about Arrow, which because of the invasion Crossover, I decided to finally start and now I'm in mid-season 2. I saw this forum and it pretty much has everything superhero (And Star Wars but not Star Trek?) and as a fan of Supergirl and Flash, this forum jumped out.

Anyway, like I said I'm in mid season 2 (Watched the episode about the Clock King last night) and I'm really loving the series so far. Season 1 was great, but Season 2 has really upped the ante with the League of Assassins, the return of Sara, and Slade finally reuniting with Oliver.

In terms of my first question in this thread, what is up with Laurel and Oliver in the one scene where Oliver told her off? Doesn't Laurel have a point that her sister did kinda ruin the family by going on that boat and Oliver through this whole relationship drama has been really inconsistent. I know Laurel is going through depression and alcoholism (Which has gotten better as a storyline as the season has gone on) but why does she have to apologize when she's kinda right about the whole thing.

The thing I really like about this series so far is basically the characters other than Laurel, especially Team Arrow (Felicity and Diggle and Roy has gotten better). I know the last place I went to talk about the series the fans aren't keen on the Olicity thing, but I really liked that last scene between the two of them. Right now, I'm really liking that working relationship even though I know it might go deeper, which I'm somewhat dreading.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Slade is one creepy creepy guy, especially with the Mirikuru. I still think Malcolm is a better big bad from Season 1, but lets see how this goes. I think every season is going to have a singular Island only (Or mostly) episode which I'm fine with. It started out really slow and uninteresting, and now that Sara is there, it's a lot more interesting than some of the storylines in the present day.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Finished Season 2 of Arrow Tonight.

I have to say I really liked Season 2, and Slade was such a scary and insane villain. I really liked how the Island storyline really helped move the present storyline forward, unlike Season 1 where I felt it was merely a diversion and sometimes got in the way. Once we got to the end of the season, the intercutting they were doing between Island and present was incredible, and that final sequence between Oliver and Slade in both time periods was put together really well. I also really liked Blake Neely's music and was wondering if there is a soundtrack out there. The music during the final two episodes (Really the whole season) was incredible. I remember when people were wishing we got the Superman theme back at the beginning of Supergirl's new season, but what Blake Neely is doing is really cool and I gained a lot more respect for him as a composer watching Arrow Season 2.

I love the tertiary characters and seeing them all grow and change over the years. I wasn't keen on Laurel's story at the beginning, but she really came through at the end. I also liked seeing Sara, and I started watching this show because of the Invasion cliffhanger, and seeing Sara is really putting things together in this DC TV Universe that Berlanti and Co are creating through these shows.

There were a few things that did irk me though about this season. Some of the coincidences felt off, like the flashbacks to Oliver getting a girl pregnant, and Thea kinda became annoying at the end. I'm interested to see where she goes in Season 3, but there were times when her pouting was too much. Other than that, loved Season 2. I've had many people tell me stuff about Olicity and how that became too much, but we'll see what happens. Two seasons of Arrow, and various appearances on The Flash, I still like Felicity a lot.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Started Season 3 of Arrow tonight on my first time watch through. Can't believe they brought Sara back only to kill her a few minutes later. Also, yeah Olicity was in full effect this week. I know most don't like Felicity, but I am trying to keep an open mind on that, and I love her in the first two seasons and the various times she's been on The Flash. Still though, it felt like there was a different tone to the start of Season 3 than there was on the first two seasons. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but looking forward to diving more into it, even though Netflix only has 4 seasons and not Season 5.

 

[ARBH]

The show really hit the skids for me in season 3 and 4. I had actually sworn that I would be giving up on it based on those two consecutive seasons. Fortunately, I decided to give season 5 a chance and I am glad I did. It has been rejuvenated. Sure, there are still a few issues I have with the show in season five, but for the most part, the episodes have been significantly more enjoyable that what was in season three and four.

 

[Gallops]

Started Season 3 of Arrow tonight on my first time watch through. Can't believe they brought Sara back only to kill her a few minutes later. Also, yeah Olicity was in full effect this week. I know most don't like Felicity, but I am trying to keep an open mind on that, and I love her in the first two seasons and the various times she's been on The Flash. Still though, it felt like there was a different tone to the start of Season 3 than there was on the first two seasons. I'm not sure if that's good or bad but looking forward to diving more into it, even though Netflix only has 4 seasons and not Season 5.

Season 5 is on now. You should be able to catch up on the CW App if you get to it.

I'm probably one of the few who enjoyed most of seasons 3 and 4, but the first two were definitely the best of the series and season 5 is shaping up to be on their level.

 

[Slade W]

Season 5 is on now. You should be able to catch up on the CW App if you get to it.

I'm probably one of the few who enjoyed most of seasons 3 and 4, but the first two were definitely the best of the series and season 5 is shaping up to be on their level.

I found Damien Darhk to be very enjoyable. He is the only reason I will probably ever re-watch season 4.

 

[Osiris-Rex]

I found Damien Darhk to be very enjoyable. He is the only reason I will probably ever re-watch season 4.

