Arrow ... so how long was he on that island?

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving Arrow... but can the writers please, please, please stop telling the audience that he was on the island for 5 years like 6 times an episode?!? WE KNOW!!!!

This is my only real complaint with the show. The writing is so... so... "uneven". at times it's witty and enthralling and at times it's like they're spoon feeding the audience the story with exposition. I'm not a professional screen writer (some day, hopefully) but the general rule is "Show, don't tell". If they can tighten this up a bit the potential for this show is LIMITLESS.

Okay, I'm off my soap box now. Thanks for indulging me.