Arrow: S1/E1

Doom DeLuise has long sung the praises of Arrow, or maybe it was Doominator (I get those two confused. They both have Doom in their name), so I’ve decided to get caught up from nothing and add to our archives in the process by blogging about each episode as I watch it. And maybe someday we’ll be caught up and reviewing them as they come out.

Right away, I’m guessing I’m about the millionth person to notice the similarities to Batman Begins, but I think that’s almost a plus; Arrow gets to build on those similarities — and the time the Batman franchise spent laying that foundation — and stake out some obvious and meaningful differences.

Oliver is a proactive hunter rather than a reactive detective and protector. As an extension of that, Oliver kills. Oliver also can’t trust the people closest to him. Oliver’s playboy persona has actually caused harm, rather than just provide distance and cover. Oliver hates tennis.

Being a network drama, there are what seem to be unavoidable cheesy elements, like the goofily over the top bad guys, after-school-special sibling relationships, the CGI island and the mean detective.

I think it can get away with that stuff because the fight scenes are also over the top, but they are fun. And so everything is just cranked up to the same level, and it works.

Also it was super cool to hear a local band’s music playing at the welcome home party.

Great cliffhanger too. The pilot sets the stage for a series very well.