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April 25, 2022 Post a Comment

The Showtime of The End: Haunted 4X05 REVIEW

This review will focus heavily on L*uriver, but please don't let that discourage you. This episode primarily focused on Oliver and Laurel, only it was absolutely necessary. Ultimately, the moments betwixt Oliver and Laurel favor Olicity. More than chiefly these moments potentially foreshadow Laurel's hereafter on Arrow.

Allow'south dig in…

L*uriver

Kickoff, the Fifty*uriver shade in the start was fabulous. Alex runs through all the means L*urel 50*nce is a problem for Oliver politically. In other words, Alex discusses all the ways the Laurel/Oliver romance was a consummate and unmitigated disaster of mammoth proportions. Alex is us. Nosotros are Alex.

The writers are incredibly self aware when it comes to L*uriver. Information technology proves they are a rare breed in television writing. They admit their mistakes and try to fix them. This entire conversation with Alex was a wink and a nod, every bit if the writers were proverb, "Yeah. We know how bad it was and no, we'll never go back to them once again."

Later on Alex dispenses his political advice, nosotros receive another basket of rainbows. Oliver thinks it'southward good advice! He'south actually considering distancing himself from Laurel. HA! I cackled. I'm lamentable. Information technology was simply too good.

Oliver categorizes his friendship with Laurel as "complicated."

One of the things I love near about Oliver Queen is his loyalty. Oliver stands by his friends and family unit no affair what. He doesn't turn his dorsum on people. Then why in sweet Moses would Oliver consider distancing himself from Laurel? Simple. Oliver doesn't consider Laurel a friend. Not actually and he'due south right. They barely stand each other.

Thea launches into a speech near how long Laurel has been in their lives and how all that history matters. In truth, the list Thea came up with was rather slim.

Aye, Oliver was in dearest with both Sara and Laurel. Past tense. When romantic relationships end y'all are non obligated to remain friends. Typically, people pause upwards because they don't get along. Then, friends tin be a lofty goal. '

Thea mentions the two episodes in which she worked at CNRI with Laurel in Flavor 1. This was one of the writers' desperate attempts in Season 1 to connect Laurel to the rest of the bandage. It didn't last long. Still, okay… I'll play along. Laurel gets points for giving Thea a volunteer task.

Umm… is this before or after he arrested Oliver? Oh. Nosotros're non talking about that in this episode? Okay, it can exist hard to keep up.

Here'southward the problem. All of these examples of deep, abiding and lifelong friendship are from the past. Thea didn't mention anything from PRESENT Twenty-four hours to Oliver that warrants a continued friendship with Laurel. She didn't even bring upwardly the obvious, Squad Pointer. The reason? There's no role Laurel fills on Team Arrow that someone doesn't already fill up or can't replace. We accept two exemplary female person heroes in both Thea and Felicity, masked and unmasked. Diggle is Oliver's confident and all-time friend. Thea is his sister and Felicity is his beloved. What is Laurel? Barely his friend.

The inability to proper name present solar day impacts Laurel has on Oliver's life is truly striking. Information technology'south as if her irrelevance is summed upward all in that spoken language. Her impact on Oliver and Thea's life exists not in the nowadays, only in the by. If Laurel'due south bear on is not felt in the present, then at that place's very petty hope for her impact in the future. (cough*graphic symbol death*coughing)

History isn't enough to keep a friendship alive. Friendships are no different than whatsoever other relationships. They need time, attending and reciprocation to thrive. Friendship needs to be as active and vital in the present as it is in the past. Unfortunately, that but doesn't apply to Laurel and Oliver. The truth is… they are friends in proper name just. Not in action.

Subsequently Oliver discovers Sara is alive he confronts Laurel and Thea. This scene is one of the major problems with L*urel L*nce. Cypher is ever her mistake. She NEVER takes responsibility for anything. Laurel is defiant from the become go. She is always defiant.

When my daughter was 2 she pitched a fit at the dinner tabular array. I used i of my female parent's favorite sayings in response, "We can exercise this the nice manner or we tin exercise this the nasty way." My girl looked me dead in the eye and said, "Nasty." She was thus introduced to Mommy'due south loud voice and has never made that choice again. Laurel is constantly choosing the "nasty fashion." She is similar a petulant toddler.

Oliver is obviously upset Laurel didn't tell him about Sara and the Lazarus Pit. Laurel's response is astoundingly arrogant.

Laurel: Come to yous almost what? You lot're expertise with magical resurrection or for that judgmental look on your confront?

Welcome to the 100% Washed Club Oliver.

Wow. Just… wow. Oliver'south expertise in magical resurrection far exceeds Laurel's, which is WHY she didn't ask him. Laurel didn't want Oliver's opinion because he would've said what a terrible idea it was to raise Sara. The same as Merlyn, Thea, Nyssa and Lance. Laurel wasn't interested in asking for Oliver's opinion because she didn't want to be told what to do. Nobody tells Laurel what to do. Nobody tells Laurel she's wrong. Sara is running around boondocks ATTACKING PEOPLE because of what Laurel did. The lack of humility and contrition is unbelievable and completely inexcusable.

