I became hooked on Arrow a while back and binged watched my way through two seasons. I was so in love and wrapped up in the show and all of the characters. So, needless to say when season three started I was giddy with delight; I mean, who would be the "Big Bad"? Would Laurel ever stop crying and whining? Would Oliver and Felicity hook up? What happened to Thea? Would Dig really be a dad?
Then season three started and my enthusiasm for a great year started to crumble. Now we are stalled at episode 15, which aired last week titled Nanda Parbat or what I like to call "WTF? Really?"
So, I'd like to talk about what's been working, what's not, and how to fix it.
What Works:
1. Team Arrow. Lately the lair had been inundated with way too many bodies. Are they giving the pass code out to anyone? This season we've had Laurel, Merlyn, Nyssa, Thea and ever present Roy. Honestly what drew me in as a viewer was the effortless manner in which OTA (Original Team Arrow) operated. Oliver, Dig and Felicity worked seamlessly. Each new their role and job and did so, without generally too much drama. Now this season, the whole team is a fucking mess. Way too many cooks in the kitchen.
2. Dig. Diggle. Daddy Diggle. Whatever you choose to call him, he's the only character that seems to speak for the audience. The wise man, Buddha, some even call him Yoda. I don't care how you refer to him, but please respect him. This is a man who is obviously older than all his contemporaries, and because of that he holds some valuable wisdom. Most of which he's been truth bombing on Oliver. I really wish and hope that the EP's and writers will give him more to work with. Being sidelined is such a waste of David Ramsey's talent. Also give the man his own mask for crying out loud!!! He's more than earned it and has more to lose than all the others!
3.Thea. Damn, the girl is badass! I never thought much of her the past few season. Most of opinions ranged from spoiled rich girl, to just annoying. I love what they have done with her character and how strong she has become. She's a fighter and makes her own choices. Whether they are good or bad choices is up to interpretation, but I respect her. Now this is a welcomed addition to Team Arrow. A useful one. Looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for her.
4. Katana and Maseo are one interesting couple. While the past is still not totally known, their current state is intriguing. Katana is an amazing sword fighter and Maseo with his non-stop loyalty that never waivers makes him enduring. I really want these two on the show more, but present day. Enough with the flash backs! Sometimes I feel like they are cutting away from what really needs to be known.
5. Felicity. You knew I was going to include her, right? I know her actions and words have ruffled a lot of feathers this season. But I like it. My girl has backbone, and she's not afraid to speak the truth. I like that in a character. However that doesn't mean she's without flaws. The girl's got them and I'm not talking about Ray Palmer. I wish she had been a bit more verbal in her feelings toward Oliver, but I get it. I also didn't really feel so great when she was standing next to Palmer all proud after he took over Queen Consolidated. It felt kind of cold, but then again all characters have flaws. I'll also say this: those who are crying in their pillows about her having sex with Palmer need to get a reality check. How could you not see that coming? I saw it in 3x01. I knew that's what the writers were planning on doing. However, it took much longer than anticipated. I'm not saying Felicity should have mounted him in episode 3x02, but I was really growing tired of her making threats and not following through. There's nothing worse than having a strong female character wait around for the guy she's in love with to come to his senses. Felicity deserves some lightness, why not with Palmer? It's not endgame people, it's just a rebound relationship that I feel she desperately needs.
What's Not Working:
1. Oliver. I hate to say it, but I really am not feeling him this season; and it's his fucking show. I'm going attribute it to sloppy writing. He's all over the place this season, and I find myself growing continuously angry with his actions. I do love his devotion to Thea and Felicity, but I think he really needs some intense therapy. Maybe all the years of being hunted and a killer are starting to break Mr. Queen? This whole season has been billed as an identity theme, so Oliver in conflict with himself seems about right. I just wish they'd infuse him with some happy moments. It's no fun watching Oliver fight himself over and over again. It almost feels like a step backwards the way the are writing him. He's come along way, only to revert back to how he was in the beginning.I'm starting to think Ra's al Ghul isn't really the Big Bad of the season; maybe it's Oliver vs. Arrow?
