Target Practice: Poisoned Arrow (The Bitterness Thread)

[calliope1975]

I often dream of a Lazarus Pitted Moira. I mean that would have been kind of awesome. I mean it's horrible because you know resurrecting from the dead, but I swear I would pay all the money to watch a pissed off, wackadoodle Moira get her vengeance on.

 

You know Moira would have sauntered out of the LP, not a single hair out of place, perfectly tailored clothing with all her soul and cognitive abilities in tact. Then, she would have asked MM for some water because she was parched.

[looptab]

Moira is the reason I stuck with Arrow after the pilot. I wasn't that convinced about the show, the actors, the characters, but her scheming intrigued me enough to keep watching.:(

[kismet]

We've hit the bitter about losing Moira part of the Hiatus... It doesn't take us long to get there. :'(

 

I loved everything about Moira Queen. She was hands-down my 2nd favorite character behind OQ. I have a sweet spot for Tommy, but as a character he was not as well written or dynamic as Moira. Everything that made me love Tommy, I think was CD's performance. On the other hand MQ as a character was masterfully written and performed by ST. Her character had so much potential, I half believed they killed her out of fear of failure to live up to that potential.

 

She was evil and yet good, cunning and yet misguided, deeply loving and yet emotionally shortsighted. She was like a well balanced glass of wine, just when you think you've gotten all her notes or tastes another one would appear. You could match her with other characters and just get a different flavor every time. They were sitting on a gold mine and just sold it for a cheap thrill. It was ballsy but at what cost? It ripped our hearts out, but they were going to do that in s3 opener with SL, there was no need to do it with MQ.

 

I think what makes me most BITTER, is that they had the perfect opportunity to send her away if they were temporarily done with telling her story. She could have been sent to prison. Perfect solution. Can you imagine what MQ would have been after some time in prison? The things she would have learned. MM would have been shaking in his pants. Part of me wonders if they thought of that and ST declined wanting to come back. But even if that happened BTS, then don't kill her find a way to work her into s3. They're had to have been some plot they could throw at her. They could have had her reach out to Ras, and then have Ras come and double cross her. Maybe make her sacrifice her relationship with OQ as payment for getting rid of MM. I hate to say it, but if given the choice to kill MQ or TQ to get OQ to feel the loss of a family member, I would have chosen TQ. I think they chose the wrong Queen to kill. That being said, I don't think they actually needed to kill a Queen to have Slade get his revenge. It just ripped out our hearts.

Edited December 20, 2015 by kismet

[tarotx]

Moira was my second favorite character behind Oliver as well :(

[catrox14]

Same. Moira was my second fav after Oliver.

[Luckylyn]

I'm bitter that Moira and Felicity never got to have another scene together after Felicity told Oliver the truth about Thea's parentage and that we'll never get to see her reaction to Oliver/Felicity's engagement.  Seeing some sort of evolution in the Moira/Felicity dynamic would have been so interesting to watch.

 

There was more story for Moira, and it's terrible that so much potential was lost with the decision to kill her.

[Happy Harpy]

Moira wasn't ruined by bad writing, Tommy didn't become a Poor Man Spiderman's best friend = pretty much my only solace.

 

Moira would have made a better Ra's than Ra's. And a better Ra's than Malcolm. I'm sure she'd have loved to have minions, too. I'd pay to see her order minions around. Moira vs Damian, oh, the real clash of the Titans. Ice Queen for the win.

I also miss that she was a good foe for Felicity, and seeing those two smart women learning to coexist for the sake of the man they both love more than anything. And at least, the BM drivel would have had one good thing about it and would actually make sense as a part of the mother/son dynamics, instead of being a stupid cheap romantic roadbloack.

If they had made a spinoff about the grownups, Moira, Walter, Quentin, Donna, Malcolm, now Damian, I'd have been counting the days before the premiere.

 

While I'm at it, Slade was wasted and I want him back. I want the fact that Felicity brought him down exploited. And with the Mirakuru pseudo-science = he'd have made imo a better, more believable anti-villain than Malcolm. I'd love to see him interact with Diggle, and Oliver and Diggle share and relate to each other because their respective "brother" turned bad.

 

While I'm at it, I miss Roy. He and Thea were good for each other, he'd be better at helping her dealing with bloodlust than Malcolm. And I miss how he used to fit like a glove with OTA, his relationship with Diggle and Felicity and Oliver. 

 

All those opportunities wasted and yet, Because Comics is still around. W.H.Y. Seriously.

