Season 2 of Arrow certainly brought the action, intrigue, and emotions. The sophomore season did not disappoint. It actually excelled.
The overarching plot of the season was very well-crafted. We start the season with Felicity and Diggle heading to the island to bring a distraught Oliver home. Once home, we meet the masked, blonde female vigilante that is helping the women of Starling City. This sets up the major story of the season. Sara, the woman on the boat (Laurel's sister) is alive and the vigilante named The Canary. Throughout the season, we learn what happened on the island with Sara, Slade, Shado, and Oliver. Other major plot points of season 2 were Laurel, The League of Assassins, and Mirakuru (the dumbest name I have ever heard - the actors must have hated themselves every time they had to say it).
The island flashback plot takes up half of each episode. Half an episode of flashbacks would seem like a bit much, but not in this case. It was an excellent weaving of stories between the present day and the past -- the past every bit a part of the present.
The character of Sara is excellent. I absolutely adored everything about her. She was strong, beautiful, vulnerable, and heroic. I thought her fight scenes were fabulous. I loved her choice of weapon, I have no idea what it is, but it seemed so cool that she was essentially fighting with a long metal baton the whole time. So awesome.
Her interaction with Oliver drove so much of the plot and strengthened the other characters as well. It dealt with who Oliver was now that he was off the island. Sara, so willing to still kill, made it difficult for Arrow to stay true to his new desire to not be a killer. Sara highlighted the dilemma of is it okay to kill if you really have to and how soon do you really have to kill someone to protect others? She also highlights the tortured souls of both herself and Oliver.
The actress who plays Sara, Caity Lotz, is superb. She manages to sell all the things that make The Canary an amazing character. What I think she sells best is the tortured, vulnerable side of Sara, the Sara that the rest of the world knows. Her struggle with who she was and who she is now is very potent - just as much as the struggle that Oliver goes through. It is interesting to see how two people who went through very similar circumstances deal with reentering their old life.
Sara wants to give up killing people as much as Oliver, yet, overall, her conviction waivers. Oliver seems to be able to hold true to his new philosophy on life, but what is interesting, is the show portrays the struggle in such a way that one does not judge Sara. Who could go through something like that and not be changed?
A real joy is to watch Sara and Oliver on screen together. These two tortured souls belong together. They understand each other. They are a way better match than Oliver and Laurel. Life changes. Sometimes, you really can't go back.
I also love the fact that at this point in the show, Oliver is drawn to that darkness, that despair, that need to fix what he sees in himself in others. He sees his same despair in Sara. Sara is his perfect project for redemption. He wants to go through that redemption with her. If he can fix her, maybe he can fix himself. Maybe there is hope for them both to move closer to the light, rather than the darkness they have known for so long. It's also got to be a relief to not have to put on a front with someone, so we get to see the vulnerable side of both characters. It's pretty spectacular to watch.
Overall, I thought it was a really cool plot device to have Oliver in flashbacks be so afraid to kill and then watch his metamorphosis into a killer, as opposed to present day, when he is trying to move more away from his tendencies as the Arrow back to Oliver Queen. His struggle to return to some kind of balance was excellent.
The overarching plot of the season was very well-crafted. We start the season with Felicity and Diggle heading to the island to bring a distraught Oliver home. Once home, we meet the masked, blonde female vigilante that is helping the women of Starling City. This sets up the major story of the season. Sara, the woman on the boat (Laurel's sister) is alive and the vigilante named The Canary. Throughout the season, we learn what happened on the island with Sara, Slade, Shado, and Oliver. Other major plot points of season 2 were Laurel, The League of Assassins, and Mirakuru (the dumbest name I have ever heard - the actors must have hated themselves every time they had to say it).
The island flashback plot takes up half of each episode. Half an episode of flashbacks would seem like a bit much, but not in this case. It was an excellent weaving of stories between the present day and the past -- the past every bit a part of the present.
The character of Sara is excellent. I absolutely adored everything about her. She was strong, beautiful, vulnerable, and heroic. I thought her fight scenes were fabulous. I loved her choice of weapon, I have no idea what it is, but it seemed so cool that she was essentially fighting with a long metal baton the whole time. So awesome.
Her interaction with Oliver drove so much of the plot and strengthened the other characters as well. It dealt with who Oliver was now that he was off the island. Sara, so willing to still kill, made it difficult for Arrow to stay true to his new desire to not be a killer. Sara highlighted the dilemma of is it okay to kill if you really have to and how soon do you really have to kill someone to protect others? She also highlights the tortured souls of both herself and Oliver.
The actress who plays Sara, Caity Lotz, is superb. She manages to sell all the things that make The Canary an amazing character. What I think she sells best is the tortured, vulnerable side of Sara, the Sara that the rest of the world knows. Her struggle with who she was and who she is now is very potent - just as much as the struggle that Oliver goes through. It is interesting to see how two people who went through very similar circumstances deal with reentering their old life.
Sara wants to give up killing people as much as Oliver, yet, overall, her conviction waivers. Oliver seems to be able to hold true to his new philosophy on life, but what is interesting, is the show portrays the struggle in such a way that one does not judge Sara. Who could go through something like that and not be changed?
