Isn't interesting that KC was noticeably absent during SDCC? If the upcoming redemption for BS and vengeance for Quentin aren't something talked about at sdcc, could it be that BS/LL 2.0 aren't going to be relevant storylines going forward?? Or is it just wishful thinking that KC might be leaving the show, 2 years since her character was killed off?
Anon asked: Hello Jen just saw the s7 sizzle reel and confused and a bit annoyed that the writers are dragging along another season with BS. It seems she is still pretending to be LL and in what seems to be 1summer has gotten a law degree. So how do you think this redemption arc is going to work? BS is seeking absolution as someone else? Makes no sense. The one character that connects her to the narrative is dead, now she’s seeking vengeance for QL. How they twist the plot to fit BS? What’s ur take on this?
Anon asked: Hello Jen - Big fan of your blog and all your insights. I just read that they’re bring back KC as a regular next season. Why is it harder to get rid of L*rel/not L*rel from Arrow than getting gum off one’s shoe? I still love Olicity but after the loss of Thea and Lance, I’m definitely not too excited for next season. Your thoughts?
Uhhh… when was the last time KC’s character was relevant? When she died?
I don’t know the reason for KC’s absence, something about family commitments. I don’t think it’s a tip off that she’s leaving the show like it was at SDCC 2015. The lack of discussion around her character says to me she’ll have as much relevancy as she’s ever had, which ain’t much.
If the season theme is redemption then I’m sure BS will be trying to redeem herself to honor Quentin’s sacrifice (still so much ridiculousness). Quentin died for BS because he wanted to die for his L*urel, but couldn’t.
What the man really needed was copious amounts of therapy, but what’s done is done. Arrow killed off the one character BS shared the most screen time with so I anticipate she’ll be playing a smaller role because of it. I’ve been wrong before, but time will tell.
Do I think it makes sense for BS to stick around and pretend to be LL? No. Quentin was her last “familial” connection in Star City and it was tenuous at best. I’d prefer to see BS on Legends and watch Sara grapple with the woman who wears her sister’s face, but is nothing like her. I’m sure I’m in the minority though.
I think the BS redemption will be a cycle of ups and downs. Sometimes she’ll be the better person and sometimes she won’t. The only real interesting element to the character is that she is evil - that she’s not Laurel.
So, I think it would be a mistake for the show to ignore that completely and I don’t believe they will. From my perspective BS is the new Malcolm Merlyn. Merlyn always promised he changed, and every so often even did the right thing, but more often the character was working an angle that benefited him. And Oliver Queen never trusted Malcolm Merlyn.
Beth did say a little something about Bl*ck S*ren’s storyline at SDCC:
“The demise of her father’s Earth-1 counterpart is a huge story point moving forward. She will try to live up to the L*urel L*nce legacy to make him proud. But her alter ego, Bl*ck S*ren, has her craving vengeance.”
Source: @legends-of-today
The real question for me is where does BS start the season? If she’s been on the straight and narrow for the last five months, pretending to be LL, then she’s starting out high. The pendulum will swing the other way. So, her arc could be trying to be a better person, but ultimately failing by season’s end. Just because the season’s theme is redemption doesn’t mean everyone will achieve it. This would be the more interesting route to me because it keeps the evil angle in play.
Look at it this way - what happens if Arrow fully redeems Bl*ck Sir*n? Her character arc is over the same way LL’s was over once she became Bl*ck C*nary. The writers are right back where they started, which is why they killed her off in the first place.
So, this redemptive tug of war is one of the few storylines that keeps Bl*ck Sir*n interesting. Possibly.
Quite frankly, I was woefully disappointed in her character arc in S6. We started off with a bang in Season 5, but ended in a whimper. The writers relegated a powerful meta human to a damsel in distress. Bl*ck Sir*n was a ping pong ball Lance and Diaz batted between them. It was bizarre.
And let’s keep in mind Bl*ck Sir*n’s need for revenge is a primary reason Diaz is free. She screwed up Oliver’s plan something big, so now his family is in witness protection while he sits in prison absolutely powerless to protect them.
BS isn’t winning any popularity contests with Team Arrow, no matter how many law books she crams or nice suits she wears. She’s an uncontrollable element, an X factor. That’s the only way she adds drama to the show. Remove that and there’s not much else.
Also, if you are expecting her ability to practice law to make sense may I remind you the writers thought LL was ready to fight crime after a couple boxing lessons. After they completely erased LL’s self defense classes, of course. Don’t try to make sense of it. Logic doesn’t apply to any version of this character.
Of course, my investment in Bl*ck Sir*n is biased because I am thoroughly apathetic about the character, just like I was with LL by the end. I own that. But let’s address what the LL fans really want. They want Bl*ck S*ren to be redeemed and become LL 2.0, take back the mantle of Bl*ck C*nary, and be in a romantic relationship with Oliver.
1) Bl*ck S*renwill never be L*urel L*nce because she is a different character.
She comes from a different world with an entirely different life experience. I’m not just saying this because it’s a LL doppelganger. If another Roy from a different earth arrives in Star City would we say that’s our Roy? OF COURSE NOT. Our Roy is off living his happily ever after with Thea wiping out Lazarus Pits. Is Nazis Oliver the same as our Oliver? NOOOOO!
BS is a different character because it’s a different character. Anyone who cannot accept that can’t accept logic.
2) Bl*ck S*ren will never be Bl*ck C&nary because Arrow already has a new Bl*ck C*nary (Dinah Drake). PIPE DREAM.
3) Forget all that for a second. Let’s say Bl*ck S*ren becomes this unattainable 2.0 version of LL as KC fans desire. Let’s say she takes back the Bl*ck C*nary mantle. Oliver Queen wouldn’t touch BS with a ten foot pole. He wouldn’t touch L*urel with a ten foot pole by the time she died.
That’s just fact. If you need additional reassurance then the writers have said many times Bl*ck S*renand Oliver Queen are never going to happen. Oliver’s endgame is and will always be Felicity Smoak.
So what’s the real impact to a BS redemption story? Not much. It’s the same equivalent of giving L*urel the motorcycle or whatever other crumbs they tossed her fans. Give it to them. Or don’t. It doesn’t really matter either way.
Arrow killing off L*urel was one of their ballsier moves, and yes it’s disappointing to see them circumvent it with this doppelganger nonsense. It lessens the impact of death which was one of the many reasons they killed LL. They needed to raise the stakes for the superheroes and show the audience they can die.
Do I think Arrow will kill off KC’s character again? No. I don’t. The writers say they have new ways to utilize the actress with this different character. I think that’s partially true. I also think KC has nine lives and a hell of a team of lawyers.
But the truth is she will never be the female lead again.
BS will continue to be a supporting character like the newbies. And, like the newbies, function best in a B (or C) storyline that ultimately supports the leads - Oliver, Felicity and Diggle.
I know there are many who are frustrated BS is still around. I know any version of this character drives you up the wall. If there are those who enjoy the character then great! For those who don’t, you can always fast forward. But her impact is null and void for me. Would it be better if her screen time went to other characters? Absolutely, but I’m not wasting my energy stressing about it. My apathy is a peaceful place.
The upside for me is the writers are never shy about directing snark at BS, which gives me a free pass to be equally as snarky in my reviews. And that’s nifty.
Arrow has targeted original cast member Katie Cassidy for another encore — but this time as a series regular, for Season 6.
Oh yes. I heard.
So let’s talk about it.
What do I think? Well... I’m not thrilled that’s for sure.
I am perfectly happy without any version of Laurel on Arrow. I believe the show is better without her, but L*urel is still dead.
L*urel is the character I had problems with. L*urel is the one I reached a deep level of apathy toward. They aren’t resurrecting her (thanks be to Jesus), so I am grateful for this small bit of silver lining.
Unpopular opinion: I didn’t hate Bl*ck S*ren.
I’m not going to pretend KC is on my nifty top 50 list of favorite actresses and she probably will never be. I’m diametrically opposed to basically everything she’s ever said about Arrow and the characters. However, I did enjoy her performance as Bl*ck S*ren. Weirdly enough, we were talking about KC at HVFF as we waited in line for food. We discussed how most of the roles we liked her in she played a villain (Melrose Place, Supernatural, etc). I said those are the kinds of roles she should go after. So, if they have to bring her back then I’m glad it’s as Bl*ck S*ren. But let’s keep her as a villain. I’d prefer if they avoided any redemption arcs. Let KC play to her strengths.
Let’s talk “series regular.” That, my friends, is a broad term.
Technically, KC was a series regular THIS season. How many times have we seen her thus far? Three. Her contract was supposed to include all DC shows. She has yet to show up on The Flash and I think she’s filmed one scene for Legends. John Barrowman is a series regular as well. You don’t have to be in every episode to be considered a series regular. Since Katie is playing a villain I find it highly unlikely she’ll be in every episode. Will we get a handful? You bet. Can I survive it? Sure. I did this year. I may even hold out hope I’ll enjoy BS’s appearances, but time will tell.
I believe Marc confirmed that D&nah Dr&ke is staying put, which is nice because I really have enjoyed her. Although, I have to agree with those tweeting out images from The Birds. #whereisthelie We are reaching max capacity on versions of Canaries. Maybe there’s a tax deduction they can take. Is there a Canary group rate?
Stephen confirmed Emily isn’t going anywhere (not that we were worried, but still nice to say).
But... why?
This is where things get muddy. Why are they bringing KC back? Well... I have three ideas.
1. They really like Bl*ck S*ren and have more story to tell.
2. Ratings
3. Behind the scenes shenanigans we don’t know about.
They could be doing this because of the ratings decline. The problem is... we don’t know why someone watches a television show. Nielsen ratings are an archaic system and it sure as hell can’t tell us that. Also, Arrow isn’t the first established show to take a ratings dive. That hardly ruffles the CW network’s feathers, primarily because they have an entirely different business model that focuses more on back end & international sales. As Stephen said, live ratings account for about 5% of Arrow’s overall total value. That’s not a number worth losing sleep over. While Arrow’s live ratings drop is significant, it’s certainly not in the CW’s “danger zone” either.
One way to look at this is, Arrow is reuniting Olicity and bringing back Katie in some capacity. Each fandom gets something they want. The problem is, I believe we were working our way to an Olicity reunion regardless of ratings. Olicity was going to get back together at the end of the season whether we were at a 1.0 or a 0.3. I don’t think ratings impacted the timing at all. You don’t have to like the journey there, but this was always the season long plan. So, I’m not entirely convinced ratings sent Arrow scrambling after KC either.