Oliver calls Laurel on her bullshit. She should have come to him. He could have helped find Sara. Maybe those attacks could have been avoided if Laurel showed some HUMILITY.

It's one thing to make a fault. Everybody does. Everyone screws upward large time at ane point or another. Oliver certainly has. Even so, Laurel makes her mistakes worse by her obstinacy. Her refusal to admit her mistakes means she tin can NEVER acquire from them. She's constantly going off one-half cocked, caput showtime into shallow water, without listening to ANYONE, considering Laurel believes she knows improve. Her belief that she's e'er right makes her arrogant. Her arrogance makes her untrustworthy.

How do you trust someone that won't listen to reason?

Information technology wasn't so long ago that Oliver was the aforementioned way. He was ever right. Stubborn, obstinate and arrogant. He refused to admit when he was wrong and and so it was impossible for him to learn from his mistakes. So Diggle and Felicity came into his life and everything changed. Oliver learned humility. He learned to ask for help. He learned how to ask for forgiveness.

But there's ane thing Oliver never had to learn: how to take responsibleness. Whether you agreed with his decisions or not, Oliver OWNED his decisions. The responsibility for his actions were his solitary. He never passed the buck.

It'due south amazing how much people are willing to forgive if yous simply accept responsibleness for your deportment. I retrieve about people recognize everyone makes mistakes. The one thing most people cannot tolerate is when someone BLAMES others for THEIR actions. This is why Laurel is typically so despised. At nearly every turn, Laurel blames someone else for HER deportment.

I give you Exhibit A: the hallway scene. Hallways are nuclear wastelands to 50*uriver. Everything about them dies in the hallway. The writers obviously felt they didn't slaughter L*uriver enough in 2x14 with these gems:

And decided to have another go. That's cool. Allow me catch my popcorn.

Laurel was in rare class. After Sara puts Thea in the hospital, our boy Oliver is a little pissed. Understandably then. Next to Felicity, Thea is the well-nigh of import person in Oliver'due south life. Laurel's little excursion to Nanda Parbat also put Merlyn back in Thea's life. Merlyn was Merlyn and substantially forced Thea to impale to satiate her claret lust. Laurel can wipe her doe eyed expect of innocence off her face. Thea TOLD Laurel Merlyn wanted her to kill. Thea TOLD Laurel that the desire to kill, the blood lust, was the issue from the Lazarus Pit.

Laurel knew Sara would accept the same blood lust. And you don't need to be a friggin' genius to deduce the bloodlust will be worse in someone raised from the dead. Do math Laurel. The trouble is Laurel did the math. She just didn't care nearly the event, so she ignored it.

Knowing Oliver wouldn't approve of taking Sara to Nanda Parbat doesn't automatically make Laurel right. For some bizarre reason, in Laurel'southward mind it does. When I was a kid and I disobeyed my parents, I didn't win a prize for knowing they'd be pissed. I couldn't say, "HA! Called it!" Knowing they'd be upset wasn't some wondrous get out of jail complimentary card. It simply meant I KNEW Meliorate and I DID IT ANYWAY. Laurel knew Oliver wouldn't corroborate because she knew raising Sara was wrong. The point is… LAUREL DIDN'T CARE. She did it anyhow. And now that the consequences for her actions are upon her, she's passing the cadet.

Laurel immediately questions why Oliver didn't tell her he took Thea to the Lazarus Pit. She finds his reaction to her "secrets" hypocritical. Permit'southward only play along in the "Poor Laurel" game she then loves to play. Yes, Oliver kept Thea's dip in the Lazarus Pit a secret. Is it hypocritical for Oliver to upset that Laurel did the same about Sara? Eh.

Yes, on the surface information technology is hypocritical of Oliver to go upset at anyone for keeping secrets. Oliver keeps his fair share. Except, that's not what Oliver is upset about. Was he angry with John last calendar week after he discovered Diggle lied for two years? No. Oliver knew he had no right to be. Context matters. It's the context of the hole-and-corner that Oliver is angry most. This underground exchange isn't as blackness and white as Ms. Lance would like it to be.

The reason Oliver didn't tell Laurel near Nanda Parbat is for the 1 reason he didn't accept the balls to say. LAUREL IS IRRELEVANT.

She is simply non a factor in Oliver'southward choices. She'south barely a blip on his radar screen. The counsel he seeks is Diggle's and Felicity'south. Those are the opinions that matter to him. When Oliver left for Nanda Parbat, he didn't even say bye to Laurel. He was leaving Starling City FOREVER and he didn't say goodbye. This is the second time Oliver did this. He didn't say goodbye to Laurel before he faced Ra's Al Ghul. Why? Because Laurel is a friend in proper name only. She is not a friend to Oliver in any real way and vice versus.

So, let's play the hypocrisy game. If Laurel is then irrelevant to Oliver, then Oliver is irrelevant to Laurel. She doesn't need his approval, because he doesn't need hers. Well…not quite. Showtime, Laurel lacks any mystical knowledge. Oliver's witnessed the Pit. He knows how it works. Oliver would make damn sure Laurel knew the furnishings of the Pit would exist worse on Sara than on Thea.

