#arrowrewatch2018

Quick Thoughts

- I liked this episode 

- John and Quentin are back as part of the team - hugs, kisses, warm thoughts

- Oliver Queen’s hotness continues BIG TIME

- Felicity goes Bratva and damn she’s creepy

- Oliver’s worried about Felicity!!

- Felicity is jealous of Dinah - what happens in Russia - girl is hurt and pissed

- John understandably wants to cause pain

- I miss Rory. Can he come back and replace ALL of NTA?

- Poor Felicity having to deal with a nuclear weapon AGAIN - that’s just cruel - thank you MG I’m sure

- John Diggle is a good man

- Felicity hugging Oliver is TOO WONDERFUL

- Rory stopping the nuke!

- The team shooting vodka :)

-You, me, Felicity - we make each other better - Diggle

- Anatoly reminds Oliver that the Bratva oath is for life

- I will never understand Oliver sleeping with Susan - he didn’t even seem attracted to her. I don’t know how he trusts her at all. Susan pushing about the island is just an added layer of ick. And she sees the Bratva tattoo as he’s shirtless. 

- Rene helping Quentin did nothing to endear him

-  Rory leaves :(

- Susan investigating Oliver Queen shows that she is a horrible girlfriend, how come Oliver NEVER sees this....it’s like they just expected us to forget her evilness and leave it unexplained. GRRRR.

-Season 5 tally- 3/12 episodes with shirtless Oliver.

- Stephen's acting is on point at the beginning of this episode. From the moment he finds Thea bleeding, his shock and dismay during the hospital scenes. To the utter devastation as Oliver contemplates losing his sister. He portrays a myriad of emotions so beautifully. Kudos.

- Oliver looks so lost when John and Felicity show up. This small scene highlights perfectly how deep their connection runs. They feel his pain so vividly.

- of course Oliver will sacrifice himself for Thea. It's Oliver. That's what he does.

- 'The one we lost because of you!'

YES!!!!!! This is all Malcolm's fault.

- 'I'd prefer that we didn't do our usual 'please don't go' dance.'

Yeah, Oliver. She's coming with you.

- 'Seeing you two together last night, I realise you don't love me because you're in love with him.' Poor Ray. Once he dropped the stalker shit he kind of grew on me, but he never had a chance with my girl. Her heart has always been with Oliver. Good luck on your 'future' endeavours ;)

- Felicity bringing Oliver a blanket because he 'looked chilly' is quite possibly the cutest thing ever. She is so intune with him. I love how she taps his shoulder and then touches his knee.The physical contact is back.

'Thanks for letting me be here for you.'

'You're welcome. I didn't have much of a choice though, did I?'

'No. I wanted to make you think you had grown a little as a person.'

So married.

- Oliver tells Felicity that he feels that he failed in protecting his sister. Felicity’s heart breaks for him.

- The League's welcoming committee greets the team.

- The magic hottub worked; Thea's alive. But very confused.

- Felicity Smoak facing Ras Al Ghul in defense of the man she loves is a monumental moment. It is everything. My girl is fire. Ras sees it. He totally understands why Oliver loves her. Same. Felicity is willing to go to war to save Oliver.

'You need to tell Oliver goodbye. Tell him how much you love him. Tell him whatever your heart needs to express and do it now. Before he is lost to you forever.' Ras ships it.

- 'I wish that I could change your mind about staying here. And I know I can't. Just like I know that leaving you here is going to destroy me. I don't regret a single moment. And you shouldn't either. You have done so much. You have saved so many people's lives, and you have changed so many for the better...including mine. Knowing you has changed my life. You have opened up my heart in a way I didn't even know was possible...I love you.'

