Out of all The CW’s DCTV shows, Arrow has the most at stake for the premiere in October. In the Season 5 finale, every single person Oliver cares about was left stranded on Lian Yu as Adrian Chase rigged the island with explosives. As Oliver and his son William sailed away in a boat, they watched the island explode in flames with all his friends still on it. Who lives and who dies? The Arrow panel at SDCC unfortunately did not answer that question, but we did get some insight into where the season is headed. Here’s everything we know.
A Different Story To Tell
Oliver’s experience with Adrian Chase has changed him forever and the executive producers revealed at SDCC, “We are telling different kinds of stories with Oliver." This could be due not only to his character growth, but the fact the island flashbacks that started in Season 1 have come full circle and the writers are going to have to find another way to tell his story. Stephen Amell revealed they are changing the pace of the series.
"My jaw has not dropped reading Season 6. We are taking our time."
Oliver As A Father
Much of the new footage in the San Diego Comic-Con trailer featured Oliver’s son, William, but just because Oliver is stepping into fatherhood doesn’t mean he’s ready for it.
"Oliver isn't the best dad. He's a shit dad,” Stephen Amell said at SDCC, noting that he was actually nervous filming scenes with William while shooting the first episode because it was something so new to his character.
Villains
The first Season of Arrow had a lot of villains of the week, in addition to season long foils. Damien Darhk brought a mystical element to Season 4. Prometheus took over Season 5. The writers are changing the formula for the sixth season.
"We started thinking in terms of a group of villains for Season 6,” said EP Marc Guggenheim.
While the group of villains was not specified, the cast did name a few characters we can expect to see. One of which is Anatoly, who is said to be, “coming back with a literal vengeance.” Oliver left the Bratva behind and Anatoly always warned that decision could come back to bite him. Once you go Bratva, you never go back. Brotherhood is brotherhood.
Michael Emerson (Lost) has also joined the cast as a mystery villain. We also can’t forget about Vigilante, who was introduced in Season 5, who Guggenheim maintains is a “familiar face," not a new character.
A DC character named Richard Dragon will also appear and Guggenheim said to expect more news about him soon. Formerly a member of the League of Assassins in the comics, he is the founder of the Longbow Hunters, a group with a vengence against Green Arrow. Maybe they are the "group of villains" Guggenheim is referring to? Richard Dragon does have ties to Lady Shiva and The Question...who would both be awesome to have on Arrow.
Deathstroke Flashbacks
The most exciting news out of SDCC was the confirmation of a Slade Wilson flashbacks arc. Stephen Amell teased Manu Bennett’s return to the series for multiple episodes last week, so we knew he wasn’t dead. However, we didn’t know why Guggenheim wanted to keep him around (well, except for the fact that he’s one of the best Arrow character’s ever). We always had our suspicions about a Deathstroke flashback arc, because how could you not? Well, now we have it. Keep your fingers crossed for White Canary next.
Black Canary Vs. Black Siren
The reveal of Dinah Drake’s costume proves she survives the Lian Yu explosion and becomes the Black Canary. However, it was revealed at SDCC Katie Cassidy's’ Black Siren also survives. The trailer reveals an epic match between the two badass ladies and we can’t wait.
Mr. Terrific Mystery Solved
One fan question proved to be the funniest of the Arrow panel at SDCC. “How does Mr. Terrific go from an afro to cornrows every time he puts on his costume.” At first, Guggenheim simply said, “Well…..he’s a metahuman.” But after some back and forth banter Echo Kellum had the most perfect answer. “That’s why we have speedsters in our universe, Kid Flash is braiding my hair.” Obviously it was a joke, but let’s be honest, that’s a perfect explanation.
What do you think about the direction of Arrow Season 6? Let us know in the comments and check out more recent Arrow news below.
READ: Stephen Amell Says Lian Yu Survivors May Have ‘Physical Scars’
READ: How Colton Haynes Could Return In The Premiere
READ: Oliver Queen May Be More Like The Comics In Arrow Season 6
READ: Which Arrow Season 1 Character Is Returning In Season 6?