As 4x05 proved, Oliver does know a thing or ii about magic. Thea did NOT come back then violently nor did she remain that fashion for then long. If Laurel simply told Oliver what was going on, he could have called Constantine sooner. It may have prevented Sara attacking those two women. Sara running around Starling, attacking people, immediately lays the consequences of Laurel's actions in EVERYBODY'S laps. It became Oliver'southward business organisation the minute Sara came back incorrect.

It was also his business BEFORE it happened because Oliver could have warned Laurel of the potential consequences. Or had a plan in identify in case she ignored him. At any indicate, Laurel'due south honesty could have mitigated Sara'south pain or protected/saved lives. What did telling Laurel abut Thea procure Oliver? Zippo. She brings aught to the table. No knowledge. No emotional support he wasn't already receiving. The minimum Oliver needed from Laurel was her watching over the metropolis and he was being generous at that. He didn't demand to get into details.

Laurel wanted to know about Thea. That doesn't equate to needing to know. Whereas, Oliver both wanted and needed to know about Sara. Why? Because cleaning upwards Laurel'south mess was dropped in his lap. If the responsibility for solving the trouble is Oliver's, then that puts him in the "demand to know" category. He also could have prevented the mess from e'er happening. Again, putting him in the "demand to know" category. Context matters.

The 2nd reason Oliver didn't tell Laurel about Thea is because… Oliver knows Laurel. He knew she'd exercise exactly this. She'd want to run off to Nanda Parbat with Sara's trunk. Either she'd listen to him and the knowledge would just torture her or Laurel would raise Sara.

Let's not mix any letters. What Laurel did to Sara is wrong and Oliver knew information technology was wrong. Sara was dead. Thea was non. Thea was HEALED. She was not raised from the expressionless. Thea came back with her soul, which ways she was never truly gone. Consider it like Thea's flat lining and the paramedics are doing everything to save her. Is that wrong? No, but the minute Thea dies, raising her from expiry crosses a line. It messes with forces across any homo'due south right to control. It'southward why Sara's soul remained trapped. Oliver may non understand the forces at play in the globe, but he does respect them. Laurel does not.

Did Oliver skim the razor border line by healing Thea with the Lazarus Pit? Yes, he acted selfishly. Merely Laurel crossed the line. A line Oliver would never cross. And what'due south the proof? Oliver had knowledge of the Lazarus Pit long before anyone else. He did not dig up Moira, Tommy, or even his father and enhance them with the Pit. People he loves. People he desperately misses. People he'd give anything to meet one more fourth dimension. Oliver is property Laurel to the same moral line he holds himself to. It's not hypocrisy. It's accountability. Unfortunately, Laurel Lance has no clue how to be accountable for her actions.

Oliver: What? Oh come up on. Laurel, of grade I run across you every bit an equal.

Laurel: No you don't. You never told me you were The Arrow. Yous never supported me becoming The Black Canary and you never would have told me in that location is a way to save my sis.

Manipulative people are pretty skilful at one thing… manipulation. Truly, information technology is an art form to them. In the middle of this hissy fit, Laurel somehow made raising Sara from the dead OLIVER'S Error. If he'd simply told her about being The Arrow, if he'd only supported her becoming The Black Canary, if he'd but told her most the Lazarus Pit, everything would be dissimilar. Information technology's not Laurel'southward fault. It's Oliver's.

The Blame Game is a wondrous affair to behold. Essentially, the person throws whatever they can at the wall and sees if it sticks. Unfortunately, this is all a bunch of bullshit. Telling Laurel that he'due south The Arrow, or supporting her as Black Canary, would accept washed Nix to alter the state of affairs they are in. And telling Laurel well-nigh the Lazarus Pit wouldn't have either. Laurel was going to exercise whatsoever the hell she wanted. The consequences be damned. They would accept ended upwardly correct back hither, in this hallway, where the rubber meets the route. Where the black and white consequences are staring Laurel in the face. 2 WOMEN ATTACKED. OTHERS KILLED. THEA HOSPITALIZED. SARA TORTURED.

Even in the brief second she recognizes Sara is tortured from the choices she made,

Laurel is furious Oliver isn't focused on HER FEELINGS.

Don't be worried about the two women attacked. Don't worry virtually the people killed. Don't be worried well-nigh Thea. Don't be worried about Sara. BE WORRIED Virtually ME OLIVER.

It'due south all about Laurel and how she feels. It all boils downwardly to "Poor Laurel". It is the height of unbridled narcissism.

There are two things that stand up out to me in this statement. One, Laurel doesn't believe Oliver views her as an equal. Two, when button comes to shove, Laurel wants Oliver to think about HER FEELINGS. Laurel wants Oliver'due south focus on her. 50*urel 50*nce is in a power struggle with Oliver Queen and she has been for a very long time.

Relationships, regardless of makeup, must have a balance of ability. The balance of power is unique to the human relationship. Balancing power in a human relationship is catchy. Tipping the scales to ane person makes the other experience slighted or less than.

For example, when I quit my job I no longer earned a paycheck. My husband made all the money. That'southward a lot of power in a relationship. We were honest about it. To balance that, my contributions at dwelling had to exist recognized in equal measure to the money Nick brings domicile. Furthermore, Nick has a neat bargain of autonomy in the exterior world. My world is inside the dwelling. Then, I run the solar day to twenty-four hour period of the house and he very seldom questions it. It's an equal residuum, considering it works for usa. We both experience valued in the relationship.