But sure... maybe?
As for #3 that means knowing about behind the scenes shenanigans that I don’t know about (and probably never will). Maybe someday there will be an Arrow E! True Hollywood Story. Who knows? Feel free to Nancy Drew this one if you are so inclined.
It would be wonderful if it’s #1 because that means Arrow will be invested in the storyline and they always tell better stories when they are. We’ve seen the mess it leaves when they aren’t invested.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any definite answers for you. It could be any one of the three. None of the three. Some combination of any of the three.
Which leaves me at a big old “meh.”
I’m not thrilled it emboldens those in the LL fandom who send death threats, make misogynistic comments, message hateful & threatening comments via any social media platform. This teaches them that behavior works. Although, the same can be said for the Olicity reunion emboldening Olicity fans who do the same thing (if there are some). I suppose no fandom is entirely innocent. That said, I’ve already received multiple hateful tweets, so it’s like the good old days again.
The good news is, these people never impacted my viewing experience before and they won’t now. It’s more or less like a gnat you have to keep swatting away.
This feels like more same crumbs Arrow always doles out to the LL fandom. I envision BS having as much impact to the plot as she did this year, which was very little. Although, if we get more scenes like this:
I could be a very happy camper.
At the end of the day, the aspects I truly care about on this show (Olicity, Oliver’s hero’s journey, OTA, Felicity & Diggle’s individual arcs, Thea Queen) are moving in the right direction. Well... except for Thea. I need more Thea. So, if the LL fandom can find joy in the eps KC appears in, while watching Olicity have sex, get married and make babies, then I suppose I can deal too.
But please, for the love of Zeus, do not worry even for one second that Bl*ck S*ren will, in any way, be a threat to Felicity’s or Olicity’s storyline. I raised you better than that.
And for those LL fans who INSIST this means there will be a GA/BC romance once again well... you do you. Sometimes the need to go down with the ship is strong. I’ve offered a life raft now and then, but at the end of the day, you gotta save yourself.
I think there’s a lot to look forward to in these final episodes and Season 6, so this in no way dampers my excitement for the remaining season. Right now, BS is a blip on the radar for me, which is where I’ve been at with any character KC has played on Arrow. So, not all that much has changed. What would be nice is if Arrow achieves with BS what they achieved with D*nah Dr*ke - they write a character I enjoy. Upside? My snark filled LL sections in the reviews can make a glorious comeback with triple the amount of snark, because VILLAIN.
What's your opinion on Marc acting nicer/almost positive towards fans asking about romantic L/auriver? I don't think it's time for people to start panicking but I have seen a change in how he's interacting with those fans than how he did in s4. He seems to be almsot encouraging and teasing that romantic l/auriver could happen while answering his messages on Tumblr.
My impression of Marc’s Q&As on Tumblr are if the question is asked nicely he responds nicely. If they are insulting or mean, he’s either snarky or dissmissive. Neither of which I have a problem with.
I know what ask you are referring to. I am too lazy to look it up though. The person who asked was extremely polite, so Marc was kind. However, I don’t think he was encouraging. He just told them to watch the show (and then they will see that the answer is no). Marc has been extremely blunt about L*uriver with fans, including yours truly. He’s said multiple times both publicly and privately that KC and Stephen have zero chemistry. He emphatically stated that Bl*ck S*ren and Oliver is NEVER going to happen. So... there’s nothing to worry about. If he was nice or more gentle with a hopeful L&uriver fan then I don’t think that’s the end of the world. They are fans too. Marc is a nice guy. He doesn’t have to be a dick to them for L*uriver to be done.
The Shift Begins: Arrow 5x10 Review (Who Are You?)
Wow. I mean... WOW. "Who Are You" was an amazing episode.
Probably my favorite of the season. I liked it even more than 5x08 and I LOVED 5x08. It had unbelievably tight pacing, great action, strong (and necessary) character development, wall to wall Olicity and fabulous subtle LL shade. It integrated the new characters almost seamlessly too.
Y'all... I even liked Wild Dog.
But best of all? The shift has started for Oliver and Felicity.
Let's dig in...
Olicity (and Bl*ck S*ren)
Storytelling is never an easy journey, especially in television. It is a long, arduous, sometimes infuriating, and at times boring, process. It can also be exhilarating and heart wrenching. Our emotions fluctuate as does our investment. Watching a television show as it airs, with a 23 episode season, is full of ups and down. There will be good episodes. There will be bad episodes. It's a roller coaster ride.
But every once and awhile there's that fantastic episode. The one that shines above all the rest. The loopty loop. The diamond in the rough so to speak. The episode that makes all the patience worth it.
"Who Are You" is that kind of episode. There's a significant amount of pay off from the set up of the beginning of Season 5, but also for those of us who've been religiously watching for five years. The shift in Oliver and Felicity's dynamic started tonight and it's launching them in an entirely new trajectory. And it's exactly where we need to go.
"Laurel's" return isn't really all that much about Laurel. I mean... it IS, but I've always said that as long as they bring KC back for specific ways, this guest contract can be extremely effective. As irritated as I was at how quickly Arrow brought KC back after we JUST said goodbye to Laurel, this was an effective use. It highlighted the emotional shift between Oliver and Felicity, by examining their vastly different perspectives on what Laurel's return means. It's not even about Laurel. This is about world view.
For Oliver, it's a miracle. Listen, as cover stories go, Bl*ck S*ren's was a spectacularly bad one. Sure the "time travel" excuse works, especially when you throw in Sara and the Wave Rider, but once you dig into the details a bit it makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.
Details Felicity rapidly picked up on and Oliver was blind to.
For Felicity, it was too good to be true, so she was suspicious. It was too good to be true for Oliver, but rather than be his pessimistic, distrustful self, he just embraced it full on. It wasn't just that Oliver believed Laurel was a miracle. He needed her to be one.
Whereas for Felicity, we can finally see the events of the last four years finally taking a toll on her. She's sees the darker underbelly of this supposed "miracle" because history has taught her that when something is too good to be true on Arrow... it normally is.
Felicity: After the past four years it's hard for me to accept good news.
But the fact that Oliver is essentially throwing caution to the wind, ignoring all signs, and embracing the freaking rainbows, is such a freaking massive character shift, it's almost mind boggling. This is the Oliver Queen version of Rainbow Brite.
It's also a massive character shift for Felicity to be the one who is not hopeful. To be the one who is suspicious and distrustful.
So, it's strange when it's Felicity who wants to throw the party celebrating Laurel's return. Have you ever seen a less enthusiastic party? Nobody wants to celebrate Laurel's return.
Of course, Felicity isn't celebrating Laurel's return. She's getting her Nancy Drew on with an elaborate ruse in the form of a “Welcome home Laurel” party.
She's using the party to analyze "Laurel" more and then, literally analyze her, by using her glass for a DNA analysis. Did you notice that "Laurel" almost reached for the glass of champagne instead of the glass of water? Somebody forgot to do their homework! Tsk tsk.
To Bl*ck S*ren’s credit, she figures out Felicity’s on to her almost as as quickly as Felicity figures it out.
You pretended to be Laurel for a hot minute Bl*ck S*ren. Slow your roll. Although, maybe a minute was long enough.
Of course, Oliver shows up just as Bl*ck S*ren is attacking Felicity and Rory.
HE RUNS TO FELICITY'S SIDE.
Oliver needs to know she's safe; to know that she's not hurt. He uses his special “hey.”
Like he’s done so many times before...
Felicity reassures Oliver, but
He can't even take his eyes off of her. Felicity is his only concern.
Words are never enough for Oliver in these situations. He needs to touch Felicity. He needs to feel her. The physical connection is the only way Oliver can reassure himself. Oliver has done this again
and again
and again
and again
and again
and again
This is no different. As much as some things change... some things never do.
They grip each other's forearms, as Oliver holds Felicity steady, but he doesn't help her stand up. In point of fact, there's absolutely no reason for the two of them to be holding onto each other so tightly and for so long other than ALL THE FEELINGS. And, once again, Olicity is surrounded in green light. The ever present, unbreakable connection. For Oliver to feel, in her bones, that she is safe. It's his tether. The same tether Oliver needs. The same tether he will always need.
These two wreck me.
After a nasty run in with Prometheus, Bl*ck S*ren reaches out to Oliver and the team arranges a meet by that god awful statue.
Don't worry, it's on its last legs.
This when we see the shift in Oliver and Felicity clash.
Honestly, his crabby voice is even hotter when he’s crabby with Felicity.
Oliver is trusting Bl*ck S*ren. He believes she can offer intel and he tells the team NOT to move on her. Felicity argues with him, but Oliver holds firm. Felicity pretends to agree, but then she switches "the boys" (there's no limit to how much I love that Felicity called them that) to a separate channel. In one of the best lines of the episode, Felicity tells the boys to "light her up."
Commence the fist pumping.
My parents have had similar arguments, with my mother issuing orders that differ from my father's to me and my two sisters. So, Oliver and Felicity are Mom and Dad of Team Arrow, and "the boys" are trial run triplets. Come fight me.
But you know what my sisters and I did? We listened to our mom. And that's exactly what Curts, Rene and Rory are going to do. Where Mama goes so goes your nation.
Of course, the team jumps the literal gun and spooks Bl*ck S*ren, prompting her to unleash her sonic scream and, in the process, DESTROYS LAUREL'S STATUE. This calls for the Numfar Dance of Joy.
Goodbye statue. We knew thee for a short time and yet we shall not miss thee.
Loyal little children that they are, Curtis, Rory and Rene try to cover for Felicity, but she comes clean with Oliver. She gave them the order to go. What I love about this is Felicity's isn't sorry about what she did. She firmly believes she was right.
QUEEN.
This is the start of that split in tactics we've been hearing about. Felicity liked that the team listened to HER. They followed HER orders. They used HER tactics. When Oliver wouldn't listen and do things Felicity's way, she ploughed right through him. This is very S1-S3 Oliver Queen esque behavior. It strongly points to Felicity setting up her own team to go after Prometheus once she grows tired of Oliver's opposition to her tactics and his approach.
And this is all about approach. Felicity doesn't trust Bl*ck S*ren and, while Oliver recognizes there's good reason not to trust her, he can't let go of the hope that there's a piece of goodness in Bl*ck S*ren. That there's a piece of Laurel in her.