My problem with Darhk wasn't the character, but the actor that played him. He just plays the same basic character in every movie or TV show. That smirk just makes me want to slap him. So for me it was "oh, no, not him again."
And now he's on Legends of Tomorrow doing the same stuff again. I probably would have enjoyed Darhk more if they had hired an actor who didn't always come off so full of himself.

 

[Slade W]

My problem with Darhk wasn't the character, but the actor that played him. He just plays the same basic character in every movie or TV show. That smirk just makes me want to slap him. So for me it was "oh, no, not him again."
And now he's on Legends of Tomorrow doing the same stuff again. I probably would have enjoyed Darhk more if they had hired an actor who didn't always come off so full of himself.

What have you seen him in outside of the Arrowverse where he plays his character similarly to Darhk? Neal does not seem arrogant at all in real life. I don't see a problem with a villain like Darhk being arrogant.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Season 5 is on now. You should be able to catch up on the CW App if you get to it.

I'm probably one of the few who enjoyed most of seasons 3 and 4, but the first two were definitely the best of the series and season 5 is shaping up to be on their level.

It's only a few episodes, not the entire season.

I'm also rewatching episodes of The Flash that feature Arrow characters. Where I stopped on Arrow had Felicity checking in on Berry, so I watched episode 4 of the Flash first season last night. I do the same thing again once I hit the crossover.

I'm liking season 3 so but but I'm only 3 episodes into it. I wasn't really a fan of bringing Sara in to just kill her off a few minutes later. Also, as far as the whole olicity thing, i think she has more chemistry with Berry than Oliver. I also don't mind Laurel that much so far, for what it's worth.

 

[Osiris-Rex]

What have you seen him in outside of the Arrowverse where he plays his character similarly to Darhk? Neal does not seem arrogant at all in real life. I don't see a problem with a villain like Darhk being arrogant.

Walking Tall (with Dwayne Johnson), Desperate Housewives, Public Morals, Law & Order: Criminal Intent are a few that come to mind.

 

[coluanprime]

I'll be curious to see what your final thoughts are. Series are often different when binge-watched than when watched live and things that are annoying live aren't when binging on your own and vice versa. (I think Arrow really didn't benefit from echo chambers of complaining on fan forums in some areas.)

 

[sjsharksfan39]

So does Felicity have the hottest mom in Starling City? Did not expect that.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Ok, I admit, I've been binge watching Arrow a lot lately. I've made it to Episode 10 of Season 3, "Left Behind", and this was a spot where I was told a lot that the series starts to lose direction. Maybe it was all the Felicity/Oliver stuff, or this season the common thing I've been reading in various reviews has been people's hatred of Laurel, and I think the thing I'm having difficulty with in Season 3 is the series decided to go the mysticism and fantastical approach rather than remain grounded in what is actually happening in Starling City.

When the League of Assassins was first introduced in season 2, I really liked them because it was around Sara Lance, who we had some kind of idea who she was from the pilot. She was like family to the Queen clan, so understanding what she's dealing with was kind of personal to us. I'm starting to think the more we get into the League, the more crazy it's becoming. I just watched the episode where Oliver fights Ra's al Gul, and just ended tonight's binge watching with Tatzu (?) helping to bring him back to life. I'm watching this stuff and my first thought is this doesn't feel like Arrow anymore. It feels like a mix of Arrow and Supergirl, and I'm not sure if the tone is working for me. Arrow is a dark show, dealing with themes of humanity and what it means to be a hero. Supergirl is a lighter show, dealing with an alien who lost her home and has to adapt to life on Earth, while also fighting other aliens and people who want to bring her down.

Then there is Malcolm and his character has really changed direction since season 1. I loved the fact that he was a businessman who was really good with a bow and arrow. He was cunning, quick, and manipulative. I'm fine with him being part of the League, but understanding that is taking away something else from his character. Now he's training Thea and it almost feels more mystical than real, if that makes any sense.

Don't get me wrong, I am still enjoying the show and I'm excited to see where this all goes but it feels like the show had this sudden shift in direction and I'm starting to see why people might be turned off by it. I still like these characters (yes, even Felicity and Laurel) and I think Laurel's story has been a lot better this season than last season so far. I think her shift to being a Canary has actually be nicely written and now with Arrow out of the picture, it was nice to see a vigilante somewhat take over.

I'm hoping I enjoy the rest of the season, but yeah this is a step down from Season 1 and 2.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Watched up to "The Offer" last night. I learned something from this block of episodes. I always thought Ra's al Gul was the name of the guy, but Arrow makes it seem like it's a title of the head of the League. I'm still not quite clear about why Ra's wants Oliver to take his place, but hopefully that becomes clear in the next few episodes. I have to say though all these problems could have been taken care of had Malcolm just stayed as prisoner of the league. Why Oliver wants to keep him alive I have no idea. Seems like Thea solved everyone's problems and this was a "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it", kind of deals.

