Arrow Ways you would have improved Season 2

[coluanprime]

I loved Season 2 and thought it was awesome, but like everything it had some flaws.
Here are my ideas to fix some of them.
1. Moira's Trial and subsequent Mayoral Campaign - This definitely needed some work. Moira being a candidate for Mayor seemed way too sudden and false, why were people who were screaming for her death suddenly rooting for her to become mayor. Ways I would have improved it - Throughout the trial and her imprisonment I would have shown crowds screaming for her release/not guilty because they thought she was going to be killed. EDIT: I also would have had the trump card about the affair have never have come up because it totally crushed her defense. Malcom's return could be explained that he prevented Donnor from getting access to the info about the affair.
2. Laurels Drug Abuse Storyline - It was done fairly well, but it wasn't amazing. Ways I would have improved it - (assuming the version of the trial I presented above happened) I would have had Laurel let go from the DA's office for her failure to win against Moira. Spencer could have done this because she wanted Moira dead because she had lost a brother in the quake or something. Then I would have had her drug abuse start here instead of having her be caught with drugs. I would have switched State vs. Queen with Keep Your Enemies Closer which would not have had much effect on the season's flow and since I moved the start of the Drug Addiction story to ep 7, that would cut down on a lot of the turn around time for her sobriety so moving it to 6 would give her storyline and extra ep. This may sound silly but I wish one of the characters would have commented on her lost wait just to shut up all the rude fans who spent half the season talking about her "joker jaw"


PLEASE BE SPECIFIC (i.e. not kill laurel or get a new actor for oliver)

 

[p4poetic]

Fix the nonsensical Shado subplot. Either put Shado with Slade or find another way for Slade to become evil.

 

[Boy Scout]

The first half of the season (and perhaps even the second half) felt sort of...loose. It wasn't that it lacked focus (necessarily); it just didn't know how to juggle all of the new ideas and characters and subplots that were introduced in a way that made it all look intentional and consistent. Isabel Rochev is a perfect example of what I'm talking about.

I also thought the island love triangle was an incredibly stupid idea that came out of nowhere.

 

[fire117]

Have Oliver keep killing.

I honestly liked the show better when Oliver was killing as did my best mate, it was more realistic, after all some criminals don't deserve to live.

I also would have had Laurel be killed by Slade in the finale and lastly I would have Felicity and Oliver get together.

 

[plin]

Find Sara a better actress.

 

[DrCosmic]

I don't remember Season 2 too well, it was a bit of a mess. Things I would have tidied up.

Laurel's fall and rise: Sharper, more decisive steps, and a bit more badass and less floundering damsel. Let her be a badass dysfunctional lawyer that wins, like pretty much every cool lawyer on TV. She's spiraling, and her story still intersects with the Arrow's as she prosecutes criminals. She still needs pulling back from the brink, but it's less 'ugh, Laurel' and instead very interesting.

Count Vertigo: Graduate him to the original guy, give him a drug that causes the body to react to his vertigo machine for a higher high, allowing him to charge twice and connect him back to the Vlatava region of Eastern Europe. Or, if they wanted him to be the Joker and show that Arrow is the type of guy that would kill the Joker, then stretch that out, let him break out 2 or 3 times during the season, let the question weigh on their heads so that when he slips, it feels stronger all around.

Isabel Rochev is not Ravager. She's just not, and her character and backstory were not conceived as such so it doesn't work thematically. I would definitely have gone forward with the girlfriend angle and revealed she was the dad's girlfriend, working for Slade, that was all good, even twist her up with Walter or Felicity and have that duel would have been cool.

Layla is a mistake. I'm sorry, she's, as one poster put it "as dull as dishwater." Her as the one true love and the hand me down wife (sorry) being dumped off screen was foolish. If they wanted Dig to have a love life, let him flirt with Felicity. Make Layla someone who fits in with Task Force X. Use someone like Plastique, who'd be right at home. Amanda Waller isn't out of the question. All of the above is not out of the equation. While you're at it, put Rex Mason and John Stewart in his Marine Unit to make me happy.

Give Dig a voice: Diggle was crazy quiet in season 2, with a focus episode or two to give him some shine, but It'd have been better if he'd also had a few words worth saying each episode. Making him the point man on the Amanda Waller situation would have been smart, especially if he had intel on what Deathstroke had been doing in the years since the island. Also, when it comes to solo field work... maybe the 105 pound fangirl isn't the person to send... just maybe function over fanservice a little more often.

Deathstroke is transcendent: I want to see Deathstroke battle the whole Arrow crew at once, take them all down, and have Ollie use something psychological to make amends. Perhaps talking to Shado once he figures out Slade sees her. That'd be awesome to me. He is now and forever beyond Ollie's abilities.

 

[Mike Murdock]

I completely disagree with having Oliver kill more. The transformation as a character was vital to the season and is vital to the show as a superhero show. I also disagree with Laurel getting killed off. After a first season where the villain won, having the second season the same way would be disappointing. Plus, the death of Oliver's mother was shocking enough. Laurel would have been anti-climactic at that point.

