Arrow season 2 premieres Wednesday on the CW at 8/7 Central.
After such a smashing finale in Season 1, where does Arrow go from there? Rebuilding of course, and it's not just Starling City that is different. This premiere is largely about resetting the tenets of Arrow after Tommy's death and the destruction of the Glades. To be or not to be a vigilante is the theme and it comes up no less than 5 times in 42 minutes.
Jumping forward 5 months from Tommy's death, Moira is in jail awaiting trial, Thea is managing Verdant (yeah, I don't get it either), and Oliver has run back to the island. The intrepid Diggle and Felicity head to Lian Yu to retrieve him, where of course wacky hijinks ensue. Man is it great to see Team Arrow working (and to a lesser degree, arguing) together again. I've missed them. While Oliver will not come back to be the Hood again, he does acquiesce to save Queen Consolidated from a hostile takeover, led by Isabel Rochev. For fans of Summer Glau, this is likely to be a high point. For me it is not since she again wears the same expression throughout the entire episode, making her the weakest link. Expect a tense moment between Oliver and Isabel, but since Oliver has multiple significant moments with every female in the premiere it is the rule, not the exception.
For the most part this episode is a reset of the main characters and their motivations, which makes sense as they have all been through a traumatic event. How they deal with it individually appears to set up the main conflicts going forward. Both Oliver and Laurel are significantly changed, which feels like a positive move right now. Laurel has a new purpose; Oliver cares more about his conscience. Other points:
*Felicity has a more active role in Team Arrow and has done a complete role reversal on the mission
*Copycat vigilantes have taken over Starling City and the body count is getting very high.
*Laurel and Felicity have had a makeover
*Diggle continues to be the voice of reason
*Roy takes hero worship to dangerous levels
*CNRI is demolished
*Queen Consolidated has some shoddy glasswork
*Sadly this episode has the lamest cliffhanger of them all
Highlights:
1. A recurring character has a cameo at the end.
2. Thea's experience is a turning point for multiple characters.
3. Quentin is busted down from detective to beat cop, which at first was worrisome but the change works so far.
4. Flashbacks - Yes, I'm positive about the flashbacks for the first time.
5. Everything about Moira, even the emoangsting.
6. Oliver's disdain towards Roy.
7. The Arrow Cave.
8. Thea and Roy's conversations at Verdant
9. Good mix of action and character development
10. Constant mentioning of Tommy - now if he could only haunt them.
Quotes:
"Apparently that's his job." "And I love my job."
"FYI - No one is eating the bagels."
"If I hug you, are they going to shoot us?"
"Maybe there's another way."
"She looks angry in every photo."
"What I lack in height, I make up for in wicked good hearing."
"Where the hell did you come from?"
"You could at least offer us a water….or coconut." "Fresh out of coconuts."
"You're not the first man to learn the hard way, women are a distraction."
"You're right. I have family."
"You're still here?" "Always."
Grade: B+, which for me in a setup episode is high praise indeed
Watch Arrow Wednesday on the CW at 8/7 Central.
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Due to the immense number of spoilers given in the promo pictures for this episode, I felt free to include more spoilers than normal. Overall this is a very good episode that sets up the season nicely. Can't wait to see what they do next.
ReplyDeletesounds like an amazing episode where a lot of stuff happens
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like a mini-character reboot for the series.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the premiere on Wednesday and by the looks of this preview, I'm sure it won't disappoint.
ReplyDeleteI hope they can change Laurel and her dynamic with Oliver. They have so much potential.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait!!! Arrow is really the show I'm most excited for this tv season!
ReplyDeleteThe author of this blog has clearly a bias against Summer Glau (which is fine after all, since i'm biased too when it comes to Summer Glau).
ReplyDeleteThe word "again" that he used to describe Summer's performance is uncalled for imo and shows his bias. If he's alluding to her performance in TSCC, may I remind him that she played a robot; but maybe he didn't perceive the subtile nuances of her performance in the show. It reminds me of the criticism from people who said that seiing such a petite actress beat buffy guys was not credible; once again those people didn't perceive she played a Terminator.
I'm disappointed that SpoilerTV gave the responsability of reviewing Arrow to someone who has clearly a bias against Summer Glau. But maybe they did it on purpose and expect the controversy will attract more viewers to their site. I'm afraid it won't be the case; the only consequence is that fans will not link to this site and drop it in favor of more inspired entertainment websites.
Thanks for the preview! I really enjoyed last season and this setup/reboot is getting me excited for S2 and its potential.
ReplyDeleteYou're saying there's actually people who criticized her acting as if she was playing a person? lol wow she was fantastic in TSCC.
ReplyDeleteDahne, i really hope they see them the same way. I love them both, but they have to show why they love each other. I miss them as friends/partners, without all the drama and everything. Of course I want them together someday, but for now I hope they can just bring Laurel back.
