Arrow Season Three: Uprising

It would have been interesting if Malcolm took over Team Arrow

With Brick becoming more powerful than ever Malcolm offers his services to Team Arrow and while Diggle, Arsenal and Black Canary consider the proposal Felicity is strongly against it. It is revealed Malcolm has more of a personal vendetta with Brick than anyone thought as Flashbacks reveal how he became the person he is today.

What an end to an awesome three part mini arc in the Arrow TV show; I have said it before and I will say it again I have immensely enjoyed these three episodes and if I did a top moments in Arrow this will be in it. This is probably my favourite of the three episodes because finally my favourite character in the show has the spotlight; Malcolm Merlyn who I have been complaining about lately is too much on the side lines. Finally he got an episode focused on him and I have to say that the writers seem to be trying to redeem his character a bit (such as sparing Brick), I don't think he will ever be a good guy but he is has never been entirely evil in my opinion. It is just as Roy and Thea said, in his own twisted way he protects people and just wants to save the city. Plus we got to see him again as the Dark Archer which is also awesome because his costume is the best and he is the best archer in the show in my opinion. What was also a nice addition was that the Flashbacks where about his past and we definitely needed this and it was good seeing his transformation from a good man to The Magician. I only wish there was more than what we got like him training more with the League because the scene with young Nyssa was just cool but I wanted to know more!

"I'm back!!!"

As for everything else it is good that Oliver is back now and though I think is entrance could have been more grand his speech to the citizens of the Glades was epic. Speaking of the Glades the showdown with Brick at the end was done really well and I enjoyed the massive brawl in the streets, also we got to see two characters again we haven't seen in a while; Sin and Ted Grant. Firstly I have always liked Sin's character and I'm glad to see her again I just wish that she didn't just pop up out of no where and they gave more explanation to where she has been. As for Ted I wanted him to be Wildcat again and he did not disappoint and it was awesome when he fought Brick; he really kicked his ass more than anyone else and I don't even mind he lost because I'm just going to chalk that up to the fact he has been retired for ages and Brick has almost superhuman strength anyway. Another character that was great this episode was Quentin, it was just so funny that he knew Roy straight away as Arsenal and how his joke about how Team Arrow choses names. Seems like he is going to realize Sara isn't the Black Canary soon because of Sin and since next episode is titled Canaries I'm guessing it's in that episode.

WILDCAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for Team Arrow they have been great during these three episodes; Roy has really matured in the absence of Oliver, I think Laurel becoming the Black Canary has been handled really well and Diggle is always just great. However the real let down has been Felicity because I think she just become a weak and whiny character lately. She completely ruined Oliver's homecoming and I don't get why, Oliver is basically using Malcolm to train him it is not like he is making him a member of the team. I just really miss the light hearted Felicity before who is super smart but can also cheer up the team and raise their confidence in any situation with her wit and one liners. I just hope they change her back to how she was before because right now I don't look forward to the scenes she is in since she is just a downer. Before I finish I know this episode was similar to the Dark Knight Rises but that doesn't bother me since the people behind the show have said before that Christopher Nolan's Batman has been inspiration for them and it isn't like their completely copying them.

Magic tricks work on everyone; kids or even assassins

Overall great finale to the three part episodes and I am glad that Brick is still alive to appear in future episodes. We got some great action and I actually liked the Flashbacks we got this time and I am looking forward to Oliver being in Star City once again.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Epic three part arc
                   Wildcat and Sin
                   A Malcolm focused episode and Flashbacks
                   Great showdown with Brick at the end

Let - Downs: Felicity has been a constant negative in these last three episodes
                      Wanted to see Malcolm's training in the League

 

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/          

Arrow Season Three: The Magician

Dark Archer is always awesome!

