Season three of Arrow has been relatively divisive in terms of fan and critic approval. Season two ended on a high with Slade Wilson becoming the ultimate villain to our heroes journey and season one, while the show’s obvious weakest, had maybe the best finale of all three seasons period. Season three ends on a hopeful note, while one that begs the question of just how tidy the show needed to end before breaking it all apart again once season four hits. Sure, I like that Oliver and Felicity are getting to spend time together as a legitimate couple with none of Oliver’s man pain to weigh them down and his saying “I’m happy” was a well earned development for the haunted character. The episode didn’t pack the emotional punch that I would have liked and more time spent between Oliver and Diggle would have benefited that, and the action wasn’t altogether that thrilling either. It was a nice ending but a largely unsatisfying one.
Season three took it’s time telling it’s story and by the end of it I can’t help but feel that on the whole, season three was a bit of a filler season, despite some fantastic plot developments, comic book lore and a lead who’s continued to grow into the role. The show also (unfairly) had to contend with other shows grabbing the “shiny and new” spotlight. The Flash is the obvious comparison, a show that got off to a much more confident start than it’s counterpart, but also shows such as Agent Carter which nailed the comic book pulpy tone and Daredevil which is by far the best superhero television show period.
Season three wasn’t a total bust and there was enough good and bad to go around.
The Bad
The Main Plot
Yeah that sounds like a bit of a sucker punch I know but in all honesty, the main plot thread was never what interested me this season and Ra’s never even touched the charisma and tragedy that Slade Wilson brought to the show in season two. Oliver having to struggle with his identity as the Arrow and as Oliver Queen was enough of a narrative dance and a satisfying one that adding a third identity to the list just became overwrought and stuffed.
The main plot also suffered because it wasn’t until the last five episodes or so that it truly came into focus. Malcolm’s role in it all, Thea dying, Roy leaving town to save Oliver-all of these moments should have amounted to something more significant and instead it became nothing more than a power play between Ra’s and Oliver.
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Felicity
No, internet, I didn’t mean Laurel, but I’ll get to her in a while. There is a reason why Felicity was a fan favorite (including my own) for the first two seasons of the show. She injected the series with a much needed and much appreciated dose of heart. The show has a tendency to lean towards the brooding and she was a breath of fresh air.
It would seem that good things don’t last and the near character assassination in season three was appalling. Aside from moments with Ray Palmer and a few others at the start of the season, Felicity wasn’t just moping along with the rest of them, she was written to be the upstanding voice of reason that more often than not came off just as poorly self-righteous as Oliver in his worst moments. Emily Bett Rickards wasn’t given any favors, proving she’s much better suited for lighthearted charm and comedy than angst.
The Angst
What an overall dour season. I’m not saying the show needs to emulate the tonality that The Flash has been rocking but it also didn’t need to strike such a somber note throughout. The season would have greatly benefited from moments of levity rather than trying to make every moment serious. It became redundant-something that the show as a whole has a problem with. How many times do we need to see a “will they, won’t they” moment between Oliver and Felicity? And we get the point that Oliver has massive trust issues but does every other episode need to drive that point home?
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The Good
Laurel
Eat your hearts out internet. Laurel’s development from grief stricken sister to bad ass vigilante is possibly my favorite part of season three as a whole. The way she first channeled her rage into crime fighting, to her lessons with Nyssa to finally becoming a hero in her own right was a wonderful character progression. The relationship between her and her father was also one of the seasons more moving developments.
Black Canary is a wonderful hero and the true hero origin story of the show. I hope to see more growth as the series progresses and she and Diggle take on more of a work load in Oliver’s absence.
Thea, Ray and Nyssa
Ray Palmer/Brandon Routh were a gift to season three of Arrow. Picking up the slack on the lighter and sweeter moments Routh was simply a joy to watch and it’s little surprise he’s joining a spin-off series of his own. Thea’s character development was fantastic to watch as she developed into Speedy, as we see her in the finale and Nyssa got to play more than what we’d seen of her before, showing a torn heart and a wonderful chemistry with Laurel.
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More awesome women characters please!
The Flash & Arrow Team Up
This one is a BIG cheat but every time characters from The Flash popped up over in Starling City, the show got better. Cisco and Laurel was a surprising but fantastic duo, one that allowed Katie Cassidy to have fun in her role. Diggle’s inability to grasp Barry Allen as a person allows for David Ramsay to play up his comedic edge and Barry and Oliver are a wonderful tag team, showcasing one another’s weaknesses and strengths.
The Fall
Fitting that the season went down hill after Oliver and Ra’s first battle and there’s a part of me that thinks the season should have ended there.
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