ReplyDeleteThe last paragraph of your comment is uncalled for.
ReplyDeleteYou're a funny guy Babar, but a weak defender of Dahne.
ReplyDelete//SpoilerTV doesn't do anything as a ploy to get more viewers.//
While I admit my comment was made to provoke reactions from readers, I bet you don't run a website or you would know that every decision is made in the intent of gaining viewers. Or retain them on a site as long as possible, like when SpoilerTV uses this annoying feature consisting of opening a window within the site instead of linking directly to a website.
//Dahne doesn't like Summer Glau//
And this is his right.
//so what.//
My problem is that Dahne is a blogger for SpoilerTV and tries to impose his dislike of Summer Glau to SpoilerTV's readers. I don't criticize Dahne's right not to like Summer Glau's performance on the pilot but I have a problem with the fact that his dislike is dictated by her bias against Summer Glau. It doesn't bode well for next reviews, all the more than Isabel Rochev is Oliver's two main adversaries in season 2.
I write for SpoilerTV and screeners are handed to people who are regular reviewers of the show, which Dahne is. DarkUFO (the owner) didn't give it to him "on purpose and expect the controversy will attract more viewers to their site."
ReplyDeleteDahne is not imposing his dislike on others. He is simply saying that "he" din't like her acting in the episode.
Just for Dahne, more Summer Glau's "blank face", this time on NTSFSDSUV ;-)
ReplyDeleteOkay, we get it that you are a big Summer Glau fan , but you have to accept it that not everyone is.
ReplyDeleteOk WHAT. Sure Summer Glau usually plays eccentric/strange characters, but River had mental issues and Cameron was a robot.
ReplyDeleteI'm really wondering if Katie Cassidy is still credited right after Stephen Amell. Over the summer, the producers have given me the idea that they want to replace her (completely) with Emily Bett Rickards. The most clear being the season 2 poster, although they might have done that to focus the poster on the "Green Arrow team." Don't get me wrong, Felicity is great, but Laurel is supposed to be the lead woman. And yes, I ship Laurel and Oliver (till the end.)
ReplyDeleteTo be clear, Dahne or anyone else could say in the comment section (emphasis on "comment section) that Summer Glau is a bad actress, that she has small boobs or bad breath, and I wouldn't care one bit.
ReplyDeleteBut when Dahne, as a blogger (emphasis on "blogger), tries to push his biased vision of Summer Glau to the readers, intentionally or not, I think this is not professional and surely not what SpoilerTV admins would expect from a regular reviewer.
I said previously that the word "again" was inappropriate. But Dahne's following line is ridiculous; he says "expect a tense moment", then he says the exact opposite in the last part of his sentence. The formulation of his article reveals his bias against Summer Glau. I have no problem when he says "she's the weakest link", my problem is with the way he justifies it.
I understand that SpoilerTV admins have a lot of work but they're responsible for what is written in their site.
@chrisdvanne All our reviews are allowed to write what they like.
ReplyDeleteWe don't tell them what they can or can't post. It's called free speech.
This site is run totally by volunteers, we're all fans of tv shows and it's run by the fans.
If you don't agree with a reviewers point of view, fine, say so ONCE and then leave it at that.
@Dahne Has proven a most excellent resource and help to this site over the years and they have contributed 100's of articles and spent 100's of hours creating content that the majority of our readers enjoy and appreciated.
If you don't like their reviews, that is fine, no one is going to like everything, it would be a very boring world if we did.
I would suggest not reading their review if you don't enjoy them.
Now lets leave it at that.
I think the show runners and producers realize they didn't do Laurel any favors last season. It is my hope that they concentrate on making her a fully-fledged character this season instead of largely a plot device. I think by working in the DA's office she's one step closer to that.
ReplyDeleteThe CW sent a rough cut of the episode so I don't think the credits were on it. I didn't notice them anyway. However, I do not think the Arrow production team has any intention of replacing Laurel with anyone. They made that clear when the big blowup about Black Canary happened this summer. While I do think they are going to enhance Felicity's role due to her popularity in the fandom, she won't be replacing Laurel - maybe more like they will share the spotlight.
ReplyDelete"Expect a tense moment between Oliver and Isabel, but since Oliver has multiple significant moments with every female in the premiere it is the rule, not the exception."
ReplyDeleteI wrote this sentence to make the shippers in the Arrow fandom aware that there is equal time with Oliver for almost every female in Arrow. There were some people upset because it looked like Felicity and Oliver were going to get extra time at the expense of Laurel and Oliver. That is not the case. Oliver indeed has quality time with Felicity, Laurel, Moira, and Thea as well as an intense moment with Isabel.