2. Black Canary. I still can't get into Laurel being Black Canary. I know it's her destiny per comic books, but her path to becoming this great warrior is so LAME. I blame this on the writing. If they had made her Black Canary in season one, I feel like we'd all being singing a different tune. But this...this presentation is just so sloppy and it feels like it's a little too late. Let's face it; Laurel hasn't worked in a long time, but it seems like the EP's are not going to be satisified until they beat her over our heads and we submit.The manner in which they killed off Sara was so painful. I called it before the season began, and I remember other people dismissing me. No, I knew they were going to do it, and I knew it was going to happen in 3x01. And they did it! Those bastards did it!! Sara had a lot of grace and YEARS of training to become The Canary, while Laurel gets a few boxing lesson and tries to single white female herself into her sister's clothes....No. Sorry. I just can't. Her recklessness and stupidity is beyond conventional thinking. Sometimes I wonder if the writers sit around and think about the worst case situation for Laurel and then make it happen. Do they even like her? Some might say no. I feel like this character has been so trampled on that there is no room for her Arrow any more.
3. Ra's al Ghul. Who? Yeah, exactly. The billed Big Bad of season three has only made his presence known on a few occasions, and yet we are supposed to be worried and terrified. Everyone keeps talking about how menacing and evil this guy is, but it seems like a lot of hot air. Sure, he killed Oliver and kicked his dying body of a cliff. But beyond that we only have the frightened whispers of Merlyn to go on. Speaking Merlyn, could he really be the baddie of the season? Honestly to me, he's way worse than Ra's. Merlyn drugged his own daughter and had her kill Sara. So much worse in my eyes. Dude needs to get in a body bag, now. Anyhow, now they have Ra's offering Oliver the title of the next Ra's Al Ghul, as if it's some kind of pageant award. (That could be a new show....DC's Next Ra's al Ghul.) I doubt Oliver will take the job up long term, but Ra's just doesn't do it for me. I feel like they've wasted the potential of this great villain. Also, please let's not get started with all the ripoffs from Batman with the current story? Ugh.
4. Ray Palmer/ATOM. Does anyone else feel like Brandon Routh is just wasting him time? I feel like it. There has to be the promise of his own show, or else I couldn't see him sticking around for another season. (Announced on Friday is a new Arrow/Flash spin off in development with Brandon Routh and Caity Lotz.) I know The Flash is all about the impossible being true, but Arrow is a realistic show. Having ATOM take off flying at the end of episode 15 felt wrong and cheap. I don't really mind the character, even though he started off a bit rough and possibly unstable. I've grown to like and understand his eccentric ways. Still, I just can't get on board with a flying dollar store version of Iron Man. Sorry.
How To Fix It:
1. Let's bring Oliver full circle by the end of the season. Have him learn and understand that he can and does need help from other super heroes. The guy needs to learn that he can't handle and take on everything by himself. He really needs to accept the fact that he cannot control everyone. People are going to do what they want, Oliver needs to make peace with it. Make him understand by doing so, he is allowing himself to have a life. A life as Oliver Queen and possibly with Felicity. He needs to let go of that invisible weight he carries and allow himself to be happy. Even if he's not with Felicity in the immediate future, allow him to get his house in order. He needs to embrace Oliver Queen so he can get his family's company back and maybe that lovely old mansion!
2. Take Laurel and Ray and ship them both off to the new show in development. If there was ever a way to give a character a fresh start, it's by doing this. Laurel could get redemption by surrounding herself in a new environment and new friends. I am actually curious to see what kind of chemistry Katie Cassidy and Brandon Routh have. On looks alone, I'd ship the two characters romantically. What would their name be? Lauray? Anyhow I also think this would be a great opportunity to allow Ray's story to be told, without eating up precious time on Arrow. I also think it would allow for amazing recurring appearance by both of the characters. Win-win?
3. Give Thea a role on Team Arrow. She's a brilliant fighter, so it's really a no-brainer, except I'm sure Oliver will protest and pout. One can only hope the team silences his reasons and overrules him. She's also become an interesting character and I want to know more about her. Another selfish reason? I want Felicity to have a gal pal. Why is this not happening yet?***Just saw on Twitter that Willah is being fitted for a mask, so a suit is not far behind....
4. Which brings me to this....Give Diggle a fucking mask! Seriously, I can't believe this is even being discussed. He has the most to lose with that new little family he created. Just give him a mask! Give him a mask!!! Fuck!!
I am eagerly awaiting this seasons final episodes with cautious optimism. I understand the need for the show to keep things fresh and exciting, but they might want to take the baby steps approach. Too much has been done and introduced this season and I feel like the original feel of the show has been lost.
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