Felicity believes Oliver has blinders on. Is Felicity right? Yes. But oh... isn't it wonderful to see him so doggedly optimistic? So blindly and stupidly hopeful. That's what heroes do. That's who heroes are. And that's the question Arrow is really asking.
It's the question Oliver asked Bl*ck S*ren, but it's really the question he is asking himself. It's the question Diggle and Felicity are asking themselves as well. We decide, every day, who we are, with every choice we make. Our souls, are simply a reflection of the circumstances we are presented, the choices we make and the consequences of those choices. Which then lead to more circumstances and more choices. And so on and so on and so on and before you know it, you've built a lifetime of choices. And in their wake is the legacy you leave.
Oliver believes if you change the circumstances, you are giving someone the chance to choose again. He wants to give Bl*ck S*ren love, trust, compassion and hope because maybe she hasn't been given those things before. Maybe that's the shift that will make all the difference for Bl*ck S*ren to choose again, and be someone else. It's certainly something Oliver has felt in his own life. It's the gift Diggle and Felicity gave him and Oliver is trying to pay it forward. It's the question that haunts him, especially in light of Prometheus and Billy, because it is Oliver's choices that led to the creation of Prometheus. He believes it led to Billy's death. If Oliver could just change the circumstances... would he do it all differently? He's offering Bl*ck S*ren the redemption he so desperately craves. Not just for Laurel's death, but for every mistake he's ever made.
Oliver, Felicity and Diggle have all chosen to be heroes, but now it's about choosing what kind of hero they are going to be. Every season, Oliver misses a piece to his evolution to the Green Arrow. This time, this season, he's finally starting to see the whole picture.
And for Felicity as well. This is not just about Billy. He was just the last straw in a house made of straw. She has suffered so much. She has endured so much pain and loss. Felicity has always taken the higher road. She's always been the believer, but she's really asking herself, "Where has all that belief gotten me?" Felicity is tired of losing. She is tired of hurting. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. So, Felicity is adapting. She's going to fight fire with fire this time and maybe it'll yield a different result. Maybe this will make the pain go away.
Felicity works out some major rage, by beating the crap out of punching bag. Oliver comes in and ever so softly, in that gentle voice reserved only for her, tells her to extend her wrist. Y'all he just gave her a training tip. And that sweet little smile he gives, scrunching up his nose, when Felicity says “Ow” because he can’t handle her adorableness? Fabulous. IS THIS REAL LIFE?
Felicity can't even stand to hear Oliver use "Laurel's" name. Bl*ck S*ren isn't Laurel. She's a bad guy and she's thrown in with the Big Bad. Felicity isn't interested second chances. She doesn't want to hear about how Oliver is trying to save Bl*ck S*ren . She's using Oliver just like Prometheus did. Felicity wants Oliver to stop Bl*ck S*ren before anyone else gets hurt... before he gets hurt.
But Oliver pushes back just as hard. If there's anything the past five years has taught Oliver, there is so much in this world he doesn't understand. Instead of closing himself off to that, Oliver is trying to expand his world view. He's trying to be more accepting, more understanding, more compassionate. He needs to reach Bl*ck S*ren because once upon a time, not so long ago, someone came along and reached for Oliver.
Someone changed Oliver's circumstances.
Someone gave Oliver a second chance at life.
Felicity.
(And Diggle too). But what's so heartbreaking about this scene, is that Oliver is still Oliver. He can be obtuse, oblivious to the what's right in front of him. As he waxes poetic about changing Bl*ck S*ren's circumstances, he fails to recognize that Felicity's circumstances have changed to. And those circumstances are changing Felicity.
Felicity: You think you can save her?
Bl*ck S*ren is just a symptom of a much larger problem that is brewing between Oliver and Felicity. This shift in dynamic has a purpose.
This line is an important callback to the same line Helena said to LL in Season 2 when she was facing her island. Eventually, every character on Arrow goes to the Island. Every character lets the darkness in, because we all have a dark side. That’s just being human. Felicity is the last to go to her island because of who she is. She’s the strongest among them and because of that strength was able to hold onto her light. But everyone has a breaking point and Felicity has found hers. The darkness is setting up shop. There will come a time when it will be Felicity who needs to be saved. Only, she won't want to be. Felicity won't want Oliver to reach her, or anyone else who loves her. Yet, Oliver remains doggedly determined about Bl*ck S*ren. Imagine the determination he will have for Felicity. Oliver will reach her. There won't be a choice. Not when it comes to Felicity.
But the darkness never comes out. It always stays. It will always be something Felicity has to face, understand, and overcome. Just like every character on Arrow, but most especially Oliver. The key is that she has the person who brings out the best in her. The person who harnesses her light - OLIVER. This brings another level of connection to their relationship. It’s equal emotional support... and that is one area Felicity has always done the heavy lifting. This shift is necessary.
Whooo! Both are bringing their zinger A game.
But first, we have to allow Felicity to go down this darker path. We have to allow Felicity to get lost, so she can be found. This season is all about Oliver and Felicity walking in each other's shoes. Oliver is being the light, the source of hope and belief. And Felicity... is taking matters into her own hands. She's going to protect those she loves, especially when they cannot protect themselves. Felicity lost Billy to Prometheus' deception. That deception caused Oliver incalculable guilt and pain. Felicity can't save Billy, but she will save Oliver. She will protect him, especially when Oliver cannot protect himself. Felicity will protect Oliver even though she knows he will disagree with her methods.
It's a very Oliver Queen like move. Why is it so important we walk in our partner's shoes? Why is it so important we understand their perspective on a deeper level. Because it's the catalyst to change. It ignites our compassion, our understanding... and our forgiveness.
Felicity faces off with Bl*ck S*ren, and I have to say, it's an exceptional scene. Emily Bett Rickards is bringing this unflinching, uncompromising, darkened steel to Felicity Smoak. It's fantastic and Emily is chewing up this meaty storyline. They are only going to give her more and it's only going to get better. I feel it in my gut.
Honestly, this scene with Bl*ck S*ren is straight out of fanfiction.
Although, that "taller" remark fell a little flat. Is LL taller than Felicity? Does Oliver have a height preference I was unaware of? I was so confused.
Maybe some fanfiction authors should send the Arrow writers some better zingers. They did pull their ace though, a line I am sure they have been waiting a loooong time to say.
I cackled. Arrow having the balls to make fun of their exceptionally horrible romantic backstory with L*uriver will never get old with me.
Felicity knows what's really going on with Oliver. He feels guilty over Laurel's death and Bl*ck S*ren is a shot at redemption for him. Felicity Smoak knows Oliver Queen in his bones. Yes, I know what I did there.
Bl*ck S*ren escapes and Oliver is basically WTF because they followed Cisco's specs and no one ever escapes from The Flash! Felicity levels with Oliver. Bl*ck S*ren didn't escape. She let her go.
Oliver uses his angry voice. It's super hot. The exchange goes something like this:
Felicity: Don't worry. I put nano tech in Bl*ck S*ren's water. We'll be able to track her.
Oliver: (in his hot angry voice) That's a horrible idea. WORST IDEA EVER.
Felicity: Hey buddy, you taught me how. You did the same thing with Anarky!
Oliver: Oh. (whispers) Damn it.
Awkward pause...
Oliver: (in his deep angry voice that keeps getting hotter) Can we have the room please?
It would be at this time I shouted at my television, "For hot, angry sex! SAY FOR HOT ANGRY SEX!"
He didn't say it. Damn it! The boys have to leave and Wild Dog is bummed. He wants to watch Mom and Dad fight.
HA! Sucker!!! We get to stay. Muhahaha.
But hot angry Oliver doesn't yell. He immediately softens.
Felicity does not soften, however. In fact, the gloves are off.
It is the first time Oliver is really realizing how far Felicity is willing to go to get to Prometheus.
Felicity risked her life and not only is it worrying to Oliver... it's scaring the crap out of him.
SHOTS FIRED! I didn't take this as Felicity blaming Oliver for Billy's death. It's clear that she doesn't. It is, however, a condemnation on Oliver's attempt at the moral high ground. He's killing again. Morally justified? Perhaps. Goodness knows Felicity has advocated for Oliver killing the Big Bads before and she certainly has no problem putting Prometheus in the ground now. However, Felicity doesn't believe Oliver has the right to argue the moral high ground. He's taken the darker path too. He's doing whatever is necessary and so is she.
And yes, maybe, there was a little dig in there. If Oliver was holding to his "don't kill" code then he would have never tried to kill Prometheus... and Billy would be alive. Change the circumstances... change the choice... change the result. She's uses his Bl*ck S*ren argument against him, and twists the knife a little as she does it. This is an angry, frustrated, grieving Felicity. This is Felicity in pain.
Oliver promises justice for Billy, but Felicity jumps in with yet another zinger. Felicity NEVER refers to LL as Oliver’s ex, so she is really angry. And maybe Bl*ck S*ren’s digs got to her a little.
Honest to God, I thought he was going to kiss her. The way she's inches away from Oliver, challenging him. Remember, Oliver has a thing for strong women!
Yes, they are fighting but it's been so long since she stood this close to him. It's almost like Felicity is daring him to. Oliver glances down at her lips and hesitates. Then, he takes a deep breath, almost like he's holding it, willing himself not to just lean in and...
Is it warm in here? Wowza.
This one of the reasons I didn't mind the more subtle touch with Oliver and Felicity's scenes in 5A. Sometimes, when you pull back on characters it's almost like recharging a battery. Then, when you let them loose again the chemistry is electric. It's shooting sparks on steroids.
That was this scene. This is the push/pull dynamic we've been waiting for between Oliver and Felicity. Neither of them is backing down and it is so hot. As they say, opposites attract, but what's so interesting is that they've role reversed. The believer versus the cynic. The hopeful versus the disillusioned. The light versus the dark. Yet, the role reversal still maintains their opposite corners. This is a fight Oliver and Felicity have had before... many times. Only this time they are walking in the other's shoes.
Felicity and Oliver both take a step back, retreating to their separate corners, if not to just break the physical temptation, but allow themselves a moment to regroup.
Oliver watches the video between Felicity and Bl*ck S*ren and acknowledges what we all know... Felicity Smoak knows him best.
He comes towards her again, only this isn't a confrontation. Oliver has softened. He extends an olive branch. Oliver acknowledges that Bl*ck S*ren isn't their Laurel. Their Laurel is gone and they are never going to get her back. (This is yet another big blazing sign to the LL fandom that she is gone forever). But that's why Bl*ck S*ren is so important to Oliver. He's acknowledging that Felicity is right. He failed Laurel. This is a shot at redemption for Oliver. Without Bl*ck S*ren there's no chance of that. Or is there? We'll get to that later, but right now, Oliver feels like he's failed so many he's lost without the chance to fix it. Felicity is arguing it's an illusion, but Oliver argues back it's an illusion he needs right now.