What's my bespeak? When Laurel looks at Oliver she feels less than because… Oliver didn't choose her.

When they were dating, Oliver cheated. When Laurel wanted to move in together, Oliver ran away with HER SISTER.

He even robbed her of a dumping him by "dying." Even after Laurel chosen information technology quits with Oliver subsequently Tommy died, she made a drunken pass at him subsequently on and Oliver rejected her.

The next fourth dimension Laurel sees him, Oliver is dating Sara.

He chooses Sara over her again. In their hallway blow upward, Oliver tells Laurel he's done running after her. He turns his back on Laurel and, let's be honest, he's never looked back.

Then, when it comes downwardly to the "person he loves the about" it'due south wildly clear Slade believes Felicity is that adult female. And he's right. Oliver cull Felicity over Laurel.

He chose Diggle

and Felicity

over Laurel when he told them, and not her, that he's The Arrow.

His disapproval of Laurel every bit Black Canary,

when he readily accustomed Sara as The Canary,

is another rejection in Laurel'southward heed.

This constant combative and adversarial relationship Laurel has with Oliver is an endeavour to residuum the power between them. It'southward incredibly passive ambitious and another reason why Laurel and Oliver are toxic even as crime fighting partners. You lot cannot be truthful partners if you are constantly locked in a passive aggressive ability struggle.

For all the "ra ra" girl power Laurel proclaims every bit kick ass, crime fighting Blackness Canary, she desperately wants Oliver, the man who rejected her, to Choose HER. Laurel constantly challenges him and goes off half artsy because she's trying to repossess the power Oliver took from her.

Caveats attached to apologies are not actually apologies. It's the quondam, "I'thou sorry, but…" line. Immediately the "but" eradicates the apology because you're about to defend what you're apologizing for.

Well. I remember we all need to intermission and requite Laurel a standing ovation. Manipulation is an art class and this is Fifty*urel Fifty*nce's Starry Night. A manipulative masterpiece of EPIC proportions.

Laurel is distressing about Thea because she cares about Oliver's family,Simply the reason this all happened is because Oliver doesn't care about Laurel's family.

Saying Oliver doesn't intendance about the Lance family unit is as casuistic equally it is groundless. Honestly, Oliver cares TOO MUCH about the Lance family unit - that was part of the trouble.

In all seriousness, Oliver put his trunk in front of a gun to protect Sara. He would have taken a bullet for her. And… Shado died because Oliver chose Sara. The lengths Oliver has gone to testify his love and devotion to the Lance family are beyond measure. For Laurel to even question it, later all these years, later on the endless times he'due south put his body in damage's way to protect not but her, but Sara and Captain Lance, is beyond insulting.

Holding to a moral line doesn't mean Oliver doesn't care. It means he's doing the right matter. Doing what is correct is often difficult and painful. It does not hateful an absence of emotion. Oliver'south anger proves he cares. My mother utilise to tell me whenever I was in trouble, "I only go mad because I beloved you. If I didn't I wouldn't care." Apathy is death to a relationship. If Oliver didn't love the Lance family, he would be indifferent about what Laurel does or how it effects Sara or Captain Lance. Holding her accountable means Oliver cares.

But nobody is immune to hold Laurel accountable because she is never wrong. When challenged, Laurel pitches a needless hissy fit. This is a character picayune girls are suppose to look up to? No cheers.

The strength of a grapheme isn't in the mask they wear, simply in their actions. L*urel Fifty*nce has proven, time and once again, who she really is. Someone who is incapable of taking responsibility and blames others for her deportment.

Oliver is pretty silent during Laurel's tirade. At this point, writing Laurel in such horrifically bad light cannot be accidental. Personally, I think the writers are trying to go equally many people fed upwards with Laurel as possible, so when the time comes to kill her… most of the audience is ready to see her get.

I also think Oliver has lost the will to fight with Laurel. I often say fighting isn't something to be feared in a relationship. It'due south when your partner doesn't want to fight that you should be concerned. It means they aren't invested in the relationship anymore. Oliver isn't apathetic towards Laurel. He cares about her. He cares almost her actions. That said, he'southward non specially invested in the relationship. Fixing his friendship with Laurel isn't high on Oliver'due south priority list. He just wants her to stop doing stupid shit.

Sara is and so crazy that Laurel takes a page from Captain Lance's volume and is ready to put a bullet in her sister. While Laurel is condemning Oliver for not caring about Sara, he was the only i who refused to put Sara down similar a dog. Laurel fabricated this mess, but Oliver is adamant to ready it. He's going to get Sara back… THE Correct Fashion.

Again, Oliver willingly and selflessly puts his life on the line in lodge to salvage Sara.

Tin can I just say, Oliver was a BAMF during that spell. It was evidently painful, as bear witness by Laurel's screams, only Oliver submits to it. His serenity is an awe inspiring display of mental, spiritual and physical strength.

The L*urivers will betoken to Oliver and Laurel property hands, Oliver helping Laurel up and pulling Sara out together, as signs of a L*uriver rebuild.