[bijoux]

And at least, the BM drivel would have had one good thing about it and would actually make sense as a part of the mother/son dynamics, instead of being a stupid cheap romantic roadbloack.

 

 

That would have actually been a good storyline then and gone into Moira's relationship with Oliver, probably Thea and, iwith Oliver and Felicity together, her as well. It would have made a ton of sense to do it were that the case.

 

If they had made a spinoff about the grownups, Moira, Walter, Quentin, Donna, Malcolm, now Damian, I'd have been counting the days before the premiere.

 

 

I went to check, and Walter's last appearance was in City of Blood, 2x21. Jesus, that's almost 40 episodes since we have seen him. Why? He's Thea's dad just as much as Robert and certainly more than Malcolm. And he called Oliver son after he was saved from his abductors. Why, why isn't he there? Have him drop by the hospital to see Felicity. After all, she came to visit him and joined the whole cause because of him. Really, here you have a cool guy with connections to three main characters. Use him. 

[quarks]

 

I went to check, and Walter's last appearance was in City of Blood, 2x21. Jesus, that's almost 40 episodes since we have seen him. Why? He's Thea's dad just as much as Robert and certainly more than Malcolm. And he called Oliver son after he was saved from his abductors. Why, why isn't he there? Have him drop by the hospital to see Felicity. After all, she came to visit him and joined the whole cause because of him. Really, here you have a cool guy with connections to three main characters. Use him. 

 

I'd love to see Walter back on the show, but my guess is that it's been a problem of actor availability - based on IMDB he's been almost constantly booked throughout 2014 and 2015, and he's listed for three separate films in 2016 and already listed for a 2018 production. I have no idea how big any of those roles are, but it does look as if scheduling would be difficult.

[way2interested]

While I'm at it, Slade was wasted and I want him back. I want the fact that Felicity brought him down exploited. And with the Mirakuru pseudo-science = he'd have made imo a better, more believable anti-villain than Malcolm. I'd love to see him interact with Diggle, and Oliver and Diggle share and relate to each other because their respective "brother" turned bad.

Honestly, this is what I wanted in season 2, and what I wanted mentioned in 314. 314 was alright, I did actually like it, but I was hoping that the episode would have also been about Oliver catching up Thea with everything that's really been happening for the last 2.5 years (including Diggle, Felicity, Roy, and Sara) and then have the subject of Sara come up continuously throughout the episode until Thea eventually finds out. And then to have Slade tell Thea about the years on the island to counter Oliver's probably censored version of what happened, along with trying to kill Oliver/get off the island. But, alas, Slade was somewhat reduced to a crazy island man VOTW rather than a real attempt at revenge that I would have loved to see from Slade.

Honestly, in my dream world, I would have had either Felicity and Diggle on the island with them or have Slade break out of the island and come back to Starling City. It's not that I want Diggle and Felicity to take plot away from Thea, it's just that I wanted to have Thea become newly submerged into Team Arrow and actually get introduced to Oliver's other life. And I wanted Slade to be taken down by more than just Thea and Oliver in one fight.

[bijoux]

I'd love to see Walter back on the show, but my guess is that it's been a problem of actor availability - based on IMDB he's been almost constantly booked throughout 2014 and 2015, and he's listed for three separate films in 2016 and already listed for a 2018 production. I have no idea how big any of those roles are, but it does look as if scheduling would be difficult.

 

That's very rational. I'm not currently feeling like that, I just waaant Walter. Could be becuse I saw 1x06 last night where he's had it with Moira and hightails it to Australia.

[AES13]

It's a shame that they don't throw in a line, here or there, about Walter, about Laurel's training, various other things, something to indicate that while they can't fit a scene in, they at least acknowledge the issue.  I could at least credit them with being on the ball if not able to actualize the scene due to budget, timing or actor availability shortfalls.

[SmallScreenDiva]

They've name-dropped Walter at least twice this season, I believe. Once in the premiere when one of the officials mentioned Walter declining to run for mayor, and then when the Queens hired Alex after Walter recommended him. Both times I really appreciated the mention, though I would have preferred actually seeing Colin Salmon. I miss him, he added gravitas to the show (must be that velvety voice and British accent). He and Susanna Thompson did that, as well as early Quentin and Malcolm.

 

I enjoyed Walter and Felicity and would have loved seeing more Colin/Emily scenes. I'm curious about Walter's reaction to the proposal; I would think he approves. I know this won't happen on the show so I'll just imagine one of the flower arrangements in Felicity's hospital room came from Walter. 

