Advance review of the Arrow episode Three Ghosts

The December 11 midseason finale of The CW’s Arrow continues to feature Grant Gustin as junior police scientist Barry Allen, who if all goes well will star in his own spin-off series next year. But more than that, the show also continues to be Oliver Queen’s story, and no matter what characters weave in and out, the creators of the show acknowledge and know that he is the series’ lead character.

After the events of the December 4 episode, Barry Allen is actually brought in to the Arrow group to save Oliver’s life, and that revelation and connection will lead to something that will change the way Oliver does things as the show goes toward the future. Unlike, say, when a DC character would show up on Smallville and they’d pretty much just show up to tell Clark Kent how much he sucks (and don’t get me wrong, I loved Smallville)… Barry’s interactions with the Arrow/Oliver come from a bigger place of respect and admiration. As Felicity and Diggle both did, Barry fits in to Team Arrow so seamlessly that if he wasn’t headed back to Central City with a speedier destiny, I’d be totally okay with having him around more. Also: How rare is it that a guest character can kind of get in the way of a popular “ship” – in this case Oliver and Felicity – and not be hated by the masses? Somehow, Grant Gustin as Barry Allen pulls it off.

Credit also needs to be given to Gustin for pulling off the role of Barry. I admit – with no offense meant to Mr. Gustin – I wasn’t hugely excited for the casting at first, mostly because I had only been familiar with his work as Sebastian on Glee, a character that I hated. But that’s the thing: that’s exactly what Grant Gustin was hired to do, and he did it very well! As Barry, Grant Gustin has an earnest nature that you can’t help but really like the guy. By the end of “Three Ghosts,” especially, the first thing you’ll think about is “now when will see him again?” I think Barry is a great character that shows off Gustin’s range well, if he can play such different characters. Whatever happens with The Flash spin-off, we had better see him again.

Before I get on about the rest of the episode, I must also say that whatever portions of Barry Allen’s Flash origin we see in “Three Ghosts” look fantastic all around. Arrow continually gives us movie quality effects and appearance and fits it onto TV. If only other shows were able to take the time to look so good. (Looking at you, Once Upon A Time In Wonderland.) Flash fans should also keep their eyes and ears open for an important Flash supporting character to cameo within.

Now, again, as I said, this is still Oliver’s show. The episode is called “Three Ghosts,” and since Oliver is being visited by characters from his possible past, his possible present, and his possible future, it’s probably also not surprising that there’s a little bit of a Christmas motif, which I guess makes Oliver Ebenezer Scrooge in his own weird way. Expect an unexpected fight within the Arrow lair, a visitor in the Queen mansion, and some surprises so big that they haven’t even been hinted at yet, spoiler-wise. I follow everything Arrow and I didn’t expect to see half of the things we see within. In fact, more than once I was actually a bit shocked.

Those who missed Katie Cassidy will be happy to see she is back this week, and interacting with Thea, Roy, and Sin for a change, and speaking of those three, there is a really humorous scene within the Queen home involving them and Oliver that shows how much Oliver Queen has changed since the series began. Stephen Amell looks like he’s having so much fun being able to be a little bit of a smart ass, lightening up as present day Oliver. In the comics, Oliver Queen was always a bit witty, and we’re starting to see that coming through.

The “villain plot” as I like to call it is also quite good. All this “Miracle” stuff makes me wish the in-development Hourman series also tied in to Arrow, because it’d be so tempting. I also give the writers of this episode props for not avoiding the words “Solomon Grundy” in “Three Ghosts.”

If I can offer any other teases about “Three Ghosts” it would just be to be sure to avoid Twitter on Wednesday night if you’re on the West Coast, because there are surprises you will not want to have spoiled for you. And – CW – I know you guys need time to shoot your Flash pilot and all, and prep, and that people need to sleep and everything, but I really want that Flash series sooner rather than later. Thanks.

Arrow’s “Three Ghosts” airs Wednesday night, December 11 on The CW. You can find some preview images from the episode here!