Arrow "Blood Debts" Review: Oracle

Arrow is back with a premiere after an incredibly disappointing mid-season finale deeply angered me. Hopefully the show will start to be redeemed (as well as the season) in the premiere.

Spoilers! This week's episode entitled "Blood Debts" doesn't come close to inspiring any sort of confidence.

Red herring.

We still pick up four months later, meaning that the grave site might not be the death of Felicity? Maybe not? The first scene with Barry could quite possibly be a red herring from the show even still. The opening scene with Oliver dismayed regarding what happened with Felicity is telling. 

Flashbacks...make them stop.

We're sticking with some of the flashbacks here, some of the horrible, horrific flashbacks that have been meandering about the season. Had Arrow cast Matt Ryan as the permanent flashback characters, I would be much more interested in watching the flashbacks.

Have a little grace.

Taking away Felicity's legs is a bit much. I'm not sure if I can watch this show and see anything other than spite right now. Crippling the main character's girlfriend just to uproot some Batman continuity and raise the stakes is not what I want to see from Arrow. It really is a damn shame.

Other problems.

Some of the different characters in the show are really not ringing true or authentic. I'm tired of seeing some of these different serial killers and characters go through the ranks. I want to see what happens in the final confrontation between Damien Darkh and Oliver, but right now I don't want to see how some of these things play out.

The damage is done.

The Oliver Queen as mayor story is really shoved way far into the background, and it makes me mad that even Thea is taking that self righteous boon towards her. I wish Thea would at least try to be respectful or responsible to herself and uproot her individual self far far away from Oliver's crusade.

Does anybody want to talk about themes?

The Arrow writers and creators have made a point of saying that the show was supposed to be lighter this year. My God, Arrow playing on some of the same ideas of morality and whatnot once again takes a step back in how the show has progressed. 

I really hope they can turn this around in subsequent episodes.