And then he just says, "Okay?"
It's soft, gentle and pleading. This isn't Oliver demanding. This is Oliver asking. This is Oliver asking Felicity to please do this... for him.
That goes both ways. If it's Oliver asking... Felicity will do it.
This is an exceptionally beautiful, heart wrenching scene, because at the core of this is Oliver and Felicity's relationship. Oliver failed Felicity on a massive level. All he wanted to do was fix it, but he couldn't. She shut the door on them forever. Oliver feels he's lost any chance of redemption with Felicity as well. Oliver needs to reach for Bl*ck S*ren because he can't with Laurel, Moira, Robert, Tommy, Shado, Billy (even Prometheus in a way)... and most especially Felicity.
OR CAN HE? The whole point of this Dark Felicity story line is to offer Oliver that chance at redemption. It will open the door both Oliver and Felicity feel is long closed. Oliver will reach for Felicity the same way he's reaching for Bl*ck S*ren, only this time it will not be an illusion of what he lost, but the real thing. When Oliver reaches for Felicity she will eventually reach back.
Oliver puts Felicity in the field because Curtis needs help with the tech that'll stop Bl*ck S*ren's scream. Felicity is helping Curtis. The world makes sense again. Also, Felicity in the field so ...
Oliver and Prometheus face off.
Prometheus informs Oliver he can either stop him or save Felicity. It's 100% ridiculous that Prometheus thinks there's a choice. Dude, you need to watch Arrow.
Take it away Damon Salvatore.
Bl*ck S*ren goes after Felicity.
Can't you hear all those horrid anti Felicity fans cheering? This line is the writers thumbing their nose at that incessant request however.
See, this is why I love Arrow. Never have I seen a show so unabashedly play favorites. Bl*ck S*ren is the bad guy. Arrow won't let the bad guy win. Hell will freeze over before Arrow lets Bl*ck S*ren, or any version of LL, kill Felicity. Hell will freeze over before Arrow ever chooses LL over Felicity. There's no choice to make with them either.
Oliver chooses Felicity because DUH. Once again, they are enveloped in green light. The tether, the connection, the impossible dream, the minute and far away, is always there.
Oliver gives Bl*ck S*ren the hard sell. Yet, even when presented with love and compassion, Bl*ck S*ren still chooses evil.
Thus, cementing her as a real and true bad guy. The force of her sonic scream blows Oliver and Felicity backwards.
Oliver grabs Felicity and she holds on for dear life.
Once they hit the ground, Oliver shields Felicity with his ENTIRE BODY.
He even covers her ears with his arms, giving absolutely no thought to his own life. He couldn't protect her from the bullets.
He couldn't protect her from Havenrock
or Billy's death.
But he will protect her from this.
THIS is the kind of Olicity stunt we know and love. Welcome back old friend.
Curtis saves the day with his tech (more on that in a bit) and no truer statement was ever made...
And because Arrow is unabashedly Team Felicity, they give us this glorious gif:
There will be no end to the reblogging of this gif. This gif gives us life.
And if you think Arrow doesn't know the underlining meaning behind this scene, trust me, they know. That's why they put it there. It's the proverbial "shove it" to all the anti Felicity fans. Also, I may only refer to Bl*ck S*ren as pumpkin from now on.
And of course, because she is a total cupcake with extra frosting, Felicity excitedly tells Oliver she listened to his training tip and kept her wrist straight.
But Arrow is not done. No sir! Oliver can't hide the pride and heart eyes. Doesn't even bother trying.
OLIVER IS US Y'ALL! I mean, we always knew he was Team Felicity, on account of him choosing Felicity over Laurel every chance he got, but I thoroughly enjoy a little anti Bl*ck S*ren shade coming from him after we've heard him wax poetic about her for the last 40 minutes.
And then... Felicity and Oliver find a peaceful truce. They haven't resolved their issues at all. In fact, they are just ramping up. However, Felicity concedes that what she did was reckless and put the guards' life at risk. Oliver acknowledges that her plan worked. They almost got Prometheus.
See, this is why when Arrow finally pulls the trigger on an Olicity that stays together it will work wonderfully. There is enough "drama" between these two characters just based on their personalities and approaches to life. The push/pull dynamic is where the heat comes from. You can have Olicity fight and face drama without constantly keeping them apart. What's beautiful about them is even when they disagree, they have each other's backs. They are a team. And they will always find their way back to one another.
Felicity is sorry about Laurel.
Oliver is sorry about Billy.
The love in her voice fills the bunker. We can actually see Oliver’s heart stop.
Just stop fighting it y’all.
Oliver tells Felicity that "Laurel" isn't back in Central City. He's moved her to ARGUS lock up. He's keeping her close, because he still hasn't given up hope that he can reach her.
Between The Wars by Allman Brown
Between the wars we dance
Between the wars we left
Don't wake me yet
We're still what's left
Hasn't happened, hasn't happened yet
Between the wars we stay
Fading echoes spin away
Lost in memories, in memories
We're still what's left
Hasn't happened, hasn't happened yet
It's important that Felicity asked specifically about "Laurel." Note, she doesn't use the name Bl*ck S*ren. It's a tiny little acknowledgment that Oliver's hope is worth something.
In fact, it's worth everything.
And this is the line. The line that tells us exactly where Arrow is headed with Olicity. This is the line that we will hold on to when times get darker between them... and they will. We are just beginning this dark arc for Felicity. But this line already signals the door is already opening in Felicity. It will be Oliver's optimism, his light, that will help lead Felicity out of the dark and back to him. And when she does, Oliver will be ready for her. He will be the man she's always deserved.
And thus... the shift begins.
Flashbacks
We're back in Russia! Remember Russia? Honestly, I totally forgot what was happening in Russia, so it was good Flashback Ollie did a little recap for me.
Basically, Oliver is getting the crap beat out of him by Pakhan, who's upset that he failed at blowing up Kovar's casino. Instead, Oliver put his own interests (killing Kovar) above the Bratva. Oliver thinks Pakhan is a two faced, lying, SOB, because Kovar is a government agent and the deal he made with Pakhan also betrays the Bratva.
Pahkan argues that Oliver fails to see the bigger picture. For all Oliver knows, Pakhan could be double crossing Kovar that in serves the Bratva.
Arrow has struggled with tying in the flashbacks fluidly with present day, but they did a little better in this outing. Pahkan does a nice little psychoanalysis on Oliver, post ass kicking. The photo of Laurel falls out of Oliver's pocket, and Pahkan mistakes Laurel for Whatshername. It's important to note that Oliver didn't bother telling Pahkan Whatshername's real name because I'm pretty sure, like me, Oliver has forgotten what it is. When Oliver explains that she's not the woman he's here to avenge, Pahkan is a little, "Dude. How many do you have a thing with" and thus becomes my flashback spirit animal.
Oliver explains he couldn't return to Laurel because he's become a monster she wouldn't recognize. Well... that and you were the douchebag that cheated on Laurel with her sister and then her sister died, but that's just details.
Pakhan has an interesting take on things. He believes Oliver is blaming himself for the darkness inside of him, when really, it is just a product of his time on Lian Yu. It's the circumstances that created the darkness... not Oliver. Pakhan believes that ultimately, Lian Yu, made Oliver who he is today. Otherwise he'd still be a total asshat.
This feels accurate. It's the Bratva way of looking at the road not traveled, similar to what Oliver did in 5x08. Pakhan is pushing Oliver to view his darkness as a positive, to turn it into nectar, by committing himself fully to the Bratva. It's a slightly messed up version of unconditional love and acceptance. It's an illusion of family, but one Oliver needs. Just like he needs the illusion that Bl*ck S*ren is Laurel.
Here's the problem with Pahkan's take. Yes, in many ways Oliver's darkness is a byproduct of his circumstances. However, that eliminates any responsibility on Oliver's part. He still had choices to make. Just like Bl*ck S*ren made choices. Just like Felicity made choices. Oliver shouldn't be hating himself as much as he does for his darkness, but he doesn't get off scot free either - which is what Pahkan is selling him right now.
There is a happy medium here and Oliver will find it in present day. He'll let go of the guilt, but understand that he is still responsible for the choices he makes regardless of circumstance. Which is why, in the end, he will toe the moral line no matter what happens.
Tina Boland: The New Black Canary
Arrow removes the god awful statue of Laurel and Felicity wonders if they are doing the right thing. Perhaps they should rebuild it.
It is absolutely the right thing to remove that eye sore and you should absolutely not rebuild it.
Oliver has a much more poetic response than my, "Sweet Mother of Moses NO!" He's starting to realize legacy isn't about statues. A legacy is a living and breathing thing. He hasn't done enough to honor his promise to Laurel. He's determined to find a woman worthy of the BC title. That's how Oliver finds redemption in her loss. That's how she never truly dies. Laurel's legacy lives on in the people who loved her and those who continue to her fight.
Are they making Laurel more important in her death than she ever was on the show? Yes, absolutely. This is not going to change my friends. This is why they killed her. Her death served more purpose than her life. The good news is we're moving on from the LL piece of the BC chapter. Even better, Olicity is going to find the new BC. Arrow is ready to shift the story to somewhere new.
As we predicted, and as it was spoiled, the new character Tina was introduced at the end of the episode. She has the sonic scream just like Bl*ck S*ren did. So, obviously she's a meta human. It's possible Arrow has another origin planned. Her sonic scream sounded different than either LL's or Bl*ck S*ren’s. But Tina could be connected to Central City and the particle explosion. I'm wondering if Wild Dog is from Central City. Granted, I can’t tell if Wild Dog knows Tina in the promo, but if he does then maybe he’s hiding from her for a reason.
I'm wondering because the amazing @callistawolf was quick to point out to me the scene where Wild Dog remarks about everyone's blasé reaction to Laurel's return. Oliver tells him the Lance sisters have a habit of coming back to life and Wild Dog is floored this has happened before.
This is a thinly veiled reference to the Canaries coming back to life. I believe there's a Wild Dog connection with Tina. Perhaps they were in a relationship or she’s a family member. It's possible Wild Dog believes Tina died in the explosion. It could explain his angry reaction to the metas in the crossover (Thanks Sara!) In any event, I believe Oliver's "warning," for lack of a better word, to Wild Dog, about Lance women coming back to life, is that tradition will continue with the new BC. Wild Dog's BC.