The episode begins with Oliver telling Nyssa that Sara is dead who leaves so he then meets Thea for dinner who says she will be buying back The Verdant, later Nyssa goes to Sara's grave and tells Laurel (who was there first) that she is unworthy of the Sara's jacket that was given to her. Oliver then confronts Nyssa about Sara's mission at a League hideout and she says Sara was in Starling to confirm if Malcolm was still alive, Oliver then confirms this with the rest of Team Arrow with photos Sara took. They then find a note Sara written and find out that she asked Quentin for help so when Laurel asks him about it he says Sara asked for help in finding a man named Jansen at a Buddhist monastery however when Nyssa, Red Arrow and Arrow go investigate they find that Malcolm is Jansen but he gets away but Arrow manages to wound. Oliver says he put a tracker on Malcolm however Laurel is angry that he didn't kill him when he had the chance and in a Flashback Oliver is ordered to kill someone for A.R.G.U.S.. Nyssa sees how Laurel is and Laurel asks her to kill Malcolm if Oliver can't bring himself to do it, Arrow then gets a call from Malcolm (after the tacker failed) to meet up in a public place and when they do Malcolm swears on Thea's life he wasn't Sara's killer.

"Maybe we shouldn't have brought Nyssa along"

Oliver then tells Thea Malcolm is alive and she lies by being surprised and when he returns to the Arrowcave Oliver says he believes Malcolm and Nyssa angrily storms out and kidnaps Thea. Arrow then goes to the location and rescues Thea and the Dark Archer arrives soon after and a three way fight ensures that ends in Nyssa being pinned to a wall. Malcolm then says to Oliver to kill him or not to which Oliver doesn't and says to Nyssa that Malcolm is under his protection in Starling, Nyssa responds by saying he has made an enemy of the League before leaving. In a Flashback it is revealed Waller was backing Fyers and when Oliver confronts her about this she said it was to kill China White. Felicity then returns from Central City and Thea is shown to be in contact with Malcolm. The episode ends with Nyssa returning to Nanda Parbat to inform her father, Ra's al Ghul (Matt Nable) what has happened, Ra's responds by saying Malcolm will be dealt with and so will Oliver for making war with the League.

Ra's al Ghul!!

We finally get the appearance of Ra's al Ghul one of DC's and Batman's iconic villains of all time! Really liked the ending scene because firstly Matt Nable was a great choice for the part, his accent really sounds great for Ra's and he really looked the part in his robes. Also he was seen getting out of a pool and I wonder if that was the Lazarus Pit? I hope it was because I really want it to exist in Arrow. As for Nyssa though I do like her and she is a great fighter I didn't like her much in this episode with her constant conflict with Oliver and her obsession with Sara (from season two til now) is just getting annoying to watch now. As for Laurel she has been a great character so far (she is even hitting the gym now) but she was annoying in this one too with her constant interfering with Oliver such as asking Nyssa behind Team Arrow's back to kill Malcolm, I mean she isn't Black Canary yet so I don't know why she thinks she is so important to the workings of Team Arrow. What was good about the Flashbacks was Oliver now resigning himself to be Waller's killer and the fact Waller hired Fyers to kill China White all along, I want to know more about that.

Doesn't anyone recognize Malcolm?

Malcolm was great as ever in this and I really liked the talk he had with Oliver in the crowded plaza; it was just the way these two arch enemies confronted each other that made for a real intense scene. Of course a highlight of this episode was the great action such as at the Buddhist monastery but the three way fight between Arrow, Dark Archer and Nyssa was just so awesome and I wished it was longer. However something I just had to mention was Roy doing that silly back flip when confronted by Nyssa, surely they could have thought of a better way for him to lose than that? Lastly I liked the dynamic between Thea and Oliver because they did promise now more secrets but they keep the biggest secrets from each other; I wonder why Oliver still won't tell her and I wonder what Thea's plans with Malcolm are?

