Green Arrow


 * For the titular hero of the same name, see Oliver Queen.

"Six months ago The Arrow died, but what he stood for didn't. It lived on in the heroes that took up his mantle: people who believe that this city should never descend in to hopelessness, who believe although life is full of darkness, that darkness can be defeated by light, and tonight I am declaring my intention to stand with them, to fight for this city, to be the symbol of hope that The Arrow never was. I am.. the Green Arrow."

- Oliver broadcasts his intention to return to vigilantism.

"Green Arrow" is the first episode of the fourth season of Arrow, and the seventieth episode overall. It aired on October 7, 2015.

Synopsis
Oliver and Felicity's blissful getaway is cut short when Thea and Laurel pay them a visit and tell Oliver they need his help back in Star City. The city has been attacked by "Ghosts", assassins led by a dangerous man named Damien Darhk. However, when Oliver returns, Diggle makes it very clear that he doesn't want Oliver on the team.

Plot
Things in Star City (renamed in honor of Ray Palmer) are just like old times. Only it’s Speedy and Black Canary pursuing well-armed thugs trying to hijack a Kord Industries truck. Thea wants to be called Red Arrow and seems a little too psyched about jumping into danger. John arrives in his new helmet and gear, but even he’s not enough to stop the bad guys’ backup, which comes in the form of a getaway van with a machine gun. The Ghosts, as Team Arrow refers to them, are escalating their attacks which leads to Black Canary suggesting that they ask Oliver for help, but Diggle is confident that they can handle it.

A committee of four people that includes Captain Quentin are discussing the current situation of Star City. No one wants to be mayor since that position comes with a low life expectancy, and Quentin explains that he can’t catch the Ghosts because they use cyanide capsules to kill themselves to avoid capture. Also, the city needs an influx of people, which perhaps a new high speed rail line from Central City will provide. An intruder demands the floor to speak. Claiming he’s the leader of the Ghosts, he also says he represents an organization that wants the city to die so that something new can sprout up.

The DA is poisoned, and we see the rest of leadership under imminent attack. Team Arrow scrambles to save them, but only Black Canary arrives in time, helping her dad fight Ghosts at the police station. Quentin takes a bullet to the shoulder but is the only committee member to survive.

In the suburbs, Oliver is ready to propose over dessert. Naturally, he never gets the chance, as Laurel and Thea show up at their door. They quickly explain the situation at home and ask for his help. Thea even says he can come back just long enough to stop the Ghosts and then he can return to his domestic bliss. Felicity is strangely quiet, but she says if their friends need help, they should already be in the car. On the ride home, Oliver sees parts of Star City fallen into disrepair and wonders what they really accomplished

The Ghosts and their leader are indeed there, and Damien decides to make an example of one of the Ghosts who has displeased him, by draining his life with just a touch. Appalled, Team Arrow drops into action (Oliver is in street clothes wearing a ski mask), defeating some of the Ghosts while the leader escapes. Oliver gets one of the bad guys to reveal the plan, which is to use the bombs to blow up the train station.

Team Arrow and the cops work to evacuate the station while Diggle drives close enough to the train for the Arrow to hop on. Arrow and Damien begin to fight with Damien getting the upper hand. Damien is about to kill Green Arrow but is saved just in time by Diggle. Green Arrow then blows up the train. Later, Damien performs a blood ritual. Captain Quentin seems to be working with Damien and his men, but only because he’s been left no choice. Oliver and Felicity are moving into the loft Oliver used to share with Thea, who has been living with Laurel for a while.

Six months later, Oliver is seen standing by a tombstone. Barry Allen apologizes for missing the funeral, saying he was dealing with Zoom. Oliver says he now understands that the darkness is his responsibility and vows that, "I’m going to kill him". He tells Barry he wants to be left alone and starts shedding tears.

Production
Preparation ran from July 1 until July 10, 2015. Shooting ran from July 13 until July 23, 2015.

Trivia

 * Starling has been renamed "Star City" in honor of Ray Palmer. This is its proper name in the comics.
 * A parody of the Green Lantern oath can be seen on a billboard advertising Coast City as a vacation spot.
 * During the flashback of Oliver and Amanda at the bar in Coast City, a close-up of a man wearing a bomber jacket with the name tag "Jordan" can be seen. This is an overt reference to Hal Jordan, better known as the superhero, Green Lantern.
 * Oliver finally takes up the name "Green Arrow", his traditional comic moniker. Ironically, when Malcolm Merlyn suggested the name "Green Arrow" in season 1, Oliver was against it.
 * When Thea shoots an arrow at the truck in the start of the episode, it has Kord Industries printed on the side of the truck. Yet another reference to Ted Kord the alter ego of the Blue Beetle.