5) Lone Gunman (Episode 3)
The debut of one of the biggest(if not the biggest) comic book villain that appeared on the show. Floyd Lawton aka Deadshot has become, after Merlyn, Oliver Queen's worst enemy on the show. Along with a great cliffhanger ending leaving Diggle on the road to become Oliver's sidekick, this episode also establishes that Oliver isn't the only one with a good shot.
4) Home Invasion (Episode 20)
Not only a Deadshot episode, but an emotional yet kick ass episode. Mr. Blank, who was originally DC Comics villain Onomatopoeia, is a hit man who Oliver goes after, breaking his promise to take down Floyd Lawton for Diggle. The thing I loved most is the final showdown, which shows Oliver and Mr. Blank fighting in the Queen mansion, with an unmasked and unarmed Oliver. Many superhero films try to have a "more human" hero (Iron Man 3, looking at you here) but this one episode pulls it off better than perhaps any other fight with an unmasked villain (except maybe sometimes in The Dark Knight Trilogy, cause those films were bad ass).
3) Darkness on the Edge of Town (Episode 22)
The penultimate episode of the first season, Oliver must deal with finding out what Malcolm Merlyn is planning to do to the city, by first breaking his mother's heart (and possibly bruising a cheek bone due to Diggle). Featuring much innuendo with Felicity, sex with Laurel Lance, and a kick ass showdown with Oliver and an unmasked Merlyn, revealing who kicked Oliver's ass in episode 10. The cliffhanger leads perfectly into the final episode, while also featuring more as to what will inspire Olly on the island and in Starling City.
2) Year's End (Episode 9)
Here we meet the Dark Archer, Arrow's deadliest enemy. Of course a Christmas episode because of the season, Year's End radiates a bit of a holiday feel, complete with snow. This episode also sets up most of the end of the season's biggest plot points, such as Walter's kidnapping, Moira's distrust of Merlyn and going against him, and Merlyn being both bark and bite. A fitting mid-season finale.
And the best episode of Arrow is...
1) Sacrifice (Episode 23)
This episode has received many positive reviews, and has been called the best season finale in years. I will say, this finale is certainly different. There is no sense of hope, unlike most endings. There is no real success on the hero's fault other than defeating the villain. Oliver doesn't save the city, Tommy doesn't become evil (yet...) and Oliver and Felicity aren't together. This episode is shocking, and sets up for a much different season two, which is why it's the best. I feel like the writers just looked online at predictions and said "Lets prove everyone wrong". Along with jam packed action, the beginning of Roy's hero career, and Merlyn's downfall, Sacrifice truly shows a hero sacrificing everything to save his city.
Check out my soon to be coming Worst Episodes of Arrow, and my predictions as to where the show is going. Follow me on twitter @DRammouni to suggest articles and make opinions, and thanks for reading.