When Arrow was first announced last year, I was very skeptical (as were a legion of other comic book/DC fans). It took about five episodes for me to be hooked completely, but I was immediately drawn in by the flashback sequences. As a novelist, I understand how tricky inserting flashbacks can be and that without the right timing within the story, without gripping and insightful content and when too heavily relied upon, they can backfire.
I think that Arrow has the right formula for its flashbacks and this has become an endearing theme of the show. In fact, I think that if you took all of the flashbacks, strung them together and bridged a few gaps with jointing scenes, you could easily have a good series featuring them alone. To me, this is how I know that the use of flashbacks are on point.
Of the DC Comics shows we’ve had over the years, Arrow is Perfect Storm Anomaly that works for several reasons.
1) Popularity. Green Arrow is a lesser known character than Superman, Batman or even The Flash.
2) Characters. While the backstory/origin borrows heavily from its source material, a fresh spin is placed on the tale and supporting characters have been created that serve their purpose and help to flesh out the main character.
3) Casting. With the exception of Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, everyone else on the show was cast perfectly in my opinion. I am having some difficulty with Cassidy in the role of the future Black Canary, based on how her character’s attitude and dialogue has been presented thus far. By the way, this isn’t a personal dig at Ms. Cassidy or her acting abilities, I think that the show’s producers are purposefully making her the love interest you love to hate and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for her down the line!
4) The introduction of DC Universe characters. Of any TV show and/or major motion picture that has featured DC Comics characters, I have to say without a doubt that Arrow has managed to effectively utilize a greater number than any of them. Also, the introduction of the characters is so brilliantly woven into the plot of the show, that they don’t ever seem out of place or forced.
5) Plots and story arcs. Arrow has a lot of very intricate subplots that feed into the next story arc in such a manner that it almost seamlessly drives the show from episode to episode and season to season. Every action and reaction Ollie aka Arrow makes, ties into the next element(s) introduced into the storyline and carries some significance to the overall story.
There is much debate among fans as to whether DC should integrate Arrow and its characters into the DCCU. I personally feel it would be a move that could work as long as the writers for the show and Zack Snyder are on the same page. It would be a reverse similarity to how Marvel is doing things ala the MCCU and Agents of SHIELD.
In conclusion, I think that Arrow has done more to give fans a glimpse into the DC Universe and its catalog of exciting and unique characters than any of the feature films have ever done. If DC decides to use this series as a springboard for their DCCU I’m all in. If not, that’s fine too because Arrow doesn’t need the DCCU as much as the DCCU needs Arrow in my opinion.