It's been a roller coaster ride with Arrow. It's been great, and then... not so good... For everyone that's stuck around even through its weaker season, this episode shows it was worth it. Hopefully this paves the way for an amazing final season, because if this is the level Arrow's final season will be, we're all in for a treat. This episode was just amazing. Seriously a great way to get everyone back on board on the Arrow Train. I loved the way it began. No explanation or context. It just leaves you there with Oliver disoriented as he should be in another earth. It didn't spoon feed you the information that could've easily been done with a lot of heavy exposition. However I do have to say Earth 2 is actually inconsistent to what was shown on The Flash Season 2. In that aspect it was a little disappointing. They whole aesthetic is gone, it just looks like normal Earth 1. In fact in that Earth 2 episode it is mentioned that Robert Queen was the Hood, but there's no mention of that in this episode either. Nonetheless despite the inconsistencies all the events that changed this earth were very interesting. It went through all of season 1 in an episode making so many callbacks, and references to the first season. It was just so amazing to see the little changes that made Earth 2 so different. All these characters like Tommy, Moira, Merlyn and Adrian Chase being back was just so great to behold. There was surprisingly a lot of emotion in this episode, and a ton of big surprises. I don't want to spoil it because it wouldn't do this episode justice. I was also surprised with the great humor they included with all the callbacks. It just felt like the writers finally understood what the fans wanted. I will say this episode is definitely rushed, since it basically does through the big portions of season 1 in just an episode. In an ideal world I think this would've been an even better 2 parter episode, but it still works great as one episode. The performances were excellent, especially from Stephen Amell. As someone who has stuck by this show since the start, even during its weaker seasons, this made me happy to be a fan of this show again. The action was even better. There were a lot of longer shots, and the choreography was improved from the last seasons. Unfortunately I don't think it's as good as Season 1's choreography, but it was really good regardless. I'm just so happy with this episode. I've complained a lot about the flash forwards in the last season of arrow, and I would've definitely preferred them to not be in this episode, but I will admit they weren't too bad this episode. They were quite brief, and had some cool moments. If they keep them like this, and they improve a little more perhaps I wouldn't mind them as much as I do. There were a few silly moments here and there, but you come to expect those from these shows, and it has definitely been reduced from other seasons. My only other criticism with this episode would be the climactic battle ending a little anticlimactic. I was hoping they wouldn't end it that quickly and easily, but at the same time I guess it does make sense with the character. It's also definitely made up by that great cliff hanger at the end. Overall I am just beyond excited for the rest of the season. This episode was an amazing start to this season, and was everything I wanted it to be. It definitely feels like the cast and crew are really trying their hardest to make this the best season they can make. It seems like Arrow is 10 steps ahead of us this season!
46 Reviews
The best of the DC premieres this season.
blaize-8581916 October 2019
Outside of the future scenes I was completely invested in this episode. All of the callbacks both subtle and not I loved. Impressive actions scenes as usual and Stephen Amell killed it with all of the emotional moments.
Nostalgia and a fresh take
markq-7565416 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched Arrow seasons 1 to 5 and half of season 6 before stopping. It just wasn't as good as it used to be. But I have heard all the news that's happened I'm throughout the last couple of seasons.
I watched elseworlds crossover and got excited when the next crossover would be crises on infinite earths. Then when I heard season 8 would be a whole build up to crises I figured I'd watch it.
Now to the actual review, this episode was great with Oliver being found on the island and him meeting his mother and Tommy. This episode had so much season 1 nostalgia. As well as other seasons, like Oliver saying to Adriana I'm 10 steps ahead of you.
It was awesome seeing Tommy play and evil character. The fights were also good. There were also some references. Such as the Batman mask being on Lian Yu. Also Adrain name dropping Bruce Wayne.
All and all great episode, it gave nostalgia as well as a good story. It also gets you more excited for crises on infinite earths.
I watched elseworlds crossover and got excited when the next crossover would be crises on infinite earths. Then when I heard season 8 would be a whole build up to crises I figured I'd watch it.
