Arrow: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Arrow Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Legacy
Oct 5, 2016
A deadly new criminal, Tobias Church, threatens Star City, which forces Oliver to consider forming a new team of superheroes to help him do battle. In flashbacks, Oliver faces off
The Recruits
Oct 12, 2016
Oliver recruits Curtis, Wild Dog and Evelyn Sharp for his team, but his training methods prove to be too much for some to handle. In flashbacks, Oliver continues his initiation int
A Matter of Trust
Oct 19, 2016
The Green Arrow is forced to face a powerful new drug dealer when Wild Dog goes off on his own.
Penance
Oct 26, 2016
Oliver and Lyla team up on a secret mission for Diggle. Felicity finds out and disapproves of the plan and opts to stay behind. When Tobias Church launches a deadly assault against
Human Target
Nov 2, 2016
When Tobias Church captures and tortures one of Oliver's new recruits, Oliver must turn to an old friend, Christopher Chance AKA the Human Target, for help. Meanwhile, Felicity's w
So It Begins
Nov 9, 2016
Prometheus claims two more victims, and Oliver realizes that the killings are related to the people on his father's list. His recruits aren't happy to hear that Oliver used to be a
Vigilante
Nov 16, 2016
When the bodies of two criminals are dropped at SCPD, Oliver realizes there is a new Vigilante in Star City. The team is split about whether they should stop someone who is helping
Invasion! (III)
Nov 30, 2016
Oliver wakes up to a life where he never got on The Queen’s Gambit. Robert and Moira Queen are alive and well. Laurel is his loving fiancée and their wedding is imminent. Everythin
What We Leave Behind
Dec 7, 2016
After Prometheus attacks Curtis, Oliver realizes Prometheus knows all of Team Arrow's secret identities and is planning to come for them one by one. Felicity and Detective Malone d
Who Are You?
Jan 25, 2017
Worried that Prometheus is right and he is truly a killer at heart, Oliver looks for any ray of hope and finds it in what seems to be the miraculous return of Laurel Lance. However
Second Chances
Feb 1, 2017
In his quest to take down Kovar, Oliver gets help from a surprising source - Talia al Ghul. However, when she reveals what she wants from him in exchange, Oliver isn't sure he can
Bratva
Feb 8, 2017
A mission takes Oliver, Felicity and team to Russia where they meet up with Oliver's old friend, Anatoly. Meanwhile, fresh out of rehab, Lance returns to the mayor's office ready t
Spectre of the Gun
Feb 15, 2017
A traumatic attack on City Hall triggers painful memories for Rene about his family. Flashbacks reveal how Rene went from simple family man to a hero named Wild Dog. Meanwhile, Oli
The Sin-Eater
Feb 22, 2017
China White, Cupid and Liza Warner break out of Iron Heights and head to Star City for revenge. Oliver tries to bring in the newly formed girl gang but the ACU intervenes mid-fight
Fighting Fire with Fire
Mar 1, 2017
Oliver faces his biggest challenge yet as mayor. Felicity continues down her dark path with Helix. After Vigilante attacks Oliver while he's acting as the mayor, Diggle leads the t
Checkmate
Mar 15, 2017
Oliver gets closer to the truth about Prometheus. Meanwhile, Helix refuses to continue helping Felicity until she does a favor for them.
Kapiushon
Mar 22, 2017
Prometheus goes to extreme lengths to destroy Oliver. In flashbacks, Oliver's violent tendencies come to a head in a confrontation with Anatoly.
Disbanded
Mar 29, 2017
Diggle and Felicity are shocked by Oliver's decision to ask the Bratva for help in taking down Prometheus.
Dangerous Liaisons
Apr 26, 2017
Oliver, Team Arrow, ARGUS and the SCPD kick off a citywide manhunt for Adrian Chase. Helix tells Felicity they have a way to find Chase but they will need something big, and illega
Underneath
May 3, 2017
Oliver and Felicity get trapped in the bunker together, while Diggle and Lyla deal with marital issues.
Honor Thy Fathers
May 10, 2017
Oliver faces the forced release of criminals prosecuted by Adrian Chase, while a crate is delivered to Oliver's office containing a corpse in concrete.
Missing
May 17, 2017
Black Siren returns to give Chase help; Felicity plans a birthday party for Oliver; Lance is angry with Rene for missing the custody hearing about his daughter.
Lian Yu
May 24, 2017
Oliver assembles a group of unlikely allies - Slade, Nyssa, Merlyn and Digger Harkness - to engage in an epic battle against Chase and his army.