Thoughts While Mending (606 and 607---Olicity At Their Finest.)
So here I am, recovering from back surgery. It is an old injury come back to haunt me. I am down for a least a couple months, having found sanctuary in Simi Valley with an old friend. I parked my RV in his driveway and am on the mend.
As a result of this, I missed talking about last week’s episode---Promises Kept. I’m guessing, as many folks have echoed, that Slade Wilson disappearing in that smoke/ steam as he walked away from Oliver is the last we’ll see of the man. It seemed to me that the writers could have done better with Slade’s story. Personally, the character of Slade Wilson was such a great one when I first met him on Lian Yu. His influence in Oliver’s life was, and I guess still is, defining. Whatever happens to him in the future, I will miss the enjoyment he gave me watching in those early days. (Still not okay with him getting a second chance after his killing of Moira, though, drug influenced or not.) It was the killing shot to his character, and when that sword plunged through her chest…I thought there would be no coming back from that. Oliver (and Thea) will forever see Slade as the man who took away the last fragments of their normal lives and put both of them on a path towards redemption and closure, as tragedy often does in one’s life.
I do, however, have warm fuzzys over the Olicity scene at the end, when Oliver comes home after his reluctant departure from his family. And yes, after watching Felicity and William playing that video game (as it was when Oliver played videos with his son a few episodes ago) I saw the genesis of the Queen Family. When Oliver walked into his apartment and saw the loves of his life together, I had a big grin on my face. He hugging William and telling him it was allowed gave me all kinds of family feels. When William brought Oliver up to speed on what was going on while he was away, especially throwing Felicity under the bus for giving him ice cream for dinner---I couldn’t help feeling that Oliver and William (and Felicity too) had all three stepped through the door towards their happy endings. Oliver wanting to see his son’s science project, and the wonderful moment when he and Felicity broke from their kiss to share in the excitement of the boy’s inclusion into both of their lives---well, it was inevitable. Felicity was not about to leave them after she got John’s text. I love the cinematic fade out back to the rain soaked window as they bounced up to the roof to see the rocket launch. Good stuff.
Thanksgiving (607). It was an okay episode. Once again, we got some really good Olicity scenes. AND THEA IS BACK! And about time too. It has been a waste of her character, and of Willa, keeping her in that coma for seven episodes, with nary a visit to her bedside. But at that bedside gathering, with Thanksgiving food spread out before her---the Queen Family was well represented.
William seemed more settled into his new life, with his new family. Auntie Thea, Diggle, Step-mom and his Dad---it was great to see them all realizing that no matter what comes at them, they have that family to gain strength from, to know that the power of their history together will keep them in the fight for the values all of them have given a part of their souls to obtain.
Felicity bailing Oliver out of jail with her start-up money was (at least it felt too me) a saving grace. She was and is willing to make sacrifices for the man she loves. Sometimes personal goals and dreams can take a backseat to the importance of self-identity. Felicity has learned that over the last five years---through Oliver and his own sacrifices. I was reminded of that scene in 519 when she told Oliver he didn’t have to carry his burdens alone any longer. She wanted to give him what he gave her all those years together---safety and support and a chance to save the day.
Back to that scene in Thea’s room. As OTA and William gathered, Oliver and Felicity gave us a beautiful shot of them holding onto to each other, as if all they had gone through, separately and together, was the impetus of their pain and suffering. It was comfortable and normal and endgame.
So, next week---just a couple days away, they are going to plunge into one more challenge as they face off against…Nazi’s? Whatever. The culmination of all of Olicity’s trials and tribulations will come together and their happiness will be solidified by two empowering and encompassing words---I do. They will not need to look back on what brought them here. There will be no more separation, no more contrived angst and pain and drama. There will only be the future of their lives together. When both of their inner lights merge into one---it will be a shine for the ages.
I don’t know how much farther they can go to find true happiness. I think they have already gotten there. And maybe what the writers will try to convey to us is that having the backs of the ones most important to you, to love and triumph over evil because of that love---well, that is really what being a superhero is about.
This has always been a strong ship. And now there are no more storms that can blow it off course, or even sink it. Oliver and Felicity and Team Arrow (okay, I guess I have to include William as part of that Team now) had found their footing and will be standing strong.
Isn’t that what all of us have wanted for five long years?
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