Now to the actual review, this episode was great with Oliver being found on the island and him meeting his mother and Tommy. This episode had so much season 1 nostalgia. As well as other seasons, like Oliver saying to Adriana I'm 10 steps ahead of you.
It was awesome seeing Tommy play and evil character. The fights were also good. There were also some references. Such as the Batman mask being on Lian Yu. Also Adrain name dropping Bruce Wayne.
All and all great episode, it gave nostalgia as well as a good story. It also gets you more excited for crises on infinite earths.
A Masterpiece Of A Homage To Arrow's First Season
Sam_Ash_7616 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I've been watching "Arrow" for years, I started the show in 2016 a few months before its fifth season officially began airing. I've been with it through its ups and its downs... but I do love the show as a whole. I love the character of Oliver Queen, even if he isn't technically comic book accurate to the actual Green Arrow. Truth be told, I wasn't a DC fanatic until I gave this show a chance and binged the first season in 3 days, and that wasn't the only time I'd be watching season 1. I've seen it at least 5 times since, and will be watching it once more when the entire series has completed.
Season 1 of "Arrow" is one of my absolute favorites, it holds one of the top 5 Arrowverse villains with the Dark Archer, and this entire episode felt like a love letter to that particular season. Amongst all the darkness with Oliver's return, he brought light back as well, and this episode expertly demonstrated that with the alternate versions of previous characters.
I adored the way they incorporated tiny moments of season 1, through Oliver's return from the pilot to the season finale "Sacrifice" with the final battle between Oliver and Tommy on the rooftop. The Monitor still not truly stating his intentions makes me even more excited for the crisis to come.
If this is the type of episodes we can come to expect from this season then I'm all in. Loved it.
Season 1 of "Arrow" is one of my absolute favorites, it holds one of the top 5 Arrowverse villains with the Dark Archer, and this entire episode felt like a love letter to that particular season. Amongst all the darkness with Oliver's return, he brought light back as well, and this episode expertly demonstrated that with the alternate versions of previous characters.
I adored the way they incorporated tiny moments of season 1, through Oliver's return from the pilot to the season finale "Sacrifice" with the final battle between Oliver and Tommy on the rooftop. The Monitor still not truly stating his intentions makes me even more excited for the crisis to come.
If this is the type of episodes we can come to expect from this season then I'm all in. Loved it.
Insane!!!!
acorbo-4058016 October 2019
This episode was crazy! Really gave me feels and really did seem like a love letter to the whole first season of Arrow! My only complaint was this episode kind of felt like 2 or 3 combined, but that's just minor. Overall a great episode!
"10 steps ahead"
iluvatar-9152816 October 2019
One last time...
Notbatman458716 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode of Arrow gave us nostalgia and showed us how good the forthcoming episodes will be.
Oliver being on the Island.
Meeting his Mom again. That was just oh...hit right in the heart. Seeing Tommy again.
And wew Chase being Green Arrow. Never expected that.
All the throwbacks (The Hood vs The Dark Archer, 10 steps ahead of you, The Undertaking, Lian Yu) were just nostalgiac and showed us how far we have come The episode really showed us that what the viewers and the characters will be dealing with. Oliver was on a mission to get the dwarf star because Monitor needs it for some reason.
Then the ending oh God. Earth 2 getting destroyed by anti-matter which was already shown in The Flash second episode. So really we know that the evenrs of Crisis have begun and we can feel it.
What I really felt bad about was that neither Tommy nor Chase escaped the anti matter wave, but it's the first ep. Who knows?
9.5/10
Oliver being on the Island.
Meeting his Mom again. That was just oh...hit right in the heart. Seeing Tommy again.
And wew Chase being Green Arrow. Never expected that.
All the throwbacks (The Hood vs The Dark Archer, 10 steps ahead of you, The Undertaking, Lian Yu) were just nostalgiac and showed us how far we have come The episode really showed us that what the viewers and the characters will be dealing with. Oliver was on a mission to get the dwarf star because Monitor needs it for some reason.
