Berlanti is actually producing four TV shows. Aside from the four DC shows, he also produces "Blindspot" and the recently canceled "Mysteries of Laura". He's also producing the upcoming "Riverdale" show based upon the Archie comics.
Spoilers Arrow - Season 5
- Thread starter Commander Richard
- Start date
Berlanti is actually producing four TV shows. Aside from the four DC shows, he also produces "Blindspot" and the recently canceled "Mysteries of Laura". He's also producing the upcoming "Riverdale" show based upon the Archie comics.
At this point, Berlanti's basically just running the production company that makes these shows, and each series has its own separate showrunner(s) and writing staff. Arrow's showrunners are Marc Guggenheim and Wendy Mericle; Flash's are Todd and Aaron Helbing; Legends of Tomorrow's is Phil Klemmer; and Supergirl's are Ali Adler and Andrew Kreisberg. All of them answer to the senior execs, Berlanti and Kreisberg (and Sarah Schechter, but she's on the logistical/business side rather than the writing side).
I think the problem is Guggenheim was inspired by a very limited number of influences. Which was only enough fuel for 2 seasons maybe a little more.
The key influences seem to be Andy Diggle's Green Arrow Year One miniseries. Particularly the flashback to the island. Mike Grell's run on the character. Most of all I terms of tone Christopher Nolan's Batman films.
Guggenheim often has talked about the show being about Oliver becoming Green Arrow. Seeing him learning and making mistakes. That there was a difference between Arrow and Green Arrow. But what is that difference? I do not think even the writers know. They have never moved completely from him killing. They talked this time last year of the tone for season 4 being lighter. That did not happen.
I feel for the show to improve they are going to need to completely rethink what makes Oliver a hero. It can be more grounded without being needlessly dark. Not every season needs to lead to a terrorist attack. It would be nice to see him actually helping the average person. Being proactive not just reactive.
The key influences seem to be Andy Diggle's Green Arrow Year One miniseries. Particularly the flashback to the island. Mike Grell's run on the character. Most of all I terms of tone Christopher Nolan's Batman films.
Guggenheim often has talked about the show being about Oliver becoming Green Arrow. Seeing him learning and making mistakes. That there was a difference between Arrow and Green Arrow. But what is that difference? I do not think even the writers know. They have never moved completely from him killing. They talked this time last year of the tone for season 4 being lighter. That did not happen.
I feel for the show to improve they are going to need to completely rethink what makes Oliver a hero. It can be more grounded without being needlessly dark. Not every season needs to lead to a terrorist attack. It would be nice to see him actually helping the average person. Being proactive not just reactive.
Three words: Hard. Travellin'. Heroes.
I wouldn't mind if the events of this season cement Green Arrow as a hero in Star City with a similar status as the Flash in Central City. Basically making him a pop star while his day job as mayor proves actually harder and darker.
That begs the question. What happens if Olly as the mayor has to give himself the key to the city? Who will wear the hood? Can't be Diggle that time.
That begs the question. What happens if Olly as the mayor has to give himself the key to the city? Who will wear the hood? Can't be Diggle that time.
Josh Segarra joins the cast as a series regular. He plays the new District Attorney of Star City, Adrian Chase (aka Vigilante) - http://tvline.com/2016/06/16/arrow-casts-josh-segarra-adrian-chase-series-regular-season-5/
I wouldn't mind if the events of this season cement Green Arrow as a hero in Star City with a similar status as the Flash in Central City. Basically making him a pop star while his day job as mayor proves actually harder and darker.
That begs the question. What happens if Olly as the mayor has to give himself the key to the city? Who will wear the hood? Can't be Diggle that time.
They could drag Roy back again for it
That's nice. I understand the actor left for personal reasons rather than the decision of the writers so it will be nice to see him back as a recurring character. I liked his appearance last season.^^
They've said he'll be back this season for several episodes.
Honestly I'm not really sure what more they can do with this character. We've seen him go through just about everything by this point, and face just about every kind of threat. The once-dynamic action scenes are starting to feel routine now, and a lot of the drama recycled from earlier seasons (Oliver has a crises of conscience! Someone steps over the line and gets chewed out by someone else! Someone decides they've had enough and walks away! Someone is revealed to be working with the enemy! etc etc). And it doesn't help that Amell has never exactly been the most compelling actor around.
Making time for all four of these shows is already going to be a struggle, so unless they come up with something really fresh and different I think I'm just going to stick with Supergirl, Flash and Legends next season.
Making time for all four of these shows is already going to be a struggle, so unless they come up with something really fresh and different I think I'm just going to stick with Supergirl, Flash and Legends next season.
Most shows don't even make it to four years. Still, I agree it does get a bit formulaic for Star(ling) City to face destruction every May like clockwork. They would've been better off if they'd tried to go in a different direction instead of attempting to "top" themselves.
Sounds like Dragonball Syndrome. Each plot arc has to go to the extreme in order to top the previous world ending, landscape destroying threat.
I would've called it Doctor Who syndrome. How many times has the universe been destroyed now?
Last year they even made a joke with Detective Dresden/Lance saying something like "the city's under attack again. Must be May."
The way to go is to change the Vibe entirely. Make a genuine mystery that operates on a much lower, personal key for the characters. Instead of big fight scenes, have a lot more of GA sneaking around doing quiet detective work. Rather than large groups of henchmen, have a few formidable villains over the season leading to a big bad. I remember an old GA mini series back in the eighties that tried this approach with Count Vertigo operating from the shadows. I never went back to re-read that series so I don't know if it was actually any good, but it stuck with me through the years. But basically, don't go bigger--go smaller with suspense coming from quieter more tension driven episodes. It will change the pace, force the writers and directors to do something different, and perhaps breathe new life into the show.
The way to go is to change the Vibe entirely. Make a genuine mystery that operates on a much lower, personal key for the characters. Instead of big fight scenes, have a lot more of GA sneaking around doing quiet detective work. Rather than large groups of henchmen, have a few formidable villains over the season leading to a big bad. I remember an old GA mini series back in the eighties that tried this approach with Count Vertigo operating from the shadows. I never went back to re-read that series so I don't know if it was actually any good, but it stuck with me through the years. But basically, don't go bigger--go smaller with suspense coming from quieter more tension driven episodes. It will change the pace, force the writers and directors to do something different, and perhaps breathe new life into the show.
Madison McLaughlin returning for multiple episodes - http://tvline.com/2016/06/21/arrow-season-5-madison-mclaughlin-cast-artemis/
Viewers wanted more of her and the show runners said that she'd be back.
Here's the Young Justice character.
Here's the Young Justice character.
Last edited:
Chad L. Coleman to recur as Tobias Church, the Big Bad of the season -
http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/21/arrow-season-5-casts-the-walking-dead-alum-chad-l-coleman
http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/21/arrow-season-5-casts-the-walking-dead-alum-chad-l-coleman