When y'all've been in the desert, dying of thirst, you'll basically drink anything that LOOKS similar water. Unfortunately, none of these moments are actually a rebuild. They are mirage. Or worse, if the L*urivers truly believe it, salt water that volition merely speed their aridity. The point of these microseconds was to bear witness Oliver and Laurel putting aside their differences and working together. In that location was nothing romantic about them. Amell must've really struggled with how to promote this episode because that "arm lock" lasted all of ii seconds.

Case in point, the minute Laurel and Oliver are non required to physically touch, they RUN to their other loved ones. Laurel runs to her male parent and Oliver runs (sprints practically) to Felicity'due south artillery.

After experiencing the other side, Oliver and Laurel wanted to feel the reassuring artillery of the people they love. If they loved each other, Oliver and Laurel would have ran toward each other and not away.

And can I just say, Laurel'southward obstinacy continued when on the "other side" with Constantine. She ran off, one-half artsy, the minute she heard Sara'southward voice and refused to head Constantine's warnings. Sweet Moses and Holy Freaking Zeus woman! LISTEN!!!! This is why nobody tells y'all anything!

The finale scene is where I got really excited. Really. Actually. Excited. First, all of Laurel and Oliver's bug are swept nether the carpet.

Essentially, it's tied off with a sloppy bow equally Oliver promises to be a better friend.

If the writers are truly interested in developing and rebuilding Oliver and Laurel's friendship, blossoming it into new romance, this episode would be the outset of the discussion. Not the end.

For example, when Diggle was aroused with Oliver the writers took six episodes to explore it. It took until the sixth episode for Oliver and Diggle to kiss and make up. Laurel and Oliver are making upwards At present. Their issues are based on incidents that happened over the course of three years. Whereas, Diggle and Oliver's issues were based on one incident. One incident gets six episodes of attention. Three years of incidents gets ONE episode of attention. Does this equate your mind? It shouldn't. Those maths don't prevarication. You can clearly run across which relationships the writers are interested in exploring and developing. Laurel and Oliver are not it.

Laurel thanks Oliver for restoring Sara's soul and they hug it out.

The camera lingers on Oliver and he closes his eyes just a bit. A sense of relief. Closure.

The unifying force between Oliver and Laurel is the aforementioned force that separated them to begin with… SARA. Raising Sara ignited the fight, simply restoring her soul besides restored the peace betwixt them. Adulterous on Laurel, running away with Sara, began Oliver's journey toward The Light-green Arrow. And Laurel'south story will always begin and finish with Sara. She is her dandy love. When it comes to Oliver and Laurel… all roads lead back to Sara.

This scene bears a striking resemblance to Oliver and Laurel's first scene in the pilot. In the pilot, Laurel is in a bustling office and Oliver Queen's scandal with Sara Lance and subsequent resurrection is being discussed on telly.

The crowds role a bit and Oliver and Laurel come across again for the first fourth dimension in five years.

Once again, Oliver and Laurel are in a bustling role. Once once again, Oliver Queen and his scandal with the Lance family unit volition be discussed on television. But instead of facing the television like in the pilot, Laurel faces away from it.

The scandal is no longer part of the present, but in the past, where it belongs. Instead of acrimony and wishing for Oliver's death,

Laurel accepts his olive branch of friendship. It is a full circle moment. A moment of peace.

In the scene where Laurel discusses Sara'south soul and finds peace with Oliver… she wears a white leather jacket. Laurel is wearing the symbol of The White Canary in the episode where Sara is truly saved and her human relationship with Oliver comes full circle. For those of you who've read my theories regarding Laurel's expiry, I've theorized that Sara will become White Canary to honor her sister. A parallel to when Laurel became Blackness Canary to award Sara. Arrow went to bully lengths last year to separate Laurel from Sara and qualified her every bit a source of "lite."

For Sara, Laurel was e'er her light. If Laurel dies, Sara could reimagine the hero she's meant to be on Legends of Tomorrow in Laurel's image. Similar Oliver is living his light equally The Green Pointer, Sara volition live her light equally The White Canary.

Aye, I did see that Sara was dressed in white in the Lazarus pit. Only Laurel was dressed every bit Blackness Canary pulling her from the pit. Information technology immediately connects the two from the second Sara's soul is saved. It's entirely possible Sara's costume is simply reflective of her ressurection, but costumes for characters born on Arrow tend to have sentimental meaning. Fourth dimension will tell…

***Don't inundation my inbox about the time line. I know Legends is a mid flavour replacement and the death is revealed virtually season's end. Information technology'southward entirely possible Sara's White Canary evolves over time. The "promo" shown with Sara in the White Canary costume was just an advertisement for press. A snapshot, if you volition. An overview of LOT and what'south to come. Information technology was not the airplane pilot. That said, fifty-fifty if Sara's White Canary has zero to exercise with Laurel…Laurel can still dice. The two don't Have to be related. I'd just prefer if they were. I like parallel.

I institute the elegance of this scene especially striking. Part of my issue with 4x01 is everyone automatically believed Felicity Smoak will dice. After 4x03, anybody immediately switched to Helm Lance dying. Yes, the Arrow writers are not subtle, but these episodes were also obvious. Typically, there is foreshadowing in episodes and we can draw a clear line using hindsight. However, the writers don't normally hang neon signs this clarion. It'due south as if they wanted anybody to believe Felicity Smoak or Quentin Lance volition die.