Then the ending oh God. Earth 2 getting destroyed by anti-matter which was already shown in The Flash second episode. So really we know that the evenrs of Crisis have begun and we can feel it.
What I really felt bad about was that neither Tommy nor Chase escaped the anti matter wave, but it's the first ep. Who knows?
9.5/10
What a great beginning to an end!
vitalisklifus16 October 2019
Having watched arrow since the very first episode, even through its lows, I am still a big fan of Arrow. This show seems to have more emotional attachment than the flash.
The start of this season is on a whole different level and it seems all this has been worth the wait. The acting is superb especially from Amell, kinda wish he would play arrow forever. The choreography is great in this episode, the fights look good. What warmed my heart is seeing all the older characters back again and familiar scenes from Season 1.
The best part is that they are not holding your hand and explaining anything, they structure it in a way that you quickly figure our what is going on.
What a superb start of the last season. Here is to 9 more episodes like this.
What a superb start of the last season. Here is to 9 more episodes like this.
Incredibly well scripted
virajjoshi16 October 2019
Why do people think we care about anyone else than Oliver Queen??????
jacksutarno16 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First off...this episode was excellent in terms of arrows recent standards. The original cast was excellent, john showing up was surprising but he was great this episode. The ways they showed how life would be different without Oliver was interesting, especially since this whole season is building up to a Arrowverse without Oliver Queen. Stephen Amell killed it in the episode as per usual, and we get to see a great side to Oliver especially without Felicity. I truly got sad during the scene when he leaves his mother again. The destruction of earth 2 does get me excited for further episodes and excited to find out how Oliver is using these materials to save the universe...or is the monitor deceiving him...who knows.
Now to the bad...this new cast... I think one of the only words that comes to mind is...why? In a 10 episode season why are we devoting almost half the time to bad actors and bad unrealistic fights. Seriously...u don't have to pose after every kick. It's incredibly obvious the writers are hoping to get a spin off... which is just bad. To quote my title, "why do people think we care about anyone's fate other than Oliver's?" At least in the early seasons the flashbacks were relevant. Now these flash forwards are just awful, I still laugh about how Oliver never contacted William because he knew the burden he is to the show.
This indeed was a great episode full of nostalgic moments for every arrow fan. And this episode undoubtedly has me wanting to come back for more. I know there's nothing we can do about getting rid of the future cast, but every week I will hope in my mind that when they destroy another earth the future kids somehow get destroyed too.
CW a little advice: "Arrow should die with Oliver Queen"
Now to the bad...this new cast... I think one of the only words that comes to mind is...why? In a 10 episode season why are we devoting almost half the time to bad actors and bad unrealistic fights. Seriously...u don't have to pose after every kick. It's incredibly obvious the writers are hoping to get a spin off... which is just bad. To quote my title, "why do people think we care about anyone's fate other than Oliver's?" At least in the early seasons the flashbacks were relevant. Now these flash forwards are just awful, I still laugh about how Oliver never contacted William because he knew the burden he is to the show.
This indeed was a great episode full of nostalgic moments for every arrow fan. And this episode undoubtedly has me wanting to come back for more. I know there's nothing we can do about getting rid of the future cast, but every week I will hope in my mind that when they destroy another earth the future kids somehow get destroyed too.
CW a little advice: "Arrow should die with Oliver Queen"
5/5 For present Arrow Timeline - 1/5 Future Arrow Timeline
tjv-8785221 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I absolutely love the original arrow timeline and how amazing the story is, Unfortunately this show is being dragged down by trying to add in this new timeline of "heroes" from the future. The story is trash, and the acting is sub par. Please Scrap them and continue on with the original story!
Cheaters
deepanshumodi16 October 2019
Nostalgic
vishwajeet-0655816 October 2019
A Crisis is Coming!
RahulM00716 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The season 8 premiere of Arrow is fast paced, action packed and has a nostalgic feeling to it. It is filled with notable callbacks and Easter eggs to the first season of the series.
