Overall, Arrow Season 3 was a mixed bag - a hit and miss season with some good stuff, but even more so, some really bad stuff.
Let's start with the good.
I liked the plot with Ra's. I thought the fall (in all definitions of that term) of The Arrow against an enemy showed his vulnerability, that he isn't invincible, and brought out feelings of helplessness. I thought this was a nice story arc for Oliver -- facing a challenging enemy, trying to save his sister. All good stuff. I loved seeing Oliver take on the Ra's personality. I thought Stephen Amell did a great job with this. I thought the triple and quadruple crosses were good fun from an Oliver and Malcolm angle. I didn't love how Team Arrow dealt with it, but just the fact that Oliver and Malcolm had planned so many contingency plans was cool. I thought Ollie being wiling to go down with the plane was a great touch, too. It fits with Oliver's personality to sacrifice himself at almost every turn. I thought the scene played out well with Felicity, basically stating he didn't think he would have to confront the friends he had to deceive because he would be dead.
Let's start with the good.
I liked the plot with Ra's. I thought the fall (in all definitions of that term) of The Arrow against an enemy showed his vulnerability, that he isn't invincible, and brought out feelings of helplessness. I thought this was a nice story arc for Oliver -- facing a challenging enemy, trying to save his sister. All good stuff. I loved seeing Oliver take on the Ra's personality. I thought Stephen Amell did a great job with this. I thought the triple and quadruple crosses were good fun from an Oliver and Malcolm angle. I didn't love how Team Arrow dealt with it, but just the fact that Oliver and Malcolm had planned so many contingency plans was cool. I thought Ollie being wiling to go down with the plane was a great touch, too. It fits with Oliver's personality to sacrifice himself at almost every turn. I thought the scene played out well with Felicity, basically stating he didn't think he would have to confront the friends he had to deceive because he would be dead.
I really liked the addition of Ray this season. His insertion into the Felicity/Oliver will-they-or-won't-they was nicely done. Ray is lovable, smart, and caring. His humor was much needed to counteract the rest of the debbie-downer season. He was the perfect on-paper match for Felicity. However, much like life, we can't always help who we love.
Felicity's mom was spectacular at every turn -- from story, to casting, to interactions with other characters. A true highlight.
Sara was wonderful in her few scenes this season. I love her and will miss the character, the actress, and what she adds to the story.
Thea was fabulous this season. I loved her for her death scene, her loyalty to her brother, her mixed emotions with her father, and her martial arts skills. I didn't love watching her jump out of the hot tub. That was a bit weak, but, hey, you can't win them all.
Fight scenes were all still superb this season and the crossovers with The Flash were delightful.
Now for the bad.
Everything to do with Laurel. She was the worst. She is disloyal, selfish, reckless, petulant, and whiny. I could not stand the character "development" and every time she was on the screen I wanted to reach through my television and strangle her. The actress is terrible as well. You can be a villain that I'm supposed to hate -- like Amanda Waller and Malcolm, but still adore them for their evilness. But the Black Canary? I'm supposed to feel, or at least I think so, like she is a strong female character. Epic fail. She ruined the season for me. She was deplorable each time she was on my screen. Laurel turns her back on Oliver. She is quick to try and take the place of her sister without any skills whatsoever. She is hell-bent on being mad at Oliver for his lies, but then lies to her father about Sara's death. She puts everyone in danger because they always have to have one eye on her. I would hate to lose Diggle, Felicity, Roy, or Thea because of her egotism.
She also epitomizes a bad story line in which Team Arrow turns their backs on Oliver so quickly at every turn this season. It grew tiresome, even exhausting at times -- so much so that I can't rate this season highly. The show crossed the line between Team Arrow struggling with how to come to terms with what Oliver has to choose to do, to being callous, unrealistic, and selfish. At one point, Team Arrow had just tried to include the town in fighting Brick because they couldn't succeed on their own and it was only when Oliver arrived on the scene they were able to overcome Brick and his mob. So what does Team Arrow do? Roy, Felicity and Laurel stand up to Oliver and state Team Arrow had to learn how to be a new type of team while Oliver was gone -- that there was a new way of doing things. The petulant, childish, brash nature of this was unpalatable. They have the audacity to question him? Demean him? I despised this whole story line. A bunch of children playing dress up.
