Arrow
Season 5 Episode 1: “Legacy”
Directed by James Bamford
Written by Wendy Mericle and Marc Guggenheim
Created by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg
Starring Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Emily Bett Rickards, Echo Kellum, Paul Blackthorne
The CW
Air Date: Wednesday, October 5th, 2016, 8:00pm

DC’s TV Universe expanded last season to include both Legends of Tomorrow AND Supergirl, to thoroughly dominate the CW’s weekly schedule. Arrow is now the old man of the group, entering its fifth season last night. Last year was a rough one for Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell). He tried to step up for the city he loves by representing it as Mayor, but that was met with dangerous opposition. Olicity never stood a chance at pure happiness. And then there was the magical bad guy, Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough) making life hell in Star City. This included handing Oliver, and Team Arrow their greatest loss as Laurel (Katie Cassidy) was murdered. Darhk was vanquished, and Oliver is now left to defend the city both as Mayor and The Green Arrow alone.

Spoilers for the 5th season premiere of Arrow below!

Arrow 5.1 “Legacy” (Premiere) review: Oliver is slacking on his responsibilities as Mayor. It’s hard without Diggle or Thea (David Ramsey, Willa Holland) to help with the “other thing.” While he is dealing with vigilantes sprouting up hoping to join Team Arrow, the city is facing a new threat. When the Russian mob appears to be moving in, a brass knuckles wearing Tobias Church (TWD‘s Chad Coleman), makes his presence felt in a bloody and brutal way.

While the newspapers are hilariously referring to Oliver as “Mayor Handsome,” Lance (Paul Blackthorne) returns. He is broken up from Donna (Charlotte Ross), and back inside the bottle. Oliver goes to him to try to clean him up for Black Canary’s memorial. The memorial is emotional, especially when her dad does show up. That is instantly broken up by gunfire as Church men roll up with guns blazing, and take Oliver and others hostage.

Chad Coleman is pretty damn awesome here. I was bored by Tyrese on The Walking Dead, so I’m pleasantly surprised. Speaking of pleasant surprises, I like Thea’s arc as she finally feels back to normal after the craziness she felt after the Lazarus Pit, and Laurel’s death really affected her. When she does spring back to action to rescue Oliver, it freaks her right back out of it.

Oliver and Lance come to a realization about moving on by getting back to business. He promised Laurel he’d find a new Canary to help her memory live on. Now he’s ready to take Felicity’s (Emily Bett Rickards) advice and recruit a new team. Right on time, as a new threat looms.

If you’re curious about the flashbacks, sorry. They bore me at best, annoy me at most. Something about Russian proverbs, sharks swimming, yadda yadda. The best parts of Arrow are watching Oliver interact with his team. I like his new bond with Lance, as well as broken bond with Thea. And as for Felicity, well it seems she has moved on. New villains who are big, mean, and scary… always a plus. So far so good for Arrow season 5.

Arrow returns next Wednesday night at 8:00 only on the CW.

The CW’s synopsis:

Arrow
Legacy (Ep# 501)
NEW BEGINNINGS — After Laurel’s (Katie Cassidy) death and the departures of both Diggle (David Ramsey) and Thea (Willa Holland) from Team Arrow, Oliver (Stephen Amell) takes to the streets solo to protect Star City’s citizens as the Green Arrow. With Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) guiding him from the bunker, Oliver is forced to deal with a city that has become overrun with both criminals and a slew of new (and painfully inexperienced) vigilantes. Watching Oliver try to balance his jobs as both the mayor and also the protector of Star City, Felicity suggests he form a new team, but Oliver resists. However, when a deadly new criminal, Tobias Church (guest star Chad L. Coleman), enters the picture, Oliver realizes the best thing for the city might be a new team of superheroes. Meanwhile, the flashbacks take us to Russia where Oliver faces off against the Bratva. James Bamford directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti and teleplay by Marc Guggenheim & Wendy Mericle (#501). Original airdate 10/5/2016.

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Video

Arrow | Legacy Scene | The CW

Oliver needs to make new friends on the premiere of Arrow, TONIGHT at 8/7c on The CW.