Arrow Season 4: 5 Reasons Why The Comics Shouldn't Matter

Part of the fun of any television series is watching characters develop and grow as the narrative finds its footing. Characters are juggled as producers discover which click on screen and which storylines are compatible and which actors play best off of one another. Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead took on a life of his own when his surly redneck ways meshed with the cast, Logan became de facto male lead on Veronica Mars thanks to chemistry with the protagonist, and both Diggle and Felicity on Arrow carved their niches by bringing qualities that Oliver never thought that he’d need in his life. Developments delight, and organic characterization can make a show.

With the comic lore of Green Arrow and DC at the fingertips of the writers, there is a massive cache of pre-packaged characters ripe for the picking. It worked for Oliver; why shouldn’t it work with some of his comic fellows?

Enter Laurel Lance.

Originally introduced as pre-existing romantic lead and a crusader for justice from within the legal system to foil the Hood, she was turned into a wishy-washy addict as the show treaded water with fulfilling the comic destiny of Dinah Laurel Lance to become the Black Canary. As such, characterization was sacrificed as she was rushed through a journey toward a mask without adequate preparation in-show in Season 3.