"Been off the island for a while now, maybe I should get a haircut"

Overall this was good episode that could have had a lot more fights between Arrow, Dark Archer and Nyssa.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: The three way fight
                   Malcolm still steals every scene he is in
                   Ra's al Ghul

Let - Downs: Flashbacks
                      Couldn't stand Laurel or Nyssa
                      Roy's backflip
                        

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/

Arrow Season One: Year's End




Now that is a really awesome costume

Adam Hunt, who was recently taken down by Oliver, is on the phone but is interrupted by an unseen visitor. Hunt seems to know who this person is but his killed by three arrows to the chest before he can say much. While sparring in their hideout Diggle reminds Oliver that it is Christmas and that he should have a break, Oliver considers this after remembering how his family spent Christmas. In a Flashback Yao Fei has returned and has brought Fyers as a prisoner and says that they can use him to get off the island. In the present Oliver goes back to the manor and finds Malcolm Merlyn and Police Commissioner Brian Nudocerdo having dinner with Moira and Walter; Brian of course is against The Hood but Walter and Malcolm seem to show support. Walter is soon called away by Felicity who says that Dr. Doug Miller, the head of Applied Sciences at Queen Consolidated, is on the journal list while Brian is called away because the police have found out about Hunt's murder.

There's a new archer in town

Oliver listens in at the crime scene while Quentin tells Brian this was not The Hood; the arrows are black and since Hunt was already dealt with, he suspects a copycat. Oliver and Diggle try to work out who the copycat is and enlist the help of Quentin by slipping him a cell phone and speaking with a voice filter, however Quentin isn't interested in working with The Hood. While out with Thea, Oliver finds out that his family have been avoiding Christmas and their annual party for the last four years but Oliver wants to have one now. In a Flashback Fyers explains to Oliver that the island was a prison and when his men purged the island they only spared two; Yao Fei and Billy Wintergreen, the man in the mask. Oliver is still distrustful of him because he had Wintergreen torture him but Fyers argues that Yao Fei is guilty of slaughtering innocent people and needed to find him. In the present Malcolm voices concern that Walter is finding out too much (having already contacted Miller) and wants to call his "associate" to deal with but Moira says she will handle it.

"You calling to wish me Merry Christmas?"

Later a businessman is killed by the Dark Archer and while at the scene Brian want Quentin to accuse The Hood of the two recent murders however Quentin refuses believing this really isn't The Hood. When Brian takes Quentin off the case he phones The Hood and agrees to give him one of the black arrows used for the murder. Oliver gives the black arrow to Felicity and she works out where it came from meanwhile Tommy asks Laurel to Oliver's Christmas party. Oliver goes to the place where the black arrow was made but is almost caught in a bomb blast. Later at the Christmas party, except for talking with Laurel, things don't go so well; Walter confronts Moira about what she is involved in and says he won't stop and Oliver finds Thea about to get it on with her boyfriend and of course she tries to stupidly justify every stupid thing she does. He then has to leave the part when he finds out the Dark Archer has taken hostages in a warehouse and threatening to execute them.

Awwww a nice family portrait

In a Flashback Fyers has led them into a trap and Wintergreen arrives to battle Yao Fei; Oliver manages to escape but Yao Fei is captured. In the present Oliver as The Hood has arrived at the warehouse, freed the hostages and does battle with the Dark Archer however just when things look even the Dark Archer gets the upper hand and shoots two arrows in to Oliver's back. He moves in to unmask Oliver but his stabbed in the leg with an arrow and flees, Oliver then radios Diggle for help. Oliver wakes up in a hospital where Thea says she is sorry elsewhere the Dark Archer removes his hood to reveal Malcolm Merlyn. Walter is later kidnapped and when Moira confronts Malcolm about this he says he will be freed after his plan is done though Moira argues that it will cost thousands of lives. The episode ends with Oliver believing he has failed the city this time and resolved to find whoever wrote the list of names.

So will we see the real Deathstroke soon?