I love her words here. I love that we finally get to see Felicity express how she feels. And with just a simple closure of his eyes, we see how much her words mean to him

Her love for Oliver shines through from every pore. She can't contain it anymore. We hear her talk about what Oliver has done for her. The talk is always about what Felicity has done for Oliver, her impact on his life. But he has had significant impact on her too. He found her hiding away in that cubicle all those years ago. He saw that she was trustworthy. That she was capable of so much more. He inspired her to use her talents for a greater purpose. To live up to her full potential. And he opened her heart up to love. She had built some pretty high reaching walls around herself due to her past, and Oliver was the one to knock them down. She found love and friendship. She found her true self and her true partner. They really did find themselves in each other. Their best selves.

The chemistry sizzles between Stephen and Emily throughout this scene. It's passionate, yet tender. Him slowly removing her glasses, them not being able to take their eyes off each other, the way he carries her to bed, she strokes his chest, his hands running down her back...they are absolutely scintillating. This whole scene is just so beautifully done. It's romantic while being hot af. 32 million views on YouTube don't lie.

- 'So...that happened.' Oliver's cute little smile. He just turns to mush for his girl.

'I'm glad it did.'

'Me too.'

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!

His 'There's us' just annihilates me. Adorable.

- Felicity drugs him. 'I can't lose you. I won't.'

- 'How did you know you were going to completely lose your mind?' lol Diggle.

- Felicity will stand up for her man. 'So don't even try to play games with me.' A Queen.

- I love that Malcolm is all fancy sword work fighting the League, while John just shoots them and Felicity hits them with a spear. My team, ladies and gentlemen.

- Maseo helps them thanks to wise words from John Diggle. They should just get him to talk to all of the villains each season, let him give them his advice and all will be well.

- 'Hold! I am Al Sahim; warrith al ghul, Heir to the Demon and you will obey.'

BAD. ASS. the deep voice he uses is kind of hot. So commanding.

- 'Oliver, please?'

'Thank you for trying. I love you all the more for it.' I'm not crying. You are.

- Oliver saying goodbye to Thea is so sad. He loves her so much.

- 'John, you're the best man I've ever known. Whatever happens, you're my brother.' John's welling up. Oliver is too. I'm fine.

- Oh Oliver, you're such a big dummy sometimes. She can't go on living her life happily, because you won't be in it. You make her happy, Sweetie.

- 'We're always saying goodbye to each other. You'd think I'd be good at it by now.'

'Well let's not say goodbye this time.'

I'm not fine.

One last kiss while the light from the fire shines behind them. Nice parallel to their first kiss. Both times she walks away from him though. This needs to stop. My heart. My otp is so epic. I can't.

- Thea and Felicity’s devastation at losing Oliver is so heartbreaking.

- Maseo owns up to Ras and is spared for his betrayal.

- 'Oliver Queen is dead. Eventually to be reborn as Ras Al Ghul, but for now, only the Arrow remains. Al Sahim, Heir to the Demon.'

The last shot of Al Sahim is amazing. When he looks up...badass.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Best episode eva!!!!!

Y’all, this is a long one. I apologize. But not really because it’s just me fangirling about Olicity the majority of the time, sooooo. Hahaha.

One of my favorite episodes of Arrow!

— I love all the sequences of Oliver running through the forest/woods/trees to start the season. Wish they had kept up with that!

— OTA and Roy looking as polished as they possibly can! Well. Oiled. Machine.

— “Did you buy me a bed?” “You were sleeping on the floor.” All my Olicity feeeels!

— ALL THE FEELINGS. Her cupping his face. Him looking after her so lovingly. Those two are such goners.

— “Lyla has me trying to build a bassinet from hell.” Hahaha.

— “Maybe Felicity will change all that.” DOES SHE EVER.

— “You love her. You even told her so.” “I was trying to fool Slade.” “Ah, yes. But now the only one you’re fooling is yourself.” Preach, Diggle! Preach!

— The Hong Kong flashbacks are my favorites.

— This is one episode I actually like Laurel in. Haha.

— Quentin in his uniform! Gah, I’m gonna miss him.

— Whoever directed this episode did an amazing job of having Oliver standing behind Quentin in the background as he gives recognition to the Arrow.

— Vertigo! I love episodes with vertigo. Just another reason for this being one of my faves! Haha.