I thought it was a great introduction to Tina. Her desire to protect women is a call back to Sara's crusade, the one who started it all... The Original Canary. So this isn't just about Laurel. It's about honoring the history of the Canaries on Arrow.
I enjoyed Juliana Harkavy's delivery and her physicality. It was just a brief glimpse, but I liked what I saw so far. The promo looked awesome. Wouldn't it be wonderful to love Arrow's BC? Fingers crossed!
John Diggle
Diggle wasn't in the episode a ton. "Who Are You" was mostly set up for his bigger storyline coming up. Diggle isn't running this time, but he's not giving up like last time either. He's ready to fight the charges. Again, this is about the kind of man, the kind of hero, John Diggle wants to be. And he doesn't want to be the kind of man who lets his demons get the better of him. John Diggle is a man who stands up and fights and he's finding that piece of himself again.
Adrian Chase
Oliver was able to bring in Adrian Chase and I have to say the gelling of this new character was seamless. Arrow did an excellent job of explaining away that pesky detail about Adrian not being a military attorney. The scene in which he instructs Diggle to punch him to delay his transfer and transfer him to civilian court was GENIUS.
There was a moment, between Adrian and Oliver that's worth noting as well. Adrian told Oliver it was important to keep what happened with Billy and Prometheus a secret. He essentially said secrets are the only way to justice. This could be a veiled reference to Adrian Chases' comic book history. SPOILERS.
**************
Adrian Chase is Vigilante in the comics. However, in the comics his identity is revealed and Adrian commits suicide. It's an incredibly dark resolution to this character. Since this season is all about legacy, and Oliver deciding who he is and what kind of hero he wants to be, I think this line is very important. It points the direction where Adrian is going. The amazing @callistawolf, has long believed Oliver will reveal himself as The Green Arrow, Tony Stark style. If Adrian Chase, The Vigilante, believes secrets are the only way to justice, and is ultimately destroyed by that belief, then he represents a lesson Oliver has to learn. The point is to push Oliver towards a new way of doing things. Oliver can no longer find justice through secrets either. I'm going to meta on this more later because there's a lot there. Stay tuned.
Curtis Holt and Wild Dog
Y'all... I liked Wild Dog this episode. I was agreeing with Wild Dog. I assure you it was a disquieting feeling.
But then he called Felicity "blondie," infuriated me
and all was right with the world again.
I appreciate Arrow’s references to Rene being an acquired taste. That’s the writers acknowledging many of us can’t stand him. The reason Wild Dog was easier to take this episode is because he stopped being a dick for the majority of the episode.
In fact, it was Curtis calling Rene on his general asshatness that triggered the shift in character. So, lets keep that up Arrow. Less dick-douche and more compassionate friend. That’s a taste more to my liking.
Curtis lost his husband and is generally tired of getting his assed kicked. He's tired of failing at being a vigilante. He feels he's lost everything with nothing to show for it.
Arrow used the newbies extremely effectively this episode. Now that they've set the characters up, and we've gotten to know them, they can shift focus back to the main characters and the newbies can become solid B storylines. This is an excellent example of that.
Curtis is the new LL when it comes to fighting. Arrow isn't doing that great of a job at showing his progression. We sort of jumped to kicking ass in about an episode, complete with parkour moves, but at least they've settled on this "Mr. Terrific gets beat up" theme with every fight. It's an acknowledgment that he has the longest way to go training wise.
Curtis worked amazingly well last season on Arrow because they played to the character's strengths: his humor and chemistry with Emily Bett Rickards, and his technical abilities. My biggest frustration with the evolution into Mr. Terrific is that Arrow seemed to abandoned his technical abilities. Instead of being the Cisco of Arrow, like I hoped, he was taking over areas of Felicity's expertise. Forcing her to act out of character to make it work sometimes.
That was all fixed in "Who Are You" and played heavily into Curtis' arc. Wild Dog wisely told him that instead of focusing on what he can't do (fighting), focus on what he can do (genius inventor).
So, it's Curtis who comes up with the tech to stop Bl*ck S*ren and he ultimately saves the day. Let's stay on this road with him Arrow. Make a clear division of duties between Curtis and Felicity. Let Curtis be Arrow's Cisco and slowly move him along on the Mr. Terrific training. I don't think they'll stop Curtis from becoming Mr. Terrific, but I'll be happy if this slows the train down and refocuses his character like they did in this episode.
Stray Thoughts
Where you lookin’ Oliver? Felicity’s eyes are higher up.
I almost didn't notice Thea wasn't in the episode. That is how bad it's gotten with her lack of storyline. Let's fix that Arrow.
Flashback Ollie actually referring to LL's photograph is something new and different.
Don't try to understand The Flash Wild Dog.
Best Curtis line of the night. Close secod was "Heard what? Just kidding. Pretty sure people in Florida heard that.”
Bl*ck S*ren's black lipstick is so distracting. I dislike it very much.
Oliver should have explained his friendship with Diggle to Adrian this way, "John Diggle is my Yoda. We have the bromance to end all bromances. Save my lobster."
Anti crime unit is still a thing? Billy was part of the anti crime unit? Ugh. I'm trying to remember Billy's 10 minutes on screen, but it's hard.
John Diggle... why is your voice so handsome? Also your face? I ask the important questions.
"I'm use to it." Has anything more accurately summed up Olicity? I think not.
Wig is still worse than Oliver's bloody face.
Felicity has a hard time swearing. Because she's a cupcake
"More tinkering. Less fighting." STOP MAKING SENSE WILD DOG. YOU ARE FREAKING ME OUT.
Talia Al Ghul has arrived! She's pretty. She looks like Nyssa. I am jazzed. My Batman roots demand it
Almost to the end! Only one more chapter after this!
Archive Of Our Own Link
Chapter 10
***Find My Way Back by Eric Arjes
"Tommy."
Laurel exhaled his name, like an answer to a question, as she lingered in the space between dreaming and waking. She felt the pressure of Tommy's hand in hers, gripping her tightly, pulling her the rest of the way. Very slowly she opened her eyes.
"Hi," Tommy whispered. His eyes were bloodshot and exhausted, a stubble already beginning to prickle around his chin from lack of shaving.
"Hi," Laurel answered with a dreamy smile. She winced as the pain from the surgical wound came flooding in.
"We'll get you something for the pain," Oliver offered, standing in the corner.
Laurel looked over at him and smiled, "Didn't see you there."
"I'm sneaky like that," Oliver answered with a wink.
The door burst open and Captain Lance came rushing into. His eyes fell upon Laurel, and seeing her conscious, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hi Daddy," Laurel whispered.
Quentin rushed to her bedside, and Tommy moved away so he could have a moment. Quentin kissed Laurel on the forehead and said, "You can't scare me like that, baby."
"Don't worry, Dad. I'm not going anywhere," Laurel reassured.
Quentin nodded and said, "I'll go get the doctor."
"Is Felicity here?" Oliver asked hopefully.
"She's parking the car. I didn't really let her slow down. Practically jumped out while the car was still moving," Quentin answered.
Laurel laughed and then immediately moaned from the pain.
"Right. Doctor," Quentin said. He kissed Laurel again and said, "I love you, Laurel."
"I love you too, Dad."
Tommy was standing in the corner and Quentin paused to look him up and down.
"So... you're back."
Tommy shrugged a little, "Yeah. I'm back."
"This uh... pit thing. It brought you back from the dead?"
"Yes."
Quentin cleared his throat, "Do you think... could it do the same for Sara?"
Laurel looked at Tommy in alarm.
Thinking quickly, Tommy answered, "I'm sorry, sir, but the Lazarus Pit was destroyed shortly after I was resurrected. It was the only one of its kind."
Lance was crestfallen. Oliver stepped forward and said, "Let's get that doctor. Okay, Captain?"
Quentin nodded silently, and the two men made their way out of the room.
"Ollie?" Laurel called out.
Oliver paused and faced her, "Yeah?"
"I just wanted to say thank you."
Confused, Oliver stepped toward her, "For what?"
Laurel looked softly at Tommy, "For saving the love of my life."
Tommy looked at Laurel in surprise, and Oliver smiled softly at them.
"Sure. It's the least I could do. That's what friends are for, right?"
Laurel smiled back at him as she answered, "Right."
Oliver and Lance stepped into the hallway, giving Laurel and Tommy some privacy. Quentin wavered a bit, and Oliver immediately reached for his forearm, grasping it tightly. Instinctively, Quentin grasped Oliver's forearm back and held on for dear life.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah... it's just..."
"You need to breathe, Captain Lance," Oliver said.
Lance took a few deep breaths and said, "She's my baby girl. You know? I... already lost Sara. I couldn't take losing Laurel too."
"She's going to be okay."
Captain Lance nodded in agreement and let go of Oliver's arm, "I know. I'm gonna go find the doc."
***Light Me Up by Ingrid Michaelson
As Captain Lance walked down the hall, Oliver leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and exhaled. And then...
Click, click, click.
He opened his eyes just as Felicity rounded the corner. Immediately, their eyes locked and Felicity froze. She leaned against the nurse's desk for support, overwhelmed with relief when she saw Oliver was okay. For a moment, neither of them moved, but then Felicity started walking towards Oliver slowly.
"My father... did he hurt you?"
Oliver shook his head no silently, unable to speak.
“Laurel? Is she -- “
“She’s okay.”
Oliver’s confirmation unleashed the flood of words she was holding back. Everything she wanted to tell him, but couldn’t. There weren’t any catastrophes to stop. No one’s life was in peril. No enemies to vanquish. Oliver’s focus was entirely on her, and for the first time in days, Felicity felt that was exactly where his focus needed to be. She capitalized on the moment of peace and began to babble uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell you like that. Yell at you that is. Or tell you while my father was choking you to death. Although... I've been reading some books and apparently the yelling could be a thing because of the hormones. So maybe get prepared. There may also be tears. I wanted to tell you in the bunker, but I just.... and then we... well, you know, and then you left to save Thea and it was all life in peril and then your life was actually in peril. I sort of panicked. But I had other plans! Or potential plans. I thought maybe I'd make you diner with all baby-sized food. See if you guessed? Although, you should be the one to cook, because I would probably burn it, which would defeat the point. I considered Pictionary. In retrospect, I think I was overly focused on a guessing theme. Maybe I should have just wrapped up an ultrasound like they do on YouTube, but then I didn't want to go to an ultrasound without you. Maybe surprise was the wrong way to go. The baby is a big enough surprise. I just wanted to make it special because I know we didn't plan this. I know this is crazy, and I totally understand if you --"
Oliver started striding toward Felicity mid babble, every step confident and purposeful. Once he reached her, Oliver swept Felicity up into his arms, hugging her tight. The shock of suddenly being airborne caused Felicity to audibly gasp. She wrapped her arms tightly around Oliver's neck as he twirled her around and buried his face into her neck.
