After a bye week for Thanksgiving, Arrow is back, this time to skewer a few turkeys, and possibly the Huntress.
This kicks off the show’s first multi-episode arc, where the Huntress will serve as both romantic rival and antagonist, and frankly, it’s about time.
On the romantic front, I know people love Katie Cassidy, but she’s largely wasted here and only recently became detectably interesting as a character. Having to compete for Ollie’s affections might actually serve to make her more compelling. It also might give Stephen Amell more to do.
Secondly, the show needs a stronger overarching antagonist. As the show has developed Moira, Ollie’s mom, she’s become actually a fairly complex villain, but she still only shows up for about five minutes an episode to drink some wine, let Thea whine at her, and then meet Jack Barrowman in a limousine. The show needs somebody a little more active.
Plus, Huntress means violence, and this show is always at its best when its characters are doing things. So this has some real promise.
We’ll find out tonight: I’ll be firing up the liveblog at 8pm Eastern. Come join the fun!
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I can’t believe you got through that whole post without making a Birds of Prey reference. I guess the less said about that show the better.
I made it through fifteen minutes of that show.
And we’re back!
Suddenly I like Thea.
I like the outfit anyways…
Sandy knocked me out for a while, but it couldn’t keep me away from the live blogs for long
Welcome back!
So that guys gonna die right?
You’re psychic!
ASSASSIN!
I’m guessing this is Huntress on the bike.
Chasing after an assassin on foot it a good idea to keep a low profile, right?
And he’s so good at covering, too!
Starling City is completely empty
So Ollie just blew a bike tire with a thrown object?
Concussion huh? She’s gonna be out for two weeks at least.
Oh wait this isn’t KSK
And now I don’t like Thea again.
…in the street.
She deserves a good face punch
OOOOO burned by theo
SHUT UP THEA.
So were back to everyone in the family giving him constant guilt trips>?
Apparently.
Did that ever stop?
They lightened up last episode.
YAY PAUL BLACKTHORNE SARCASM!
OK, I am warming to Tommy. Considerably.
He is definitely not as clownish as before but im still concerned
They’ve done a lot with him, actually.
Oh, this episode is written by Geoff Johns… WAIT.
holy shit this could be ….. good?
Or at least better. I had no idea he was doing this.
I missed the screen credit but I IMDB’d it and its legit this is the only ep hes done too.
He wrote some of the best episodes during the last few seasons of Smallville.
‘I hope sushi is the only thing on your mind.’
HE’S THINKING OF ANOTHER FISH
He should’ve brought fish tacos
Crusted seared tuna?
Why is Ollie’s mom the only criminal business owner that can keep her shit under wraps?
This is TV. Moms always have their shit together on TV.
“I tried that today with Thea. She gave me another guilt trip, f*** these people.”
If her hair spills out of that helmet in a cascade I’m going to laugh.
They did do well to not mimic a shampoo commercial there.
I guess you need 8 pounds of makeup on when you wear a helmet..
and your hair will always be perfect.
Well, thats a given.
I still like her better than Thea and Laurel. You know, that whole “does stuff” thing.
Come on guys this isn’t realistic… a woman who can drive a motorcycle and shoot a gun with one hand, but weighs maybe 100 lbs?
She’s all muscle.
Not exactlt a high bar to top there. This show needs more middle of the road characters. They have a few kickass characters and too many whose asses need to be kicked. Tommy is at least trending in the right direction.
One time I had a dream I was going to play Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit. So screw you Martin Freeman
I dont want to jinx it but im hoping for some Sensei in this ep.
Fingers crossed.
Oh Thea is dressed like a club skank
It’s her natural coloration.
Did they forget they introduced her as a minor?
I’m guessing “yes”.
Dammit, Thea is right to bust his balls for once.
But she cannot do it without being a total jackass.
“DUDE I AM OK WITH IT WE HAVE BEEN OVER THIS!” Ollie must really be sick of hearing Tommy apologizing about banging the ex who hates him.
Well, they did just make out recently…
Ollie and Tommy? I missed that one.
Good thing there…
He’s not kidding Tommy
“I’m kidding. I WILL IMPALE YOU WITH ARROWS.”
THIS GUY is a mob boss?!
Is that the same castle Lex used to live in in Smallville?
Yes. It’s also the Xavier School in the X-Men movies. Seriously!
That almost looked like the Luthor manor there…
Beat you to it! Na na na poo poo stick your head in doo doo
Well done.
Moira is actually being sensible here.
The pain meds have given her a moment of clarity
“We need to start accepting the Oliver that he is. An insane homicidal vigilante.”