Whereas, this scene with Laurel is more subtle. Accept for example, The Wedding Theory. The signs were all there. We can describe a clear line from 3x01 to 4x01, but piecing it all together as the episodes aired required piece of work and thought. Read through the serial. I obsessively and painstakingly pieced the puzzle together, because… I'thousand obsessive. Well-nigh "regular" viewers (re: my parents) missed it and Oliver proposing to Felicity was a huge surprise. Why? The writers wanted the proposal to make sense in the narrative, but they didn't want it to be so obvious it spoiled the surprise. So, they left nugget sized clues, which they eventually followed through on. Hell, I picked up on it and I was notwithstanding surprised.

The same tin can be said of Laurel in this episode. The clues foreshadowing Laurel'south impending expiry are all there, but are small and subtle. She'southward restored Sara's soul. She'due south found peace with Oliver. She'southward plant peace with her father. The white jacket.

Laurel's merely request is that Oliver care for her like an equal. It is the terminal remaining thread between them. This clearly connects Laurel's death to Oliver'southward reaction at the grave. He does not feel guilty for the death. Yes, it points to "New Oliver" - a man who no longer blames himself for everything. Just I've e'er said Oliver's lack of guilt could indicate to his acceptance of Laurel as Black Canary. She chose this life and the consequences that came with it, the aforementioned every bit Oliver. Therefore, her death is not on Oliver'due south hands. Past recognizing Laurel'due south complimentary volition, Oliver sees her every bit an equal.

My gauge is many people volition miss this foreshadowing. The writers aren't hitting united states over the head with it. They want the connective thread to be there, so in the event Laurel dies, we can look dorsum and information technology makes sense to the narrative. However, they are holding their cards closer to the belong, so to speak, with the subtlety. Why? They want it to be a surprise.

Some will mark "Haunted" as a new beginning for Oliver and Laurel. In many ways information technology was. However, I believe we'll be able to wait back at the subtle connective thread and point to this epiosde as the beginning of the stop.

Olicity

Once again our beautiful cupcakes are sprinkled throughout the episode, but given the nightmare I just slogged through above, every 2nd was a breath of fresh air. Oh Olicity… you are my light in the abysmal dark that is LL.

In all the resurrection madness, Oliver and Felicity have a moment to themselves. Equally Pointer moves through this mystical plot line, information technology's important for the characters to remain grounded. Felicity understands how the Lazarus Pit brought Sara to life, just her mind is all the same blown. Her reaction (and Diggle'due south for that matter) requite a sense of gravity and realism to the mystical events surrounding them.

Oliver explains that the world is a complicated place. His voice is weathered and tired. It'due south the voice of a man who's seen things across the imagining. Information technology'southward the voice of a man who'southward seen too much. It'south why Oliver treasures these moments with Felicity. It's merely the two of them - quiet, warm, safe and lone. Dearest in its purest form is unproblematic. Somehow the madness of their world cannot breach the walls Oliver and Felicity's honey have built effectually them. It's a safe place where they tin sort out the moral implications of what they've seen and how they feel. The burn glows in the background, illuminating a light effectually them, as Oliver and Felicity fumble their way through night madness that surrounds them. Together.

Felicity confesses to Oliver she received a message from Ray. The sympathy and concern on Oliver's confront is immediate. If there'south one matter Oliver Queen understands it'south pain and loss. At that place was no jealousy. Just dearest and agreement.

Felicity holds Oliver'southward hand as she talks nigh opening the wound that is Ray Palmer. The warmth of his hands, the strength of his grip is comforting. As she talks about Ray, Felicity focuses her eyes on Oliver's hands, absentmindedly threading her fingers through his. She lost him once too, an unimaginable pain, just Oliver came dorsum to her. Oliver is real and he's here. The security of that knowledge makes information technology easier to talk most the pain of proverb goodbye to Ray. A pain, Felicity muses, that they no longer take to feel when it comes to Sara.

It's understandable that as Felicity prepares to listen to Ray's final goodbye she's grateful they don't have to say bye to Sara anymore. Nobody wants Sara expressionless. Personally, I'chiliad overjoyed she's dorsum, simply at what cost? What virtually the people who died? Are their lives any less valuable than Sara's? I don't go to make that determination just because I love Sara.

Oliver tells Felicity it's non as simple as alleviating their hurting. There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't miss his parents or Tommy. The way Oliver's voice breaks especially at Tommy's name shows how raw the hurting still is. The depth of Oliver's love for all those he'south lost and the grief he even so feels is always bubbling at the surface. When information technology comes to Oliver Queen… withal waters run deep.

This is a glimpse into Oliver's frame of mind mail Sara resurrection. By mentioning his parents and Tommy, Oliver is confessing to Felicity, and only to Felicity, that he thought about it. He thought about raising Robert, Moira and Tommy and what information technology would be like to be able to speak with them once more. To no longer feel the pain of their loss. What would he give?

The conclusion Oliver came to is inflicting hurting on his parents or Tommy, to eliminate his own pain, wouldn't actually be healing. Information technology would just open a different kind of wound. Mayhap a worse 1. Hurting that Thea is certainly experiencing and Sara will feel on an even larger scale.

