When it comes to TV shows I’m tend to like things with an element of the “super”. If a new show with a superhero or supernatural angle is announced, I’m always going to get quite excited about the prospect of watching the pilot. However, I can be a pretty harsh critic; if I’m properly disappointed then that show is dead to me. A prime example would be Alphas: I watched the first ten minutes of the pilot, decided it was junk, switched off and never watched it again.
Image from screen grab of the video below
When I heard that Green Arrow would be coming to the small screen, I got pretty excited; it isn’t every year we get new show based on a well-known comic book superhero. Going in to the pilot I had high hopes, but after watching it (I didn’t stop 10 minutes in) I would have to say I was firmly on the fence.
My main problem with the pilot was that it felt like it was rushing us through the plot without giving us time to really get a feel for the characters. That is kind of understandable when consider that they were trying to fit Green Arrow’s origin story into one show. For me though, the show would have really benefited from a two episode back-to-back pilot. Spending a little more time developing the characters would have given the events of the pilot much more emotional impact.
To be fair though, there were plenty of plus points, the foremost of which were the action sequences. They were well directed and well choreographed, the use of parkour was impressive and the actions sequences could rival many you’d see in the cinema.
After watching episodes two and three, I can confidently say that I’m off the fence and firmly on the pro Arrow side. The show’s not perfect; it could do with a bit more drama and emotional weight, but it’s certainly heading in the right direction.
It looks like the writers are going to be using flashback scenes throughout the season to help show how spoiled rich kid Oliver Queen becomes the hard as nails fighting machine that is Green Arrow. The story unfolding in these flashback scenes really has caught my attention and I’m optimistic that these scenes will really give the character more depth and help us connect with him.
I’ve also got a feeling that the Arrow writers have a few very interesting plot twists up their sleeve which could add a bit of spice to the show.
If you like superheroes and action sequences then Arrow will be right up your street, if you’re after drama and emotional depth you should probably give it a miss.
Here’s a clip from the pilot to whet your appetite:
Have you watched the first few episodes? Would you recommend it? Leave a comment and let us know.
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October 29, 2012
Comics, TV