Arrow Season 4 Storyline Hopes

OLIVER

Oliver sped out of town with Felicity to get to better know the "happy" "someone else" he had become. Hopefully, the Oliver who returns to Starling City has found cause to embrace his crimefighting anew, with the laser focus of Seasons 1 and 2 and maybe even with a sense of fun. Steely is fine; week after week of stoic can be a drag.

FELICITY

When the tech wiz was first introduced, her smarts, wit and bubbly energy added something that became an integral part of the show's dynamic. She was an avatar for the viewer, saying what we were thinking. Sadly, that spark was dialed down in Season 3 — though understandably, given what was happening to Felicity and her loved ones. Now that she has found "happy" with Oliver, more than highlighting the relationship — which we hope is almost incidentally integrated into the larger goings-on — it's time to bring back that which made Felicity, by herself, so special.

DIGGLE

A crimefighting helmet? Hmm, we're worried. But turning to more important matters, it'd be great to see Diggle and Oliver do some work on their fractured bromance, which took some hits late last season as harsh words were exchanged. Also, how cool would it be for Dig to get his own arch enemy, maybe from H.I.V.E.? Lastly, and this is an absolute must: less time staying behind to run the comms!

THEA

Thea truly came into her own in Season 3. After being molded by dad Malcolm into a lethal lass, she saw her moral fortitude tested by the truth of her role in Sara's death. By season's end — and with a nudge from "lost" love Roy — Thea found her place/own sense of style as Speedy. We kinda hope, though, that her transition is not without its hiccups, given what lore tells us about the Lazarus Pit's craaazy side effects.

LAUREL

We must admit, it was refreshing to see Laurel take some (OK, a lot of) lumps during her debut as Black Canary. (Achieving superheroism is a marathon, not a sprint, after all.) But since her incorporation into Team Arrow went so swiftly, we're hoping to see a new conflict arise, and not just via her disapproving dad. Also: After an ill-fated reunion with Oliver in Season 1 and then mourning boyfriend Tommy's death, isn't it time for Laurel to mend her broken heart and find a worthy guy who can stand by her side? (Maybe Ted Grant can return for a date?)

NYSSA

Just more, please.

DAMIEN DARHK

We couldn't take seriously a Big Bad whose most villainous trait was that he can't take "no" for an answer (like someone you once went out with who won't take the hint that you're not interested). Thankfully, Justified alum Neal McDonough's Damien Darhk, with his "heart of darkness," is already shaping up to be a more dangerous and scary foe than Ra's al Ghul.

Details are understandably scarce as of yet, but this much is certain: the fact that Sara is alive and kicking (ass) in the midseason spinoff Legends of Tomorrow will be addressed on Arrow. We hope the resurrection is more than some end-of-episode tag, and is handled in a way that explains how/why Sara will be out and about with her family (presumably) none the wiser.

John Barrowman remains a series regular, so it is with much curiosity that we wonder how the League of Assassins' new, Nanda Parbat-based overlord will maintain a meaningful presence. Hopefully, because so many worked so hard for it, his reign as Ra's is a long one and not snipped short for Starling City storyline reasons.

LYLA

The CW series is not short on strong women, but we always welcome even more focus on the powerful ladies, especially when they're as badass as Lyla. Now that she has left A.R.G.U.S., there's a rich opportunity to integrate Diggle's other half into Team Arrow and to explore what it's like to balance motherhood, marriage and mayhem. (Take notes, Felicity?)

WEEKLY VILLAINS

As excited as we are for Neal McDonough's turn as the latest Big Bad, Damien Darhk, there of course will be a need for weekly nemeses — hopefully ones who are much more memorable (and more noisily cast) than, say, Murmer.

NOT-SO-DEADSHOT?

Take your time, Arrow, but we are crossing our fingers that it will one day be revealed that the enigmatic marksman somehow survived the Kasnia conflict.

How about a little time for this, during any downtime from chastising masked vigilantes?

FLASHBACKS

After enduring the Hong Kong flashbacks — which only revealed a tenuous connection to the present day predicament, and not until the end of Season 3 — we're ready for a look at Oliver's time away that doesn't feel like it's interrupting the action. Dare we hope the next flurry of flashes take us to Coast City, or at least offer a strong emotional tie (a la Slade Wilson) to the present-day sitch in Starling City?