Summary
Arrowhas been one of the most popularDC Universetelevision series ever, paving the way for the Arrowverse and its subsequent series. With thefinale of the tenuously connectedSuperman & Loisseason 4,the Arrowverse timelinewill be fully and conclusively at its end. However, there is no doubt that many episodes from all these shows will continue to be rewatched in the years to come. With that said, not all episodes of the Stephen Amell starring series are made equal, and for those not plannin on a full rewatch, some hold up better than others.
LikeThe FlashandSupergirlthat followed it,Arrow’s superhero story is long-form and draws from many influences and stories from the comic books.Featuring consistent crossovers, at least nine archers, and some of the wildest superhero cameos ever put on television,Arrowis worth revisiting again and again, with some best suited to revisiting now and in the future for all of their strengths, Easter Eggs, and standalone treats.
Why The Arrowverse’s Live-Action Kevin Conroy Batman Is Still Dividing Fans Even 5 Years Later
Kevin Conroy is widely considered the definitive Batman, yet his appearance in DC’s Arrowverse was highly contentious, undermining his Batman legacy.
10The Magician
Season 3, Episode 4
The League of Assassins is a major force in theArrowtelevision series, especially through the third season. With a long rivalry between Malcom Merlyn and Oliver Queen addressed through the seasons,the character returns seemingly from death as a member of the League of Assassins.This pulls from the comic books and gives Arrow a larger scope and story to invest in for the season, while featuring the building relationship between Oliver and Nyssa.
However, the episode stands on its own for its story. Seeing Malcom and his knowledge of Ra’s al Ghul’s prison is fulfilling and exciting, and watching Oliver realize that Malcolm is still alive has a level of dramatic tension that makes it inherently worth revisiting. Each rewatch of this episode provides additional layers to the story of the Dark Archer.
9The Scientist
Season 2, Episode 8
Serving as a backdoor pilot toThe Flash, this episode hints at the crossovers to come in a small and grounded story. With Grant Gustin appearing as Barry Allen to provide forensic analysis at the crime scene,the story of Barry’s investigation into his mother’s death is made central. Tiedup with Oliver Queen’s own search, viewers get to see Barry’s appreciation of the original Arrowverse hero, and are thus given insight into how this will shape Barry’s own journey.
Devoid of the hero viewers are familiar with Allen being, this episode lays the foundation for the enduring relationship between the two men, a dynamic that will unfold over many seasons.On a rewatch, the knowledge of the characters' future growth enhances every moment, making it more special.The revelation of Oliver’s identity to Barry, though expected, is also a delightful and fun twist.
The Flash Star Grant Gustin Reflects On His Arrowverse Audition 11 Years Later
More than a decade after getting cast as Barry Allen on The CW, Grant Gustin looks back at his initial Arrowverse audition to be The Flash.
8The Climb
Season 3, Episode 9
This mid-season finale has some of the most exciting moments in the series, and is widely considered thebest episode ofArrowseason 3. While the show would eventually become a larger exploration of the DC Universe,it began as a darker and grittier realization of the character, similar toThe Dark Knighttrilogy.Following along the path between the Arrowverse and Batman, Oliver Queen faces Ra’s al Ghul in an epic confrontation on top of a mountain at the culmination of the season.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Oliver stabbed and kicked off the mountain. Everything leading up to that, however, is filled with tension, action, and power. The duel between Ra’s and Oliver is intense, with some of the best choreography in the series. The location, the characters, and the visuals contribute to making a movie-caliber episode of the show that is worth endlessly repeating.
Stephen Amell’s Green Arrow Was Great But He Shouldn’t Join James Gunn’s DCU
While Stephen Amell has responded positively to joining James Gunn’s DC Universe, Green Arrow should be recast for the DCU for a key reason.
7The Promise
Season 2, Episode 15
Learning more about Slade Wilson, “The Promise” is an excellent addition to the DC Universe that is worth revisiting and can stand alone. Featuring a story that includes Oliver’s guilt and Slade’s growing rage,Oliver is forced into a morally complex situation where he needs to kill Ivo, leading to a scenario naturally fraught with drama and high stakes.
Across the season,Arrowbuilds a compelling and complex antagonist in Deathstroke - however, it is in the smaller episodes like this one that each piece of the character has the chance to be explored.Manu Bennett gives an iconic performance that stands out against any villain in the DC Universe.As such, watching the antagonist come to life in this episode ofArrowgives the chapter of the story life even after a thousand watches.
Casting Deathstroke In The DCU: 10 Actors Who Could Play The DC Villain After James Gunn’s Recent Tease
James Gunn has teased the introduction of Slade Wilson’s Deathstroke in the DCU, and there are several brilliant casting choices for the DC villain.
