'Arrow' season 7 plot: From Oliver's crisis to a ghost from the past, 3 shocking revelations

In a little over two weeks, 'Arrow' will be back on The CW with season 7 and some brand new threats, villains, and crisis. But minus the Star City vigilante, who had been locked up in a maximum-security metahuman penitentiary, following the dramatic turn of events in the last season.

Confined to the limits of the Slabside Maximum Security Prison, however, Oliver Queen will be fighting a different kind of battle - one that involves him not getting into trouble. However, if the latest trailer and photo teasers are any proof, it's going to be one tough challenge for the DC superhero. After all, he is locked in the same prison as the bunch of hardened criminals whom Arrow himself put behind bars. 

Does this mean Oliver will spend the entire season behind bars? And what happens to Felicity and the rest of the team in his absence? Shedding light on these questions, the CW has recently released an official synopsis for season 7, which for your convenience we have broken down into these five shocking takeaways:

1. Oliver is up for some pretty dark s**t 

 

It is definitely not going to be a happy time at prison Slabside for businessman-turned-vigilante Oliver Queen in the upcoming season of 'Arrow.' His current state is of his own doing. After failing to save the Star City in season 6, Oliver took a drastic decision to cut a deal with the FBI, sacrificing his freedom in exchange for the safety of his friends and family. 

But here's the catch. Oliver is not off to an exotic holiday. It's prison time, which means that the character - brought to life for the past six seasons by Stephen Amell - might have to take down some rogue ones during his stay in the prison. Especially those who might have previously crossed path with the Arrow. If anything, the season 7 premiere is going to begin in a dark place. 

As Amell teased, "one scene in the premiere, what Oliver does is reprehensible. There's nothing about him that is heroic at all [in the episode]."

2. There might be a new superhero crew in town

 

Season 7 will be stirring up some ripples for sure. With Oliver gone, Star City is in the dire need of a replacement vigilante, or at least a substitute team of superheroes who could keep crime at bay. But who is worthy enough to take over the mantle? From the sound of the synopsis, it's pretty evident that neither Diggle (David Ramsey) nor Dinah (Juliana Harkavy) would be volunteering for the role. 

This leaves the opportunity open for a younger and fresher team, perhaps Curtis and Rene can continue to don their suits. Whether or not they take up the vigilantism, a new Green Arrow (but more like a teasing imposter) is definitely going to make an appearance in season 7. 

3.  Face-to-face with a ghost from Felicity's dark past

 

It's safe to say that Felicity has quite a few skeletons in her closet. Even in the past, it has been amply suggested how this IT genius has a history with the evil and crooked. For example in season 6, when viewers were introduced to the mysterious hacker group called Helix in the wake of Felicity's personal tragedies, including the murder of her boyfriend Billy. 

Around the same time, the on-again and off-again girlfriend of Oliver had also embarked on a relentless quest to exonerate her imprisoned ally, John Diggle.

Moving into season 7, however, Felicity would once again be put in such dubious situations as she comes face to face with a ghost from her past, requiring her to make complicated decisions - something that 'Arrow' fans have almost grown used to over the duration of the series. 

 

'Arrow' returns on the CW on Monday, October 15 at 8 pm. Read the official synopsis for season 7 below:

"LOCKED UP — Following Oliver’s (Stephen Amell) shocking decision to turn himself over to the FBI and reveal his identity as the Green Arrow to the public, Oliver has spent the past five months in Slabside Maximum Security Prison. Determined to keep a low profile to shorten his sentence for the sake of his family, Oliver is tested when he runs into old foes. Meanwhile, Diggle (David Ramsey) and Dinah (Juliana Harkavy) have taken on new jobs and left their costumes behind but not everyone is following suit. With her focus on William (guest star Jack Moore), Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) tries to start over but when someone from her past resurfaces, things become complicated."