Arrow Season 2, coming October 9th

Arrow Season 2 Premiere Date Revealed

October 9th 2013 , Arrow returns to the TV screen.

Wednesday, October 9th, from 8:00 - 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Given how much the popularity of comic books and their associated characters has started to move into the mainstream, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the CW’s Arrow (based off of "Green Arrow") took off with the success that it did. The network renewed the show for season 2 long before season 1 was finished, which means that the writers have had plenty of time to set up potential second season plots – they certainly wrapped up season 1 with a bang.

Fans of the show will have to until Wednesday October 9th, 8:00-9:00 PM EST to see the top rated show which has brought the producers much acclaim and allowed the show to compete with other top rated shows like "Game of Thrones", "The Walking Dead", "Hell on Wheels" and similar HBO-style shows.

WARNING: SEASON 1 SPOILERS AHEAD!

The big shock of the finale – perhaps even more so than the destruction of the Glades from a machine powered earthquake – was the death of Oliver’s best friend Tommy Merlyn, who was a rival for Laurel Lance’s affections. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that this will make difficult for the two young lovebirds, since not only did Tommy spend his last few minutes saving Laurel’s life and revealing that he was in love with her. That has to hurt their relationship somewhat. Oh the drama!

Meanwhile cast and crew are dropping hints like crazy.

Star Stephen Amell dropped a major hint that Oliver will not be in Starling City when season 2 begins. Hong Kong maybe? Or the Island?

The stunt coordinator dropped a hint on Twitter that something big was in the works for opening episode of season 2. I am guessing it might be the introduction of another superhero or villain. Or the return of a villain.

Given the impermanence of characters dying in both comic books and television then we can expect the return of the main villain, Merlyn. Many of the characters – both friend and foe – who died in the first season of Arrow could potentially make a return for the second season, but right now a greater amount of interest is being directed towards the question of which new characters from the DC universe might show up.

My hope is for BATMAN.

However earlier this year, producer Mark Guggenheim teased that Oliver would be making a trip to Blüdhaven, the home of Nightwing, but warned that “Nightwing will not be there.” Or at least, not yet. This visit turned out to be quite brief, as Oliver only dropped in to rescue Walter from the Dark Archer’s clutches, but it nonetheless established Blüdhaven within the Arrow universe, leaving the possibility open for Nightwing to emerge as a character. We also know, based on the words of executive producer Andrew Kreisberg, that there are “two cities [Oliver] will probably never go to” – presumably Gotham City and Metropolis, where the titans of the DC universe reside.

But just because he doesn't go to Gotham, doesn't mean Batman can't come to Starling City.

Another fact dropped by Amell is that, when season 2 opens, Oliver will probably not be working as a vigilante any more. Since his primary motivation for dressing up and fighting crime was to save his city – the Glades in particular – it’s understandable that he’d be a bit dejected after seeing the neighbourhood reduced to rubble and he might want some time off to rest, recuperate and collect his thoughts. He won’t have long to rest, however, as Guggenheim has warned that season 2 will, like the first season, have two big villains, and they will both be very recognizable names from the comic book series.

Where will we find Oliver Queen when season 2 returns? Dunno. Who will be on his side, and who will be fighting him? More importantly, are people ever going to stop calling him “the Hood” and “the Vigilante” and assign him the proper title of Green Arrow, as suggested by Malcolm Merlyn during first season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.