Last season Arrow was my favorite new show and high up on my TV list altogether. Since the finale was so awesome, I was a little worried that the premiere would feel like a letdown. While it is not near the action of the finale (and what could realistically be), I thoroughly enjoyed what the episode was trying to do.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that I do not like Summer Glau as an actress and I was disappointed to hear that she would be a recurring character in Arrow. However, to accuse SpoilerTV of trying to start controversy is ludicrous. First off, I doubt anyone here remembered I was not a fan and reviews always include the reviewer's opinions. I'm sorry that my opinion has upset you to this extent, but it doesn't change my opinion. While I do not write Arrow reviews for every episode, when I do I will be stating my opinions in them. If you do not like to read criticism of an actor you clearly hold in high regard, you are welcome not to read my reviews. Summer Glau is a very small part of Arrow so far, and certainly not my main focus.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Dahne. I am a big Laurel fan and I was worried about her and Lauriver. I am a little more excited for the season right know. Thank u!
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as an impartial TV review. Those would be called recaps and there's a big difference between the two. Dahne gave her opinion and that's just what a review is, an opinion. The fact that you don't happen to agree with an opinion doesn't invalidate it or make it disreputable.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, you seem to be confusing the term bias with simply having a negative opinion based on exposure to past and present screen performances. Bias is basically a prejudice (a preconceived opinion NOT based on reason or experience) for or against someone or something. That's not the case here. Dahne has formed an opinion based on the young woman's work. The fact that you disagree with her opinion doesn't make her biased.
Distancing her away from Oliver is not the solution just better writing. Doing away with the melodrama also.Distancing the characters away from each other only result in lack of development and chemistry, and repeating the cycle again. It was pointless to make bring them together in the last 2 episodes of last season just to break them up again, so rushed and where was the development. Why are they even breaking up again, why did they even get together in the first place if they knew they didnt want to commit, werent they supposed to have learnt from their mistakes second time around by now.
ReplyDeleteThe characters should be acting and making decisions like adults not kids. This kind of hacked writing is what needs to change with Arrow. Characters are not showing much growth or awareness, they regress and do things for no justifiable reasons. It mostly comes down to creating melodrama.
Oh great, the Felicity show. I cant wait zzzzz.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing most of them quotes are hers.
I had already watched the first season of Arrow. The show is awesome, Summer Glau being on the show is icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to seeing Summer Glau again back on our screens. It's gonna be really interesting to see which way the Isabel and Oliver relationship is heading. I wonder if she knows Oliver's secret identity.
Summer Glau has delivered some engaging and intense performances during her career and is definitely an exciting casting choice for the role of Isabel Rochev.
ReplyDeleteGreat preview Dahne, can't wait for the season premiere.
ReplyDeleteAs long as people remember that this is a setup episode for the new direction the show is going, I think they will be very pleased. It is heavier on character development than most of the season 1 episodes.
ReplyDeleteThe dynamic has changed, but they appear to be backing off the romance angle a little bit to establish them both as characters in their own right. I think that is a good choice because Laurel was basically seen in the context of her relationships last season, doing her character no favors.
ReplyDeleteShe does not seem to know Oliver's identity but since Oliver gets with just about every female on the show, it would not surprise me if they eventually get together. I doubt he will ever trust her though, given her character.
ReplyDeleteAfter the amazing finale, it is the show I was most looking forward to as well. They definitely know how to end a season with a bang.
ReplyDeleteI disagree but I am glad that you are excited for this casting choice. To me it smacks of stunt casting and that very rarely works.
ReplyDeleteI think season 2 of Arrow is going to surpass season 1 so I can't wait to see where they take these characters as well.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
ReplyDeleteOr people saying that Summer Glau played similar characters in Firefly and TSCC whereas River and Cameron have nothing in common regarding the way they're written (One is a troubled teenager and one is an emotionless cyborg) and the way Summer Glau played them.
Just for Dahne, who has visibly not understood that Arrow's writers wanted to see a cold blooded businesswoman in the first episode, more Summer Glau's "blank face", this time on Hawaii Five-0 ;-)
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of your frustrations. Many times both Oliver and Laurel came off bratty to say the least to me. I also agree that Laurel in particular was very poorly written, the "romance" even more so. However, I think that anything that allows Laurel's character to develop in her own right instead of being hinged to a love triangle/relationship is good for the character. She needs to stand on her own and give us real easons to root for her before trying to get people interested in her relationship with Oliver.
ReplyDelete4 of the 11 quotes are from Felicity and yes she does get more of a role in the premiere, but it most certainly is not all about Felicity. There is adequate time spent on all the main characters, especially in seeing how they are adjusting to life post-earthquake or trying to get others to change how they are living post-earthquake. While I think the online fandom (a very small minority of the Arrow fandom as a whole) may talk mostly about Felicity, there is plenty going on that does not involve her. By the way, I am an avid anti-shipper so I don't care who Oliver ends up with.
ReplyDelete