Felicity whispered, "So... I take this to mean you're happy?"
Oliver pulled back and looked at Felicity tenderly, tears shining in his eyes, "I have never been happier."
As Oliver set her down gently, Felicity smiled with relief. Diggle was right. Feeling Oliver's arms around her, hearing his voice and seeing his joy erased all her worries and fears in an instant. She didn't need to know everything. They would figure this out together.
Oliver wiped the tears from her cheeks as she said, "Good because I'm happy too. I'm very happy..."
Her words died on her lips as Oliver cupped her face and softly kissed her. They held each other, in the hospital hallway, melting together as their breath became one. The last time Oliver kissed her in this place they were being pulled apart. By life. By circumstance. By choice. Oliver kissed Felicity that first time out of need. Words could no longer convey what he felt for her, and he needed her to know. To feel his love just once. But Oliver also kissed Felicity out of desperation. He wanted to hold onto her, to the dream, he felt slipping away.
This was the dream. This life. And the life they would create together.
Oliver took his time kissing his wife and the mother of his child. Nothing could pull him away. Not now... not ever. They were one… in a way Oliver had never felt before, in a way he didn't even know was possible until now.
***Tell Me You Love Me by Boy Epic
"Thank you for lying to my father about the Lazarus Pit. He would do anything to get Sara back, but I could never do that to her," Laurel sadly said.
"I understand, Laurel. I know a little something about fathers sacrificing themselves to save their children from the pit," Tommy added morosely. "It's a hell I wouldn’t wish on anyone."
Laurel grabbed his hand, "Merlyn?"
Tommy nodded silently. Laurel took a deep breath as she absorbed what Malcolm did and what Tommy had to do. Tommy couldn't even look Laurel in the eyes.
"You really want to be with a guy who killed his own father?"
"Yes," Laurel answered confidently. "Tommy look at me."
Tommy complied and Laurel continued, "You were surviving. There is no blame in that."
Tommy was silent.
"Sometimes we hold onto the pieces of ourselves too tightly. Sometimes letting go is the only way of moving forward."
"What do you mean?"
"Inside my jacket. There's something I want to show you."
Tommy complied and reached for Laurel's Black Canary jacket resting on the side table.
Fumbling around a bit, Tommy muttered, “Why are there so many buckles?”
Laurel smiled and said, “Inside pocket, silly.”
Tommy slipped his hand into a small pocket inside the jacket and pulled out the photograph.
"What is this?" Tommy asked.
"It's a picture I gave Oliver just before he left on the Queen's Gambit."
Tommy looked crestfallen and Laurel winced, "Oh god. Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Sara took that picture, Tommy."
"Sara?"
"I didn't remember until she... until just now. It was one of the last happy memories of Sara that I had before she left on the Queen's Gambit."
"So... the picture Oliver kept of you, all those years, is one your sister took?"
Laurel nodded.
"That's messed up."
Laurel burst out laughing, "That's what I said when Sara...." her laughter died down, and she quickly finished, "Never mind."
"It's a beautiful picture, Laurel. You look happy," Tommy said softly, gently running his finger over it.
"I was happy," Laurel paused and took a deep breath, "I know you're worried that I'm holding onto Oliver, but it's not about him. Or at least not in the way you think."
"So I've been told," Tommy answered. Laurel raised an eyebrow and he explained, "Oliver may have said something."
"Ah, well... even though I hate to admit when he's right...."
"I wouldn't tell him. Better to not encourage him," Tommy joked.
Laurel smiled, but then she grew serious as she said, "My whole life was defined by being Sara's sister. It was always my barometer for knowing who I was. She was wild. I was responsible. She was free and I was..."
"Obsessive compulsive?" Tommy offered with a wink.
Laurel hit him, "I was going to go with structured." She continued, "I moved my life like a magnet against hers, and when she was gone... I didn't know what to do. I suppose I still don't. I became the Black Canary to honor her, but I think I wanted to hold on to her too. So, I know who I am. It meant I held onto everything, including the not so good parts."
"Such as?"
"Oliver."
"Then why did you choose him?"
Laurel said, "I chose him because I thought I loved him. I'm an addict, Tommy, and booze isn't my only one. I was addicted to the pain and the misery. For a long time I thought that's how love should be, but..." she took a deep breath, "but then you came along, and you changed everything for me. I was... I am... happy with you, and it scared me."
"Why?"
"I didn’t consciously realize it until tonight, but it felt like I was letting a piece of Sara go. Like I was forgetting about her. So I ruined it," Laurel paused and then said quietly, "But if I am being honest, that's not the only reason."
"What's the other one?"
"I'd been rejected by Oliver so many times it felt good to finally be ‘the one’."
"Well... you'd waited a long time for it. I don't blame you."
"I blame me. I convinced myself that Oliver would make me happy, when deep down, I knew we were never going to match the picture I had in my head." Laurel took Tommy's hand, "But with you, Tommy, it's not a picture. It's real. You make me laugh. You make me dance. I drink tequila until 2 am with you and have omelets the next morning. When I'm with you... I'm living. And it doesn't have anything to do with Sara or Oliver. I'm just me. I'm enough."
"You always were," Tommy whispered softly. "You always will be."
He started to hand the photo back to Laurel, but she shook her head and refused it, "No, I want you to keep it."
"Why?"
A tear fell down Laurel's face as she said, "For so long I've wanted to go back to that girl in the picture, the girl who dreamed about her future, who didn’t know the pain of loss. I thought Oliver was my way back, but I know now it doesn't have anything to do with going back. It's about moving forward. I am that girl with you, Tommy. You are my path. I'm not choosing you because you're all that's left. I am choosing you because you are all I want. I cannot tell you how sorry I am for ever making you doubt it. But I promise I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Tommy shook his head, "I don't know if I'm that guy anymore, Laurel. I think I'm too broken to be that guy ever again."
"I'm broken too. I think that's why we work. Somehow our broken pieces fit together. I don't need you to be the same man. I will take any piece of you I can have and the rest... we'll just figure out it as we go."
"I don't even know where to start."
"We can start small. Perhaps gainful employment?"
Her eyes twinkled and Tommy couldn't help but smile. He glanced down at his ring and said, "Well... I am leading a global network of assassins now."
"Does it come with dental?"
There was a beat between them, and then they dissolved into laughter.
Tommy ran his hand through Laurel's hair, brushing it from her face, "Maybe something simpler."
"Such as?"
Tommy kissed Laurel's hand and said, "A house?"
Laurel took a sharp breath in as the tears sprang into her eyes. Her voice breaking she asked, "And kids?"
Tommy nodded, his eyes now shining with tears, "Yeah. I think two for sure."
"Two sounds perfect," Laurel whispered. She took a deep breath and squeezed Tommy's hand tightly as she said, "I love you, Tommy Merlyn."
***Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell
Tommy bent over and kissed Laurel softly. After they broke away, Tommy wrapped his arms around Laurel and hugged her tightly. He whispered in her ear, "I love you too."
Suddenly, Tommy felt Laurel go limp in his arms as he held her. Her hands slid from his neck and flopped helplessly at her sides.
"Laurel?" Tommy asked, a hint of fear in his voice. He pulled away slightly to look at her. "Laurel... honey? Come on Laurel wake up."
He set her back down on the bed and felt for a pulse. The panic seized his heart like a vice grip when he felt none and Tommy began to scream.
Oliver and Felicity were celebrating their good news with Diggle and Thea in the hospital hallway. Captain Lance was rounding the corner with the doctor.
"Somebody help me! She's not breathing! Somebody help!"
Tommy's cries echoed down the hall and the doctor immediately began to run as the nurses rushed into the room. Captain Lance, Oliver, Felicity, Diggle and Thea were close behind. The nurses pushed Tommy out of the way as they frantically began to administer CPR.
There was nothing, but stillness. Laurel couldn't hear the pandemonium in the room even though she could see it. It was as if there was a veil separating her from everyone. Laurel felt disoriented and searched frantically around the room. She caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was dark brown again, and she was dressed in a simple blue pant suit like the one she wore the night Sara died.
And there, standing in the doorway, was Sara.
"I don't understand what's happening! What is going on?" Laurel demanded from her sister.
"You're dying, Laurel," Sara answered.
Laurel shook her head and watched as a nurse beat against her chest. Then stepped away as the doctor defibrillated. Her body jumped as the jolt of electricity ran through her body, but Laurel didn't feel anything.
"No... no that's not... that's...," Laurel stammered as she watched the nurse increase the charge. Her body jumped again, but her heart remained flat line. "Did you know this was going to happen, Sara?"
Sara shook her head, "No. I didn't."
"This isn't suppose to happen. I chose to live. I chose Tommy!" Laurel shouted angrily.
"I told you, Laurel. Sometimes death chooses for you," Sara explained simply.
The doctor pronounced time of death. He began to explain about the aneurysm, but Tommy couldn’t listen. He collapsed onto the floor and began to sob. Felicity fell into a shocked Oliver's arms, and Diggle consoled Thea. Very slowly, Captain Lance approached Laurel's body. He picked her up gently and began to rock her back and forth in his arms. There were no words, no sound as Captain Lance began to cry. He could only offer a silent scream.
"I just told him I loved him and now..." Laurel whispered in tears. "I don't understand. Why did I even get to come back?"
Laurel felt Sara's arms wrap around her waist. Sara's chin pressed gently over Laurel's shoulder as they looked upon their friends and family. Somehow the weight of her sister's arms around her steadied Laurel. Certainty became her anchor. She didn't have to ask why. She just... knew.
"To tell him," Laurel whispered, almost to herself, as she looked at Tommy as he cried.
"Yes," Sara affirmed.
"Thank you for being here," Laurel whispered.
"I didn't want you to be lonely."
Laurel nodded gratefully and squeezed her sister tighter. She gripped Sara's arms and took a deep breath as she felt the last tether to life break. The stillness of her surroundings finally took hold within her. There was no fear, doubt or anger. There was only love and the peace that came with knowing she had no regrets.