In the same vein, another bad part of season 3 was the overall doom and gloom. It bothered me. It bothered me that everything seemed so dismal the whole season, from Laurel with her father, to Oliver searching for his humanity, Quentin Lance being angry at Laurel ... it was all too much.
Not bad, but not good, the love scene between Felicity and Oliver. I wasn't feeling it and was kinda disappointed. It just didn't seem ... right. I don't know if the actors felt awkward with each other, if it was bad writing, but I wasn't feeling the chemistry. I hope this changes for me going forward.
Felicity's mom was spectacular at every turn -- from story, to casting, to interactions with other characters. A true highlight.
Sara was wonderful in her few scenes this season. I love her and will miss the character, the actress, and what she adds to the story.
Thea was fabulous this season. I loved her for her death scene, her loyalty to her brother, her mixed emotions with her father, and her martial arts skills. I didn't love watching her jump out of the hot tub. That was a bit weak, but, hey, you can't win them all.
Fight scenes were all still superb this season and the crossovers with The Flash were delightful.
Now for the bad.
Everything to do with Laurel. She was the worst. She is disloyal, selfish, reckless, petulant, and whiny. I could not stand the character "development" and every time she was on the screen I wanted to reach through my television and strangle her. The actress is terrible as well. You can be a villain that I'm supposed to hate -- like Amanda Waller and Malcolm, but still adore them for their evilness. But the Black Canary? I'm supposed to feel, or at least I think so, like she is a strong female character. Epic fail. She ruined the season for me. She was deplorable each time she was on my screen. Laurel turns her back on Oliver. She is quick to try and take the place of her sister without any skills whatsoever. She is hell-bent on being mad at Oliver for his lies, but then lies to her father about Sara's death. She puts everyone in danger because they always have to have one eye on her. I would hate to lose Diggle, Felicity, Roy, or Thea because of her egotism.
She also epitomizes a bad story line in which Team Arrow turns their backs on Oliver so quickly at every turn this season. It grew tiresome, even exhausting at times -- so much so that I can't rate this season highly. The show crossed the line between Team Arrow struggling with how to come to terms with what Oliver has to choose to do, to being callous, unrealistic, and selfish. At one point, Team Arrow had just tried to include the town in fighting Brick because they couldn't succeed on their own and it was only when Oliver arrived on the scene they were able to overcome Brick and his mob. So what does Team Arrow do? Roy, Felicity and Laurel stand up to Oliver and state Team Arrow had to learn how to be a new type of team while Oliver was gone -- that there was a new way of doing things. The petulant, childish, brash nature of this was unpalatable. They have the audacity to question him? Demean him? I despised this whole story line. A bunch of children playing dress up.
In the same vein, another bad part of season 3 was the overall doom and gloom. It bothered me. It bothered me that everything seemed so dismal the whole season, from Laurel with her father, to Oliver searching for his humanity, Quentin Lance being angry at Laurel ... it was all too much.
Not bad, but not good, the love scene between Felicity and Oliver. I wasn't feeling it and was kinda disappointed. It just didn't seem ... right. I don't know if the actors felt awkward with each other, if it was bad writing, but I wasn't feeling the chemistry. I hope this changes for me going forward.
Some specific thoughts on some of the episodes :
Episode 47 The Calm: I liked seeing Oliver and Felicity at dinner together. That was nice. Sara being shot was pretty epic. I could not believe it happened. Her fall to her death was pretty graphic. I was impressed.
Episode 48 Sara: I thought the scenes with Sara on the table were good. I am very, very much going to miss this character. Outside of Felicity and Oliver, she was my favorite. I very well may have liked her more than Felicity. In fact, I know I did.
Episode 49 Corto Maltese: Honestly, how inept is Diggle? Laurel is still the most annoying person on the planet.
Episode 51 The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak: How hot is Felicity with the jet-black hair! I love that look for her. Well, minus the black lipstick. The arrival of Felicity's mom and the looks that not only Diggle gives but Oliver were priceless. I rewound that scene a few times. This is a highlight episode for the season.
