Home > Arrowverse > Arrow > Season 1 > Episode 1
Episode Info
Cast & Crew
Oliver Queen
Tommy
Laurel Lance/Black Siren
John Diggle/Spartan
Thea
Moira Queen
Pilot Photos
Critic Reviews for Pilot
Director David Nutter did a good job of keeping the color palette darkly saturated without straining for Batmanny noir.
I'm looking forward to finding out more about what exactly went down on that island. Though, I'm curious to see how it will tie into Oliver's life in Starling City.
If Arrow is to retain the crackling energy of its first hour, the past can't take precedence over the self-contained stories of the present, or the development of characters in Oliver's orbit.
This show has it all, interesting characters, mystery, love, drama and a bit of comedy.
In its favour, this pilot episode deals us the emerald archer's origin tale in lean, compact fashion.
It's not a completely auspicious debut, but it is entertaining, and filled with enough possibilities to keep audiences tuning in.
Certainly one of the stronger pilots of the season, 'Arrow's clear resemblance to 'Batman Begins' is quickly forgotten as viewers are swept away into the intriguing world of the costumed vigilante.
Over the first 60 minutes of its existence Arrow establishes itself as by far the most thrilling, narratively rich and downright impressive genre TV debut of 2012.
And yet, it all mostly worked: Oliver Queen is a badass again.
But for all these problems, Arrow's debut episode is able to present a compelling lead hero and build a solid foundation from which to build an ongoing series.
Another way in which Arrow succeeds is, if you're willing to switch your brain off, ignore plot holes...and stomach quite a strong amount of cheese, it is actually quite good fun.
Arrow goes to some lengths to establish its own universe independent of the continuity and complexities of the DC Universe.