Took a long time to go over this episode but there was a lot of points to cover with the most important one being that there is a new archer in town and that it is Malcolm Merlyn. I am really glad that it was him because in the comics he his a master archer and arch - nemesis of the Arrow who calls himself Merlyn. As I mentioned when Malcolm was revealed to be Tommy's father Merlyn could have been him or Tommy since they both have been Merlyn in the comics. I don't know if this means that Tommy may one day take over the role since right now he doesn't even seem to be any good at fighting. However I am happy as Malcolm as the Dark Archer for now because he was a badass; everything from is awesome black costume to his fight with Oliver on the roof, it was really cool seeing two archers fight each other. Since this basically confirms Malcolm is the main antagonist I hope for more showdowns between him and Oliver.

"Let's let the two archers fight it out"

Another great thing was the great Flashback that surely makes up for it's two episode absence and proves that the Flashbacks are one of the best things about this series. I really didn't believe Fyers would have been captured that easily and that's good because we had an epic battle between Wintergreen and Yao Fei. I am surprised that he wasn't the real Deathstroke (Deathstroke's real name is Slade Wilson) so I guess this means Wintergreen might be an apprentice of the real Deathstroke or his apprentice his Deathstroke? (seriously thought that at the time and it doesn't sound that bad of an idea). I guess Oliver is on his own now and I wonder how long he will last without Yao Fei or how long Yao Fei will last under torture. We also learned more about the island and it is interesting to know this really isn't just some random spit of land but has a lot of backstory.

Look behind you Walter!

As for the rest of the episode once again the subplot involving Walter was good but I don't like how he is now taken out of the story. It almost feels like the writers don't know what to do with him or his investigation with Felicity so they decided to get rid of him for now which is a shame. Quentin was really great in this one because he actually stood up for The Hood when Brian wanted to blame him for the murders, I guess Quentin is getting around to seeing that The Hood isn't all bad. Lastly Thea has been a let down again; I said it before but I'll say it again the writers are trying to make her out as some troubled, rebellious, rich party girl but do we really care? Why does she have to justify the stupid things she does at the end of the episode why can't they give her an interesting subplot like Walter.

"I should have expected this!"

Overall this is one of the best episode so far and that is thanks to Malcolm and the great Flashback we had. You might have noticed I am speeding up my Arrow reviews but that is because I do want to catch up to season three but don't worry; there won't be any drop in quality because every review of old episodes I write are done at least a week in advance before upload so I got lots stored. Of course currently airing series like Gotham and The Flash have to be written in a day.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: The Dark Archer and the fights with Oliver
                   The Flashback - Yao Fei vs. Wintergreen
                
Let - Downs: Thea
                      Walter now out of the story

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/ 

Arrow Season One: Muse of Fire



Didn't put much thought in to a costume

The episode begins with Oliver meeting his mother outside Queen Consolidated who is turning down a building contract offer from a man named Paul Copani. Shortly after this a helmeted person on a motorcycle shoots and kills Copani and speeds off, Oliver tries to give chase but is unable to catch the shooter. Quentin later concludes that Moira is not in any danger from the shooter since Copani had mob connections, elsewhere Tommy wants to start a proper relationship with Laurel. Later in his hideout Oliver discovers that Copani worked for a man named Frank Bertinelli who is head of a major construction company but also is part of Starling City Mafia, Oliver wants to investigate him. Somewhere unknown a dark haired women, who was driving the motorcycle, crosses off Copani's picture on a board full of them.

"No one gets away from me!"

Tommy then arrives at Queen Manor and tells Oliver he wants a relationship with Laurel, Oliver wishes the best for both of them. Thea takes her mother out and says she doesn't like Oliver's recent behaviour but Moira thinks they should be easier on Oliver because he spent 5 years on an island. Oliver then goes to Bertinelli manor to discuss business (while really investigating him) and meets his daughter Helena (Jessica De Gouw), Frank is busy however and asks Helena to take Oliver out to dinner. Frank then meets with the Chinese Triad enforcers Zhishan and China White to see if the Triad are responsible for several attacks on his people, they deny this but Frank does not believe them. Meanwhile Quentin has been listening in on this conversation and thinks that the Triad wasn't responsible for Copani's murder since it wasn't done by a pro.

