Arrow: Pilot Review

Was the first episode of this spiritual Smallville successor a bullseye?
Following up on the hit Superman adaptation Smallville with a new superhero drama was always going to be a challenge for The CW, yet tonight on Sky1 with the opening episode of Arrow its writers have proven this new show means business. Taking place in the aftermath of the Green Arrow's alter-ego Oliver Queen's five-year shipwreck on a mysterious island, Pilot focused on the return of Queen to Starling City and his hunt for the first of a list of key targets as a gritty Guardian Angel. While this premise could easily have been predictable, Arrow made great use of its key stars while throwing in old faces from Smallville and other realms of acting along the way.

The actual plot of Queen's hunt for the menacing Adam Hunt was a little obvious in its execution, yet the Dark Knight-esque realistic vibe the production team were so clearly going for seems to have worked pretty well. Stephen Amell looks to be a likeable enough protagonist, even if his varying hairstyles are a little hard to keep up with. Better yet, the opening episode employed some sets from straight out of its spiritual predecessor, and while Smallville fans will undoubtedly see the Metropolis-Starling continuity, it's at least a nice touch. On the whole, Arrow: Pilot set up an intriguing narrative arc for its lead character that could be interesting to watch develop and thus made for a thoroughly enjoyable watch. Here's hoping the rest of this first season keeps up the good work!
4/5