‘Arrow’ Season 3 Premiere Photos: Is Starling City ‘Calm’?

Now that Labor Day weekend has come and gone, it’s time to look forward to fall and the best thing the season has to offer. No, we’re not talking about pumpkin spice, football or sweater weather – we’re talking about what’s really important in life: the return of our favorite television shows.

When Arrow concluded its second season this past May, Oliver and his ever-growing team had managed to stop Slade and his chemically created army from completely destroying the city (although it took a lot of hits). Good triumphed over evil and while the finale hinted at some chaos ahead (Quentin collapsed, Oliver’s flashbacks revealed a trip off the island to meet Amanda Waller and Thea agreed to leave town with Malcolm), it ended with Oliver in a good place.

Season three follows the series’ pattern of including a time jump to coincide with the hiatus so “The Calm” will pick up several months after the events of the finale. The CW released the first photos from the episode to give us a glimpse into the lives of our heroes, but without an accompanying description, we can only guess what’s happening in the photos.

But we’re okay with that because guessing games are fun, right? Or maybe we’ll just take any scrap since we’re desperate for any new information on our shows…? Either way, here’s what we can tell from the photos. Quentin survived whatever ailed him and we could not be happier about it because the character needs to be protected at all costs. After leaving with Nyssa to fulfill her end of the deal, Sara’s back in Starling City. Does she miss her family or is there a new crisis? We’re betting on the latter…

Meanwhile, Arrow and Arsenal are suited up – Roy got his priorities in line once Oliver gave him the cure last season, but something tells us things will not always be sunshine and roses and teamwork between these two. How long until they find out Thea’s gone to the dark side?

Oliver and Laurel watch Quentin address the press – perhaps he’s telling the crowd a story of the latest criminal brought to justice by the vigilante and the district attorney’s office? As for Oliver and Felicity, she looks concerned for him – could this be after he finds out there’s another person interested in bidding for his company?

Check out the photos below and then hit the comments and share your thoughts and theories with us. What do you think is happening in the photos? Which potential storyline are you looking forward to the most?

Arrow returns for its third season Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8/7c on The CW.