"I knew me and my white hair would be back!"

At dinner Oliver and Helena are hitting it off and Oliver finds out that Helena had a late fiancé named Michael Staton but the dinner is cut short when Oliver gets a call from Diggle, another dinner has not ended well when Tommy finds out his credit card is declined while out with Laurel. Oliver goes to stop one of Frank's enforcers named Nick who is violently attacking a family for information on the recent murders but both Oliver and Helena, dressed in their disguises, arrive at the same time and fight Nick and this men. Nick escapes and Oliver and Helena fight but Oliver manages to get her helmet off and is surprised it's Helena, he lets her go. At the hideout Oliver wants to know the reason Helena is targeting her family but Diggle isn't interested because she is just a killer. Quentin later warns Oliver at Queen Manor to stay away from Helena because her family is dangerous.



I'm sure Oliver was going easy on her

Tommy later confronts his father about his being cut off and Malcolm, revealed as Tommy's father Malcolm Merlyn, says he is finally tired of his son's irresponsibility and laziness. At a cemetery Oliver and Helena are kidnapped by Nick shortly after Oliver meets Helena at Michael's grave. Nick has found out Helena is killing her father's men and her reason is because Michael was killed by Nick and her father for being an FBI informant. Oliver and Helena break free of their restraints and fight Nick and his men which ends with Helena snapping Nick's neck. Tommy then goes to see Laurel and admits he has no money and lost his apartment and car, Laurel says it will be alright. Walter has now come back to Starling City and Thea apologises to Oliver about her attitude earlier. The episode ends with Oliver visiting Helena's apartment, who has figured out he is The Hood based on his fighting style, and they kiss.

"Your wishing you made those restraints tighter, don't you b***h?"

SPOILERS FOR TWO COMIC BOOK CHARACTERS BELOW




We have two comic book character introductions this episode with the first being Helena Bertinelli who is The Huntress and if I am honest I was not very impressed by her. I am a big fan of The Huntress in the comics (one of my favourite appearances of her was the Hush storyline) and I do not think they have done her justice here. In the comics she is rash and violent to the point that even Batman rarely relies on her but I still considered her a hero; I hate in this that she is an unlikable anti - hero with one of the stupidest back stories ever. In the comics she does harbour a grudge against the mafia but that is because as a child she witnessed the slaughter of her mafia family at the hands of a rival, she then travels around the world while training with her bodyguard. I don't see how after the murder of her fiancé she could suddenly think "I'll ride on a bike, kill everyone all my father's men and then him", I am just not buying it; it is just like Diggle said she is just a plain murderer in this. Not to mention her methods are sloppy when she kills and there's no explanation to how she became so good a fighter. Lastly I just think the acting of Jessica De Gouw was just poor; her best moment was during the dinner with Oliver not when she is The Huntress because then she is melodramatic and too emotionless really.

Big epic reveal!!

Now Malcolm Merlyn is a comic character that has been done right and looks to be an intriguing villain this season. I won't say now who he will be (wait till future episodes) but lets just say it could have been him or Tommy however Malcolm has already been seen as being involved in a conspiracy with Moira and seems to have impressive fencing skills. I have already liked Malcolm since he has been introduced (knew he was Malcolm Merlyn then but didn't say) because the guy just seems like he is going to be a great villain and I hope he is revealed to be the main antagonist.

Yay Walter's back!

As for the rest of the episode because I have said already that I hate the version of The Huntress and the storyline involving her it was something I really didn't care for. If I am honest I found the subplot involving Tommy and his no money predicament more enjoyable to watch and that didn't include any fighting. I just really liked how the playboy Tommy now has absolutely nothing and I think this will really develop his character into more than just Oliver's friend. From this we can also see that the relationship between him and his father isn't on the best of terms and hopefully we'll find out more about it.

