Stephen Amell

HOLLYWOOD—There are some shows that automatically hook the spectator on its first viewing. The CW’s “Arrow” was a breakout hit last season for the network and returned on Wednesday with its second season chronicling the legacy of Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and his alter ‘The Green Lantern.’ Last season was indeed a twisted one, as Oliver saw his mother carted off to prison for her conspiracy crimes and his best buddy Tommy, die after saving his true love Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy).

The episode opened with Oliver on the deserted island where he was held captive; Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) and Diggle (David Ramsey) were hot on his trail as they searched for the elusive archer. Our hero is quite haunted to return to Starling City to see his home in the midst of chaos.  During a lavish event, a group of mercenaries murder the mayor. Laurel being a badass decided to go toe-to-toe with the baddies and found a loaded barrel at her face.

When Oliver came face-to-face withLaurel, he discovers that the feelings that he thought she had for him are no longer evident. Our hero is grappling with his newfound responsibility, similar to fates faced by Superman and Batman: “Is this a responsibility that I want to dedicate my life to?” In an epic action sequence, the mercenaries unleashed firepower on Queen Consolidated headquarters, where Oliver got the opportunity to rescue Felicity for a second time this episode.

Is it just me or are these two characters destined to be together? There is obvious chemistry between the duo, something not really seen with his ‘true love’ Laurel Lance. Felicity gave Oliver a hard dose of reality; Tommy’s death has indeed changed Oliver’s decision on rather to return to his alter ego. Moira was quite compassionate having to acknowledge her guilt in the destruction of The Glades.  Her son was a bit more open to forgiving his mother’s past misdeeds compared to her daughter. Roy (Colton Haynes) appears to be the new sidekick in training, as he took on the mercenaries who caused havoc at the nightclub, kidnapping Thea (Willa Holland).

It appears that the capture of a loved one is the one thing it took to draw ‘The Hood’ out of hiding. A flashback revealed that it was on the island where Oliver took his first life; which explains his penance for not feeling guilty at exterminating villains. It appears this season everyone’s favorite archer is looking to punish criminals for their crimes by forcing them to face the legal system.  Moira was beyond thrilled to see her daughter who paid her a visit in the slammer, where mother and daughter made an emotional breakthrough. In a stunning move, Isabel was delivered a comeuppance when she discovered that Walter Steel aligned with Oliver to help save the family company. The final moments saw Roy being rescued by a woman with blonde hair and dressed in all black.  Quite the mystery, that I’m sure will unfold during the season.  Could that be ‘Black Canary?’  The episode concluded with Oliver deciding that he no longer wants to be known as ‘The Hood,’ I have a feeling that new name is ‘The Green Lantern.’ “Arrow” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.

By LaDale Anderson