30 greatest Arrowverse episodes, ranked
Best Arrowverse episodes – No. 2
Sacrifice (Arrow season 1 episode 23)
Nearly a year after bringing Arrow to our screens, the writers had the tall task of closing the first season in a satisfying way that would hopefully leave audiences wanting more. The first season had been a success, with fans hooked on Oliver Queen’s redemption and Malcolm Merlyn’s revenge-driven plot to level the glades. It was overflowing with gripping storylines – all of which came to a head in the explosive season finale.
“Sacrifice” was a fitting culmination to all of that, with each character’s personal arcs colliding at the same time. Merlyn’s “Undertaking” shone a light on everyone’s true colors, with Moira Queen and Quentin Lance finally letting go of their inhibitions and trusting themselves to do the right thing. Laurel Lance showed her true character by standing by the collapsing Glades while Tommy Merlyn did the same, returning to save her.
But the biggest story was, of course, the rematch we had been waiting months to see as The Arrow himself took on the Dark Archer in a rooftop battle with the fate of Star City hanging in the balance (a moment that later season finales have tried to replicate). And it all built towards an incredibly emotional closing scene that had us all crying our hearts out.
In many ways, the finale was a tribute to everything that had made the Arrowverse’s premiere season so great. It was thrilling, unnerving and edge-of-seat drama that never stopped shocking us from beginning to end, and it ultimately paved the way for the show’s even stronger second season.
Rarely has Arrow ever been as perfect as it was here.