9 Problems Nobody Wants To Admit About The Arrowverse

5. It Peaked Four Years Ago

While strides have been made as the universe has progressed, there's no getting away from the fact that we're yet to see a season of DC television as fine as Arrow's second.

While it still had issues, Season 2 of Arrow is so far the only one that's been able to provide a cogent, dramatic and character-driven storyline. Season 1 of the Flash also lays a claim to this title, despite its teething issues, but even then the universe has struggled to regain the same kind of urgency and momentum that second season did back in 2013.

Manu Bennett - now thankfully a series regular - burst onto the scene as Slade Wilson with a truly compelling performance as Oliver's onetime friend turned adversary, with the show dividing its time carefully between flashbacks on the island (which were always a highlight), and the present day. It wasn't the Green Arrow we knew from the comics, but there was enough in there to provide encouragement that A: things were set to change, and B; that it could become so much more than your typical CW series is often held to be.

Season 3 set about curtailing those expectations almost immediately, and things have been on the decline ever since... except for one show.