Episode 54 The Brave And The Bold: I always enjoy these crossover episodes.
Episode 55 The Climb: Malcolm is the worst father in the world. Great scene with Ra's "killing" Oliver. Great choreography and great cinematography for this scene. This was an excellent episode. A highlight episode of the season.
Episode 56 Left Behind: Hey Team Arrow, cool your jets over abandoning your leader. Wow. Also, more inept Diggle. Are we sure he was special forces? Laurel is absolutely the worst. Weren't you childhood friends with Oliver? Does she have any understanding of what her sister had to go through to become The Canary? Nope. She's just going to become the worst superhero on the planet.
Episode 58 Uprising: Team Arrow is super incompetent without Arrow. They are all bravado and all annoying. Again, I restate, Oliver had years of intensive training and Laurel thinks she can do it in, what, a month? This whole group is bothering me. Oliver rushes in and saves the day, thank God for Team Arrow and my patience.
Episode 59 Canaries: You know what I'm going to say. I'm on level 10/10 annoyance with Laurel. Also, I love how Team Arrow feels like they can all puff their chests out at Oliver. While he was gone there was utter chaos, incompetence, and ineptitude. They are all going to sit there and challenge his authority? Oliver should walk out the door.
Episode 64 Public Enemy: I thought it was nice that Roy gave himself up for Oliver. It seemed a very heroic thing to do. I like this character. Not as much as say Oliver, Sara, or Felicity -- not even as much as Thea, but I will miss seeing him.
Episode 65 Broken Arrow: Oliver to Felicity in regards to Ray ... "There is a decent chance you and Palmer are related". Epic.
Thea getting thrown through that table was pretty awesome special effects. I may have absolutely said out loud "whoa". This is a highlight episode of the season.
Episode 66 The Fallen: Nice scenes between Ollie and his sister. I kind of for once would like to see Felicity enter a scene without high heels and maybe a bit disheveled.
Episode 67 Al Sah-him: Does Laurel so want to be leader that she is willing to throw Oliver under the bus? What ever happened to loyalty? Yes, I get that she is supposed to be doing the right thing, so she is supposed to be the protector of Nyssa, however, at so quick a dismissal of Oliver? With friends like that ... who needs enemies? It always seems to be about Laurel somehow. Plus, her anxious persona is just exhausting. They touch on it, but I would have liked a little bit more of a heavy hand in regards to saying goodbye to the old Oliver. How about feeling a bit more grateful for what he gave up? Sorry, I'm team Oliver.
When the Black Canary lets out that scream, why not just keep screaming and subdue them while the screech is going? So dumb. I can not overstate how much I hate everything about that character. Then as soon as the bad guys are apprehended, she's ready to go out for more. Wow. Way to have a heart. How long has it been since The Arrow has been gone? Again, her desire to move up the superhero hierarchy is appalling. They need to do something soon with her character because I can not stand watching her. Thea feels for her brother, Felicity still stands by him and realizes he's a different person -- because of his sacrifice, for them! How about a little appreciation? Even Diggle, who is struggling, is at least struggling. Nope, not Laurel.
Episode 69 My Name Is Oliver Queen: I liked this episode. I thought it pulled everything together pretty well. I thought that the whole Felicity Smoak in the ATOM suit was a bit cheesy (you know, Felicity catching him this time from the fall, the whole there is someone here who will catch you). I thought everyone hating on Oliver was still annoying, but I let it go for this one episode. I was genuinely emotional when Tatsu killed her husband Maseo. I liked the whole Oliver planned on dying on the plane (although, with how much his so-called friends can't appreciate him, I doubt they would have appreciated that sacrifice).
Episode 47 The Calm: I liked seeing Oliver and Felicity at dinner together. That was nice. Sara being shot was pretty epic. I could not believe it happened. Her fall to her death was pretty graphic. I was impressed.
Episode 48 Sara: I thought the scenes with Sara on the table were good. I am very, very much going to miss this character. Outside of Felicity and Oliver, she was my favorite. I very well may have liked her more than Felicity. In fact, I know I did.
Episode 49 Corto Maltese: Honestly, how inept is Diggle? Laurel is still the most annoying person on the planet.
