'Arrow': The Most Promising 2012 New TV Series?

The most promising new TV show of the 2012 season just might be Arrow, a fast-action superhero hour-long series on the CW, based on the DC Comics Green Arrow series. Its pilot episode Wednesday night, October 10, scored 4 million viewers, the most for the underdog network since The Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl three years ago.

According to TV Guide, Arrow tied NBC's lame comedy lineup, Animal Practice (which I suspect will be going the way of the dogs any week now) and god-awful testosterone-desecrating Guys with Kids in total viewers during the 8 o'clock hour and in the all important 18-to-49 and 18-to-34 demos.

Come on, we all know it's all about lead actor Stephen Amell. That's the reason I tuned in, for sure. Dreamy blue eyes and a body like an iron god... yup, he's among the most handsome newbies I've seen in a good while. Intriguingly, the Canadian actor is perhaps best known for playing Adam in Season 1 of the gay vampire series Dante's Cove; as well as a role in the fourth season of queer series Queer As Folk. Amell also co-starred opposite Shirley MacLaine and Mischa Barton in the flick Closing the Ring; and appeared in some series called Rent-a-Goalie.

He also played roles in The Vampire Diaries and HBO's Hung (as a busboy-turned-prostitute). And late last year, Amell had a guest spot on New Girl with Zooey Deschanel, as well as a recurring role on ABC's medical drama Private Practice. Obviously, his leading turn in Arrow is Amell's breakout role, and an opportunity for those abs to work their way into brand name status (Men's Health cover, anyone?).

So here's the plot: As wealthy playboy Oliver Queen, the dude was shipwrecked on a deserted island for five years, and returns home with a boatload of deep dark secrets revealed by his deceased papa.

Now, as the mysterious Arrow, he is seeking to right the wrongs of his frivolous past while bringing a new world order to his home, Starling City. That means taking down one bad guy, in succession, week after week. And adding to the mirth, Oliver/Arrow has an awfully hot best pal, Tommy Merlyn, played by Colin Donnell. Man, the homoerotic tension is just gurgling away... or is that just my high hopes working overtime? Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. *