Edited December 21, 2015 by SmallScreenDiva

[Morrigan2575]

It's been said before but all this talk of Walter brought it back to me. I really, really hate how this show is trying to insist that Malcolm being little more than a Sperm donor is somehow automatically Thea's for realz father. Meanwhile the men who loved/raised/supported her are pretty much made irrelevant. I get that TPTB have a thing for Merlyn/Barrowman but it's like they want to pretend Robert never existed for Thea.

[wonderwall]

Wait... I feel like I'm missing something. Who is this Walter you guys are speaking of?

[Ann Mack]

Wait... I feel like I'm missing something. Who is this Walter you guys are speaking of?

He was Moira's husband and CEO of Queen Consolidated when Oliver returned from the island. He was a good character and even helped Oliver bail out QC when Isabel was trying to do the hostile overtake in S2.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Ann Mack

[kismet]

At least they are still name dropping Walter... which means they haven't forgotten him. Perhaps if CS becomes available perhaps they can write him into an episode or few.

His gravitas is greatly missed. :(

[SmallScreenDiva]

He was Moira's husband and CEO of Queen Consolidated when Oliver returned from the island. He was a good character and even helped Oliver bail out QC when Isabel was trying to do the hostile overtake in S2.

 

I believe wonderwall was being snarky about Walter's absence ;)

[Ann Mack]

I believe wonderwall was being snarky about Walter's absence ;)

Oh lol!

[wonderwall]

I miss Moira so god damn much. What an absolute Queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THis show really REALLY needs to learn how to NOT kill off the more interesting, rich characters with many layers. I will never understand why they had to kill Moira or why they had to kill Sara in the first place... Women with rich backgrounds, characters, layers, need to be treasured on TV. Not killed for shock value that only lasts so long -_- Think of the story potential for Moira. So much more than other characters on this show who don't bring as much to it. 

And let's not forget, that if they didn't kill Moira, Walter wouldn't have left either. 

Edited December 30, 2015 by wonderwall

[kismet]

Another tear shed for Moira. She had so much more story and potential story that it wasn't even worth the shock value to kill her. They have also proven that they have been unable to replace her. Imagine how much better s3 and even s4 would be with ST/MQ. I think part of the reason JB seems out of place is because he does not have someone to play off of or someone to contrast. The only one that can match him line for line with his verbal sparring is FS/EBR. But there is little reason for them to interact. The others can get a few shots here and there but no one has been able to match the sizzle of JB & ST sharing scenes and plots.

I miss Tommy and Sara, and their deaths had emotional shock value and resonance. But I feel like the show has been able to fill in the gaps they left with FS, Dig and TQ. No one has filled the gaping hole left by MQ. At times, I think they are trying to do that with MamaSmoak but its a completely different character and level of gravitas. Plus no offense, it feels like less of Queens story if you kill of all the Queens and separate him from his legacy. So now we have masks and other families taking up the plot real estate that should belong to the Queen family. Most of the reason s3 felt adrift is because everything that was OQ and part of the Queen legacy was gone. And part of the reason I invested in OQ was because of the family drama element with MQ. You just can't reproduce that level of emotional drama by substituting MM or MamaSmoak. It failed in s3. And it feels completely different in s4, it's less Shakespearean and more Soapy, when the writers have a tendency to skew Soapy at baseline. MQ elevated the soapiness.

Edited December 30, 2015 by kismet

[tv echo]

Here's my bitterness for the day...

 

Why is it that the romantic relationship is the only relationship that falls prey to the belief that happiness equals boredom in tv land?

 

The hero's brotherly relationship with his best friend/right arm can remain strong throughout a series without complaint (Oliver/Diggle, Crichton/D'Argo on Farscape, etc.).  The hero's father-son like relationship can remain solid throughout a series without complaint (Barry/Joe West). But the idea of the hero's love relationship remaining strong throughout a series seems to trigger the Pavlovian response of 'oh, it'll get boring, let's break them up or create angst'.

[EmilyBettFan]

It's funny it all goes along with the soap opera debate. There are some people who think season one wasn't a soap opera because of his killings and because some like GA/BC. Let's not forget the constant love interests, the family dramas, coming back from the dead and in season 2 he sleeps with his father's mistress. Some of these people are just pissed he is with Felicity. That's what it comes down to.

[hogwash]

You'd think S03 would've changed that line of thinking for people watching the show and the people behind the show. I'm so happy the show's fast pacing and plot over characters means that marriage is a real possibility for Oliver/Felicity. That kind of commitment severely limits what they can do to get angsty separations (hi, 408!).

