Team GATV Midseason Roundtable: Arrow Season 5 So Far

What was your opinion of Arrow Episode 100?

STEPHANIE: Seeing aliens on Arrow was quite possibly one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen, but it was overshadowed by the joy of also seeing Sara, Ray, and Moira back in this world. Having the 100th episode as the crossover just solidified how important Arrow has been to the CW and how many other enjoyable series have come around as a result. Plus, the shout-out to Colin Donnell’s role on Chicago Med was pretty amazing.

MATT: I really enjoyed it. It felt a bit jarring and out of place amidst the mega-crossover, but it was a real treat to see so many familiar faces back. I forgot how much I enjoyed Susannah Thompson on the show interacting with the cast, and I really enjoyed how lived in she and Jamey Sheridan felt as the parents Queen. If they had managed to get Manu Bennett back to actually play Deathstroke rather than the stunt stand-in, I think seeing the character would’ve had even greater impact. The idea that Diggle and Felicity would’ve met and that Diggle would’ve taken up the Hood mantle and quest on his own is an intriguing alt-world tale, primarily because it doesn’t necessarily fit the characters we know. Overall, I thought it was a neat idea executed well, and really got a kick out of them bringing Colin Donnell and Colton Haynes “back” through those holographic images. Still, the crossover episode of The Flash was my favorite night of the event.

MELISSA: It’s mixed and complicated. I feel what the show runners attempted to accomplish was mostly a success (beyond a glaring tonal problem with those left behind to search for the missing heroes) so on that level, I enjoyed it, but I couldn’t completely ignore the exclusion of Real Felicity from the main storyline. I was disappointed that the 100th was more interested in celebrating the direction of the first season than what the show became over all the seasons (apart from a few mentions and flashbacks). I can understand from a narrative standpoint how her inclusion could have made things complicated, but it was just a depressing reminder of what I have not been enjoying about this season.

CRAIG: I pretty much laid it out when I said it was my favorite episode of the season so far. A fitting tribute to all the show has accomplished.