Our Top 10 Arrow Episodes

The show produced a total of 170 episodes throughout it’s 8 year run

Arrow was a show that will looked on fondly by DC fans, and rightly so. The show made a star out of Stephen Amell and delivered amazing twists constantly. It was also able to build out it’s own aptly named Arrowverse and lead to a series of spin-off shows.

But throughout its run, which episodes with the biggest hitters for Oliver Queen and Team Arrow? We at ScreenHeads have compiled out top 10 episodes that remind us constantly why the series is one for the ages.

10. Eleven Fifty-Nine (4×18)

An episode that answered a big question and had us all shedding a tear or two. The beginning of Season 4 had a flashback hinting that a main character would bite the dust within months. All characters were in the frame, but ultimately Eleven Fifty-Nine revealed that the ill-fated character was in fact Laurel Lance aka Black Canary.

It is safe to say that the closing minutes of the episode are emotional as the main character’s watch Laurel tragically die. It also sets up Oliver’s goals for remaining episodes of the season.

9. Starling City (8×01)

The episode that kicks off the final season. With Season 8 being written to honour the show’s overall run, Starling City pays tribute to the freshman season. This is by having Oliver recreate his return home on Earth-2 with somewhat different outcomes. The episode is a perfect salute to the first season whilst keeping Oliver on his current mission to help The Monitor stop the coming Crisis.

With old characters returning and fan favourite moments being recreated, it is a fun opener for the last season.

8. Damaged (1×05)

Season 1 was quick to realistically address the fact that The Hood first appeared in Starling City when Oliver Queen returned home. Damaged has Oliver in the frame for a nail-biting episode that allows us to watch as the hero works to ensure no one will ever suspect him again whilst also giving us a further look into the character’s psyche.

We of course knew he’d be cleared by the episode’s end, but it is fun to see how he battles against the evidence. Standout moments are definitely the polygraph scene, plus his explanation to Laurel and sister Thea as to why he isn’t capable of being a hero. Heartbreaking scenes as Oliver lies so professionally but also trickles through some home truths for the good of keeping his identity a secret.

7. Kapiushon (5×17)

An episode that really breaks Oliver Queen. This is the first time that we see the present, hardened vigilante at his enemy’s mercy as he is toyed with emotionally and physically.

Working well with the flashbacks of Season 5, the episode unravels the plan of the season’s main villain, Prometheus. In the past we watch as Oliver embraces his duel identity whilst denying that he enjoys hurting people. In the present day Oliver is mentally broken enough to admit that he in fact liked killing, making for a dark turn in the character’s story.

If you want to see Oliver at his lowest point, this is the episode for you. The present day side of the episode almost works as a two-hander play in a single setting. It does so beautifully as we watch our hero crumble in front of our eyes.

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6. Public Enemy (3×18)

2 years after after Season 1‘s Damaged, Oliver again finds himself in the frame for being Starling City vigilante. This time, it is the work of Season 3’s Big Bad Ra’s al Ghul who is forcing Oliver to become his heir. His overall method? Have the hero framed as a murderer once more whilst outing his identity to a bitter Captain Lance. All to help push Mr Queen into Ra’s direction.

The episode is a fun cat and mouse story, with Oliver eventually turning himself in and having to face Captain Lance’s new found wrath. The real surprise comes in the episode’s ending as sidekick Roy Harper falsely outs himself as The Arrow to save Oliver’s neck. This leads to Harper’s tearful but fun departure during the following episode.

5. Sacrifice (1×23)

The first season finale of the show, and what a corker. Oliver finally has his ultimate showdown with Malcolm Merlyn/The Dark Archer, who happens to be the father of Oliver’s best friend, Tommy.

With some nail biting sequences, shock deaths and tender moments, this finale actually shows the hero LOSING in a sense as his world literally crumbles around him. Each cast member gets a moment to shine throughout.

4. Unthinkable (2×23)

Arguably the best season finale of the show’s entire run. With a plot that has been bubbling since the start of Season 1, Oliver finally faces his friend turned foe Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in a fight to the end.

The episode delivers some killer red herrings and sets up some nods for Season 3, but the best section? The big fight in the third act that crosses between Oliver and Slade’s fights in the present day and five years ago. The best sequence throughout the entire show in our opinion.

3. The Climb (3×09)

The mid-season finale of Season 3 that had all fans gasping in the last minute. Oliver finally faces Ra’s al Ghul in order to save his sister Thea’s life. We of course expect The Arrow to come out victorious, but unfortunately he is no match for The Demon’s Head.

In a fight sequence that resembles The Dark Knight Rises‘ first Batman vs. Bane showdown, Oliver is outmatched and is beaten. However, this goes one step further – Ra’s al Ghul kills Oliver with a sword through his torso. That and being kicked off a cliff.

The biggest shock that the show ever delivered. There was even a lot of talk as to how the show could carry on with Oliver now dead. For that kind of talk from the fanbase, you know you’ve kicked everyone off their footing.

2. The Promise (2×15)

An episode that will have your palms sweating. With us knowing that Slade Wilson is the Big Bad by this point, he finally makes himself known to Oliver. The flashbacks unveil the reasons for Slade’s turn to evil, whilst the current day story has Wilson in the Queen family home being welcomed by a clueless Moira Queen. This leaves Team Arrow to have to play it cool whilst ensuring there is no blood shed.

A very tense episode all in all. A great watch if you want to see how each character reacts to Slade being alive.

1. The Scientist (2×08)

Nicking the top spot is the entrance of Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen. Acting as a sort of backdoor pilot to The Flash, this Season 2 episode perfectly introduces a mild-mannered CSI who is destined to become the fastest man alive.

We get some great information drip fed about the character’s backstory. The end of the episode even has Allen dragged into Oliver’s hero dealings. An enjoyable episode that has DC fans grinning and is filled with some great moments for Oliver Queen as he continues to uncover the mystery around the season’s soon-to-be-revealed Big Bad.

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What are your thoughts on our top 10 Arrow episodes? Agree? Think other episodes deserved these spots? Let us know all in the comment section below!