Arrow backdrop
Crime•Drama•Action & Adventure

The Best Episodes of Arrow Season 2

Every episode of Arrow Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Arrow Season 2!

Binge this in 16h 6m•Peaking at 9.4/10

Spoiled billionaire playboy Oliver Queen is missing and presumed dead when his yacht is lost at sea. He returns five years later a changed man, determined to clean up the city as a hooded vigilante

Airs on
The CW
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons8

All12345678

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Arrow Season 2 Episode 1 - City of Heroes
    8.5/10(6427 votes)

    #1 - City of Heroes

    S2:E1

    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 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, Shado and Oliver in a desperate situation.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Greg Berlanti

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Arrow Season 2 Episode 2 - Identity
    8.3/10(5306 votes)

    #2 - Identity

    S2:E2

    Thieves hijack medical supplies sent to Glades Memorial. Oliver gets into a heated battle with China White and her new partner, the Bronze Tiger, over the supplies. Meanwhile, Laurel makes plans to catch the Arrow; and Thea give Roy an ultimatum.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writers:Ben Sokolowski, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Arrow Season 2 Episode 3 - Broken Dolls
    8.5/10(5433 votes)

    #3 - Broken Dolls

    S2:E3

    When a dangerous criminal from Lance's past escapes from prison, Felicity offers herself up as bait so Arrow, Diggle and Lance can capture him...but plans go awry.

    Director:Glen Winter
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Keto Shimizu

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Arrow Season 2 Episode 4 - Crucible
    8.5/10(5274 votes)

    #4 - Crucible

    S2:E4

    Oliver discovers a man who goes by the name “The Mayor” is bringing illegal guns in to The Glades, so Oliver sponsors a “Cash for Guns” event to help clean up the city. Unfortunately, The Mayor crashes the event with his gang and seriously injures Sin. The Canary is furious when she learns her friend is in the hospital and sets out for revenge. Meanwhile, Felicity stuns Oliver with a bit of information about the Canary, Donner asks Laurel to dinner, and Diggle reconnects with an old friend.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writers:Andrew Kreisberg, Wendy Mericle

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Arrow Season 2 Episode 5 - League of Assassins
    8.6/10(5346 votes)

    #5 - League of Assassins

    S2:E5

    Oliver puts Sara Lance up at the manor and soon discovers that she doesn't want to contact her family... both because she would put them in danger, and because she become a killer since the last time they saw her. Meanwhile, the League of Assassins send men to bring Sara back, alive or dead. And Oliver discovers that Laurel will be sitting second chair for his mother's trial.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Arrow Season 2 Episode 6 - Keep Your Enemies Closer
    8.2/10(4970 votes)

    #6 - Keep Your Enemies Closer

    S2:E6

    A.R.G.U.S. abducts Diggle and asks him to help recover Lyla from a Russian prison. Oliver and Felicity insist on going along to help and Isabel tags along. Meanwhile, Jean Loring advises Thea that her dating Roy is hurting Moira's chance of getting an acquittal.

    Director:Guy Norman Bee
    Writers:Ben Sokolowski, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Arrow

    READ
  7. Arrow Season 2 Episode 7 - State v. Queen
    8.3/10(5099 votes)

    #7 - State v. Queen

    S2:E7

    The Count has a new scheme to turn Starling City's residents into clients by addicting them to a new drug and then selling them Vertigo to cure it. among those stricken are Diggle and DA Donner, who collapses in the middle of presenting his case against Moira.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Arrow Season 2 Episode 8 - The Scientist
    8.9/10(5935 votes)

    #8 - The Scientist

    S2:E8

    When a superhumanly strong thief robs a Queen Consolidated warehouse, Central City police scientist Barry Allen comes to Starling City to investigate the case. However, despite his close working relationship with Felicity, Oliver suspects that there's more to the young scientist than meets the eye. Meanwhile, Sin asks Roy to help investigate the disappearance of a friend. In the past, Oliver, Shado, and Sara try to get Slade to the submarine so they can use the serum to save his life.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writers:Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Arrow Season 2 Episode 9 - Three Ghosts
    9.2/10(6796 votes)

    #9 - Three Ghosts

    S2:E9

    After covering from a near-fatal drug overdose, Oliver begins hallucinating people from his past. Believing he's a liability, Oliver gives the information he has on Cyrus Gold to Quentin... which results in the deaths of several police officers. Meanwhile, Brother Blood captures Roy and uses him as a test subject for his new serum. In the past on the island, Ivo gives Oliver an impossible choice to make.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Arrow Season 2 Episode 10 - Blast Radius
    8.1/10(4701 votes)

    #10 - Blast Radius

    S2:E10

    A bomber nicknamed Shrapnel has set his sights on Sebastian Blood, and Oliver dons his mask to protect his newfound ally. Meanwhile, Laurel investigates Sebastian's aunt who is locked up in a mental institution, and Thea learns about Roy's newfound superstrength.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Keto Shimizu

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Arrow Season 2 Episode 11 - Blind Spot
    8.4/10(4714 votes)

    #11 - Blind Spot

    S2:E11

    When her father won't believe her accusations against Sebastian, Laurel turns to the Arrow for help. Oliver has his own doubts about Laurel, particularly when she is arrested on a charge of drug possession. Meanwhile, Roy sets out to test his new abilities but goes berserk, putting a man in the hospital.