[AyChihuahua]

I don't know about that. The two main characters on Castle got married and they still did an apparently (I got bored and stopped watching years ago) very stupid and contrived separation for them this season.

[hogwash]

I've never been invested in HIMYM or Castle but I applaud their shows for pulling such great counterexamples to the Moonlighting curse out of their butts. Anything can happen in Arrow but I like that there's two huge examples that show at some point you can't go back to your original plans and you can't force a reset to the dynamic of the earlier seasons. Their blunders will improve my TV viewing experiences for years to come. Plus, everyone called bullshit the second they tried to pull S03's contrived nonsense.

[AyChihuahua]

I've never been invested in HIMYM or Castle but I applaud their shows for pulling such great counterexamples to the Moonlighting curse out of their butts. Anything can happen in Arrow but I like that there's two huge examples that show at some point you can't go back to your original plans and you can't force a reset to the dynamic of the earlier seasons. Their blunders will improve my TV viewing experiences for years to come. Plus, everyone called bullshit the second they tried to pull S03's contrived nonsense.

I'm not sure how either of those are counterexamples. In HIMYM like four seconds after whatshisname got together with the mother we found out she was actually dead the whole time, so we pretty much spent zero time with them as a happy couple (and Barney and Robin got divorced). If you meant Marshall and Lilly, they weren't really the primary romantic couple, but they even split up at the end of S1 or S2. 

 

In Castle, as I mentioned, they got married I think last season after a whole bunch of idiotic wedding shenanigans, and then this season they split up. I think they're kind of together again, but secretly, or some similar idiocy.

[kismet]

Castle got a new showrunner and has been on the air a long time. As much as I love the show, I think they are starting to run out of ideas that allow the characters to grow but still keep true to the premise of the show. Plus I love Castle & Beckett, but its also supporting cast that knock it out of the park. The show would not be the same without Kevin, Javi, Lanie, Alexis & Martha. So it becomes hard to move all those characters to a new overall show concept. It would be unrealistic that they all move to another town & join the FBI like they did with Beckett a few seasons ago. Or that they would all the sudden give up their jobs and join Castle’s PI firm. It’s a big enough stretch that his talented daughter has given up a career and joined his PI firm. I only accept it because I like the characters and the chemistry and can overlook that she probably would have chosen something else. So the showrunners hands are tied in someways, but how they are handling some of it is pretty bad both last season & this season. The whole wedding shenanigans was a disgrace to the show and the characters.

 

But back to ARROW –
I think they will have OQ & FS get married. But I don’t think that will stop the drama that they try to throw at the characters or the couple. Because they are two main characters, there is no way for them to escape drama on a TV show. I just hope they keep it organic to their characters. I may hate the fact that OQ is withholding information from FS, but it fits his character. I may dislike when FS hits low with her verbal sparring, but also it is within her character. I just pray they stay away from the common tropes like cheating or long-lost loves coming back to threaten the relationship romantically. BM may be bringing the drama, but I don’t think either she or OQ want to get back together, so there is at least that.

 

I do think that they will try to keep OQ/FS relationship strong. But I also think as part of that idea, they also feel the need to challenge the couple to prove how strong the relationship is. The ARROW writers do tend to default into challenging their characters & relationships to prove how strong they are. To me it comes off as them trying to prove themselves as writers. They really go out of their way to torture their characters. It would be nice in the New Year or future episodes for them to allow their characters to be happy for a few episodes without bringing down the angst/drama hammer at every turn. That’s why I hope next year we get a Happy Holiday break.

 

A lot of people mention it here, that they rarely let the scenes breath. The same can be true for the characters; they rarely let the characters breath and have a respite either. It would be nice if in addition to letting some of the relationships stay strong and drama free, they just let the audience have a few moments or at least a full week to savor happiness. Every time we get one happy moment they take it away in a few scenes or at least by the next episode.

[Chaser]

I was reading Laura Hurleys answers to the LL asks and started thinking about the direction the show could have taken.

The show doesn't need a BC. Bringing her in on a show about the orgins of GA was a mistake. There isn't enough room. The problem is amplified by making Laurel BC. It doesn't make sense to have a late 20s full time lawyer with no previous experience into a fighter on the level of Arrow.