I agree that Laurel's story dragged too much. I agree about Diggle being very quiet, although, to be honest, I hadn't noticed that until it was pointed out.

The biggest thing to me is that the flashback story kind of came to a grinding halt that became a painful grinding halt after Slade took over the freighter. The first season, I actually looked forward to the flashbacks more than the main plot. That was definitely not the case in the second season.

 

[fire117]

I completely disagree with having Oliver kill more. The transformation as a character was vital to the season and is vital to the show as a superhero show. I also disagree with Laurel getting killed off. After a first season where the villain won, having the second season the same way would be disappointing. Plus, the death of Oliver's mother was shocking enough. Laurel would have been anti-climactic at that point.

I agree that Laurel's story dragged too much. I agree about Diggle being very quiet, although, to be honest, I hadn't noticed that until it was pointed out.

The biggest thing to me is that the flashback story kind of came to a grinding halt that became a painful grinding halt after Slade took over the freighter. The first season, I actually looked forward to the flashbacks more than the main plot. That was definitely not the case in the second season.

That's your opinion. I personally liked it better when Oliver was killing as did a lot of others. Superheros can kill after all. They don't have to all be goody two shoes.

As for Laurel killing her off would have made sense and in my opinion been more of a shocker then Moire dying. I probably would have her shot and put in a coma instead of being killed off.

 

[Boy Scout]

Have Oliver keep killing.

They did. He killed Count Vertigo and wasn't sorry for it. I think Oliver will kill people if he absolutely has to, and I'm fine with that.

 

[JC00]

Would have tried like hell to to retcon the Huntress some. Maybe mention that the crossbow shots to the Marshalls were non-lethal. I mean if they would have done it I would have accepted it.

Then instead of her being arrested I would have had her get away and The Question approach her and offer to take her to someone (Richard Dragon) that could help her.

 

[fire117]

They did. He killed Count Vertigo and wasn't sorry for it. I think Oliver will kill people if he absolutely has to, and I'm fine with that.

I would have had Oliver kill more often than that. Example would have had him kill Slade, his men and anyone else who got in his way.

 

[Dr Lee]

Slowed things down a little... I did feel that maybe TPTB were rocketing along a little fast.

Give time for characters to react to what's going on, maybe show Laurel taking drugs/drink more before she was suddenly a druggie/Alcoholic...

Show more stuff between Slade & Shado before she died...

Give Roy a little more reason for being suddenly a crack shot with a bow...

Changed that letter scene that made Blood out to be incompetent...

Expand the Sin-Thea-Roy friendship. I kinda liked the rapport when those three were on screen.

 

[Boy Scout]

I would have had Oliver kill more often than that. Example would have had him kill Slade, his men and anyone else who got in his way.

Killing bodyguards (or minions) always has been and always will be unnecessary. I wouldn't have minded too much if he had killed Slade, but I'm glad he didn't, because Slade is amazing.

 

[fire117]

Killing bodyguards (or minions) always has been and always will be unnecessary. I wouldn't have minded too much if he had killed Slade, but I'm glad he didn't, because Slade is amazing.

Sometimes it would be necessary to kill people if it meant saving hundreds if not thousands of innocent lives. The ends justify the means.

One thing I would have had happen in the season 2 finale is have Thea learn Oliver is the Arrow. Either from Oliver himself or from Malcolm.

 

[Human Torch]

I like the "no kill" policy.It's not like Ollie's as ridged with it as other heroes.But we're going wildly off topic on that so.....


1.Would've got rid of Moira's trial crap.Was boring and made no sense with her mayoral race in the 2nd half of the season.

2.Drop Laurel's whole "downward spiral" storyline.I preferred where they were going early in the season with Laurel being an antagonist.Personally,I'd have taken her to a place at the season's end of being a villain/anti-hero,but either way,she'd have been pro-active in trying to match wits with Arrow and trying to catch him instead of giving up the grudge after two episodes.

3.The Shado motivation subplot could definitely have used some tweaking.

4.I'd have dropped Glau's character entirely.

5.I'd have had Blood stay Mayor and knowing Ollie's secret be at odds with him for a season.Certainly give him more to do in costume.

6.Not kill off the Count or the 'mayor'.

7.Have Sara become the Canary "officially" on the show.It seemed a spur of the moment choice to keep her alive and a recurring member,but instead of the poorly written "on the bus" moment,have her embrace her role in Starling City and deal with it from there.

 

[fire117]

I like the "no kill" policy.It's not like Ollie's as ridged with it as other heroes.But we're going wildly off topic on that so.....


1.Would've got rid of Moira's trial crap.Was boring and made no sense with her mayoral race in the 2nd half of the season.