Oh god if they start doing that Ollie will be found out in a second
“Hey, now that I’m not self-involved, HOLY CRAP YOU’RE TOTALLY ARROW!”
His only cover before was “Oh Ollie would never do anythin nice hes just a self absorbed prick”
I love that Ollie is using Fox News as a cover.
TV shows have taught me all business meetings involve scotch. I have found that is not true
And that’s a shame.
Wasn’t the mob boss on 24 as well as Curtis?
Yes he was. I want to say the second last season. He was Janeanne Garafalo’s boss.
Oh my show just cut out?
And now its back. Odd
Mine did the same thing. Cut to two commercials, came back in the middle of the scene, then was normal. Stupid local news.
“Daddy, I can take care of myself! I’ve been killing most of your organization in drive-by shootings!”
This guy did not father that woman.
Hey, China White!
“Those stupid Asians, they just kill people for no good reason!”
Who could take anyone with that wig seriously?
Bald albinos
Considering all the people she’s stabbed, who have guns, she could be wearing a Juicy sweatsuit and I’d be scared of her.
They were on there way to a weird swingers party but squeezed that meeting in real quick.
I thought they got lost on their way to audition for Sleeping Dogs.
Man I was so disappointed with that game.
I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Found it too short, and too many of the storylines fizzled out to nothing and nothing you did made any difference in the story. Just my two cents.
Chevy Chase in an Old Navy commercial. Oddly fitting.
Maybe China White can stab him.
Better than Chang-a White.
/crickets….
Could this be the first episode that doesn’t have a flashback to the island?
Still got 35 mins for some hot Sensei on Island action
I hope not. Ollie’s mentor is one of three characters I unreservedly like.
Because he doesn’t talk?
When he talks, he’s funny. Or awesome.
I don’t know if anyone else is seeing this BJ’s commercial but this lady’s voice is very annoying
This ad break feels like it’s half an hour long.
Why did Ollie take her to some dude’s house to eat?
Its authentic Italian, Olive Garden style.
Lana makes the most unconvincing cop I think I have ever seen.
DO. NOT. GET. ME. STARTED.
So that face she just made… she was clearly pissed Ollie’s mom is alive.
“DAMMIT I WAS HOPING TO TAKE THAT BITCH OUT TOO!”
Jesus, she’s got almost as big a chip on her shoulder as Ollie!
Certainly a better match than Laurel
“Did I ever feel free on the ISLAND I WAS TRAPPED ON?! Yes! Yes I did!”
Awwwwww, Tommy’s a wimp!
They should have named him Arthur Merlin.
WHOA. That’s a left turn.
‘Fish tacos it is.’
Merkin!?!? your broke!?
I was NOT expecting that.
Womp-womp…
‘Really the only time I feel free is when I’m plunging arrows into peoples’ hearts.’
Or beating the crap out of people.
“My fiancee died. That’s totally like being trapped on an island.” IS EVERYONE ON THIS SHOW STUPID?
So, she killed her fiance then?
I’m guessing dear old Dad did the honors.
He shot himself 7 times with a revolver.
That would make more sense, but not be as fun.
Arrow to the knee
We used to be friends, Moira. A long time ago… we used to be friends…
Jack Barrowman does creepy REALLY well.
So far, he as been wasted. Hopeful for the future with him.
I’m trying to get my D.W. Diggle wtf do you want
To be fair, she’s the first woman to not be an awful human to him in the entire show.
You know, the fact that Ollie is a CAPTAIN IN THE RUSSIAN MAFIA should be coming up aaaaaaaany minute now.
“We’re not here for food. We’re here to get beaten senseless.”
Since Battlestar, this guy has been on everything…
will they kiss?
They have to have an awkward double date with Tommy and Laurel first. Tommy will let him pay.
Oh, that is so coming.
I was hoping a simultaneous unmasking but alas the awkward double date is an acceptable second prize.
At said double date Tommy will mention that he’s banging Laurel to Ollie again
And apologize.
So he smashed her visor… with his fist… and she’s not injured. That is AMAZING makeup.
I like how he took the hood off when there could clearly be other people in the restaurant he just ate at.
I love that a sex tape is so casually referenced in a cell phone ad with small children.
Maybe shes satisfying herself with the childrens toys? to much?
I laughed.
The writing on this show has improved dramatically. Geoff Johns better be doing more episodes!
Except for all the Thea scenes.
“She also murdered four men in cold blood.” “So your point is?”
but i LIKE her :’ (
I mean, come on, Ollie’s in, what, the double digits?
So Laurel’s Dad is like super racist.
I am glad there’s a line even Quentin won’t cross.
