مانو بينيت

With his nightclub set to open and a new romance brewing with McKenna, Oliver is as happy as he's been since returning to Starling City. But when Oliver's ex, Helena Bertinelli aka The Huntress, suddenly returns to town, she threatens to destroy everything and everyone he cares about. Meanwhile, Laurel and her father struggle with the return of Laurel's mother, Dinah Lance (guest star Alex Kingston), who claims she has proof Sara is still alive. Thea gets Roy Harper a job at Oliver's club, but he's not too inclined to stop his life of crime. Oliver and Tommy are thrilled they were able to get EDM megastar Steve Aoki (guest starring as Himself) to play at the opening of their new nightclub, Verdant.

In the season premiere, Oliver must transform from vigilante to hero. Diggle and Felicity travel to the island of Lian Yu in search of Oliver, who left Starling City after the devastation of The Undertaking and his failure to avert it. Convinced to return home, Oliver finds that things are in much worse shape than he imagined – Isabel Rochev (recurring guest star Summer Glau) is preparing a hostile takeover of Queen Consolidated, Thea refuses to visit Moira in jail, Roy is trying to fill the void left by the Arrow's absence, and Laurel is working with the District Attorney's office to take down the vigilante. Meanwhile, flashbacks to the island show Oliver's mentors Slade (new series star Manu Bennett), Shado (guest star Celina Jade) and Oliver in a desperate situation.

Officer Lance's past puts Laurel in danger. Lance learns a criminal named Barton Mathis (guest star Michael Eklund), whom he put away years ago, broke out of prison during the quake and is back to torturing and murdering women. Felicity offers herself as bait so Arrow, Diggle and Lance can catch this villain, but the plan goes awry. Furious, Mathis kidnaps Laurel in retaliation and plans to murder her while Lance watches. Meanwhile, Thea and Oliver are stunned when District Attorney Adam Donner (guest star Dylan Bruce) seeks the death penalty for Moira. Oliver asks Roy to help him find the Canary (guest star Caity Lotz).

After Oliver is shot, he turns to a surprising person for help Felicity. Diggle is stunned when he sees Felicity walk through the front door of the lair dragging a dying Oliver behind her, and the two team up to save Oliver's life. As Oliver hovers between life and death, he flashes back to a seminal event on the island -- a daring escape attempt with his new friend Slade Wilson (guest star Manu Bennett -- Spartacus).

Recently released from prison, nefarious criminal Cyrus Vanch (guest star David Anders) intends to re-secure his position as leader of Starling City's underworld. His first step is to take down his biggest opponent in the city -- Arrow. Meanwhile, Oliver shows Moira his father's notebook and questions her about the names on the list. Thea is miserable as she starts her internship with Laurel at the legal aid office; and Detective Lance makes a deadly mistake that puts Laurel in the crosshairs of Vanch.

Arrow teams up with Laurel to find the Man in the Mask. Conflicted after Laurel reaches out to the Arrow asking him to investigate Sebastian Blood, Oliver is unsure whether to believe her accusations against the man he has publically supported for mayor, but decides to trust Laurel. However, when the pair gets too close to the truth, Sebastian exposes Laurel's drug addiction and has her arrested. Meanwhile, Roy reveals his new super-strength to Sin who wants to test out his abilities. Unfortunately, Roy isn't able to contain his rage once unleashed and almost kills a man. Back on the island, Oliver is surprised when Sara reveals a secret about Laurel.