4. A Focused Plot
While introducing more interesting subplots is good for the show, the overarching storyline does need to be kept streamlined and focused. It worked extremely well in season 2, for example, with the show very much centred on the battle between Oliver and Slade. It didn't quite have that in season 3, as it tried to shake things up and do something different, which is to be applauded even if it meant a weaker result. With the way the mid-season finale ended, the potential death of Oliver, the show when it returned was split more between Team Arrow back in Starling, and Oliver's recovery. Then once he did fully rejoin, he ended up teaming up with Ra's, or at least pretending to, but ultimately it didn't advance the plot all that much, and you ended up with some filler, and things like the Nyssa/Oliver wedding which may or may not go anywhere. That main plotline needs to be much tighter this time around, with the villain having a clear reason for going after Oliver and/or the city - Ra's started because of Sara's death, then switched to wanting Oliver as his heir - and generally having Oliver being around in the middle of the season, and not pretending to be brainwashed towards the end of it.
James Hunt
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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
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