Jan. 28, 2020 marked the end of an era for Green Arrow fans. The popular CW series, “Arrow,” which paved the way for shows like Batwoman, The Flash and Supergirl, concluded with its series finale episode, “Fadeout” Tuesday.
Warning: Potential spoilers ahead!
After a total of eight seasons and 170 episodes, “Arrow” came to a conclusion with a barrage of guest appearances and surprise reunions.
In this “final ‘bow'” we see the return of former Team Arrow members Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), Roy Harper (Colton Haynes), Thea Queen (Willa Holland), Sara Lance (Caity Lotz) along with many more.
The episode takes off where “Crisis on Infinite Earths” concluded, at Oliver Queen’s (Stephen Amell) death. The finale opens up with a recreation of Moira Queen’s (Susanna Thompson) death scene. Despite our presumptions, we learn that history has changed. Oliver saved all those he could not while donning the hood.
Other characters that made a triumphant return from the dead, or never actually died in this bright new universe, include Tommy Merlin (Colin Donnell) and Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne). We also learn that Tommy and Laurel of earth-prime married before she died.
In mourning, the current Arrow Team struggles with coming to terms with their inspirational leaders death. Emotional reunions are held in the bunker and heartfelt exchanges occur throughout the episode.
Solemn goodbyes are held in Oliver’s memory as flashbacks of his heroics allow us to recognize just exactly what the “Arrow-verse” has lost.
When the team learns Oliver’s son, William, has been kidnaped the rush into action to rescue the young Queen. In one final adventure, the team fights to find William while discovering exactly what has changed since Oliver recreated the universe.
As the story progresses you learn that this brave new Star City is one free of crime. Feeling as though the city no longer needs vigilante supervision, Jon Diggle (David Ramsey) announces that his wife, Lyla Michaels (Audrey Marie Anderson) has accepted a promotion in Metropolis. Given this, I think it’s safe to say that we’ll be seeing this dynamic duo in the upcoming “Lois and Superman” series.
Speaking of Diggle, his character has a major, fan driven, surprise development in the closing of this episode. Knocked down by something crashing from space, Jon recovers from the impact to discover a small box in a crater. As many predicted, Jon opens the box to gaze upon something casting a glowing green light. Thats right! Expect to see Jon Diggle as the Arrow-verse’s first Green Lantern next year!
As the episode comes to a bittersweet close we watch as the people he fought for, the people he loved, give one final, sorrowful goodbye to the Emerald Archer. At Oliver’s funeral we see just how far his impact of heart has reached as we recognize Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist) and Barry Allen’s (Grant Gustin) presence in the selectively somber gathering.
The completion of “Arrow’s” story arch was wistful as this final bow shot directly at its target audience, allowing the viewers a heartfelt goodbye.
Watch the entire episode here.
