What did you think of Arrow Season 8 Episode 1?

Arrow season 8 episode 1 was a puzzling affair, especially considering the series' penchant for switching between past and present storylines. This episode, like the ones before it, delves into the second generation's story, making it confusing yet intriguing for viewers.

The Plot Unfolds on Lian Yu

The episode opens on Lian Yu, a man maneuvering through the jungle and shooting an arrow at a special pile, which ignites a large flame, drawing attention from a boat.

The boat lands on the island, and the men pass a stick holding an arrow and a mask, eventually finding Oliver Queen. However, the mask is not Deathstroke's, but one resembling Batman, a significant clue that suggests a different timeline or another Earth.

Oliver emerges from the jungle with cut short hair and a few mustache stubbles, which he still keeps when meeting his mother. This moment hints at the possibility of Oliver arriving home 12 years later instead of 5 years later, complicating the timeline significantly.

Not Our Timeline

Once he returns to the Queen Manor, things get more mysterious. Walter is no longer present, Tommy has grown a beard, and Thea is deceased. Moira has married Malcolm, and Queen Consolidated has merged with Merlin's company. These changes indicate that this is not the familiar timeline, but a different one.

Further proof of this alternate reality comes when Oliver accidentally mentions "William," and later when he looks at a photo with Felicity and Mia. Both instances confirm that this is indeed our boy Oliver, suggesting that they are either on another Earth or another timeline.

Voyage to Earth-2

Oliver's journey to Queen-Merlyn turns out to be a voyage to Earth-2. Here, he encounters another Green Arrow and Black Canary, who recognizes him. At this point, it becomes clear that Oliver's stay in Earth-2 is a new timeline, as they recognize Laurel from Earth-2.

Adrian Chase is revealed to be the Hood/Green Arrow, and Tommy emerges as the Dark Archer. The callbacks to Season 1, especially Oliver and Diggle's early relationship and the Undertaking, add a nostalgic touch to the episode.

Causes and Confusions: The Flash Links

While the future Team Arrow storyline didn't particularly interest me, the question remains: what caused Conner and JJ to take on roles opposite their fathers?

The Flash season 2 teasers a significant detail: Robert Queen was the Hood of Earth-2. This detail isn't acknowledged or mentioned in Arrow's episode, which is a significant oversight. Moreover, there's no reference to S.T.A.R. Labs or Harry in the episode. Harry, the now-scientist, could have used S.T.A.R. Labs' resources to acquire Dwarfstar particles for his work, adding another layer of intrigue.

Overall, Arrow's season 8 episode 1, with its complex storytelling and alternate timeline elements, presents a thrilling yet confusing narrative. Fans of the series will appreciate the homage to the pilot and the callbacks to past storylines, but the lack of continuity with other Arrow-related shows leaves many questions hanging.