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Season 1 – Arrow

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Arrow Oct 2012 Drama Action Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 285 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When presumed-dead billionaire playboy Oliver Queen returns home to Starling City after five years stranded on a remote island in the Pacific, he hides the ways the experience has changed him. As he reconnects with those closest to him, including his sister, Thea, Oliver appears to be the same wealthy, carefree bachelor they've always known. At night, flanked by his devoted friend, Diggle, Oliver uses his secret persona -- that of a vigilante -- to right societal wrongs and transform the city to its former glory.
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Arrow — Season 1

Arrow — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

CW nails the target with Arrow, a comic book-inspired series that benefits from cinematic action sequences, strong plotting, and intriguing characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Lowry Variety Oct 10, 2012
The handsome but rather stiff premiere plays like a pale shade of Green. Go to Full Review David Wiegand San Francisco Chronicle Oct 10, 2012
3/4
Arrow is pure, action-packed fun worthy of the kind of longevity that Smallville enjoyed for 10 seasons. Go to Full Review Mary McNamara Los Angeles Times Oct 10, 2012
Smooth without being slick, textured but not self-indulgent, Arrow reminds us that the best stories we tell are both revelatory and a whole lot of fun to watch. Go to Full Review Matthew Turner VODzilla.co May 11, 2022
4/5
One of the best comic book shows to hit the small screen. Go to Full Review Mandy Treccia TV Source Magazine Jan 22, 2019
I have nothing but good things to say about the cast, the writing, the premise, you name it, I loved it. Go to Full Review Santiago Gimeno El Pais (Spain) Jul 30, 2018
A solid and entertaining beginning. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Giuseppe V @RT72512622 Sep 12, 2026 Amazing series and deeply thrilling! See more Carson B. @CB_Cinema Jun 20, 2026 Arrow Season 1 is a near-perfect origin story that immediately sets the tone for the entire Arrowverse. The flashback structure works extremely well, paralleling Oliver’s growth on the island with his return to Starling City as a darker, more controlled vigilante. What really elevates the season is its grounded, almost survival-thriller tone, which makes Oliver feel dangerous but still human. The supporting cast is strong, but the real standout is the mystery surrounding Malcolm Merlyn and the Undertaking. While the season takes time to build, the payoff is worth it, delivering one of the most satisfying finales in the series. This is Arrow at its most focused, gritty, and emotionally driven — a perfect start. See more Brenden D @WestWardReviews Feb 24, 2026 Solid Grounded Devut To The Arrowverse The Weekly List Of Criminals Was Always A Treat, The Big Bad With The Close Personal Ties Was Great, The Deeper Secrets Closer To Home, And The Smaller Team At The Start Was Great. Stephen Amnell Is Solid As Oliver Queen, Felicity Is A Treat With Her Quirky Personality & Slip-Ups. Everyone Has Something Great To Contribute. The Stakes In The Finale Are Massive, And There Are Actual Consequences. The Flashbacks Are Interesting. Not Flawless, But Still A Solid First Season. A- 8.4-8.6/10 Definitely Give This A Shot See more Mischa D. @russianskeptix27 Oct 26, 2025 Season one is one of my favorites of the show, the direction it goes with the story and Oliver’s character arc by the end of it is well handled. The music is amazing beautiful and enlighten the scenes wonderfully. Blake Neely is one of my favorites even with the flash and legends of tommorow See more Support F @RT50000483 Sep 27, 2025 Scintillating start to the series. Gets slightly stale in the middle third but then picks up the pace and finishes in style. Final episode is amazingly crafted. See more Anthony P. @AEPIV Jul 23, 2025 This show is amazing one of my favorites of all time. Season 1 is just a phenomenal opener to the show. It’s dark and gritty the vigilante feel is amazing. See more Read all reviews
Arrow — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Nick Copus