6Legends of Yesterday
Season 4, Episode 13
“Legends of Yesterday” was intended to set up the DC seriesLegends of Tomorrow. While it was successful in doing so, and the spinoff series remained on the air for many years,it also stands on its own as an excellent addition to the team-up series ofArrowepisodes.Featuring a conflict with Vandal Savage, seeing new heroes from the comics come together with Flash and Arrow to fight a greater threat is something that will never grow old.
With scenes set in Ancient Egypt and the introduction of iconic characters like Hawkman and Hawkgirl, there is a great deal of heavy lifting that this episode needs to fulfill. It pulls it off well, and each moment is entertaining. Seeing the further integration of various heroes pulled straight from the DC comics makes this one of the most rewatchable episodes of the series.
Why Legends Of Tomorrow Was Canceled Before Season 8
Legends of Tomorrow was canceled after Season 7’s finale set up Season 8. Here’s why the plug was pulled and the reaction of the cast and showrunner.
5Deathstroke
Season 2, Episode 18
Following a lengthy buildup throughout the season, tensions between Deathstroke and Arrow are finally let loose. In this episode, Slade Wilson attempts to destroy Oliver’s life and takes direct action against him.The pieces set up throughout this season are finally allowed free, and the narrative that comes out of it is both exciting and terrifying.
Deathstroke is an iconic villain, and seeing his destruction on display here - revealing Arrow’s identity and acting without repercussions - makes for an outstanding episode of this series.This episode is also arguably the closest that Deathstroke has come to having his own live-action feature film, adding some substantial significance to it. While not everything is resolved by the end of the episode, there is so much done and such excellent fighting between Queen and Deathstroke’s minions that it never grows old.
4Elseworlds Part 2
Season 7, Episode 9
Much of whatArrowdoes well is integrating with its built-in universe. This became a regular occurrence in the series, but one of the strongest of these stories was in “Elseworlds.” In the middle of this story, named after the DC comic,Barry and Oliver switch bodies,leading to the expected humor and inversion of their dynamic.
Seeing these characters play together with the universe and seeing past actors like John Wesley Shipp appearing as Flash from the 90s series make this Easter-Egg-filled episode one of the most enjoyable to revisit in the series, often feeling like a DC Elseworlds movie.Arrowsucceeds on the strength of all of its characters, and this is a perfect example of that, showing how the stroy grows larger and more complex with each season.
3Three Ghosts
Season 2, Episode 9
In an episode that channels the Charles Dickens classicA Christmas Carol, “Three Ghosts” is one of the most beloved stories in the entire series.Visited by past, present, and future that are embodied by Shado, Slade Wilson, and Tommy,the episode introduces present-day Deathstroke and includes the scene of Barry Allen being struck by lightning, granting him his powers.
As a mid-season finale, this episode is filled with action, tension, and excellent character discoveries. It feels essential in a way that few mid-season episodes do, and the groundwork it lays - including the stories with Shado and Slade - is important and influential on what lies ahead. Still,it is a complete story that stands on its ownand is worth revisiting regularly as its character moments represent the heart of this series, especially when Oliver Queen puts on his mask for the first time at the end of the episode.
2Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 4
Season 8, Episode 8
The largest crossover in DC history came together enormously, clashing multiversal iterations of heroes together in this gigantic event that ran throughSupergirl,Batwoman,The Flash,Arrow, andLegends of Tomorrow. It is hard to break such an event as this into its pieces, and in all likelihood,the best option for rewatching this event is to watch all the episodes in sequence, making up a high-quality television movie.Still,Arrow’s contribution is perhaps the most independently valuable piece.
Featuring a cameo fromThe Flashfilm star Ezra Miller, this episode is located within an even larger DC Universe, and sees Oliver Queen step up after Grant Gustin’s Flash disappears. With action and tact, viewers are reminded of howArrowhad an entire universe built around it, but remains the important foundation in the center.
The Arrowverse’s Crisis On Infinite Earths Could’ve Fixed A Cancelled DC TV Show’s Ending
A planned character return in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths could have allowed the crossover to make a canceled DC show’s ending better.
1Legacy
Season 5, Episode 1
Arrowseason 4 ends by addressing the need to inspire hope in the citizens of Star City following the dark moments of Armageddon in “Legacy”. With thedisturbing death ofArrowheroeslike Black Canary hanging over his head, and changes to the team,this episode sets a new status quo that the series follows until its end. Where there was darkness in the Arroweverse, there would soon be light.
While there was some dislike of some of the events in the series' fourth season, “Legacy” does everything it can to set up Oliver Queen and theArrowseries for success in the future. With Queen now serving as the mayor of Star City, he has the opportunity to present himself as not just a vigilante but as a force for hope and change, both in and out of costume. In this way, the series is essentially re-piloted for a new phase and era that stands on its own in the DC Universe.
Arrow
Cast
Arrow is a television series that debuted in 2012, featuring Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy who returns to Starling City after being stranded for five years. Transformed by his experience, Queen becomes a vigilante archer, aiming to purge his city of crime and corruption.
