Arrow Midseason Premiere: Left Behind Official Synopsis Released

Arrow returns on January 21 and The CW has released the official synopsis for the episode, titled "Left Behind," which sees Team Arrow (as well as Thea) dealing with Oliver's "disappearance."

That's right: at no point here do they say "death," tiptoeing around the idea by using "absence" and "fearing the worst" and "something more behind Oliver's disappearance."

We'll also apparently get a look at the first bits of Ray Palmer's A.T.O.M. technology in actual use, while Laurel will take up the mantle of Black Canary in what's expected to be the first of a three-part storyline producers have referred to as the "Canary Trilogy."

Check it out below:

"Left Behind" — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-14, LV) (HDTV)

THE TEAM DEALS WITH OLIVER'S DISAPPEARANCE — In the aftermath of Oliver's (Stephen Amell) fight with Ra's al Ghul (Matt Nable), Diggle (David Ramsey) and Arsenal (Colton Haynes) continue to protect the city in the Arrow's absence. However, after three days without hearing from Oliver, they begin to fear the worst may have happened to their friend. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) refuses to believe that Oliver could be dead until Merlyn (John Barrowman) pays the team a surprise visit. Thea (Willa Holland) suspects there is something more behind Oliver's disappearance and asks Merlyn for a favor. Meanwhile, Ray (Brandon Routh) tests a part of his new suit and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) takes up the mantle of the Black Canary. Glen Winter directed the episode written by Marc Guggenheim & Erik Oleson (#310). Original airdate 1/21/2015.