Arrow (TV Series) The Calm (2014) User Reviews

The Calm Before The Storm

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 8 October 2014]

Even before the episode aired you got the sense this was going to be a big episode, just by reading the title "the calm" you realize something big is coming. Arrow has had so many great episodes that it's tough to call this one of it's best, but to begin a season it really kicked a**. And that's what a season premiere should do, set up everything that's going to happen while leaving a few doors open for us to guess.

It didn't really matter who the villain was but I have to say I thought for how underdeveloped Vertigo was, he served his purpose well. We also got a glimpse into the possible romance this year involving the fan favorite Oliver and Felicity. I have always been one enjoy the tiny hints at the 'Olicity' relationship but also realize that they may be better off as just loving best friends. I still think Oliver and Sara worked the best so far but the episode gave the fans what they wanted, especially in that one particular scene.

Diggle was used more, and the scenes were enjoyable but I hardly hope he's done fighting in the field alongside Team Arrow. Roy, although barely used was better than his usual one-note character is and his suit looks incredible. Ray Palmer is a nice addition but I'm up in the air with Brandon Routh's casting. It may take some time understanding that's not Superman. As for the ending everyone's talking about. It was quite shocking but I hardly believe Sara is truly dead. It is likely Ra's Al Ghul who shot her or one of his many henchmen. Remember folks Ra's has a Lazarus Pit in the comics that enables him to be immortal and whoever he chooses to allow back to life. But what's interesting is why he would do it in front of the entire city? Perhaps because he wants everyone to think she's dead so she will forever stay with the assassins? These are all questions I'm sure the show will provide us in the weeks to come. I'm just thrilled Arrow is back and as good as ever. It really is one of the best, If not the best, shows on television.

+Gives us a sense of what's to come in a BIG way

+Olicity

+Roy's suit

+The typical shocking Arrow ending

+Forgot to mention the great flashbacks!

-+Ray Palmer

-Diggle leaving Team Arrow?

9.1/10

".. used up your League of Assassins Vacation Days?" (dialog)

[A_Different_Drummer · 8/10 · 15 October 2014]

If you forgive this series its more obvious failings (which includes those insane and overwritten flashbacks) you can simply sit back and enjoy it.

The idea of torturing your protagonist is hardly new; Shakespeare used the device. This series takes the idea to a new level -- torturing the audience too (a la Joss Whedon) with literally a dozen unresolved arcs at the very same time.

But, again, the trick is simply to sit back and enjoy the ride.

The cutsie romance with Emily Bett Rickards is to die for. I don't visit the fan boards but I'll bet this was by "popular demand." Rickards is a gem.

Nice start to the third year.

"The Calm" is a fine dish, but has quite the cheesy tang

[Thrintus · 9/10 · 9 October 2014]

At last. Many of the DC fans - including me - have long been waiting for the third season of Arrow, and here it is. Season 2 left us with many, many questions, of which some are answered in this episode. The fromage lovers among us, there is a lot of "Olicity" going on in this one. For the action lovers, there's quite a fair share of that to find here too. For the emotional viewers, this episode ends in quite a tragic way. I won't spoil it for the lot of you, but it made me sad. Although, there is this... thing... and it rhymes with Jazarus Bit. Okay, enough out of me.

So, Roy Harper finally became Arsenal and now serves as Oliver's partner, though so far 'sidekick' would be more adequate. Diggle finally became a dad, Felicity gets hit on by Ray Palmer (The Atom) and a new Count Vertigo arises. Arrow: The Soap Opera, like season 1? Or is it gonna blow our socks off? With Ra's Al Ghul, Dark Archer and Komodo I'm pretty sure it'll even be better than season 2. Let's hope for the best!

Can't complain, its Arrow after all

[gnix1979 · 9/10 · 9 October 2014]

Well its finally here, the latest episode of one of the best and original TV shows around and although in principle it was a considered weak episode in comparison to what one would expect from the show, its typical of the series opener to open light and end strong.

Peter Stormare as the count was a welcome sight as I like him as an actor although he does tend to be stereotyped, I would have liked to see him make a return later on but that may not happen.

