Team GATV Midseason Roundtable: Arrow Season 5 So Far

How does the current season of Arrow compare to the other three DC shows currently on The CW?

STEPHANIE: I haven’t watched The Flash since the season premiere because Flashpoint just didn’t hold my attention, so my opinion isn’t entirely accurate, but I’d also have to place Arrow as my second favorite, right behind Supergirl. It’s not because of anything that Arrow has or hasn’t done; it’s just that this season of Supergirl has restored my faith in television to be a force for good, if you will.

CRAIG: There’s really nothing wrong with being #2, I swear, but I have to put Arrow there for this year, just because this current season of Supergirl has been so out of this world. Give us Superman in Arrow, and then we’ll talk. All kidding aside, Arrow is a show that I’ve been looking forward to every week, that I am the most curious about what will happen next, and best of all, no one on this show messed up the timeline for everybody. (Thanks, Barry.)

MATT: To be frank, Arrow is the least fun of all four shows. The Flash is still the standard bearer, even though it’s been shaky itself this season. I’m enjoying Arrow this season, for the most part, but the other series are just more of a romp to watch.

MELISSA: I think Legends of Tomorrow is having the best season of all the shows with consistently engaging characters, fun situations, and Caity Lotz (Sara, aka White Canary) doing some of the most enjoyable fight choreography on television. Supergirl has kept me entertained and I’ve grown fond of most of the new characters, but it has had growing pains with the show’s transition from CBS to the CW. (I miss you Calista!)

The Flash season has been extraordinarily messy, starting with an ambitious premise (Flashpoint) that it couldn’t fully realize that made Barry look stupidly selfish and rendered previous continuity meaningless, while casting a depressing pall over the show’s normally cheerful tone. (Did anyone enjoy angry, emo Cisco?) Oh, and once again, the big bad is another Speedster. And yet, Arrow’s season has been worse, the majority of its episodes delivered in a completely forgettable manner.

Plenty happens, but I’m having a terrible time caring because Arrow has done a terrible job making me care about the characters. It’s been plot over characterization for almost everyone.