A real joy is to watch Sara and Oliver on screen together. These two tortured souls belong together. They understand each other. They are a way better match than Oliver and Laurel. Life changes. Sometimes, you really can't go back.
I also love the fact that at this point in the show, Oliver is drawn to that darkness, that despair, that need to fix what he sees in himself in others. He sees his same despair in Sara. Sara is his perfect project for redemption. He wants to go through that redemption with her. If he can fix her, maybe he can fix himself. Maybe there is hope for them both to move closer to the light, rather than the darkness they have known for so long. It's also got to be a relief to not have to put on a front with someone, so we get to see the vulnerable side of both characters. It's pretty spectacular to watch.
Overall, I thought it was a really cool plot device to have Oliver in flashbacks be so afraid to kill and then watch his metamorphosis into a killer, as opposed to present day, when he is trying to move more away from his tendencies as the Arrow back to Oliver Queen. His struggle to return to some kind of balance was excellent.
As for Laurel Lance, my official verdict is in, I hate this character and I can't stand the actress. She is terrible at her job. She acts like Joey from Friends gave her acting lessons.
Her plot lines make me dislike the character too. She seems to have no appreciation for what Sara and Oliver have been through. She is so egocentric and so whiny I can't even stand it. She's angry, after all of this time, that Sara and Oliver might be in a relationship? She's, what, angry at Sara for living? So annoying.
Laurel also has the wonderful (insert sarcasm) plot line of being an addict. Ugh. This is the worst. In some ways, it fits my opinion of her character, whiny. Equally annoying, for all of the wonderful plot development in this show, this tidbit just suddenly seemed to be there. Ultimately, in my opinion, bad character, bad writing, bad casting, and bad acting.
Her plot lines make me dislike the character too. She seems to have no appreciation for what Sara and Oliver have been through. She is so egocentric and so whiny I can't even stand it. She's angry, after all of this time, that Sara and Oliver might be in a relationship? She's, what, angry at Sara for living? So annoying.
Laurel also has the wonderful (insert sarcasm) plot line of being an addict. Ugh. This is the worst. In some ways, it fits my opinion of her character, whiny. Equally annoying, for all of the wonderful plot development in this show, this tidbit just suddenly seemed to be there. Ultimately, in my opinion, bad character, bad writing, bad casting, and bad acting.
Now, on the flip side, Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, played by Manu Bennett, was a superb addition to season 2. The character is flawless, from the casting, acting, plot development, and story arc -- it was a masterstroke. The origin story was fabulous. We loved Slade for taking our anti-hero Oliver Queen under his wing, to becoming his brother, to the catalyst that broke them apart forever. The acting was magnificent. We believed Mr. Bennett when Slade was the brother, we believed him when he was a villain. We felt for him when he lost his love and we ultimately hope for his redemption. I can not be the only fan who hoped that once the antidote was given that Slade would join Team Arrow.
I still very much enjoyed Thea, Moira, and Quentin Lance. Newcomers Amanda Waller, Isabella, and Nyssa are fabulous additions. The actress that plays Amanda does such a fantastic job because I hate the character Amanda Waller. Nyssa is also amazing. She was intriguing to watch as the sometimes villain, but also as a desperate lover. Really well done. I hope for more screen time from this actress (Katrina Law).
I still very much enjoyed Thea, Moira, and Quentin Lance. Newcomers Amanda Waller, Isabella, and Nyssa are fabulous additions. The actress that plays Amanda does such a fantastic job because I hate the character Amanda Waller. Nyssa is also amazing. She was intriguing to watch as the sometimes villain, but also as a desperate lover. Really well done. I hope for more screen time from this actress (Katrina Law).
Nyssa also highlights another nicely woven plot line, The League of Assassins. I thought that it nicely worked itself in with Sara, Nyssa, and Merlyn.
In conjunction with my overall assessment of season 2, I'd like to point out in particular the last two episodes. So much action between Slade, Team Arrow, Quentin Lance, and The League of Assassins. I truly felt every plot line came together and that the action was nonstop. For a brief second, I had to remind myself that this was a CW show. This wasn't a movie. This didn't have a huge production company behind it. Yet, it delivered on every level. It was truly impressive. To the executives, we, the fans, noticed, and thank you for it.
Overall, Arrow season 2 more than delivered. Great storylines, fabulous characters, yummy shirtless scenes, and truly enjoyable.
Looking forward to binging Arrow season 3 on Netflix.
In conjunction with my overall assessment of season 2, I'd like to point out in particular the last two episodes. So much action between Slade, Team Arrow, Quentin Lance, and The League of Assassins. I truly felt every plot line came together and that the action was nonstop. For a brief second, I had to remind myself that this was a CW show. This wasn't a movie. This didn't have a huge production company behind it. Yet, it delivered on every level. It was truly impressive. To the executives, we, the fans, noticed, and thank you for it.
Overall, Arrow season 2 more than delivered. Great storylines, fabulous characters, yummy shirtless scenes, and truly enjoyable.
Looking forward to binging Arrow season 3 on Netflix.
Until next time!
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com