In this mode, Oliver is acknowledging his actions with Thea were somewhat selfish. Information technology'due south why he didn't cross the line when he had the chance. It'due south why he'southward belongings the line now with Sara. At that place are limits and at that place should be limits. It doesn't mean Oliver loves his parents or Tommy any less than Thea.

The way Felicity strokes his arms is and then reassuring. She understands without maxim a world. There'south no judgment. Just love.

What'southward wonderful to witness is Oliver and Felicity grappling with these big life issues together. They aren't solitary in the world anymore. They don't have to confront these emotional juggernauts by themselves. They are a team within a team. The prophylactic and security in that is incredibly comforting. More than Sara's return, knowing Oliver has Felicity and vice versus, helps heal their hurting.

This team within a team has a Castle/Beckett or Booth/Brennan experience to it. Oliver and Felicity Nancy Drew together and figure out that Thea is Sara's ultimate target. Go team!

And when Thea opens her eyes… it'due south Oliver and Felicity standing next to her. QUEEN Family FOREVER.

Did you notice the fern in the hospital room?

Either the writers tin can't assist themselves and ferns follow Olicity wherever they go or… this is foreshadowing. Maybe Olicity will be back in a hospital room soon. Simply remember what the fern symbolizes: it thrives in low lite. It'south a beacon of promise no thing where it is. The fern is the symbol of Olicity's survival.

Constantine joked well-nigh everybody dying which, conceptually I gauge Oliver had to know what he was getting into. Withal, one time they were on the "other side" then Constantine made it articulate they could be stuck there.

When they returned safely, Oliver SPRINTED to Felicity. His dart included several stumbles, simply he would accept crawled back to her if he had to. Merely in case anyone is unclear:

Oliver runs from Laurel straight into Felicity'due south artillery. That'due south it. That's the show.

Oliver leans on Felicity for support and she feels his pulse (thanks @olicity-i-believe-in-yous for pointing that gem out!). Over again, to reassure herself that Oliver is okay. He is real and he'due south here. She didn't lose him.

Oliver presses his lips confronting Felicity's hair to reassure her and himself.

With Oliver'southward arm wrapped protectively around Felicity'southward shoulder, she snuggles confronting his chest and grips his t-shirt tightly in her fist, tethering herself to him. Once again as the madness of their world swirls effectually them, Oliver and Felicity cling desperately to what is real and condom… i another.

Thea

You lot know what sucks? Merlyn made Thea impale Sara. Tin't we rearrange this bloodlust thing and direct the torpedo that is Fruit Loop Sara at MERLYN? Problem solved.

Thea finally confesses to Oliver that her "spa weekend" in Nanda Parbat didn't exactly fix her. She tells Oliver that Merlyn forced her to kill… once more. Thea has a difficult time confessing things to Oliver because of the same reason he has difficulty telling her the truth. Thea doesn't want Oliver to look at her differently. To see her every bit damaged. Both Thea and Oliver demand to realize that they love one another unconditionally. Unconditional beloved is filled with business, but not judgment.

If in that location's anyone who can understand Thea'south pain information technology's Oliver. He'south been to some pretty dark places himself. This pain that Oliver, and now Thea, carry should ultimately unify them equally blood brother and sister because it'south a shared experience, at its most basic level. Darkness is darkness. Killing is killing. Pain is hurting. Oliver should be the offset person Thea tells and not the concluding. He, better than anyone, can assistance lead her towards the low-cal. He can certainly aid more than than Merlyn.

Their "hug it out" talk is perfection. Oliver doesn't have the right to be upset with Thea nearly keeping secrets (the entire Arrow audition drums their fingers impatiently as we wait for flashbacks in chronological order). That said, he wants to be a person who Thea feels she tin go to for help.

Simply because Oliver isn't bravado upwards at Thea doesn't mean she was correct for keeping Nanda Parbat a secret from him. Oliver is upset near the context of secret she kept. If, for example, Thea kept Constantine'due south hotness a underground, Oliver wouldn't intendance. Honestly, he would take preferred information technology unspoken. But her bloodlust and killing people puts Oliver on a need to know footing.

Yes, Oliver lied about The Arrow, but he made a vow to be more honest with Thea and he's tried to keep it. Yeah, non telling her about the risks of the Lazarus Pit was an Ballsy fuck upwards and Oliver owned upwardly to it. Just, in general, whatever secrets Oliver is keeping are from the past. He reveals them if and when they have bearing on the present. Otherwise, he keeps it private. We give Oliver a lot of crap about it, but actually, he'south not completely out of line. Thea may want to know these secrets, only does she demand to know? Eh. Not really. However, Thea'south issues are happening the present. Thea's secret actively hurt her considering Oliver could help. It's a slight deviation, but an important one.

Thea's willingness to let Sara kill her is both selfless and bone spooky frightening. On the i hand, Thea carries tremendous guilt for killing Sara. To Thea, Sara killing her is justice she deserves. Can someone please explain to this delightful cinnamon curl that her begetter is a full whack chore and Sara'due south blood is on his hand? You don't need to die Thea. Just stop asking Daddy love for help.