"So this is how the poor live.......I'm not going to make it"

Overall I am glad that we have the first two - parter in Arrow but I hate that they had to ruin The Huntress and the short re - appearance of China White didn't really do anything. The only things I liked about this episode was the scenes involving Tommy and his father and Walter coming back to Starling. Also they didn't have any Flashbacks in this which was quite the change but I kind of wished they did have some since they provide some of the best moments.

SCORE: 4/10

Highlights: Tommy's character development
                   Malcolm and the moment he had with Tommy

Let - Downs: The Huntress and the casting for her
                      Didn't really care for the anything else in this episode      

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;





http://screencapped.net/

Arrow Season One: Pilot

So now that I have finished reviewing Revolution Season One I have decided to review Arrow just like I said. Like Revolution I know I am behind but I don't care since I am reviewing these because I enjoy it and if I start now I can be up to date for season four lol. Also like Revolution these reviews will go in depth in the story, the score in the end will be determined by how much I enjoyed the plot and what the characters did in it and again like Revolution even though I have seen all episodes I will act as if it is my first time watching them and remember what my first time reaction was when I first watched it.

The episode begins with a hooded man spotting a ship from an island and he uses a bow and arrow to create a signal fire and he is then rescued. The news report that follows reveals that this hooded man is Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) a young billionaire who has been missing and presumed dead for five years along with his father when their boat sank. He is taken home by his mother Moira Queen (Susanna Thompson) and his greeted by his younger sister Thea (Willa Holland) and Moira husband Walter Steele (Colin Salmon). Meanwhile Oliver's old girlfriend Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy), an attorney, is trying to find evidence against corrupt millionaire Adam Hunt but is shocked when she hears the news that Oliver is still alive.

You know the Green Arrow in the comics actually has hair and beard like this

Later, after having dinner with his best friend Tommy Merlyn (Colin Donnell), Oliver has a Flashback to the day the boat sank and his girlfriend Sara Lance was dragged under. The next morning Tommy takes Oliver out to look at how Starling City has changed and then he tires to reconcile with Laurel but she is still angry with him for bringing her sister on the Queen's Gambit. Oliver and Tommy are kidnapped by masked men who want to know if his father told him anything before he died. Since Tommy is knocked out Oliver is able to fight both of the masked men then wait for the police, he even lies to Detective Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne) that it was a hooded man who saved them.

Oliver hasn't driven for 5 years, don't hog the car Tommy

Oliver is then given a bodyguard, John Diggle (David Ramsey), however he manages to give him the slip and spends the day turning an abandoned Queen factory in to a base of operations and practises his archery. At night he dons his costume and threatens Adam Hunt to give his money to the victims after taking out his body guards, Hunt later tells this to Quentin but he is sceptical. That night Tommy holds a party for Oliver (Oliver already chose this place opposite Hunt's office) at a club but Oliver is disappointed by his sister's drunkenness and confiscates her drugs. Laurel then arrives and apologises however Oliver remains distant which causes her to storm off.



Time for the super epic entrance

After knocking out Diggle, Oliver heads over to Hunt's office but is wounded by stray gunfire but manages to escape before the police arrive. Quentin goes to the party, suspicious that it is opposite Hunt's office, but Oliver lies his was out of it. The next day Hunt's money is transferred to his victims and Oliver has a flashback to when his father committed suicide on the life raft so he could live, he is later sees the island in the distance. The episode ends with revealing that Tommy and Laurel slept together while Oliver was away and that Moira was the one who arranged Oliver's kidnapping by the masked men.