The opening scene where Oliver is rescued off the island was perfect and gave the episode its nostalgic feeling right away. The way the camera panned to Batman's and not Deathstroke's mask on the island was insane and unexpected. From that moment I knew that Oliver was not on his Earth. The Monitor's narration was on point and reminiscent to Oliver's narration in the series premiere of Arrow.
Oliver Queen was sent to Earth-2 by the Monitor to retrieve the Dwarf Star from Queen Consolidated. This episode saw the return of the Dark Archer, but the man under the hood was not Malcolm Merlyn. Instead it was Tommy Merlyn who is motivated by vengeance and tries to level the Glades. On this Earth, Thea spiraled out of control after learning about Oliver's death. She took vertigo while driving and died. This is a nice wink to season 1 where Thea uses vertigo and crashed a car. Luckily, Earth-1 Thea survived the car crash.
The return of Adrian Chase aka the Green Arrow of Earth-2 was awesome. However, he did not get the amount of screen time I hoped he would. Adrian Chase doing the salmon ladder was quite a neat callback.
This season Oliver will continue to wear the Green Arrow mask unlike last season. The Green Arrow costume looks much better with the mask. The iconography is better and makes Oliver look more badass. The season 8 costume is quite reminiscent to the season 1 costume with slight altercations.
The flash forwards were surprisingly entertaining. I thought it would loose some steam, now that Felicity, Roy, Dinah and Renee left, but it exceeded my expectations. The characters Mia, William, Connor and Zoe are incredibly likable. I am fully onboard of a spin-off happening that revolves around these characters. The main threat the team is facing this season is the Deathstroke gang. The leader is John Diggle Jr. who is the adoptive brother of Connor. I am excited to learn more about their past this season.
To conclude, this premiere did not disappoint and was entertaining from start to finish. It was perfectly put together and incredibly heartwarming. The end reveal where Earth-2 is supposedly destroyed by the Anti Monitor raises some questions. Is it gone for good?
The opening scene where Oliver is rescued off the island was perfect and gave the episode its nostalgic feeling right away. The way the camera panned to Batman's and not Deathstroke's mask on the island was insane and unexpected. From that moment I knew that Oliver was not on his Earth. The Monitor's narration was on point and reminiscent to Oliver's narration in the series premiere of Arrow.
Oliver Queen was sent to Earth-2 by the Monitor to retrieve the Dwarf Star from Queen Consolidated. This episode saw the return of the Dark Archer, but the man under the hood was not Malcolm Merlyn. Instead it was Tommy Merlyn who is motivated by vengeance and tries to level the Glades. On this Earth, Thea spiraled out of control after learning about Oliver's death. She took vertigo while driving and died. This is a nice wink to season 1 where Thea uses vertigo and crashed a car. Luckily, Earth-1 Thea survived the car crash.
The return of Adrian Chase aka the Green Arrow of Earth-2 was awesome. However, he did not get the amount of screen time I hoped he would. Adrian Chase doing the salmon ladder was quite a neat callback.
This season Oliver will continue to wear the Green Arrow mask unlike last season. The Green Arrow costume looks much better with the mask. The iconography is better and makes Oliver look more badass. The season 8 costume is quite reminiscent to the season 1 costume with slight altercations.
The flash forwards were surprisingly entertaining. I thought it would loose some steam, now that Felicity, Roy, Dinah and Renee left, but it exceeded my expectations. The characters Mia, William, Connor and Zoe are incredibly likable. I am fully onboard of a spin-off happening that revolves around these characters. The main threat the team is facing this season is the Deathstroke gang. The leader is John Diggle Jr. who is the adoptive brother of Connor. I am excited to learn more about their past this season.
To conclude, this premiere did not disappoint and was entertaining from start to finish. It was perfectly put together and incredibly heartwarming. The end reveal where Earth-2 is supposedly destroyed by the Anti Monitor raises some questions. Is it gone for good?