Thea's willingness to dice is as well incredibly frightening. It's the first existent glimpse nosotros have into how the Pit is effecting Thea emotionally. She's worn out from the pain. There's no residue from the claret lust and when in that location is… she has the guilt of those she killed on her censor. It's non a lot of fun to exist Thea Queen right now and more than than ever she's going to need the beloved of her family and friends to help her through it. To show her that life is worth living and that death is never a solution.

Luckily, Thea backs off the "go ahead and kill me" motif and embraces the more appropriate "bait" approach. She selflessly offers to lure Sara to Verdant. Information technology puts Thea in a lot of danger considering Sara is well… SARA and she's a few paper plates short of picnic. If there was whatever question as to which female person character kicks the near ass, the definitive answer is THE CANARY. Sara Lance is a BAMF. Do not mess with her. Crazy or sane.

The Pit takes a piece of anybody'due south soul that enters it. I wonder if Sara and Thea can sense one some other considering they each contain a fraction of one another'south souls along with their own? It'south an interesting connection and it's ane I hope Pointer continues to explore. Obviously, Sara will be compelled to kill Thea, but she has her soul now. So Sara will resist. Information technology will create and interesting push pull dynamic between these 2 women and I hope we get to come across it in action before Sara is shipped off to Legends.

Diggle

Diggle…oh human. POOR FREAKING DIGGLE. My centre just broke for him.

Andrew Diggle, his beloved brother, was a terrorist!

Mind, I did NOT see that coming. I completely believed what Diggle believed - Andy was a adept man. In a way, Diggle is losing Andy all over once more. It may be worse fifty-fifty. Andy's memory is all Diggle had left and now… it's clouded by these new revelations.

Andy is nevertheless John'due south brother and while he'll need time to process this new information, I don't believe it volition cease Diggle's investigation into HIVE. For one this, this is HIVE we're talking about. I know Captain Lance said the information was legit, but Damien Darhk sucks the life out of people. I'm pretty sure he tin orchestrate a disarming newspaper trail that would fool the Star City Police Department. In other words, keep digging Diggle! The truth is out there!

In the consequence that Andy was a bad guy, I don't think this changes Diggle's crusade all that much. Andy was yet his brother. A brother John loved very much. Andy is no different than Robert Queen or Moira Queen. These characters made mistakes. They lost themselves in darkness, only information technology didn't eliminate Oliver's love for them. Oliver still wanted Slade brought to justice. He nonetheless wanted Merlyn brought to justice. And then it will be with Diggle. Just considering Andy lost himself in darkness, doesn't eliminate the need for justice.

I don't buy Damien'south story for a 2nd. In that location was something in those files he didn't want seen. Some weakness they exposed. Some secret he wants to protect. The more than nosotros find out about Andrew Diggle the more than I am convinced that Em'south theory is right. Get ready for another sibling coming back from the dead.

Constantine

I loved Constantine. Start to cease. He really made me bask the flashbacks for the starting time time all year. Any man who makes Oliver Queen wink his abs is a winner in my book.

I was stunned when he popped up on the Island.

Nor did I come across the tattoo transfer coming.

Sad to all those who spent hours translating Oliver'south tattoo. I have absolutely NO idea how that tattoo will protect Oliver, simply consider me intrigued.

I never watched Constantine, just he is welcome back on Arrow whatsoever time. The mysticism storyline has potential to be hokey, but Constantine fit right in and was a breath of fresh air. And yep, Thea is right. He is a specific kind of yummy.

Stray Thoughts…

Curtis on energy drinks is magical. Let'south give him Pixie Stixs! Run into what happens.

Damien Darhk's snark is life. I love this guy. I mean, I hate him, but he's basically the perfect villain.

There has to be a world in which Damien Darhk and Raymond Reddington drink Merlot together. Jenn and I hatched this programme together and and so fancied ourselves as Darhk and Red respectively. We stand by the awesomeness. @palindromepoet

Ray is alive. Yeah… we knew that for a really long time. Can we get this "Honey, I Shrunk Myself" remake on the road already?

The new political analyst is hot. It's like Josh Lyman and Sam Seaborn had a baby together. He can stay.

Helm Lance'due south shade on his daughter's brand of honesty was a real highlight. Shade away Daddy. Welcome aboard the "SS Laurel Is A Hurting In The Donkey". Bar is in the back.

Note which masked female hero Oliver is shown preparation with. Notation which 1 he is not. Toss another log on the Laurel dying fire? Sure why not.

Same Felicity.

How did Felicity procure a expressionless peacock feather and so quickly? Exercise they have those just laying around the Arrow cave? This woman is a wonder.

In that location was a lot of arm porn in this episode. That's keen.

Morality non withstanding… welcome back my darling Sara. You lot accept no idea how much you were missed. ORIGINAL CANARY LIVES!!

The physicality of Caity Lotz is but miles ahead of y'all know who. She embodies The Canary. She looks stiff and effortless all at the same time.

Laurel may have ticked me off, simply am I happy to see her reunited with her great love… her low-cal… her sister. Honestly, now that Sara is back perhaps I'll exist able to take Laurel better. Sara'due south Laurel is the version I dearest.