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I started watching Arrow in hopes of filling the Smallville shaped hole Clark Kent’s pre-Superman days left me. A superhero’s origin show, with a Nolan’s The Dark Knight-esque tone, of course I was hooked! Season 1 and 2 completely blew my expectations. This vigilante’s journey felt real and raw. It gave us a look into the main characters’ emotions, Oliver’s specially. We knew how much he suffered and saw how he continued to, this made us feel for him. Besides that, this show had plot twists that kept viewers, like myself, on the edge of our seats and left us anxiously waiting for the next episode.
Until it didn’t.
I think, and most of you may agree, season 3 and 4 paled in comparison to their predecessors.
Before season 3, I was extremely excited about Ra’s Al Ghul’s addition as the villain for the season. Now I realize how wrong I had been and that it was the first step to the wrong direction.
Season 3 introduced magic and other elements that really didn’t fit Arrow. The result was the loss of the show’s identity. It began to lose focus of our hero’s journey. Season 4 the continuation of this. Storylines that really didn’t deserve the front sit, took it. The flashbacks became unbearable to watch, they lost themselves in the whole supernatural direction of the storyline and lacked of character development. This became tiring and the writers’ attempts to shock us with plot twists (yes, that S4 death) exhausting.
All of this made me seriously reconsider my commitment to the show.
So, with the beginning of season 5 I was a bit skeptical about it. But I did continue.
It didn’t disappoint.
First of all, the flashbacks scenes were much more interesting. Russia has given us the opportunity to see Anatoly again and meet Talia Al Ghul. With her help Oliver Queen became someone else, something else.
Secondly, new interesting Team Arrow members. I have to say one of the highlights this season, for me, was the opportunity to learn about René’s backstory.
But most importantly, the main antagonist this season: Prometheus. How long have I’ve been waiting for you… Personally, I honestly don’t know if I could choose between him and Slade Wilson. These are the sort of bad guys we need on Arrow, those that truly push Oliver Queen over to the edge and force him to reveal his true self.
This season has provided some of the best moments of the show. In the last couple of episodes we’ve got to see Oliver break and learn his darkest and most profound secret. This reveal will most certainly cause a shift inside the character.
The show has regained its focus, direction and overall its identity. This is the show we signed up for, from the very beginning. If you stopped watching, I’d advise you to continue and enjoy the Green Arrow’s journey.
All new Arrow Wednesday, April 26th at 8/7c on the CW
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