Episode 51 The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak: How hot is Felicity with the jet-black hair! I love that look for her. Well, minus the black lipstick. The arrival of Felicity's mom and the looks that not only Diggle gives but Oliver were priceless. I rewound that scene a few times. This is a highlight episode for the season.
Episode 54 The Brave And The Bold: I always enjoy these crossover episodes.
Episode 55 The Climb: Malcolm is the worst father in the world. Great scene with Ra's "killing" Oliver. Great choreography and great cinematography for this scene. This was an excellent episode. A highlight episode of the season.
Episode 56 Left Behind: Hey Team Arrow, cool your jets over abandoning your leader. Wow. Also, more inept Diggle. Are we sure he was special forces? Laurel is absolutely the worst. Weren't you childhood friends with Oliver? Does she have any understanding of what her sister had to go through to become The Canary? Nope. She's just going to become the worst superhero on the planet.
Episode 58 Uprising: Team Arrow is super incompetent without Arrow. They are all bravado and all annoying. Again, I restate, Oliver had years of intensive training and Laurel thinks she can do it in, what, a month? This whole group is bothering me. Oliver rushes in and saves the day, thank God for Team Arrow and my patience.
Episode 59 Canaries: You know what I'm going to say. I'm on level 10/10 annoyance with Laurel. Also, I love how Team Arrow feels like they can all puff their chests out at Oliver. While he was gone there was utter chaos, incompetence, and ineptitude. They are all going to sit there and challenge his authority? Oliver should walk out the door.
Episode 64 Public Enemy: I thought it was nice that Roy gave himself up for Oliver. It seemed a very heroic thing to do. I like this character. Not as much as say Oliver, Sara, or Felicity -- not even as much as Thea, but I will miss seeing him.
Episode 65 Broken Arrow: Oliver to Felicity in regards to Ray ... "There is a decent chance you and Palmer are related". Epic.
Thea getting thrown through that table was pretty awesome special effects. I may have absolutely said out loud "whoa". This is a highlight episode of the season.
Episode 66 The Fallen: Nice scenes between Ollie and his sister. I kind of for once would like to see Felicity enter a scene without high heels and maybe a bit disheveled.
Episode 67 Al Sah-him: Does Laurel so want to be leader that she is willing to throw Oliver under the bus? What ever happened to loyalty? Yes, I get that she is supposed to be doing the right thing, so she is supposed to be the protector of Nyssa, however, at so quick a dismissal of Oliver? With friends like that ... who needs enemies? It always seems to be about Laurel somehow. Plus, her anxious persona is just exhausting. They touch on it, but I would have liked a little bit more of a heavy hand in regards to saying goodbye to the old Oliver. How about feeling a bit more grateful for what he gave up? Sorry, I'm team Oliver.
When the Black Canary lets out that scream, why not just keep screaming and subdue them while the screech is going? So dumb. I can not overstate how much I hate everything about that character. Then as soon as the bad guys are apprehended, she's ready to go out for more. Wow. Way to have a heart. How long has it been since The Arrow has been gone? Again, her desire to move up the superhero hierarchy is appalling. They need to do something soon with her character because I can not stand watching her. Thea feels for her brother, Felicity still stands by him and realizes he's a different person -- because of his sacrifice, for them! How about a little appreciation? Even Diggle, who is struggling, is at least struggling. Nope, not Laurel.
Episode 69 My Name Is Oliver Queen: I liked this episode. I thought it pulled everything together pretty well. I thought that the whole Felicity Smoak in the ATOM suit was a bit cheesy (you know, Felicity catching him this time from the fall, the whole there is someone here who will catch you). I thought everyone hating on Oliver was still annoying, but I let it go for this one episode. I was genuinely emotional when Tatsu killed her husband Maseo. I liked the whole Oliver planned on dying on the plane (although, with how much his so-called friends can't appreciate him, I doubt they would have appreciated that sacrifice).
To end my rant and rave, Arrow season 3 had some shining moments, but a lot of fails. I'm not so discouraged that I won't watch season 4, but I do hope that they fix some of the missteps that I believe they took. Overall, I would rate this season a 6/10.
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