Arrow returns for its fifth season

Arrow is in its fifth season officially and we have the scoop....
Arrow Season 5 promo shot. Photo/Den of Geek
Arrow Season 5 promo shot. Photo/Den of Geek

Arrow Season 5 promo shot. Photo/Den of Geek

Hard to believe but it’s the fifth season of Arrow. The show returned to the Wednesday time slot it has occupied since 2012 on October 5th. And we have your recap, plus some thoughts.

After last season, Oliver (Stephen Amell) is mayor and the team has gone their separate ways. Queen wants to get the band back together but refuses to settle for the kids who put on masks and want to play hero that Felicity (Emily Rickards) scouts.

While Ollie wrestles with recruiting, and rethinking his policy on killing after the death of Laurel/Black Canary , new villain Tobias Church (Chad L. Coleman) comes to town wanting to consolidate the gangs, gain control of the city and, of course, eliminate Green Arrow. To draw out the Emerald Archer, he does the unthinkable and kidnaps the man himself (unknowingly), Mayor Queen.

His sister Thea/Speedy (Willa Holland) rescues him but, desirous of a normal life, wants nothing to do with Team Arrow moving forward. So in an attempt to take down Church, Ollie dons the hood and enlists a special task force assembled by Capt. Lance (Paul Blackthorne).

New and original villain for the show, but he possesses some characteristics from source material. Photo/iDigital Times

New and original villain for the show, but he possesses some characteristics from source material. Photo/iDigital Times

The central antagonist is a change of pace, being an original one for television. Though not from the comics, Church comes across like a comic book gangster, hardened and full of brawn but always a step ahead. Hardcore fans can think of him as an amalgam of obscure DC bad guys Tobias Whale and the New 52 version of Clock King (who was more Suge Knight and less Robert Knepper).

After almost five years, it feels like producer Greg Berlanti and the showrunners are trying to get back to basics this season with a smaller cast, at least at the start. The cast will more than likely expand again as they rebuild the team, providing new characters, new arcs, and dramatic possibilities.

Arrow is still a fresh and action-packed drama and has been a flagship show for the CW from day one. There is never a shortage of surprising twists and turns and it doesn’t look like viewers will be disappointed anytime soon.

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Eric is a columnist and the resident film critic for The Pit. He also acts and is a multitalented filmmaker.
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