Director

Michael Schultz

Director

John Behring

Director

Eagle Egilsson

Director

Guy Bee

Director

Ken Fink

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 10, 2012 Pilot Five years after a shipwreck left him stranded on a remote island, Oliver Queen is discovered and returned home to those closest to him; Oliver tries to right the wrongs of society and his family by creating a secret vigilante persona known as Arrow. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 17, 2012 Honor Thy Father Oliver runs into Laurel at the courthouse and learns she is prosecuting a man associated with his father; the Chinese Triad sends a mercenary to deal with Laurel; Moira and Walter ask Oliver to take over the company. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 24, 2012 Lone Gunmen When someone kills one of Oliver's targets, he searches for the person responsible; Tommy and Laurel are caught in an awkward situation. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 31, 2012 An Innocent Man While looking into a suspicious murder case, Oliver realizes that one of his targets framed an innocent man; Walter asks an employee to investigate a large withdrawal that Moira made without his knowledge. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 7, 2012 Damaged When Oliver is arrested for murder, he wants no one but Laurel to be his lawyer; during a lie detector test, Detective Lance asks Oliver about his time on the island. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 14, 2012 Legacies A gang of bank robbers threatens the city; Diggle encourages Oliver to look past his father's list and help other people in need. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 28, 2012 Muse of Fire Oliver meets a mysterious woman with dangerous secrets; following an unfortunate turn of events, Tommy seeks Laurel's support. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 5, 2012 Vendetta As Oliver trains Helena to be his ally, the two grow closer; Diggle worries that Helena can't be trusted. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 12, 2012 Year's End When Oliver learns his mother and sister stopped celebrating Christmas after his disappearance, he decides to throw a Christmas party; Tommy asks Laurel to spend Christmas with him. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 16, 2013 Burned Oliver takes a break from being Arrow; Tommy hosts a benefit for the firefighters; Thea tries to lift Moira's spirits. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 23, 2013 Trust but Verify Diggle and Oliver are at odds when Oliver goes after Diggle's mentor and commanding officer from Afghanistan; Thea thinks Moira is having an affair. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 30, 2013 Vertigo When Thea gets caught using a drug called vertigo, Oliver decides to find the dealer; Laurel defends Thea; Felicity shares disturbing news about Moira. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 6, 2013 Betrayal When Cyrus Vanch, an evil criminal, is released from prison, he plans to take down Arrow and resume his position as leader of the underworld; Oliver questions Moira about names in his father's notebook. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 13, 2013 The Odyssey Oliver turns to Felicity for help after he gets shot; Oliver remembers a significant event from the island. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 20, 2013 Dodger Oliver asks Detective McKenna on a date; a jewel thief targets someone close to Oliver; Thea's purse is stolen. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 27, 2013 Dead to Rights Oliver and Diggle learn that Deadshot is alive and targeting Malcolm; Tommy refuses to attend a benefit honoring Malcolm; Oliver tries to balance his relationship with McKenna and his duties at Arrow. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 20, 2013 The Huntress Returns Oliver's ex, the Huntress, threatens to destroy everything and everyone he cares about; Dinah Lance returns and claims she has proof that Laurel's sister is still alive; Thea gets Roy a job at Oliver's nightclub. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 27, 2013 Salvation An angry resident of The Glades embarks on a killing and kidnapping spree and announces that the Arrow's vigilantism was his inspiration; Malcolm asks Moira to find the person responsible for his attempted murder. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 3, 2013 Unfinished Business After partying and taking a drug, a woman dies violently; the count escapes from the mental institution; Oliver remembers lessons taught to him by Slade and Shado. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 24, 2013 Home Invasion When Deadshot returns to Starling City, Diggle intends to kill him -- with or without Oliver's help; Laurel's attempts to protect a young witness increase friction between Oliver and Tommy. Details Episode 21 Aired May 1, 2013 The Undertaking Having a hard time making amends with Diggle and Tommy, Oliver decides to focus his energy on crossing another name off the list; Tommy reveals a shocking truth to Laurel. Details Episode 22 Aired May 8, 2013 Darkness on the Edge of Town Malcolm tries to end his dealings with Dr. Brion Markov and his team; Moira and Oliver receive a number of unwelcome visitors; Laurel makes a decision. Details Episode 23 Aired May 15, 2013 Sacrifice Oliver and Diggle must stop the Dark Archer from unleashing vengeance on the Glades; as Thea searches for Roy, she accidentally puts herself in the line of fire. Details

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Arrow — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Nick Copus, Michael Schultz, John Behring, Eagle Egilsson, Guy Bee, Kenneth Fink, David Barrett
Executive Producer
Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, David Nutter
Screenwriter
Andrew Kreisberg, Beth Schwartz, Wendy Mericle, Drew Z. Greenberg, Moira Kirland, Marc Guggenheim, Ben Sokolowski, Lana Cho, Greg Berlanti
Network
The CW
Rating
TV-14 (V)
Genre
Drama, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 10, 2012
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