Arrow Conversations: Diggle and Felicity Talk Cocoa, Jammies and Death in “Suicide Squad” 

And the MVP for “Suicide Squad” goes to none other than Mr. John Diggle…but not for the reason you may think. Sure, he was fantastic as he battled his conscience to work with his brother’s killer. He was stellar when forced to open up his eyes to see more than just the black and white. He was charming with his ex-wife-turned-girlfriend. And he even looked pretty darn good in a tux. However, while all of those things were contributing factors, it was his scene with Felicity that really clinched him the win.

It’s no surprise that I love these two. Separate. Together. With Oliver. Without Oliver. These are simply two exceptionally well-crafted and well-acted characters and I love to see them on screen. I’ll admit, it has felt a little light on their story lines the past few weeks, but this episode helped to tip the scale and one scene in particular felt worth the wait. Of course, I’m talking about the scene where Diggle is on lookout patrol in front of Felicity’s place and she comes out in her pajamas to have a heart to heart.

Diggle: Coffee?

Felicity: Hot cocoa.

Diggle: Where are the marshmallows?

Felicity: I’m out. What are you doing here, Dig?

Diggle: Just keeping an eye on things.

Felicity: Okay. And by “things,” you mean my neck? The one you think Slade Wilson is going to break in my sleep.

Diggle: Yes. Something like that. Look, I have extra security details on Oliver’s mother. Roy is keeping an eye on Thea. Sara is staying close to Laurel.

Felicity: So I get you sitting outside my house like that lacrosse player freshman year of college. [Diggle chuckles] You know, I had a life before you and Oliver, yea?

Diggle: Right. I just want to make sure you’re okay, Felicity.

Felicity: And I love you for it. But if Slade wants to kill me, he can. There’s nothing you can do to stop him. So go home, okay?

Diggle: Nice jammies.

How can you not adore these two?! They, along with Oliver, are a true team. But more than being a team, they genuinely care about each other. Diggle may often appear stoic and removed but it’s through his actions that he shows his concern and I love that he chose to be there to watch over Felicity. I also think it’s fantastic how they can take such serious subject matter and continue to make it honest but also light. They begin the conversation discussing hot chocolate and end it with a reference to pajamas and yet sandwiched in between is the discussion of real threats and potential death. That being said, Felicity is right. Slade is always one (or more) steps ahead of them and if he really wanted to slit her throat, he would find a way. Clearly we’re hoping (and predicting) that won’t be the case, but preparing for the possibility is a must. Plus, it gave us this delightful Felicity/Diggle moment, which may be one of the very few positives we’ve yet to see come from Slade’s master revengenda.

[WARNING: Mild Arrow Spoilers]

As much I enjoyed this moment, I can’t ignore the fact that much of this episode was in fact about the newly formed Suicide Squad. Earlier this week, executive producer Marc Guggenheim shared some scoop on the rest of the season. I’ll fill you in on all the juicy details later in the week, but rather than wait, I’ll share with you the few nuggets he gave us regarding this week’s episode now.

While Guggenheim admitted that the whole Suicide Squad came about pretty organically since they’d already introduced many of the characters in other ways, it was actually the writers desire for another Lyla/Diggle story line that sealed the deal. Needing something for these two re-dating divorcees to fight about, Marc and his team reassembled member of the Suicide Squad and decided to make that the focal point of the episode. Frankly, I enjoyed seeing some of the villains again, especially now that Diggle had to work WITH them rather than AGAINST them. Diggle has been light on storyline lately and it’s not hard to see that when he’s forced to step up, he can really deliver. I also really like he and Lyla so I’m glad that relationship hasn’t been left by the wayside (although it felt like it has been for much of this season).

Guggenheim also revealed that while Oliver seemed to be MIA for most of the episode, his brief encounter with Amanda functioned to tease two things. First, a back story for Oliver and Amanda and second, a sense of future involvement. And while Guggenheim was hesitant to spoil anything, he did assure us “you haven’t seen the last of Amanda and you haven’t seen the last of the Suicide Squad.”

That’s all for now, but I’ll have more from Guggenheim and what’s coming up on Arrow later in the week.

Arrow airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.