If they wanted a BC, Sara is perfect. A recurring character with a tie to Oliver. A fully established fighter. She could pop in every once in awhile as an ally to Team Arrow. What to do with Laurel? Drop her to recurring as well. They tied up the dangling relationship with Oliver by mid season 2. There were no loose ends. Bring her in only as Lawyer Laurel if needed.

As for Lance and Thea, a police connection is of more use than a legal one so keep Lance a regular. A Commissioner Gordan type. I wouldn't change much with Thea. Having a female fighter is important but you need to have the right one for the show. A full time BC doesn't work. Speedy does. She's young so her training and evolution makes sense. She fills the side kick role in a way that provides growth for Oliver. That connection to Oliver is strong.

I wouldn't change anything about Diggle or Felicity. That core team should be Team Arrow. The core romance should Oliver and Felicity.

It could have been so good.

[wonderwall]

You know...... going through all of EBRs latest interviews... Nothing annoys me more when someone asks EBR when Felicity will become a hero. SHE ALREADY IS ONE DAMMIT

[Happy Harpy]

I watched Chicago Med with Colin Donnell, yesterday.

 

Arrow, you killed the wrong character and you let the wrong actor go in the S1 finale. I'm now as bitter about Tommy as I am about Moira.

[wonderwall]

I watched Chicago Med with Colin Donnell, yesterday.

 

Arrow, you killed the wrong character and you let the wrong actor go in the S1 finale. I'm now as bitter about Tommy as I am about Moira.

 

Can you imagine how much better this series would be if they weren't tied down to BC - "because comics"??? How much better it would've been if they killed off Laurel in S1? How much less time the show would've wasted on her and her non-essential problematic family that's only function on the show to create problems and drama? 

 

I weep for what could've been

[NumberCruncher]

I miss Colin Donnell's beautiful face on Arrow. Before Felicity came along, Tommy was the main reason I plodded through S1.

[DeadZeus]

The show doesn't need a BC. Bringing her in on a show about the orgins of GA was a mistake. There isn't enough room. The problem is amplified by making Laurel BC. It doesn't make sense to have a late 20s full time lawyer with no previous experience into a fighter on the level of Arrow.

 

I agree, Laurel was interesting for story purposes. Now she is there for Story purposes AND fightscenes. To much screentime is taken away from Oliver because of that imo

[wonderwall]

I feel like Laurel's story was always limited. First it was limited because she didn't know Oliver's secret, then she became BC taking time away from other deserving fighters (but she did have a more decent personal story during that 'transformation'), now she's BC and she's limited in that sense because she can't be good or better than Diggle/Oliver, nor is there any unique story that they can give Laurel as a fighter that Oliver/Diggle haven't had.

 

Laurel's arcs always dragged the show IMO. First because her arcs were too independent and didn't add any value to the show or plot or her characterization, then because she takes too much time and effort that the writers can't even spare for her because there are other characters on the show that need focus as well. 

[KenyaJ]

Yep. My problem isn't that she takes too much time from other characters, because outside of the Laurel-centric episodes, she gets almost no focus at all. My problem is that she's completely superfluous to Oliver's narrative and the show. The show refuses to capitalize on the one thing that makes her useful -- being a lawyer -- and as a result, she adds nothing of value to the show.

[EmilyBettFan]

That is why I can never like LL. David/EBR may have more screen time but, they never get arcs like KC does. That's why I feel like she's everywhere on the show because they try to fit her in scenes where she really shouldn't be.

[kismet]

I miss Tommy so MUCH! Tears shed. :( And now I can't even watch Collin Donnell on Chicago Med, because I really cannot tolerate hospital shows. I will tune in from time to time if I remember, but I have no desire to actually watch the show. It's not a bad show, it's just a personal preference thing.

 

But TOMMY on ARROW would have been amazing. I still believe he is NOT dead. So in my headspace he is somewhere better than SC, hopefully not being tortured or brought to the dark side. I will shed a tear for Tommy when they confirm that he is dead. So far, I am still skeptical considering all we have seen post-death is his tombstone.

 

I don't imagine CD would want to come back to the show full time. But I can imagine in my little head that he is happy living a better life far away from SC, until of course he wants to move back home after OQ finally saves the city.

[johntfs]

I have weird anticipatory bitterness about the grave and the idea of killing Felicity, even "temporarily."  I remember in 3.20 Ra's al Ghul telling Felicity that she had "a great fire" inside her.  Fires bring both heat and light, just like Felicity.  Arrow would a dark, cold lifeless show without her, and I doubt that I would continue to watch it. 