Awesome
kyleprowton-8176516 October 2019
Back to basics
cpehansen18 October 2019
Watching TV, you'll see that stories that have a planned ending are inherently better. The writers know where they're going and can take the viewers on that journey.
I felt that Arrow has lost it's way the last couple years, lacking a real direction, the way it had in its earlier seasons. If this episode is the level at which season 8 continues, we're in for a treat. The action is tense. The scenes are meaningful. And seeing the evolution of characters we've gotten to know over the past almost decade (and evil mirrors of those characters) delivers one of the most satisfying episodes of Arrow ever. Cant wait for the rest of the season
Nostalgic
ThomasDrufke17 October 2019
I very well may have said this about the premiere last year, but this episode didn't have to do a whole lot to excite me about the season. Season 7 is the worst season in the show's history and the show hasn't had more than one good episode in a row since Prometheus was still on the board. Well, strangely enough, this episode just so happened to co-star Josh Segarra in what was a surprisingly well thought out 42 minutes with more than just great fan-service.
Really, if it weren't for the flash-forward's, there would be no reason to not give the episode a 10. I love the idea that this season will be taking Ollie back to events of his past, or perhaps more vaguely, characters (and actors) we haven't seen in years. How incredible was it to see Moira and Malcom back on screen (together!) for the first time since the season 5 crossover (and really season 2)? The show has missed those two mightily, but I also admire the guts of the writers at the time to kill them off when they did. Something The Flash almost certainly will never do with its 'beloved' characters.
Did I just write two paragraphs without even mentioning the Bruce Wayne/Batman mask easter eggs? Yeah, well those mentions don't really have the weight or impact they once did. Even so, hearing Prometheus say he's gotten advice from Wayne before certainly gave me chills.
One of the things I loved about the structure of the episode was that it didn't feel the need to explain everything to its audience. The Flash often struggles to understand how to communicate complicated plot to its viewers. Sometimes the answer is to just wing it and choose not to. We didn't even know what earth Ollie was on (or why) for quite a few scenes. That's much better than what CW typically attempts to do.
Couple of other things I need to mention: the Ollie/Dig scene in the car brought back memories and a massive smile to my face. The mansion made its return! Ollie repeating the "I'm 10 steps ahead of you" line to Chase was picture perfect. The Tommy/Oliver dynamic mirroring season 1 was awesome, even though most may consider it pandering. Whether or not next week's (and the rest of the season's episodes) live up to this week's is to be determined, but I'm just glad the show is about Ollie again. Because it definitely wasn't for the last 2 years.
9.5/10
Really, if it weren't for the flash-forward's, there would be no reason to not give the episode a 10. I love the idea that this season will be taking Ollie back to events of his past, or perhaps more vaguely, characters (and actors) we haven't seen in years. How incredible was it to see Moira and Malcom back on screen (together!) for the first time since the season 5 crossover (and really season 2)? The show has missed those two mightily, but I also admire the guts of the writers at the time to kill them off when they did. Something The Flash almost certainly will never do with its 'beloved' characters.
Did I just write two paragraphs without even mentioning the Bruce Wayne/Batman mask easter eggs? Yeah, well those mentions don't really have the weight or impact they once did. Even so, hearing Prometheus say he's gotten advice from Wayne before certainly gave me chills.
One of the things I loved about the structure of the episode was that it didn't feel the need to explain everything to its audience. The Flash often struggles to understand how to communicate complicated plot to its viewers. Sometimes the answer is to just wing it and choose not to. We didn't even know what earth Ollie was on (or why) for quite a few scenes. That's much better than what CW typically attempts to do.
Couple of other things I need to mention: the Ollie/Dig scene in the car brought back memories and a massive smile to my face. The mansion made its return! Ollie repeating the "I'm 10 steps ahead of you" line to Chase was picture perfect. The Tommy/Oliver dynamic mirroring season 1 was awesome, even though most may consider it pandering. Whether or not next week's (and the rest of the season's episodes) live up to this week's is to be determined, but I'm just glad the show is about Ollie again. Because it definitely wasn't for the last 2 years.
