Arrow: Season 7

Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided us with a free copy of this Blu-ray/DVD that we reviewed in this blog post. The opinions we share are our own.

“Inmate 4587. That’s Oliver Queen’s newest identity at Slabside Maximum Security Prison, where he’s been keeping his head down and avoiding conflict since he publicly revealed his alter ego as the Green Arrow five months ago. With Team Green Arrow protecting Star City while Oliver’s behind bars, there have been no vigilante sightings… until a mysterious new Green Arrow appears. Meanwhile, John Diggle and Dinah Drake are leaving their costumes behind… but not everyone is following suit. Oliver’s limits will be tested when he and the crew are pitted against the most ruthless villains they’ve ever faced, forcing him to seek redemption for his family, his team and his identity while he questions what it truly means to be a hero. Season Seven’s 24 episodes hit their mark every time!”

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of this Blu-ray/DVD that I reviewed in this blog post. The opinions I share are my own.

The seventh season of Arrow takes a bold new direction as Oliver Queen’s identity as The Green Arrow is revealed to the public. This decision to reveal his identity, as is the case with any super hero, escalates the conflict of the story, putting additional responsibility and risk on the protagonist to protect their loved ones from harm who are now undoubtedly targets from their enemies.

DC has devoted a lot of time and effort into their television universe, something that has worked well for fans who keep up with all of the different shows on the CW, definitely a task in itself given the sheer magnitude of crossover episodes in each of the series. For me, this daunting task of keeping up with each one is what has kept me from diving into the television universe and embracing it in its entirety. Arrow, however, is able to stand on its own despite the occasional involvement from characters on other series, and Oliver Queen’s own field trips to theirs. Although it may be confusing for those who know nothing about the companion series, there is usually a good breakdown of what’s gone on. Still, this gets a bit annoying, as only one part of a three part series takes place on Arrow. To watch the others, you must tune in and give viewership and/or BUY their other shows. Although this sounds like a smart idea on their end, I wonder how many people like me gave up on the entire television universe because they felt manipulated into having to watch everything?

With Arrow’s final season on its way, season seven takes it up a notch in making sure the characters are utilized to their fullest potential, exploring new depths in Oliver Queen’s story. Fans of the show will surely want to pick this up to re-watch in time for the conclusion of great series.

Here’s an episode breakdown:

1. Inmate 4587 – After surrendering to the police for being the Green Arrow, Oliver tries to survive in the prison while a new unknown vigilante emerges in the Star City.
2. The Longbow Hunters – Felicity is determined to find Diaz by any means necessary when Diggle tries to keep her on the outs and Oliver is forced to ally with an old enemy.
3. Crossing Lines – Still in prison, Oliver faces his biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, Felicity gets an intriguing offer, and Diggle asks Curtis to go undercover for ARGUS.
4. Level Two – Oliver and Felicity each make drastic moves to find Diaz; the new Green Arrow swoops in when arsonists target Rene’s community center; Dinah faces pressure from the mayor to capture the vigilante.
5. The Demon – Felicity learns something new about Oliver that shocks her. Meanwhile, Diggle asks Curtis to go undercover for ARGUS. Dinah works with an unlikely ally.
6. Due Process – Slabside becomes even more dangerous after a guard is murdered and everyone is a suspect. Felicity enlists help from a surprising source in her pursuit of Diaz, and Laurel flexes her muscles as the District Attorney.
7. The Slabside Redemption – Oliver makes a choice that will affect his entire life, as well as the lives of everyone he cares about.
8. Unmasked – Felicity stands by her recent decisions regarding her family. Meanwhile, Diggle and Lyla continue to look into the Dante painting that Curtis found.
9. Elseworlds, Part 2 – Still trapped in each other’s bodies, Oliver and Barry head to Gotham City with Supergirl to find out why their reality changed and cross paths with the mysterious Kate Kane.
10. My Name Is Emiko Queen – Oliver wants to get back to work and focus on his marriage but gets sidetracked by offering to track down the new Arrow; Diggle and Lyla must answer to ARGUS about Diaz.
11. Past Sins – The past comes back to haunt both Oliver and Laurel. Curtis is upset when he discovers that Diggle and Lyla have restarted The Ghost Initiative with Diaz, China White, Kane Wolfman and Carrie Cutter.
12. Emerald Archer – As a camera crew follows Oliver and team around to talk about their past as vigilantes and what the Green Arrow means to Star City, Oliver must also deal with William’s return from boarding school as well as a new threat to the city.
13. Star City Slayer – Oliver and Felicity are disappointed after they learn that William is hiding something from them. Wanting to focus on his family, Oliver steps back from his Green Arrow duties and let’s the team take over tracking down a serial killer. However, when the team becomes targets for the killer, things take a bloody turn.
14. Brothers & Sisters – After months of covertly pursuing Dante, Diggle and Lyla finally have a solid lead on the elusive terrorist, so they deploy the ARGUS Ghost Initiative to apprehend him. Meanwhile, Oliver tries to bond with Emiko.
15. Training Day – Team Arrow attempts to work with the Star City Police Department but much to Oliver’s frustration, things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, Dinah gets some life-changing news.
16. Star City 2040 – Mia and William go on a dangerous mission; Dinah, Roy and Zoe deliver some devastating news; flash forwards share highlights from Mia’s childhood with Felicity.
17. Inheritance – Laurel learns about some damaging information that affects Emiko. Always looking to protect his sister, Oliver invites Laurel to help investigate, which makes Felicity happy as her friend is now working with the team. However, when things go awry, Felicity is forced to make a choice between the team and Laurel.
18. Lost Canary – After being accused of murder and having her criminal past exposed, Laurel goes full Black Siren and teams up with an old criminal acquaintance, Shadow Thief, to go on a crime spree around Star City. While Dinah aims to bring Laurel in, Felicity refuses to give up on her friend and tries everything to get through to her, even summoning Sara Lance for help. However, Laurel rebuffs all her efforts, forcing the former friends to face off against each other.
19. Spartan – After the Ninth Circle delivers a major setback for Team Arrow, Diggle reluctantly reaches out to a Four-Star General of the Defense Intelligence Agency for help, despite unresolved tension from their past. Meanwhile, Oliver discovers a piece of information that he believes will turn Emiko against the Ninth Circle. Alena returns with an interesting proposal for Felicity.
20. Confessions – When they learn of an upcoming attack on the city, Team Arrow calls Roy Harper to help them stop the Ninth Circle; things do go awry and there is massive collateral damage; Dinah investigates what happened.
21. Living Proof – Oliver finds himself in a precarious position; S.C.P.D. shows up with a warrant for Felicity.
22. You Have Saved This City – The battle between Oliver and Emiko comes to a boiling point which brings back some familiar faces and leaves others in dire jeopardy.

Video

Arrow: Season 7 is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.78:1. These episodes look great, with a bright and vivid balance in color that is done nicely to contrast a lot of the dark scenes the series utilizes. No defects noticed in any of the episodes.

Audio

The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. This is a good mix, with a nice balance between the surrounds and center channel. Although a large part of the track will be dialogue, the action sequences utilize the other speakers quite nicely at times, giving you that immersive effect audiophiles crave.

Special Features

• Epic The 3-Part DC Super Hero Crossover Event with The Flash and Supergirl
• Villains: Modes of Persuasion – In-Depth Featurette Explores Your Favorite DC Super-Villains
• 2 Additional Featurettes: Inside the Crossover: Elseworlds and Best of DC TV’s Comic-Con Panels San Diego 2018
• Gag Reel
• Deleted Scenes

Arrow has lasted seven seasons and will continue for one more in an epic conclusion that fans of the DC television universe won’t want to miss. Although it may seem like a daunting task to follow all the television series, Arrow itself is one of the better ones.