Brandon Routh seemed to be relaxed in his role in the series, I think its best to keep an open mind about his acting abilities for now as he seemed cool.

Good to see Captain Lance back on his feet but not sure if I am going to enjoy him running around then to fall down with a dickey heart every episode.

The end was a shock, but part of me is glad, not sure if it was the character or the person playing the role but now the character is dead I will not miss them from the show.

Anyway role on next week, can't wait.

The Calm

[SpideyVerse23 · 9/10 · 20 January 2023]

This episode starts off with everything mostly going smoothly. Team Arrow is an excellent team at this point with Roy getting a red suit to go in the field. They catch criminals, with occasional help from Quentin, who it turns out has a heart problem now, but he has been promoted to Captain so that's good. Laurel is making sure all the people Team Arrow catches go to prison and Dig is about to become a father. So Oliver starts looking to get back to his life and think about a future till things happen which leads to him questioning who he has become.

The flashbacks taking place in Hong Kong now were fine but nothing really major or noteworthy happens.

But, the ending is a true shocker which shows Arrow is still going strong this season.

Season 3 Episode 1 - The Calm

[zanghi_james · 9/10 · 9 June 2023]

Well, given that the Arrowverse is officially over with the final season of 'The Flash' airing a few weeks ago, I figured (after some deliberation) that it wouldn't hurt watching the entire Arrowverse and related DCTV Properties show by show. Since I have already also watched Seasons One and Two of Arrow and didn't want to rewatch them on DVD again, I decided ultimately to start by watching Season Three of the popular action/superhero show.

The action is pretty excellent. I've always enjoyed how Green Arrow/Oliver doesn't fight like other archers I've seen in media, like Legolas or Clint Barton, he uses his fists and martial arts and even the bow itself as a melee weapon, which I think greatly expands his character.

Acting-wise, the Oliver/Felicity romance takes a typical cliche bump in the road to happiness in this episode, but they make it seem not so cheesy. I'm also glad that Diggle and Lyla have a kid, now, and that I find it interesting that Diggle decides to take Oliver's advice at the end of the episode. The new Count Vertigo, played by Peter Stormare, is woefully underused and is essentially a rehash of Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow. Roy is also sadly underused in this episode, only really providing plot advancement when they need to handle a serious threat to Starling City. The new owner of Queen Consolidated seems interesting and the actor choice to play him is a great choice. For the flashbacks, I thought the Yamashiros were interesting people, but Amanda Waller is pure ice. She seems a little more openly nasty and sadistic than Viola Davis' cold performance in the soon-to-be dead DCEU.

Oh, and that ending with Sara and Laurel? Yikes.

You f'ing kidding me

[bbbt-134-143029 · 1/10 · 16 October 2014]

How the hell did this get a 9.8 rating?

This season 3 opener was dreadful. 3 whole minutes of Vertigo, a real shame that villain is a good actor in role of villain. Sadly using some rehashed Scarecrow plot, but the same plot from last season, drugs and mind control. Turning the viewer of this show into an idiot while giving us the Disney channel. Yep horrified. Haven't we had enough yet? The rest of this openers time was filled with boredom throughout. Relationships and recycled heart pills. Give me a break. Felicity in a red dress, Felicity in a purple dress with a heart chest, no look at the glasses, Felicity the geek, recycling hacking. Get smoked! A pregnant women giving birth, Dongle. Yuck, yuck, yuck! This is in a superhero series? The only redeeming feature in this opener. The loudest possible hooray shouted! Finally Sara is dead, Yippie! Coming all of 2 seasons too late. No wait? She will probably get revived from snake venom? NOOOO! This series has little too absolutely nothing to do with superheroes, but is a character study into some of the most boringly imaginable egotistical individuals, role models from the Disney channel's happy families, tweenager's, but lets solve crime together SH.T.

This series is absolutely rubbish! Where did it go wrong? The first series was alright, about a 7.5 out of 10 rating. Containing some light entertainment, yes, the vigilante killed. The second series was dreadfully awful, I blame his mom for not going to the gas chamber to begin with, and saving us that season. Third series I have no hope for at all, there really are so many better things to watch on TV then this awful Sh..t!