Tommy sat by Laurel's bedside, holding her hand, as Oliver spoke to the doctor. The surgeon was able to remove the bullet, but the words "critical condition" hung in the room. After the doctor left, neither Tommy nor Oliver said anything for awhile. They simply watched Laurel as she slept, and Tommy stroked her hair.
“This is my fault,” Tommy whispered.
Oliver looked at him in surprise and answered, “It’s really not, Tommy.”
Tommy nodded, “Yeah, it is. I played Russian roulette with everyone’s lives, and Laurel ended up with the bullet.”
“Damien Darhk put Laurel in that bed. Not you.”
“Why aren’t you angry with me? I kidnapped you for god’s sake.”
Oliver shrugged, “Not the first time I’ve been kidnapped by someone I love. My mother… Felicity.”
“Felicity?”
Oliver chuckled to himself, “Yeah. She drugged me too. She was trying to help me escape from Ra’s Al Ghul. In that moment I really understood how much she loved me… how far she’d go to protect me.”
“Handing you over to Damien Darhk was far from protecting you, Oliver,” Tommy said.
“I know that, but I also know that you asked me to trust you. I saw how far you were willing to go for Thea. I know your intentions were good… just like Felicity’s.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I know you. No matter how broken you are, I believe that the Tommy I know and love is still in there. If you can’t believe anything else - believe that.”
Tommy sighed, ruefully, “I told you the truth… part of it at least. I needed to gain Darhk’s trust to infiltrate. I just thought offering you would expedite things. And with Thea under his control… your reaction had to be real. It was risky, but I knew your team would come for you.”
“And if it was too late?”
“I would have killed Darhk long before he ever had a chance to hurt you, Oliver. I swear it on my mother’s grave,” Tommy emphatically said.
“I’m not talking about me, Tommy. I’m talking about you.”
Tommy closed his eyes, “I wish you could understand what it is like in my head… what it’s like in Thea’s head. Believe me, Oliver, trading my life for Thea’s didn’t feel like a sacrifice. It felt like freedom. It felt like a way out.”
“We’ll find another way out. It just might take time,” Oliver softly said.
Tommy ran his thumb lightly over Laurel’s hand and said, “I just wanted to protect them… Laurel… Thea…”
“They don’t need your protection, Tommy. They just need your love,” Oliver simply stated.
Tommy raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Well, that’s something I never thought I’d hear you say.”
“Yeah well, Felicity has been beating it into me for the last four years. I have the bruises to show for it.”
Tommy smiled a little, “My mom used to do the same thing with my dad. She was the only one he’d ever listen to.”
The men fell into a silence, each lost in their own thoughts and memories. When Tommy spoke again his voice was very quiet and distant, as if he was reaching for some far away memory and the tighter it grasped him the more it pulled him away.
"When my mother died, you said she was an angel. I remember what I said to you now. I told you I didn't want my mother to be angel. I wanted her to be my mom again." Tommy finally looked Oliver, tears shining in his eyes, "I can't lose another woman I love to the angels again, Ollie. I won't survive it."
"Laurel will come back to you," Oliver reassured.
"You don't know that."
Oliver swallowed hard, "I know, but I believe it. Laurel is a fighter."
Tommy nodded in a silent agreement, desperate to cling to the hope Oliver was giving. Oliver paused before continuing, "Now it’s my turn to apologize, Tommy.”
"I thought we established Damien Darhk is the one who put her in this bed.”
"No... not about that, about what happened between me and Laurel. Before the Undertaking."
Tommy shook his head, "Oliver... now isn't the time --"
"No. Please. I need to say this and you need to hear it."
"Alright."
Oliver took a deep breath, "It shouldn't have happened. Laurel and me. I betrayed our friendship. You deserved better from me. And... I'm sorry."
"We broke up, Ollie..."
"Because of me, Tommy. Laurel was happy with you, and I just confused her. It was selfish. I should have let her go."
Tommy met Oliver's gaze and asked, "Why didn't you?"
"I wanted to fix what I broke. I didn't realize you already had. Not until it was too late."
Tommy nodded in acceptance of Oliver's confession and apology.
"You were wrong about something though," Oliver added.
"What?"
"Whatever Laurel is holding onto... it's not me."
Tommy gripped Laurel's hand tighter and kissed it as the tears fell down his face.
"Yeah... I know. That's what scares me."
***I Remember Her by Ingrid Michaelson
Laurel opened her eyes and a bright, blinding light hit her. It stung, so she immediately closed them again. She tried again, only more slowly this time, to allow her eyes time to adjust. At first she was confused. She was in an alley, but she didn’t know where. Yet, it felt familiar. Laurel glanced down and saw she was still dressed in her Black Canary suit, minus the bullet wound. In fact, she felt stronger than ever. Lighter... somehow.
"Hey sis."
Laurel turned and there was Sara with her beautiful and bright smile. The one Laurel had so longed to see again.
"Sara!"
Laurel rushed to Sara's open arms and the two sisters hugged for what seemed like forever. Everything about Sara came rushing back: the sparkle of blue in her eyes, a glint of mischievousness, the faint scent of jasmine in her hair. She felt so small in Laurel's arms, the way she did when they were little girls. Laurel pulled away and ran her hands up and down Sara's arms, squeezing them to feel her bones, to make sure she was real.
"I don't understand. How are you here? Was it the Lazarus Pit? Are you-"
"No... Laurel. No," Sara answered gently.
Laurel looked around confused and asked, "I don't understand. Where are we then?"
"I chose this place because it’s where everything changed for you," Sara explained.
Laurel stepped back and turned around in a full circle, "This is the alley where you fell, where I held your lifeless body," alarmed she asked, "You chose this place? I don’t want to be here, Sara. I never wanted to be here again.”
“I know, but I think you’re stuck here.”
“What are you talking about?”
Sara smiled sadly, "We don't have a lot of time, Laurel."
Laurel warily asked, "For what?"
"You have to choose whether you want to live or die."
Laurel looked at Sara in shock, "Is that what happened to you?"
Sara sadly answered, "Not all of us are given a choice, Laurel. Sometimes death chooses for you. You're one of the lucky ones."
Laurel took a deep breath, "I'm not afraid to die, Sara."
Sara sighed and held open her hand to her sister, "I know. You're scared to live."
***Never Get To Heaven by Sarah Blaine
Thea walked into Laurel's hospital room, holding two cups of coffee.
"Felicity called. She's on the way with Captain Lance," Thea said to Oliver. "How is she?"
"No change," Oliver answered before putting an arm around Thea's shoulder, kissing her head gently. "How are you?"
Thea rubbed her head, "I'm trying Ollie to hold on. For Laurel, but the voices..."
"Maybe I can help with that," Malcolm said as he entered the room. He was dressed in a simple grey suit.
Tommy stood, "Get the hell out of here."
Merlyn held his palms open, "I come in peace. All I'm asking for is a moment of your time," he paused. "Please."
Taking their silence as agreement, Merlyn smiled and said, "Follow me."
They followed him up the stairs that led to the roof of the hospital. There, waiting for them, was the League. Tommy, Oliver and Thea immediately took a defensive position.
"I'm not here to fight."
"Then why are you here?" Tommy demanded.
Merlyn looked around and shrugged, "I suppose this place is as good as any, seeing as how I should have died on a roof. Isn't that right, Oliver?"
Oliver couldn't offer Merlyn anything, but confusion. Malcolm smiled a little as he walked towards one of the League members, who was holding Merlyn's bow. He grasped it tightly, raking his eyes over it adoringly, and twirled it expertly in his hands.
"I suppose it's time to finish what the Green Arrow started," Merlyn said. He offered Tommy the bow. "If you don't mind... I'd like you to use this."
Warily, Tommy asked, "What are you talking about?"
"There's only one way for you and your sister to be free of the Lazarus Pit, Tommy. You have to kill a blood relative."
Thea shook her head, "No."
Malcolm smiled sadly, "I'm volunteering."
***Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
Furious, Laurel refused Sara’s hand and stepped away from her.
"How can you say that to me? I'm not afraid to live. I became the Black Canary! I'm out there fighting every night, saving the city... I've never felt more alive."
Sara gave Laurel a skeptical look.
Tears sprang into her eyes, "I became the Black Canary to honor you, Sara. I thought you'd be proud of me."
Sara took Laurel's hand, "I am proud of you, Laurel. More than you can ever know. But... I didn't need you to become the Black Canary to be proud of you. I already was... just for being you. Laurel Lance. She was my hero."
Laurel scoffed, "I wasn't a hero to you, Sara. You fell from a roof and dropped right in front of me. You died and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.”
"That wasn't your fault, Laurel."
"But --"
"You're the one who made me believe I was worth loving. You had more reason to hate me than anyone, and you forgave me. You loved me. You saw the light in me, and you helped me see it in myself." Sara reached for Laurel's blonde hair and let the tendrils fall off her fingertips as she said, "But I think you've lost yourself in the Black Canary. You've lost sight of Laurel Lance."
"I don't understand."
"One of the last things I told Oliver was we're not our masks. We need people in our lives who don't wear one. Yes, you kick ass as the Black Canary, but what about your life without the mask?"
"I'm still an attorney."
"And?"
Laurel faltered and Sara sighed, "Yeah. That's what I thought."
Laurel put on a fake smile and said, "I'm happy. Really."
"You might be able to sell that crap to Dad, Ollie and your friends, but this is me. Plus, this is Afterlife Me. I'm impervious to crap."
"I don't know what you want me to say!"
"Laurel... you don't have an infinite amount of time here."
"I know that!"
"You know what's sad? I think you do know that and instead of running from death you're running from life. Again."
"I don't run from anything," Laurel argued heatedly.
"You don't? What about that picture you carry around?"
Laurel fell silent, and Sara pointed at her jacket, "Inside pocket."
Laurel pulled out the photograph Oliver had kept with him on the island. She gently ran her fingers along the frayed edges.
"He's moved on, Laurel."
"I know that."
"So why can't you?"
"I don't know!" Laurel exclaimed.
Sara softened, "Yes you do."
Laurel stared hard at the photograph and felt a dim memory spark deep inside her. She looked up at Sara in surprise, "This doesn't have anything to do with Oliver... does it?"
Sara shook her head, "No. It doesn't. You remember now... don't you?"
"Yes."
***Judgment Day by Stealth
"Why are you doing this, Dad?" Tommy asked.