[wonderwall]

I have weird anticipatory bitterness about the grave and the idea of killing Felicity, even "temporarily."  I remember in 3.20 Ra's al Ghul telling Felicity that she had "a great fire" inside her.  Fires bring both heat and light, just like Felicity.  Arrow would a dark, cold lifeless show without her, and I doubt that I would continue to watch it. 

 

I think that out of everyone in the show apart from Oliver, Felicity would be the last person the show would kill, they'd probably sooner kill Laurel (who's intricately tied to the comics, whom no one thinks will die). 

 

Worst thing that could possibly happen to Felicity in this scenario is that she's out for the entire episode and the next one. I doubt the show is going to keep Felicity 'dead' for very long. Regardless of what people think, the show needs Felicity. Not only for her expertise but for what she brings to the characters (like Oliver) and the show in terms of tone. 

 

I don't ever see EBR not being in an episode from now till the end of the show's run. I say this with confidence because she didn't have to be in 304, but she did make an appearance. 

 

Also kudos to you for finishing Arrow rather quickly :) That takes a lot of dedication!

[loki567]

I wouldn't be that surprised if Oliver got knocked off before Felicity although that would mainly be due to Amell walking away if his career takes off after Ninja Turtles. 

[johntfs]

I wouldn't be that surprised if Oliver got knocked off before Felicity although that would mainly be due to Amell walking away if his career takes off after Ninja Turtles. 

 

I can't really imagine that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 is going to "make" anyone's career.  It might break some careers if it lands like a wet fart, but making, not so much.

[loki567]

I'm not expecting him to win an oscar or be held accountable for the box office gross, but it's a stepping stone for Amell. It'll make it a little easier for him to get that next role. 

[johntfs]

I'm not expecting him to win an oscar or be held accountable for the box office gross, but it's a stepping stone for Amell. It'll make it a little easier for him to get that next role. 

 

True enough.  Next season (assuming renewal) will be Arrow Season 5.  Five to seven seasons is a respectable run for most shows.  I don't think I really want to watch Arrow Season 22 with Felicity dealing with menopause.

[dtissagirl]

She'll be 43 in season 22, WAY too early for menopause.

[jay741982]

You know...... going through all of EBRs latest interviews... Nothing annoys me more when someone asks EBR when Felicity will become a hero. SHE ALREADY IS ONE DAMMIT

Ticks me off as well Masks don't make heroes! I bet EBR gets annoyed as well

[Starfish35]

I just rewatched the pilot episode. I don't know how far I'll go with any rewatch, but it was interesting to see it after so long.

The action scenes were amazing. I miss that so much. And there's a.....directedness, I guess. Maybe focus is a better word. I still think season one was the best plotted out of any season (although admittedly it's too soon to really make that call for season four).

I guess I feel a little sad. I think they've definitely improved some things....bringing on Felicity, dumping Lauriver and the whole Oliver/Laurel/Tommy triangle idea. But they've lost some things too. I miss the show feeling so focused.

I don't know if that makes much sense. :( It's hard to put into words.

[thegirlsleuth]

I preferred season two to season one, but only by a little, and I do miss a lot of the strengths from season one. They had my attention from Moira's "my beautiful boy," where you see Oliver crack for a moment. Amell parkouring in street clothes are my favorite stunts of the series because it is a reminder that this a regular guy, without superpowers or fancy tech, who is trying to be a hero (also, Amell scaling the side of the building to retrieve a bullet is one of his high points of hotness). People haranguing him to open up during the first half of the season got a little monotonous, but things got zippy with Diggle and then Felicity showed up on scene, and the end of the season, where Oliver didn't quite save the day, was both stunning and appropriate considering his weaknesses. I also think the flashbacks were pretty compelling, and part of the larger strength of the season, which is that everything was laser focused on Oliver. I miss that in the move to the more ensemble feel, although I suppose it is necessary for something that runs more than a few seasons.

[Starfish35]

There are things about season two that I prefer, particularly 2A. But I didn't feel like the Slade/Mirakuru plot was well thought out, and I thought things started to unravel with Shado's death. In that sense, I think season one has been the best, with the whole List/Undertaking arc. I don't think any season since has been that tightly plotted and well structured.

[looptab]

I agree. They managed to tie the list, the Undertaking, Moira's schemes in a pretty compelling way that they weren't able to re-create after. If Slade's arc was memorable was due to the performances, and the fact that we had seen Slade and Oliver grow close in the fb so it was all the more enthralling seeing Slade going BSC, surely not because it was well plotted.

Edited January 8, 2016 by looptab