The pilot episode of The CW’s new Arrow series, based on DC Comics’ Green Arrow character, just finished airing on the East Coast. Did you watch? Tell us your reactions!

Arrow stars Stephen Amell as billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, a.k.a. Green Arrow. Among the new series’ cast are a few familiar CW faces — Willa Holland (Gossip Girl, The O.C.) and Katie Cassidy (Gossip Girl, Melrose Place) — plus actors Colin Donnell (Pan Am), Susanna Thompson (Cold Case), and David Ramsey (Dexter). John Barrowman, of Doctor Who and Torchwood fame, will also be joining the cast of Arrow this season, as a mysterious, wealthy man who is a friend of the Queen family and a prominent member of society.

The first episode acquainted CW viewers with Oliver Queen, who was missing and presumed dead after a shipwreck. He returned home to Starling City five years later, much more skilled in survival and ready to reconnect with the friends and family from his past. He creates the Arrow persona as a way to atone for crimes committed by society and his own family, soon becoming a bow and arrow-wielding vigilante.

CW’s new Arrow bears little resemblance to the same character, played by Justin Hartley, that appeared in several seasons of their now-cancelled Smallville series. In fact, the “Green” part of Amell’s Green Arrow has been dropped altogether — he is simply Arrow.

What did you think of the Arrow pilot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Official episode synopsis for episode 1×02, “Honor Thy Father,” guest starring Kelly Hu as China White (beware of spoilers):

Oliver heads to the courthouse to get his death certificate repealed and is pleasantly surprised to run into Laurel, who is there prosecuting Martin Somers, a criminal with ties to the Chinese Triad. Oliver recognizes Martin’s name from his father’s book and sets his sights on taking him down. Martin orders the Triad to “take care of” Laurel so they send their top mercenary — China White — after her, an act that culminates in a battle between Arrow and China White. Meanwhile, Moira and Walter ask Oliver to take over the company.

Next week’s episode, “Honor Thy Father,” airs October 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Will you be tuning in?