"I haven't been much of a father to you or Thea. Truth be told... I inflicted most of the hell you are suffering. I want to tell you I was trying to protect you, but we know that's a lie. After your mother died, I wanted to see the world burn. I still do. My children were acceptable collateral damage."
"So what changed? Why the sudden surge of selflessness?" Oliver asked skeptically.
"I saw what Damien Darhk became and when I put that sword through his chest, and I looked into his eyes, I knew I was worse," Merlyn answered honestly. He turned to face Tommy and continued, "I've spent a lifetime trying to make you more like me. Watching you today with Thea, seeing what you were prepared to sacrifice, made me realize I should have been trying to be more like you."
"And the pills?" Thea asked.
"Control is love to me, Thea. I don't know any other way. I won't change."
"Even now. This is just one of your manipulations. You're controlling the outcome... our choice," Thea argued.
"If you mean you have very few options... then yes. I suppose I am controlling you, but it will be the last time."
“Will one life satisfy the bloodline and remove their bloodlust?” Oliver asked.
Malcolm nodded, “If Tommy and Thea kill me simultaneously then it might work. My blood should be enough to replace theirs in the pit’s bloodline, but I don’t know for certain. It’s a risk I am willing to take. We don’t have any other options.”
"How do you expect us to live with killing our father?" Thea demanded.
Merlyn shrugged nonchalantly, "I assume you'll figure it out."
"This isn't a joke, Dad," Tommy snapped.
"I'm not joking, son. I'm not saying there won't be a cost, but it's a price you have to pay. Nobody gets out of this free."
Thea shook her head, "No. I won't do it."
"You have to."
Merlyn could see a softening in Tommy's eyes and he approached him. "You were willing to die for your sister. Are you willing to kill for her?"
He handed Tommy the bow. Tommy took it and looked at Oliver for guidance.
"I can't tell you what to do, Tommy. All I can say is being the cause of a parent's death is not easy to live with,” Oliver said.
"What were Robert's last words to you, Oliver?" Merlyn asked.
Oliver fixed a steely gaze on Merlyn, "You don't have a right to that."
"I agree, but maybe Thea does."
Oliver looked at Thea and sighed. "He asked me to survive."
"That's all I'm asking my children to do. If I could pull the trigger myself I would, but I can't. It has to be their choice to break the link."
Tommy pulled an arrow from the quiver.
"Tommy! We can't!" Thea shouted.
"Thea... what choice do we have? A lifetime in a psych ward? Killing?"
"This is killing."
Merlyn interjected, "No... it's justice. Deep down, you know that. You've threatened to kill me more than once. I'm simply asking you to follow through."
Thea shook her head, "I didn't mean -"
"Yes you did. You had a right to your anger, to your vengeance. So take it!"
Thea shook her head sadly, "I don't want vengeance. I'm tired. I'm tired of the anger and the killing and the blame. I won't sacrifice anyone I care about to save myself."
"Then may I ask you to do me one kindness?"
"What?"
"Let me die for my children. After all I've done wrong... let me get this right," Merlyn's voice broke, "Let me be a hero... like your brothers. Like you. Just once."
Something in Thea gave way and she saw her father for what he was: a broken man, desperate to save his children. A man clinging to his final chance to save himself as well.
Tears welled in Thea's eyes and she weakly said, "Dad..."
Merlyn took off his ring and handed it to Tommy, "As my eldest child, you are Heir to the Demon. You will become Ra's Al Ghul. I trust you'll use the League to better ends that I would have."
Tommy studied the ring before slipping it on his finger. Satisfied, Merlyn turned to Thea.
"I don't know what to say. I thought if this day ever came... I'd be... relieved," she steeled herself against the wave emotion. "It's different than what I expected."
Merlyn kissed her gently on the head, "Don't waste a minute being regretful about me, Thea."
Ever the brave soldier, Thea nodded silently. Malcolm grazed her cheek softly and said, “You were always so strong. I deluded myself into think I had something to do with it, but now I only see your mother. You were always more of a Queen.”
Thea glanced at Tommy, "I don't know. Maybe being a Merlyn isn't so bad."
Merlyn looked at Oliver and said, "Oliver... I --"
Oliver responded flatly. "I don't want to hear anything you have to say, Merlyn."
Merlyn smirked a little at Oliver's rebuff and said, "Let's finish it then."
Resolved, Tommy raised the bow and looked expectantly at Thea. She held out her arm and a League member came forward with a bow. Thea studied the bow and grasped it tightly in her hand.
"You ready?" Tommy whispered.
Thea shook her head, "No..." she closed her eyes and tried to quiet the voices inside her head. When she opened her eyes, she took a sharp breath inward. Standing next to her was Moira.
"Tommy?" Thea whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I see my mom."
"It's okay, Thea. It'll be over soon."
"No... you don't understand. Her eyes are green," Thea explained.
"Trust me, Thea... I understand," Tommy said.
Standing next to Merlyn was Rebecca Merlyn, his mother. Just like Moira, her eyes were clear and bright. There were no vestiges of the pit. Tommy knew, with every fiber of his being, she wasn't a hallucination of his insanity.
"Tommy... you never told me who you see when the voices come..." Merlyn asked.
Tommy choked back a sob, "I see Mom too."
Hopefully, Merlyn asked, "Is she here?"
"Yeah Dad. She's here."
A single tear fell down Merlyn's face as he said, "I'm ready now."
Tommy drew back the arrow and Thea followed suit.
“One,” Tommy counted. “Two…”
"Wait... one last thing," Merlyn paused and took a deep breath. "I love you both. Very much."
Tommy froze. It had been so long since he’d heard those words from his father, it was almost a shock to his system.
“Tommy?” Thea asked.
The sound of Thea’s voice shook Tommy from his trance. He looked at Thea and regained his resolve. He nodded at her and said, “Three.”
They released the arrows from their bows simultaneously. Each arrow flew through the air with silent accuracy. Both hit their target, Malcolm's heart, only inches from each other, and he fell to the ground. Immediately, Thea and Tommy felt a rush of energy flow through them, like a weight being lifted. Oliver rushed to Thea's side.
"Are you alright?"
"I feel... different. More like myself. The voices are gone," Thea began to break down in grief, "It worked. He did it."
Oliver looked at Tommy who nodded and whispered, “Same here. They’re gone.”
Oliver gathered Thea into his arms as she cried and watched as Tommy walked to Merlyn. As Tommy stood over his father's dead body, the League knelt before him.
***Like a River Runs by Sia
Laurel felt the emotion overwhelm her as the memory came rushing back, bright and clear, as if it was yesterday.
"You took this picture."
Sara smiled brightly at Laurel, "That's right. I did."
Laurel spoke quickly, the words tumbling over one another, "It was just before I left for school. You were taking that photography class and you insisted on taking my picture. We went out to Parker's Field and we spent the day out there. Laughing, talking and taking pictures. It was a perfect, happy day.”
“One of our last ones before…” Sara trailed off.
“Before the Queen’s Gambit,” Laurel whispered. “Before Oliver.” Laurel paused and furrowed her brow, “Wait a second. Are you saying you took the picture I gave Oliver for the trip he cheated on me... with you?"
There was a beat and then both women burst out laughing.
"Was that even a sentence?" Sara asked breathlessly.
"That is so messed up!" Laurel exclaimed.
"Yeah well... that's us," Sara shrugged.
"And Oliver," Laurel added.
Their laughter died down, and Sara took the picture from Laurel, considering it carefully, "It's a good story you know. You tell everyone, including yourself, that you're still in love with Oliver Queen, knowing nothing will ever come of it. Knowing he doesn't love you. That he never really did... not the way you deserve. And the whole world just accepts it. Everyone leaves you alone. You can hide. But no one bothers to ask you what you're hiding from."
Sara hands the photograph back to Laurel, "So I'm going to ask. What are you hiding from, Laurel?"
"I don't think I know how to be this person again. I don't know how to live without you. I don’t want to."
Sara wiped the tears from Laurel's face and said, "Do you know what I think?"
Laurel shook her head, and Sara smiled as she brushed the hair from her face, "I think you're scared that if you let yourself be happy, even for just a second, you're forgetting all about me."
Laurel began to sob, and Sara hugged her close as she whispered, "But you missed the whole point. You’re holding onto all of these pieces of me - a jacket, a photograph… even Oliver. But I’m not there, Laurel. I’m here.” Sara pressed her hand to Laurel’s chest, over her heart. “I don’t need you to wear a mask. I just need you to be happy. I need you to love with your whole heart. That's how you honor me. That's how you remember me… and that’s where you’ll find me."
Sara nodded towards the open end of the alley, drawing Laurel’s attention. There was a bright and brilliant light in the distance. It beckoned to Laurel, but she felt stuck. Her feet felt frozen to that one spot, unable to move.
“I’m scared,” Laurel responded, her voice small and childlike.
Sara said, "My sister loves fiercely and fearlessly. She closes her eyes and she jumps. That's the woman who was my hero. Death can be lonely, Laurel, but life doesn't have to be."
"I don't want to leave you."
"You're not. I'm just going ahead. And I'll be here... waiting for you."
Laurel hugged her sister once more.
Sara pulled away and firmly said, “Now run.”
Very slowly, Laurel pulled away from Sara. Their hands still grasping until the distance between them became too wide. When their fingertips finally broke from one another, Laurel turned away from Sara, to the open end of the alley, and began to walk towards it. The closer she got the more Laurel heard the soft murmur of voices. One voice, in particular, stood out from all the rest.
Tommy’s.
Laurel began to run. Her strides purposeful and confident. The heavy feeling that held in her in place was gone and now she felt weightless. As the inertia of the light pulled her further away, Laurel could still feel the warmth of her sister's hand lingering on her fingertips.
Have you heard if Katie Cassidy will be back for season 7? I thought I read her contract was only for 13 episodes of season 6, but I can't find that source again.
Yeah she’s coming back, but I’m not sure what her contract is for the season. I expect it’ll be a similar amount with KC playing a supporting role.
So, I saw the comic-con trailer for season 7, is Black Siren the new mayor of Star City (if so, that is just MESSED UP), what are your thoughts on that (if it's true)?
I don’t think she’s the mayor. I thought she was district attorney or assistant district attorney because that was L*urel’s job before she died. BS is simply pretending to be LL. But even if she is mayor... whatever. She could be pope and I still wouldn’t give a damn about her. I’ve settled comfortably into apathy once again.
