User blog comment:2013venjix/PROS AND CONS: Arrow/@comment-160289-20150517173350

Pros
 * So many new alter-egos! (Laurel, Ray... Thea is Speedy!!!!!)
 * Deep changes within Team Arrow (like when Oliver was "dead" and the team had to go on, and also things like trusting Malcolm)
 * The crossovers with The Flash, which truly got the "universe" vibe: the big crossover event, also the minor appearances, phone calls, "man in yellow" in the news... I loved all of it and I praise the producers.
 * THEA IS SPEEDY!!!!!!!
 * Malcolm's schemes. This was initially a "con" for me, because putting Thea in danger seemed weird. However, seeing as everything led to him becoming the new Ra's, I am impressed.
 * Mad freaky storylines! (Oliver and Thea "dead", Ra's al Ghul's offer looming, Oliver as Al Sah-him...)
 * Really interesting fight scenes (Oliver vs himself, Oliver vs Nyssa vs Malcolm, Laurel vs Sara, Brick scenes)
 * Don't know if I have mentioned it, but... THEA IS SPEEDY!!!!!!! (yes, I'm thrilled)

Cons
 * Too much focus on Felicity's relationships, Ray's suit... while we were worried about Oliver being in danger. Don't get me wrong, love Ray's suit and understand the importance of developing the character, but it felt out of place a lot.
 * The flashbacks. They weren't that bad, but this time I didn't really feel a good back and forth between the present and the past. Yes, the Yamashiros, the virus and all... but it didn't feel like the island flashbacks.
 * Oliver never trained Laurel, which would have been nice. He trains with Thea and even takes her to Lian Yu, but refuses to help Laurel even though she became a valuable part of the team.
 * Slade's appearance. It was awesome to see him, but the way they just beat him and locked him again was too convenient. They got the guy out for an episode just for fun and locked him back in, like a common enemy and not the main villain of season 2. He definitely should have escaped.
 * Lance hellbent on catching the Arrow just because he learned the truth about Sara. He simply forgets all the good Oliver did for the city?
 * They never explained how Brick could simply get shot and carry on.