Arrow Review: Legacy (Season 5 Episode 1)

On the bright side, this episode of Arrow is better than The Flash.

But hey, that’s not really saying much.

So, what can I say about it? It’s an okay episode.  I can even go as far as saying it’s a good one.

It just isn’t a great one. It isn’t memorable. It just exists. And, for an episode called “Legacy,” that just doesn’t cut it.

I get it, it’s been five seasons. Arrow is now concerned with defining what they’ll be remembered for. They’ve taken on aspects of other shows the past few seasons, and this year, they want Arrow to be about …well, Arrow.

That’s perfect. That’s commendable. It’s just that they don’t seem to quite understand *what* this show is about, or why we fell in love with it in the first place.

Sure, the action sequences are breathtaking, the flashbacks are finally interesting and Tobias Church seems like a worthy villain. It all has a Season 1 vibe to it.

But this show has never been just about the fights, or about the vigilantes. It’s not about the cops or even the city.

It’s about the relationships. About a man fighting his way out of the darkness and into the light. About the people who showed him the way.

Yes, Diggle is still there. He’s lost himself, but he hasn’t completely abandoned Oliver.

Thea is still around. She doesn’t want to be a vigilante, but that doesn’t mean she’s gone.

Quentin left, but came back. He’s a mess, but he hasn’t completely given up.

And yes, Felicity is still there. She’s in full avoidance mode, having “moved on” with her life not only because that’s the healthy thing (which it is), but because it’s easier than confronting what they both did wrong to ruin their relationship.

But she’s there. They’re all there.

Why then, does it feel like they’re orbiting different planets? Like they don’t really affect each other the way they used to? Like they don’t make each other better?

It’s okay to go back to your roots, Arrow. Just don’t go so far back that you forget what you gained on the way.

These people are meant to be a family. And yes, this a superhero show, but superhero doesn’t mean just action.

We care for Superman because there’s Clark Kent. We care for Batman because there’s Bruce Wayne. We want our heroes to be these perfect, untouchable examples of virtue, yes, but we also want them to be real people.

The Green Arrow is not as interesting as Oliver Queen. Don’t forget that, Arrow.

But this is just the first episode. In general, where there is a choice between trusting the writers and not trusting them, I tend to err in the side of trust.

I’m going to do that again. I’m going to trust that there’s a plan in place here, one I can’t yet comprehend.

I’m giving you a chance, Arrow. Don’t make me regret it.

Other things to note:

• I get that sets are expensive and all that, but why the loft? Why the loft?
• Does consistency mean nothing to you, Arrow?
• By the way, where exactly is Oliver living these days?
• I also get that Felicity is not the main character, but it seems to me like it’s been forever since we’ve gotten to see her POV of anything. I’m not asking for the show to revolve around her, I just want to understand how she feels about …well, about whatever. Even her choice of wardrobe for the day. Anything would be better than what I’m getting, aka not.a.single.thing.
• The retcon of Laurel Lance’s character is the most absurd thing this show has ever done. If the line had been “Don’t let me be the last Canary,” I would have liked it. Why add that thing at the end about always being with Oliver? You’re not selling me back the romance you killed and buried in Season 2, Arrow writers. Give it up.
• We all agree that the real reason why Quentin was crying was because that statue was the ugliest thing he’d ever seen in his entire life, right?
• Is Laurel Lance going to be our excuse for everything, or just Oliver’s sudden character regression into someone that doesn’t mind dropping bodies?
• Though, to be honest, with a better explanation, I would have bought the Oliver thing. All I needed was a line that made it clear that he knew the cost to his soul, but he was willing to sacrifice that for the greater good. All I needed.
• Why wasn’t Felicity at Laurel’s memorial? I thought they were BFFS off-screen.
• I hate off-screen breakups. If you were gonna kill Quentin/Donna, at least sell it in a way that makes sense.

What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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