It was hitting rock bottom which started her development and her relationship with Roy is what expanded her character. She went from a very annoying character, but her arc was really good.

Thea was a character I didn't like to start off with, though that is what works for her. Tommy was an enjoyable character though it did feel as time went on, he became forgotten at times but started to get better in the final episodes. The other main stars were good, Moira was a great jaded character who couldn't decide which side she wanted to be with. The last episode was defiantly a highlight as Barrowman shined in the episode when his reasoning behind the Undertaking was understandable while still horrible. In the end Malcolm won, while his mission didn't fully go successful, it still went to his plan as he still was somewhat successful. What was great about him was that he was a great villain that ultimately Oliver couldn't beat. John Barrowman was great as Malcolm, I sometimes had trouble seeing him as a villain when I first saw the series, as I always remembered him as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who. Many people have said how they didn't like Laurel, but I liked her character, while she didn't have a great arc about her (that would happen in the next season) she was a good character IMO. I loved the developing relationship between Oliver and Diggle.

But I digress, this was a great season, as Oliver was a good, flawed character, his tunnel vision at times would cause more problems.

The story and characters were great, and it was a time I really liked Felicity Smoak, a character I grew a great hatred for in later seasons. It amazes me that this first season was absolutely amazing. It has been several years since I watched this and so I decided to rewatch the Arrow series.

Arrow season 1 free download