    Director:Glen Winter
    Writers:Wendy Mericle, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Arrow Season 2 Episode 12 - Tremors
    8.5/10(4756 votes)

    #12 - Tremors

    S2:E12

    While the Arrow trains Roy how to control his anger--and his super-strength--Bronze Tiger steals a prototype of Malcolm's earthquake machine to sell to an arms dealer. Meanwhile, Laurel discovers that she's being disbarred and goes out of control, and Walter has an offer for Moira. On the island, Oliver wonders whether to tell Slade the truth about how Shado died.

    Director:Guy Norman Bee
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Arrow Season 2 Episode 13 - Heir to the Demon
    8.5/10(5056 votes)

    #13 - Heir to the Demon

    S2:E13

    As Laurel continues to unravel, Oliver and Lance try to convince Sara to stay in Starling City and finally reunite with Laurel and Dinah. However, Sara’s fellow League of Assassins member, Nyssa, comes to bring Sara back to the fold, but when Sara refuses, Nyssa kidnaps Dinah. Realizing she’s putting her family in danger by staying in town, Sara considers re-joining the league.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Jake Coburn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Arrow Season 2 Episode 14 - Time of Death
    8.6/10(5085 votes)

    #14 - Time of Death

    S2:E14

    A master hacker dubbed Clock King coordinates a series of raids on banks in Starling City, and his skills prove a match for Felicity. Meanwhile, Laurel's grudge with Sara continues and on the island, a pilot crashes his plane there and Sara tends to the dying man.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writers:Wendy Mericle, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Arrow Season 2 Episode 15 - The Promise
    9.0/10(5894 votes)

    #15 - The Promise

    S2:E15

    In the present, Slade visits Oliver and makes his intentions clear. Five years earlier, Slade, Sara, and Oliver launch their assault on the Amazo, but things go wrong when Slade learns that Oliver was responsible for Shado's death.

    Director:Glen Winter
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Ben Sokolowski

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Arrow Season 2 Episode 16 - Suicide Squad
    8.3/10(4859 votes)

    #16 - Suicide Squad

    S2:E16

    While Oliver deals with the pressure of Slade's threats against Oliver and his loved ones, Amanda Waller with A.R.G.U.S. recruits Diggle for a black ops mission. Diggle is happy to learn that he'll be working with his ex-wife Lyla... but not so thrilled that three convicts will be going on the mission with them.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writers:Bryan Q. Miller, Keto Shimizu

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Arrow Season 2 Episode 17 - Birds of Prey
    8.0/10(4599 votes)

    #17 - Birds of Prey

    S2:E17

    The Huntress returns and takes hostages at the courthouse when her father is arrested. Laurel is among those taken, which prompts her sister, the Canary, to battle the Huntress in an epic confrontation. Meanwhile, Roy tries to keep Thea safe, but he doesn't like the way he is forced to do it.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Mark Bemesderfer, A.C. Bradley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Arrow Season 2 Episode 18 - Deathstroke
    9.1/10(6106 votes)

    #18 - Deathstroke

    S2:E18

    Sara and Roy become prisoners at the Slade and the only one who is able to save them is Oliver Queen.

    Director:Guy Norman Bee
    Writers:Marc Guggenheim, Drew Z. Greenberg

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Arrow Season 2 Episode 19 - The Man Under the Hood
    8.9/10(5273 votes)

    #19 - The Man Under the Hood

    S2:E19

    When Oliver and his team destroy Slade's centrifuge, he attacks them as Deathstroke to get what he needs to find a replacement. Meanwhile, Laurel ponders what to do with Slade's information, and Oliver tries to convince Thea to help him protect their finances from Isabel.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Arrow Season 2 Episode 20 - Seeing Red
    9.2/10(7165 votes)

    #20 - Seeing Red

    S2:E20

    The Mirakuru sends Roy into an uncontrollable rage and he unleashes on the city. Oliver realizes the Mirakuru has taken over Roy completely and must figure out a way to stop him.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writers:Wendy Mericle, Beth Schwartz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Arrow Season 2 Episode 21 - City of Blood
    8.9/10(5506 votes)

    #21 - City of Blood

    S2:E21

    After the death of someone close to him, Oliver decides to give himself up to Slade rather than risk further bloodshed on his friends and family. Meanwhile, Laurel renews her investigation into Sebastian Blood, and Slade makes his final plans to unleash his Mirakuru-enhanced army on Starling City.

    Director:Michael Schultz
    Writer:Holly Harold

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Arrow Season 2 Episode 22 - Streets of Fire
    9.1/10(5937 votes)

    #22 - Streets of Fire

    S2:E22

    Oliver rallies his team as Slade's soldiers attack the city. Felicity gets a call from S.T.A.R. Labs with game-changing news and Thea comes face-to-face with her father.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writers:Jake Coburn, Ben Sokolowski

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Arrow Season 2 Episode 23 - Unthinkable
    9.4/10(8231 votes)

    #23 - Unthinkable

    S2:E23

    As Oliver's face off with Slade escalates, his resolve to the no-kill rule is tested. Especially as Slade targets the woman Oliver loves.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 2 Ratings Summary

"City of Heroes" is the best rated episode of "Arrow" season 2. It scored 8.5/10 based on 6427 votes. Directed by John Behring and written by Greg Berlanti, it aired on 10/9/2013. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Identity".