Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

Arrow has to figure out its plot, but at least the relationship between characters are shining out. The problem with the overcrowded cast was the progression. Sometimes, the show would pit characters against each other more than seeing how they’d get along. This is not the case with Felicity and Laurel Lance Earth-2 / Black Siren. Their friendship is earned, and how Laurel is the first one to learn about the pregnancy feels earned rather than forced.

These two are officially friends, and even the morals have shifted between them.

Laurel being the one to talk down Felicity from killing Ricardo Diaz is a great example on the tight bond between the women. It makes me think Laurel’s going to become the “cool aunt” to Felicity’s daughter… We actually don’t know if Black Siren makes it to the flash forward story, but I can see it happening based on how well they get along.

In the flash forward, William is shocked to learn Oliver and Felicity had another kid. This is interesting because in the present, Oliver is seen calling his son but getting no responses. Those grandparents must’ve cut them off without William’s knowledge. Hopefully, we get more answers on this.

The series is due for a time jump soon. I am getting more interested in the flash forward story than the present day, but the latter did get a nice reveal in: Emiko Queen is working with Dante, the guy ARGUS went after. Apparently, Dante is more dangerous than Ricardo Diaz and has the Longbow Hunters at his disposal too.

Guess that means Emiko Queen is a member of the Longbow Hunters? Please let her become one of them. That’ll add excitement, tension, and a reason to bring back those three assassins.

Oliver Queen and John Diggle showed a lot of growth in this episode too. This is the best part of the episode because it’s a reminder that the heart of the show should be the Original Team Arrow. It isn’t anymore, but the secret they carried about Felicity being pregnant and then keeping their daughter a secret from their friends seems promising.

Also, John earned Felicity’s trust back, and he took the fall for his wife at ARGUS, ruining his career to ensure she stayed the Director. This gave him redemption for not putting his friends first, and a good reason to put him back on Team Arrow as second-in-command. Hopefully, Diggle doesn’t bring up the past issues he had with Oliver taking charge all the time. Or maybe he will?

Let’s talk about Connor Hawke, adoptive son of John Diggle. I’m confused. Does this mean he’s not John Diggle Jr. anymore? What’s going on there?

Suicide Squad / Ghost Initiative story carried the most weight because it’s also a reminder on how Arrow almost launched a spin-off on this task force. Ricardo Diaz, Joe Wilson, China White, and Cupid maintained a good villain dynamic, but alas, Diaz has overstayed his welcome. Let’s light him on fire, hopefully he dies, and then the rest of the season can be: Who killed Ricardo Diaz? And why do we care?

Overall, the episode had uneven moments, but it succeeded in finally getting Diaz out without compromising any of the characters’ morals.

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