Arrow: My Guilty Pleasure

source: IMBd

ARROW is my new guilty pleasure. I don't know why because I can't seem to put my finger on it (though I really really wish I could).

(Spoilers)

This new tv series based on the comic book superhero Green Arrow is nothing we haven't seen before. Playboy billionaire (yawn) gets stranded on deserted island after ship wreck (double yawn), father was a successful business tycoon who died after the ship wreck (of course). Playboy gets rescued after 5 years and comes home a changed man but, must maintain his playboy persona while moonlighting as masked crime fighter. Oh and I almost forgot, he's still in love with ex girlfriend but things are complicated. AND her father just happens to be a cop (eyes rolls into back of skull).  Not only that but despite the obvious, no one knows who he really is and his hood always stays perfectly in place concealing his identity no matter what kind of acrobatics he's doing while shooting limitless arrows. *takes deep breath*   

So as you can see, nothing new here. And yet...why am I itching to stream the next episode as soon as it becomes available? WHY? It's so damn stereotyped and predictable! 

Well, maybe that's exactly the reason. I know what I'm getting-- an hour of Stephen Amell, mostly topless and running around shooting his arrows at bad guys. Superhero fighting crime and making the world a better place, one bad guy at a time. The premise is comforting and good will always prevail over evil. Plus, Mr. Amell is a fantastic actor for a hot blond guy and much more appealing in my opinion, than the classic comic book version with that awful mustache. 

So what am I saying? Have my preferences been reduced to eye candy and predictable story lines? Am I the same way with the books I read? The answer is, depends (the verb, not the brand name). Sometimes, I connect with the main character so much that I can over look problems with plot or a déjà vu premise. The same can be said about a slightly underdeveloped character wrapped up in a fantastic plot. But getting back to the series, I know that if it becomes too predictable, I'll end up losing interest and move onto something else despite the ridiculously hot mc. But for a clear conscience I think I'll need to tackle this question more thoroughly, and to do that I'll be forced to view a few more episodes of Arrow. Yes, most definitely.