2.Drop Laurel's whole "downward spiral" storyline.I preferred where they were going early in the season with Laurel being an antagonist.Personally,I'd have taken her to a place at the season's end of being a villain/anti-hero,but either way,she'd have been pro-active in trying to match wits with Arrow and trying to catch him instead of giving up the grudge after two episodes.

3.The Shado motivation subplot could definitely have used some tweaking.

4.I'd have dropped Glau's character entirely.

5.I'd have had Blood stay Mayor and knowing Ollie's secret be at odds with him for a season.Certainly give him more to do in costume.

6.Not kill off the Count or the 'mayor'.

7.Have Sara become the Canary "officially" on the show.It seemed a spur of the moment choice to keep her alive and a recurring member,but instead of the poorly written "on the bus" moment,have her embrace her role in Starling City and deal with it from there.

I have to agree Laurel as an antagonist in season 2 would have been interesting.

 

[coluanprime]

The way I would have fixed Sara would have her had never leave Starling (in seeing red0. Since the writers obviously wanted to writer her out, at least temporarily I would have had her join the Suicide Squad. She could still call in the LOA, and promised to go back. (This also fixes the lack of Sin) When Nyssa told her it was time to go back, Sin could have offered to go instead. Then have Waller helicopter in with a ton of agents saying that one of her superiors in the white house had found out that Sara was the assassin that did [insert plot point here]. Waller could then give her the choice of being imprisoned or being a member of the Suicide Squad where she could have a short sentence and be treated well and have some freedom or endure a very-public trial and be sentenced to death. That would also be another excuse for the suicide squad to show up more often.

 

[coluanprime]

I like the "no kill" policy.It's not like Ollie's as ridged with it as other heroes.But we're going wildly off topic on that so.....

I agree.

 

[Boy Scout]

Sometimes it would be necessary to kill people...

I was referring to bodyguards and nameless henchmen, not major threats. He can simply incapacitate them.

And again: he's shown that he's willing to kill of he absolutely has to.

The way I would have fixed Sara would have her had never leave Starling (in seeing red0. Since the writers obviously wanted to writer her out, at least temporarily I would have had her join the Suicide Squad. She could still call in the LOA, and promised to go back. (This also fixes the lack of Sin) When Nyssa told her it was time to go back, Sin could have offered to go instead. Then have Waller helicopter in with a ton of agents saying that one of her superiors in the white house had found out that Sara was the assassin that did [insert plot point here]. Waller could then give her the choice of being imprisoned or being a member of the Suicide Squad where she could have a short sentence and be treated well and have some freedom or endure a very-public trial and be sentenced to death. That would also be another excuse for the suicide squad to show up more often.

That sounds like it would've been amazing.

 

[coluanprime]

I posted this on the Flash forum but it was about Arrow so it belongs here too:
I would have less of a problem with Amanda's drones if "Suicide Squad" hadn't happened. I don't mean the episode itself, but I wish the writers had made up a better mission. This quote summarizes my feelings perfectly: (from GreenArrowTV) "Waller lives on the most ridiculous side of the “ends justify the means” spectrum, sporting a plan so unnecessarily sinister that it doesn’t even make logical sense. Why did they plan to bomb the house on the night so many civilians were there? Why wasn’t covertly sneaking in when Qadir wasn’t home an option? And why not just…give Deadshot a tracking device to put in the room instead of implanting it? It’s all manufactured to be as slimy as possible, but the main concept of the mission is so not a suicide mission that Waller had to overcomplicate it to make it a suicide mission. Watching the episode on first viewing, these things weren’t too bothersome—a testament to the absolute fun the episode is to watch, which it totally is—but it falls apart when you think about it. That aspect doesn’t make Waller seem malevolent so much as kind of silly."
I could see how the situation in Starling (It's official, I have started liking the name "Starling City" better than "Star City") called for a drone strike. Kind of. But it would have felt like a bigger deal if it hadn't happened already.

 

[agentorange]

I think the island flashbacks are getting kind of old. Hopefully now that they captured Deathstroke they stop using them. But other than that I woulda liked to have seen more of Harley Quinn in the Suicide Squad episode. And I wouldn't have ship'd Oliver and Sara together. They dont really seem right as a couple

 

[Mike Murdock]

Well, it clearly won't be island flashbacks, it'll be Hong Kong flashbacks. I think the change of pace will be nice, but I'm glad they're not abandoning flashbacks just yet.

 

[Rorschach2012]

I'm really thinking they killed off their lame initial version of the Count so that the real version can be introduced later on. The creators realized that the character wasn't well received, so they decided to change that.

Count Vertigo is one of GA's best villains period, they wasted the character on Arrow so far, he needs to be redeemed. We need a more comics accurate Vertigo with nothing to do with the Vertigo drug or The Count

 

[coluanprime]

The real Count Vertigo would be nice. Maybe they could explain that the Count based his drug off a sample of the real Vertigo's blood.

 

[Crossvale]

Bring in new writers.

And by new I mean actually talented folks, not from bad to mediocre.