"Shipwrecked and my dad committed suicide......I'm sure the worst is behind me"   

With Marvel dominating films DC had to get their characters into live action some other way, so why not dominate a form of entertainment Marvel hasn't touched yet; a TV series. Before I watched this I was unsure if a TV series would be as could as a film for a superhero because of their less budget but Arrow does a really great job for it's first episode.

This city deserves a hero

Firstly I think we have a really great lead cast as Oliver Queen, I admit I haven't seen Stephen Amell in anything else before this but I was really impressed with him. His portrayal as Oliver is really intense and brooding and its good that we got a Flashback to how he used to be. Also something I am going to enjoy watching is how he is going to juggle his life as a vigilante and a billionaire playboy because he already dodged some suspicion and I'm sure it won't be the last time. When he is Arrow he does kick a lot of ass and I am really impressed with the costume because it focuses a lot more on stealth than I would have thought. I think that is how they are going to go when Oliver is Arrow, more sneaking up on his targets for now and using darkness.

"If Batman can have a Batcave then I can have an Arrowcave"

As for the other characters since this episode is a more Oliver centred episode it is hard to judge them right now but I really do like them all and they have been cast really well. A stand out was Diggle because I can't wait to see if he will eventually find out that Oliver is the vigilante since he basically has to be around him 24/7. As for his family his mother defiantly seems like an interesting character and from what we have seen at the end is involved in something shady as for his sister she's alright but is a tad annoying like when she was drunk and using drugs, I just hope a lot of run time isn't used to deal with her teenage problems because it looked like the start of it in this episode. I really like Tommy, he is probably going to be the fun billionaire in contrast to how Oliver is now. As for the Lance family they are alright; I like Quentin but I just don't know if I like Laurel because I just get the feeling she is going to be in almost every episode but either be not that important or the annoying character in it. Also really like seeing Colin Salmon in this, he has always been a great actor!
  

Deathstroke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two other things that stood out was the action that was one of the high points in this episode; I haven't really seen anyone use a bow as their primary weapon that much (besides Hawkeye from Avengers) but Oliver was really great with it. The two fights he had with Hunt's guards was cool; it wasn't too over the top and it didn't show Oliver as all invincible because he did get injured and almost captured during the second one. I also really liked the use of Flashbacks in this like Revolution because I guess it is a bit of a break from the main story and I am sure we will find out lots of answers in them; like how Oliver got so good with a bow or why is Deathstroke's mask on the island.

"So what do you think the murder weapon was?"

As for what I didn't like if I am honest I really found my self comparing this too much too Batman even though I didn't want to however it is hard not to because to since the stories are similar. I think maybe this show got a little too much inspiration from Christopher Nolan's Batman; Oliver disappearing and coming back as a vigilante is like Bruce Wayne, Quentin might end up being the Jim Gordon and Laurel is like Rachael Dawes. Maybe that's why I don't like Laurel because I hated Rachael from Batman because she was only in it for the sake of having a love interest but so unimportant that the film still could have worked if she wasn't in it. Also despite this only being the Pilot I have already got the feeling that this is going to be really grounded and realistic just like the Batman films and removes anything with powers or supernatural elements. Since this is just the Pilot I hope that isn't the case and the villains in this are not reduced to cheap, grounded copies of their comic book counterparts (I would also really like them to have proper costumes too).

Now that is one freaky mask

Overall this was a solid start to the Arrow series with its superb cast (especially Oliver and Diggle), some awesome action scenes and a great take on the Arrow comic. There was also quite a lot of hints to future villains and characters in this such as Deathstroke (that was really in your face), Merlyn and Black Canary, three great characters that I really hope are used. Unlike The Flash this has been out for ages and I know more about the Arrow so I don't mind spotting the references and pointing them out.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Stephen Amell as Oliver Queeen and the rest of the cast as well
                   Great action scenes when Oliver is Arrow
                   The use of Flashbacks to tell of Oliver's time on the island

Let - Downs: Feels like it will be too grounded
                      Don't like Laurel much

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/