Arrow “Broken Hearts” 

Love is dead. Well, maybe not love, but the relationship between Oliver and Felicity certainly is. At least for now. Despite a heartfelt fake marriage vow from Oliver and a life-saving “love is grand” speech from Felicity, Felicity stood her ground and made it clear that done means done. But not before the audience was given a glimmer of hope that these two might just make it after all. Let’s take a closer look at the ups and downs of their will-they-won’t-they wedding day in “Broken Hearts”.

With the return of Carrie Cutter (aka Cupid), it was clear from the beginning that this episode was all about love. Felicity started the episode by moving out of the loft with her usual pep and breaking the news of her broken engagement to Team Arrow, but as soon as Cutter’s intention became clear, the cancelled wedding was back on. Or at least, had to appear to be. With Cutter targeting “celebrity couples” (which I have to admit I had a little trouble with since no one besides Thea seemed to know who any of these people were), it was decided a faux-wedding was the best way to lure Cutter and protect the other couples…and who better to do it than Star City sweethearts, Felicity and Oliver? So without further ado, they said: “I do.” Well, not quite, but they got close. A small intimate ceremony lasted long enough for Felicity and Oliver to get out their vows and for Oliver to express his feelings.

Oliver: Felicity, before I met you, I had a plan. But then you walked in to my life, or I showed up at your cubicle, and you changed everything. I was in darkness but with your kindness, your generosity, your passion, your intelligence, your wit and your trust, you brought me in to the light. You let me know that I deserved it. You were that light. And I don’t know if I still deserve that trust. If I deserve you. I probably don’t. But whatever has happened, whatever will happened, the way you make me feel is the best part of my life. You can ask me to say that I don’t love you, but I will never lie to you again. You are my home, Felicity. And I just want the chance to be yours.

Pretty sweet, right? If this was a real wedding, those would be the kind of vows that would make every bride swoon. And it even seemed to be working on Felicity as she started to go all doe-eyed while Oliver professed his love. But then Cutter swooped in to break up the moment and take down the happy couple. Fortunately, though, the belief in love was not lost. As Cutter bestowed her thoughts on the dangers of love, Felicity stepped up to speak her peace and save the day.

Cupid: True love, people need to see it, they need to know what a joke it is.

Felicity: It’s not.

Cupid: I have loved two men in my life with all my soul. They’re both dead now. No matter what. Love always ends in death. That’s why it’s in the vows. I’m just cutting out the middle man. Love is death.

Felicity: It’s not. You saw all those people outside, right? They’re out there because love is real. Because love is life itself. And if I die tonight, I’ll be okay. Because I was one of those people lucky enough to experience it. From the moment he walked in to my life, everything changed. I became a person I didn’t even know I was capable of becoming. I became the very best version of myself. That would’ve never have been possible without our love. Our love gives my life meaning, gives my life purpose. And it brings us more joy than you could ever take away from us. And it’s worth living for. All of it.

After a speech like that, it was hard to imagine that Olicity (since this episode was all about the ‘ship names, I had to go with it) wasn’t on the road to reconciliation. I mean, you can’t possibly say those things with such conviction and emotion unless you really feel them, right?

But once Cutter was captured and the city was safe, it became obvious that when The Beatles sang “All you Need is Love,” they clearly hadn’t been engaged to a vigilante superhero.

Oliver: I want you to know what I said today during the ceremony, I meant every single word of it.

Felicity: I love you. With everything in me. But what I said doesn’t apply to us. I can’t be with you. I can’t marry you.

Oliver: Yes, you can. You can because that’s what both of us want. Things can be different. I can be different. And I am promising you, I am swearing to you, there will be no more lies.

Felicity: You know, no matter how much you love me, there is always going to be a part of you that is going to default to the part of you that was the man on the island…alone. Who came back to save the city…alone. And sooner than we both think, you’re going to be stuck in a situation that requires you to hide things from me again.

Oliver: You can’t know that.

Felicity: I do know that and you know that. That’s this life. I’m sorry. Five months ago, I convinced you that we could have it all. That we could come here to this job and have each other. I was wrong. Then I thought we could just go back  to the way things were before Ivy Town and that was as crazy as Cupid is.

Oliver: So what does that mean?

Felicity: It means that it is too hard to be here with you every night and not be with you. That’s not fair to either of us…..you don’t give up, that’s what makes you a hero. But there’s no fixing this. We have to let each other go. I want you to keep it for good this time, please. {She hands him her engagement ring}

Oliver: I don’t want to let you go.

Felicity: I don’t want to let you go. But I’m already gone.

Ugh, while this conversation (and especially last line) was hard to hear, I have to admit, it was easily my favorite of this episode. I love that despite Oliver’s speech and declaration of love, Felicity stood her ground. And not because she doesn’t love him or she doesn’t think he loves her, but because regardless of those feelings, nothing has changed. She knows what this life includes and she knows that this will continue to be an issue for them. It’s the essence of who Oliver is and while he’s working to overcome it, Felicity still sees the red flags. I also love that this isn’t about his son. I mean, it is because that’s what brought this all to light, but that is just one part of the bigger issue, which is what Felicity can’t overcome. So it’s not that she can’t forgive him for one mistake, it’s that she knows that this kind of thing is bound to happen again and again in some way and it’s not something she wants to continue putting herself through. She is standing up for herself and I admire that.

Honestly, the fact that she is leaving Team Arrow is what’s hardest for me. And I imagine for Team Arrow as well. Who is going to be their Overwatch? Felicity’s role in this team is vital, which is why even more than the engagement, I can’t believe that this will stick…she has to come back…whether it’s by choice or by being dragged in by some criminally masterminded situation. And let’s be honest, I’m not entirely convinced their relationship is over for good either. But I like where this episode took us and am willing to ride this relationship roller coaster a bit longer.

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