9.5/10
Must say a good episode except.........
larosaj-2666616 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
For bringing Mia back. The laughable 90 pound walking attitude ( just like Batwoman ) was unpleasant to watch. Her character and her acting are awful. Episode lost two stars for that but gained one for having her get beat up twice. After the terrible nonsensical season finale; this was a nice start with some truly well done fight scenes. Good use of past characters and looking forward to the Crisis but it's going to be a chore to watch Mia laughingly take out men twice her size. If they do a spin-off I certainly won't watch.
Was all this nostalgia really worth it?
pintaxandre30 October 2019
A lot of remakes of past scenes, sometimes better. But did we actually learn anything useful in Oliver's quest. I mean, this is a good episode no doubt, but as a season premiere, it really lacks substance. I hope the ending will be well exploited in the next episode, but the high ratings made me believe this episode would be incredible and I absolutely didn't find it is the case.
Welcome to Starling City!
highmarksreviews16 October 2019
Arrow has had a rather bumpy ride throughout its 7-year run, but it made a promise last year. A promise to deliver a final eighth season that will send this flagship series out with a bang. If "Starling City" is any indicator, it may be a one big boom that we see the Emerald Archer end his story. I loved this premiere so much, I don't want this season to end.
The best part of this episode is how it manages to juggle on both nostalgia and ambitious storytelling. The callbacks made to season one, which were clearly done with the best intentions in mind, landed without incident. They were sweet moments of drama coupled with some clever twists to keep the narrative fresh. Stephen Amell was in fine-form and really, all the expected and unexpected characters brought their A-game. The cinematography also did a fantastic job of replicating several scenes from Arrow's early run, even down a particularly visceral moment from a recognisable action scene.
Speaking of those, James Bamford directed this episode. That should be a good indicator of what you should expect. The fight scenes were some of the most brutal, stylistically strong and naturally-flowing sequences the show has ever done. That's a statement. These are masterful scenes that ooze energy and dedication, don't miss a second of them!
The flash-forwards seemed to take a back-seat for the better. They didn't reveal anything huge in terms of story, but served up a compelling team conflict and some good action all the same.
"Starling City" works as both a premiere to kick off the final season and an epic standalone event. It's a love letter to the fans containing plenty of creative storytelling, twists, epic action and good setup for what is to come. Season 8 of Arrow got a memorable start, one that proves this show is aiming for bullseyes.
The best part of this episode is how it manages to juggle on both nostalgia and ambitious storytelling. The callbacks made to season one, which were clearly done with the best intentions in mind, landed without incident. They were sweet moments of drama coupled with some clever twists to keep the narrative fresh. Stephen Amell was in fine-form and really, all the expected and unexpected characters brought their A-game. The cinematography also did a fantastic job of replicating several scenes from Arrow's early run, even down a particularly visceral moment from a recognisable action scene.
Speaking of those, James Bamford directed this episode. That should be a good indicator of what you should expect. The fight scenes were some of the most brutal, stylistically strong and naturally-flowing sequences the show has ever done. That's a statement. These are masterful scenes that ooze energy and dedication, don't miss a second of them!
The flash-forwards seemed to take a back-seat for the better. They didn't reveal anything huge in terms of story, but served up a compelling team conflict and some good action all the same.
"Starling City" works as both a premiere to kick off the final season and an epic standalone event. It's a love letter to the fans containing plenty of creative storytelling, twists, epic action and good setup for what is to come. Season 8 of Arrow got a memorable start, one that proves this show is aiming for bullseyes.
A Love Letter To The Entire Show!
goldenj-0780516 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I already can tell this season is gonna contain the highest rated episodes of the show since 5x23. The idea of twisting around the certain aspects of the story on a different earth is mind-blowing with, such as Tommy being the Dark Archer and Adrian being The Hood. I have some great expectations for this final season.
What an episode
osamahcode16 October 2019
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
