Pilot (Arrow)

"Pilot" is the first episode of season 1 and the pilot episode of Arrow. It aired on October 10, 2012.

Synopsis
Presumed dead, Oliver Queen returns home after five years on a remote island in the Pacific. However, his friends and family soon discover that times have changed and Oliver is a new man. Oliver secretly creates the persona of "Arrow", in order to fulfill his father's wishes, and his first target is the tyrannical businessman, Adam Hunt.

Plot
The episode begins with an unknown man running through what looks to be a forest. It is then revealed that he is running towards a boat out at sea. He fires an arrow into a pile of sticks causing a massive explosion which catches the attention of the fishermen on board. The men arrive on the beach and the man is revealed to be Oliver Queen. In a voice-over, Oliver explains that he has been stranded for 5 years on the island and has had to remake himself in order to survive. Starling City local news reports on Oliver's miraculous return and revisits the playboy lifestyle he lived before his disappearance.

In a city hospital, Oliver's mother, Moira Queen is informed that Oliver has many unhealed injures and scars and might not be the same person he was before he disappearance. Moira appears distraught at this terrible news and approaches her son in an observation room. They have a mini-reunion before heading to the family residence — Queen Mansion. Once there, Oliver reunites with his younger sister, Thea, and is introduced to his mother's new husband, Walter Steele.

In the meantime, Laurel Lance, who works for a city law firm is hard work trying to bring down corrupt businessman Adam Hunt, who, has swindled many out of their life savings. A news report (once again) details the circumstances of Oliver's rescue, explaining, he is the sole survivour of a shipwreck which claimed the life of his father, Robert Queen and that of Laurel's sister, Sarah.

Back at the Queen Mansion, Oliver steps out of the shower and stares at himself in the mirror, noting how everything around him has become unrecognisable. He flashes back to the night of the shipwreck, the yacht is heading into a category two storm, and, the captain informs Robert that they are turning back. Right at that moment, Oliver assumingly drunk appears, asking if they are in trouble. Robert warns Oliver that his relationship with Sarah is not going to end well for him or the Lance sisters. Back in present day, Tommy Merlyn arrives and catches Oliver up on all the things he has missed the past five years over family dinner. Things get tense when Oliver reveals his discomfort over Walter and Moira's relationship. Later on, while asleep Oliver flashes back again to the night of the shipwreck.

Trivia

 * Apart from the main characters this episode marks the first appearances of Walter Steele, Sarah Lance and Robert Queen, although the latter two are only through flashbacks.
 * The episode was viewed by 4.14 million.
 * The episode received a 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
 * Oliver and Robert got shipwrecked in 2007, Oliver spent 5 years on the island, and returned during 2012.

Filming

 * Many scenes were filmed at BB Studios in Burnaby, British Columbia in Canada. Also filmed there was Smallville, a former DC superhero show shown on The CW, based on Superman comics.
 * Hatley Castle was used to shoot as the Queen Mansion. This again shares with Smallville, being filmed as Luthor Mansion.
 * Scenes were filmed in Gastown, Vancouver.
 * Filming came to an end on April 3, 2012.