Also, I have to talk about Felicity here. When I started this, I got people basically telling me that I was going to hate Felicity the deeper I get into the show. While I haven't liked this dark path she's been through for the last few episodes, I think it's been a pretty realistic portrayal of someone who has become kinda the leader of the group in Oliver's absense. Maybe this was to Diggle's detriment, but if you think about her character all the way through, she has been grounded in "normalcy" and even said when she joined that she didn't want to be a part of a group that put Killing as a top priority. Honestly, I think she's been the one character in the back half of the season that's made the most sense, even though I can do without the Angst. Also, her scenes with Ray really is the Felicity I like the most, kind of that dorky loveable friend who creates easy passwords (I liked that whole part of the episode). As for this whole Olicity thing, I honestly think it's not nearly as bad as Barry and Iris on The Flash. Heck, they've barely spent anytime this season together. It's been more Pal-licity than Ol-licity. I do think Brandon Routh has been great on the show though, and he might be my favorite storyline of this season when all is said and done.

 

[WereCoyote]

I'm liking season 3 so but but I'm only 3 episodes into it. I wasn't really a fan of bringing Sara in to just kill her off a few minutes later.

As annoying as it was, it was an event that pretty much drives the entire season.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

As annoying as it was, it was an event that pretty much drives the entire season.

Yeah I know that now. It actually was pretty clever and gutsy to do something like that.

 

[sjsharksfan39]

Finished Season 3 tonight. I almost think they should have stopped after Season 3. The series feels wrapped up, Felicity and Oliver are happy, and the series can end with the memory of what it once was, where the urgency was high, the threats were real and well written, and the City is safe, again.

In all honesty I'm 2 years behind and I know there's two more seasons to catch up on. I know Oliver comes back because of the 4 series/episode crossover, and I know he dons the arrow suit again. In a way, I'm glad that didn't end on a cliffhanger but this season struggled a lot, especially the back half. I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or if I started this thread after I thought this, but the League of Assassins plot line really brought the show down from a threat aspect. One of the things I loved about the first two seasons was while there were fantastical elements (The Mirikuru virus), it seemed grounded in reality. The League of Assassins plot really brought the show into the supernatural and I'm not sure if it was a good fit. Also this story seemed to drag out a lot, and I think it could have been a really good plot on like a 15 episode order and not a 23 episode order.

Also, what I didn't like about this season was all the angst. I've been told over and over that if I liked Felicity in the first two seasons and The Flash, I will grow to hate her at the end of the season. I can actually see that, but I don't "hate" Felicity. I'm sad for Felicity, that the writers decided to take this great character who was full of fun and "adorkableness" and brought in a lot of unneeded angst and sad faces. I was thinking last night that we needed a Felicity/Barry scene after the sex scene, but in reality, we need a reset for this character to be fun again. I like the actress, and I like the good times where we saw Felicity not be so angsty, and I will choose to remember those times. The Felicity at the end of the season doesn't even feel like the same character anymore. Maybe like Oliver, she also became something else.

There were good things about this season, such as Quentin Lance is always a treat. (I loved his line, "The city is under attack, it must be May" :guffaw I loved his arc in general, and while he was portrayed as a bit of an idiot during the capturing of Oliver stuff, he portrayed Ahab pretty well. Also, I kinda stopped watching various episodes of The Flash that tied to Arrow, but I'm assuming he and Laurel did reconcile somehow.

Speaking of Flash, I've now see every single Flash scene under Gustin's tenure. I was kinda spoiled on the escape scene before, but I thought it was a fun scene, and we got fun Felicity back. Man can we just get Felicity and Berry to just have like a 2 season sitcom friend series? I would watch it. Also, I'm confused about something. I vaguely remember it until I read up on it after watching the episode, but when exactly did Oliver, as the Arrow come to help Barry deal with Reverse Flash. He gave up the Arrow suit, played the role of Al Shaim, and now is going off on a honeymoon with Felicity. When exactly did he have time to put all that aside and help deal with Eobard?

Overall, I'd probably give the season a B, B-. It wasn't nearly as good as the first two seasons, but I was entertained to the point where I was binge watching the series to the finale. I can definitely understand why this is no longer the Arrow of the first two seasons though, but I'm going to catch up with everyone else (watching season 5 in june when Netflix gets it). I wonder where the Flashbacks will go now. I'm not entirely sure they are needed anymore, but that's the format of the show.

 

[famicommander]

Also, I'm confused about something. I vaguely remember it until I read up on it after watching the episode, but when exactly did Oliver, as the Arrow come to help Barry deal with Reverse Flash. He gave up the Arrow suit, played the role of Al Shaim, and now is going off on a honeymoon with Felicity. When exactly did he have time to put all that aside and help deal with Eobard?

The Flash season 1 finale takes place right after the Arrow season 3 finale.
http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=513473

Either it happens off screen in between Ollie defeating Ra's and leaving with Felicity, or you just have to assume that he goes to help Barry at some point during his trip. It has to happen after the Ras' fight though