Felicity: First Sara then Ray then John’s brother, who’s shocking return can we look forward to next?!
With this one comment, Felicity summed up this whole episode better than I ever could! And the answer to her question is MANY! Nyssa, Shado, Tatsu, Roy and Felici-dad all provided us with unexpected reunions this week. Most of these characters came back to tie into the whole Thea-knocking-on-death’s-door-while-Oliver-shoulders-the-blame storyline. Roy’s return, thanks to Felicity’s dad, provided a sweet moment (and possible goodbye) between him and Thea. While Nyssa and Tatsu battled over the potential antidote. And the Shado illusion flashback foreshadowed Oliver’s eventual process through the guilt and towards acceptance. Let’s take a closer look.

At this point, it seems pretty clear that Thea will be the eventual tenant of the much-discussed Season 4 grave. Obviously, with a show like this, anything could happen, but the way this episode played out, it definitely felt like the beginnings of a goodbye to the character. That being said, there’s no doubt that Oliver will take it harder than anyone. He’s a master when it comes to blaming himself for any and all problems, a point that was repeatedly made clear (and often in an awesomely funny way) in this episode.
First when he condemned himself for not noticing that Thea wasn’t herself lately:
Felicity: How is it that you always manage to blame yourself for everything?
Diggle: That’s his superpower. Guilt Arrow.
Then again when he took responsibility for Roy sacrificing himself and having to leave Star City:
Roy: Do you ever get tired? Carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders like that all the time?
Oliver: Haha, you sound like Felicity. And Diggle.
I love that writers acknowledge that this issue has been repeated and repeated and repeated so many times throughout the series (heck, I mention it in at least three out of every four of my articles!) and that they’re able to make light of it and turn it into a bit of a joke. Even Oliver was able to laugh at it! Which is something we rarely see. Speaking of laughter, I also couldn’t help but notice that Roy seemed a lot lighter. And funnier. And more confident. Before, he was always troubled and a little brooding, but this time, he was quick with the quips and seemed really open and focused on others (especially with Thea) rather than in turmoil over his own issues. I don’t know if it’s being on his own or just being out of Arrow’s shadow and not having to live up his standards, but I like it.

Anyways, back to Oliver’s guilt. The present wasn’t the only time this point was highlighted, but fortunately, when illusi-Shado highlighted Oliver’s darkness in a flashback, she provided a little more insight.
Shado : You need to forgive yourself for what you’ve done.
Oliver: Unfortunately, you’ll need to be a little more specific.
Shado: You had the chance to leave this island, to return to your family, they miss you terribly.
Oliver: I can’t go back to my family, not the way that I am now.
Shado: Then it’s time to start changing. The only way out, is through, Oliver.
Oliver: That’s what Amanda Waller said. Through what?
Shado: Through your own darkness, let it go.
Oliver: I don’t know how.
Later in their session, she pointed out that Oliver’s darkness is his guilt, which is clearly something he’s still working on wading through even in the current time. That being said, guilt is not something you choose to experience so the issue is not that he has guilt, but rather how he deals with it. Clearly, he was able to move “through it” with Shado enough that he was able to return to Star City and reunite with his family so there’s proof that it’s possible. However, in true Oliver fashion, he’s not willing to go down without a fight and do whatever he can to attempt to avoid that guilt first. In this case, his first inclination is to make a deal with Darhk. (Ironic how he has to “move through the darkness” and now he’s walking right to it, no? This situation is chock-full of symbolism, but more on that another time.) When he tells Thea his plan, she recognizes the danger and immediately balks.
Thea: It’s not like he’s gonna be willing to help me.
Oliver: If there’s something that he wants. Something that I can trade him.
Thea: Ollie, that’s insane. Not to mention stupid. I can’t let you owe Darhk a favor.
Oliver: And I can’t let you die. I won’t.
Thea: It’s not up to you. I know how you take everything on, everyone’s problems, it’s one of the things I love most about you but you can’t fix this one, Ollie.
Oliver: I have to try.
Thea: No you don’t. It’s my choice. It’s my life.
She’s right. Oliver is a fixer. But having already experienced the effects that death had on her once, as well as what everyone sacrificed to save her, I can’t really blame her. This mystical magic stuff has no clear cut solution and there is not doubt that being indebted to Darhk will not end well. Oliver obviously isn’t ready to accept this at first, but sometimes a serious heart-to-heart with your once mortal enemy, who shares a similar love for your last remaining family member, is what you really need to see the light.
Merlyn: Leaving the epic stupidity of your plan aside, this isn’t either of our decisions.
Oliver: Malcolm, do you want her to die?
Merlyn: Of course not. Do you have any idea how badly I want to put a knife in her hand and force her to slit someone’s throat. I’ve come this close to dragging someone in her for her to kill and the only reason I haven’t is because that would be about my feelings and not Thea’s. Oliver, sometimes the greatest act of love is no action at all. It’s her life, it’s her choice.
I mean, whaaat?! How does Malcolm Merlyn have so much wisdom about love?! Wow. But for him to give up fighting for basically the only person he cares about besides himself is HUGE and a big sign, especially since he, more than anyone, understands what they’re up against. He would clearly have no qualms about allowing her to keep killing people (something Oliver isn’t as willing to partake in) to survive, but he knows that won’t really be the life she wants or deserves. Not to mention, doing so would only subject her to the same guilt and darkness that Oliver faces again and again and I can only imagine he wouldn’t wish it on anyone else, especially his sister. And so, for once, Malcolm Merlyn is the voice of reason and Oliver decides that he will follow Merlyn’s lead, standing aside and allowing Thea to make her own choice. And he seems pretty settled with that decision. Until Nyssa arrives.
After busting out of Nanda Parbat and fighting Tatsu for the magical lotus flower that will heal Thea, she presents it to Oliver with one condition – kill Malcolm Merlyn. I have to admit, this was well-played on her part; however, if Oliver is truly ready to abide by Thea’s wishes, he has to know that killing Merlyn is not what she would want and would only consume her with that same guilt. That’s not to say I’ve completely ruled out Merlyn sacrificing himself or something Darhk-related coming in to play, but now that he’s come to accept the situation, I certainly hope this doesn’t force Oliver back into his guilt-ridden darkness. Especially since he just had that epically monumental respect-filled-handshake with Merlyn. Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that Oliver will waiver and look for another way out of it, (let’s be honest, he wouldn’t be Oliver if he didn’t), but now that he’s made it this far towards acceptance, I hope he can keep moving forward.
Arrow airs Wednesday at 8/7c on The CW.
Related posts
Classics
Dennis Heaton Talks The Imperfects
Longtime readers at TV Goodness will know that Motive is one of my ride-or-die series, and as such, I am fiercely loyal to its creator, Dennis Heaton. He followed up that fantastic reverse procedural with Netflix’s The Order and is back on our streaming screens with The Imperfects, which dropped…
Kelly McCormack Talks Favorite Moments in A League of Their Own
[Warning: Mild spoilers for season 1.] Now that you’ve had a chance to watch A League of Their Own, here’s the rest of my chat with Kelly McCormack about her favorite moments of the season. Seeing the iconic Peaches uniforms for the first time wasn’t just a goosebump moment for…
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People [streaming on Global TV in Canada and Roku…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…