Yep, saw that twist coming.
They look about the same age honestly.
Also sword fighting? Totally Deathstroke
I was thinking Merlyn, but Deathstroke would make sense. And be awesome.
I’m thinking its a Green Goblin/Hobgoblin sort of thing where he sees Arrow f’n up his dad and then tries to kill him
So Tommy is Merlyn is what I’m trying to say
Makes sense to me, actually. There’s a mysterious archer in upcoming episodes.
So Tommy is trapped in an episode of “Girls”?
…You’re right. He is.
Well, I guess we know who the Merlyn in this show will be.
What a big ol douche
“You’re not nearly enough of a prick, son. I’m going to change that.”
You know, based on the show’s ads, I think this liveblog might be the show’s entire male viewership.
My girlfriend laughed out loud when she read that.
Well, I just saw a Victoria’s secret ad…that has to be neutral at least.
Is it me or does this battery ad have the most annoying song ever?
WHY CAN ALL VAMPIRE’S GO OUTSIDE NOW! IT MAKES ME SO ANGRY
Twilight ruined everything
Creepy Ollie is creepy
“Hey, babe, wanna pull a Cyclops?”
So does your boss know you’re stuffing his daughter into a rape van?
Hate for who? You really have to ask?
You’ve wanted to hit a woman for years? Asshole.
That guy looks good for getting the shit kicked out of him earlier.
He’s going to look a lot worse in I’m thinking ten seconds.
Wait, how is it HER FAULT? YOU SHOT HIM.
Nope. Totally her fault.
oooooo not a good expression.
They are not shooting her well in general. Which is weird because she’s quite photogenic.
Yeah my girl was just saying the lighting is terrible for her.
What it is, is that the angles are bad on her. They’re constantly shooting her at eye level, everybody else gets lower angles. So the lighting looks like crap because she’s lit for the wrong angle.
She is a lousy bargainer
Helena’s got moves!
Good thing there was not a through and through there…
Good thing Ollie doesn’t care about human life, really.
Oh, come on, dude, you broke someone’s neck in the first episode.
It was a call back to the pilot. He said the same line.
Good point, thanks!
How does she not realize he is Arrow? He just took out three mobbed up guys.
I think he’s going to have to punch that realization into her.
I think its pretty rude for this T-Mobile commercial to keep mentioning the Jersey Shore. You can’t go to a place that’s not there anymore.
Well it’s technically THERE. Just not… well…
I was down there helping last weekend. I suppose its still there, just about 30 yards inland.
So, who thinks Tommy starts running Ollie’s club?
#RichKidProblems
I really hate this show’s music supervisor. It’s probably Thea.
I almost thought this was that Cardigans song for a second. Dear god fire this man,
There ya go Tommy showing all that weakness actually worked.
I would ask to move in with you, but I have to check with Ollie first to see if its OK.
I’m sorry if I was a bitch to you earlier. Or constantly.
He does share his secrets. With Diggle.
Yup
Her secret is HIV right?
Too soon?
I’m going to hell…
Judd Winick isn’t writing this show.
Didnt Matt Parker and Tre Stone say it was ok now?
HOW’D SHE KNOW? DUDE SERIOUSLY?!
Wait he is giving her a moral outrage talk?
Yeah, he is. Like he’s one to talk.
Parental Issue sex YES!
To be fair, it makes sense. They are a lot alike.
Does anybody on this show go on a date or have sex to music actually worth listening to?
Why are you crying? Fuck it let’s bang.
RELEVANT.
Fun episode. Glad they gave him someone other than Laurel.
Yeah, this was a pretty solid episode. I like that there’s an increasing sense of continuity, they did a good job making Tommy not a raging douchebag, and even the characters I can’t stand had moments of not sucking.
Thea always sucks. Fact.
I will give Thea credit, though, by the end of the episode she apologized for sucking.
I think that was the best episode of the season. And I give all the credit to Geoff Johns. I hope they let him write more episodes. I want to see Dex-Starr the Red Lantern cat on the show. They could totally make it work.
You can tell where Johns was writing. It’s not quite my favorite episode of the season, but it was a lot of fun, and I’m glad to see a multiepisode arc kicking in. It’s about time!
I keep missing Arrow when it’s live, it doesn’t help I still have no idea what damn channel the CW is on. Hopefully I can finally figure out where that dumb channel is so I can hate watch Beauty & the Beastly doctor and watch a good show (Arrow). Sorry you were asked to watch that show. On a better note has there been any mention if this show has been picked up for a second season?
No, but it’s solid in the ratings, averaging three million viewers or so. That’s pretty good for the CW.
Good to hear.