— OLIVER ASKED FELICITY OUT ON A DATE. FINALLY!!!

— I love that he had to take a breath, gather himself, and then ask her again. Like he knew this was going to change his life the moment he asked it, either for the better or worse. And her immediate response? Gah. Dead.

— Poor Felicity. Having to wear khakis. Gross.

— “Do you like Italian?” LOVE this whole sequence!

— “You got a hot date or something?” That smiiiiillleeee!!!

— I have a confession to make. I love Olicity. More than any other couple ever. We all know this. BUT I actually don’t HATE Ray and Felicity. I loved the introduction to his character. I love that he was someone that could be a filler for Oliver until he got his shit together. I love that he understood Felicity and her little quirks (just as much as Oliver). I love that he caused all the angst. I really just love Ray as a character. Okay. Just needed to get that out before I continued on with the season. Hahaha. (Don’t hate me, please)

— “I feel like an M1A1!” Hahaha, the look on the doctors fave was priceless.

— THE LOOK OF HAPPINESS ON THEIR FACES. THE HUG. THE HAND SQUEEZE. THE FELICITY BABBLES. BOTH OF THEM BEING SO NERVOUS. OLIVER ACTUALLY BEING OPEN. THE RED PEN. THE TRUST. THE ANGST. OLIVER IN PROTECTIVE MODE. HOW CAN ANYONE NOT LOVE THEM/THIS DATE?!

I’m chill, I’m totally chill. (I’m never chill when it comes to these two)

— “You’re the first person I could see as a..person. There was just something about you.” “Yeah, I was chewing on a pen.” “It was red.” I AM SO EMOTIONAL.

— As soon as he opens his eyes he’s searching for her. Precious.

— And as soon as she wakes up she’s screaming his name. THESE TWO MAKE MY HEART SO HAPPY.

— “Get away from him or get put down!” Quentin has come so far.

— Going to take note every time Felicity asks Oliver if he’s okay this season (because I forgot to the last two seasons haha), 1/1!

— Oliver looking out for Diggle is one of my favorite things.

— Tatsu, Maseo, and Akeo!

— “If I’m not a cop, what am I?” A kick ass deputy mayor for one!

— “You two know each other..?” “Ooooh, frak.” LOLOL.

— PROUD WIFEY FELICITY.

— Oliver’s confused face whenever Felicity says something he doesn’t understand is FOREVER my favorite. Hahaha.

— Oliver hates Ray so much already. Hahaha.

— Loving all the new technology this season!

— OMG. I never noticed that Oliver is looking right at Felicity when he says “It’s the life I can’t have.” GAAAAHHHHHH. KILL ME WITH ALL THE ANGST PLZ.

— “DAMMIT OLIVER, YOU WOULD BE DEAD TEN TIMES OVER IF IT WASNT FOR ME!” True story. I get where Diggle is coming from, but Oliver is right. He needs to be with Lyla and his daughter.

— Side note: Roy’s new suit is FIIIIREEEE.

— Sara! Hey girl!

— Roy and Felicity with the save!

— I LOVE Oliver and Sara as friends.

— “You know how I said I knew a guy that’s looking to hire you?” *points to himself* hahaha.

— “All my data has been replaced with porcupine flatulence.” Hahahaha, dont mess with Felicity. Love this whole exchange so much.

— “BTW, might wanna check your iPad while you’re at it.” Hahahaha.

— “The second I looked at her my whole universe changed. Everything changed.” OLIVER GAZING AT FELICITY. MELT MY FREAKING HEART.

— Doliver’s bromance is everything.

— Oliver knows Felicity is his soulmate. But he has to grow and change into the person that he’s meant to become before he accepts that it’s okay to love her. I get that, but it still sucks that we had to wait a whole season (okay 3 seasons) for it. But again, ALL THE ANGST.

— That kiss punches me right in the gut. EVERY SINGLE TIME I WATCH IT.

— “Don’t ask me to say that I don’t love you.” The way he stares at her. The way he’s cupping her face. The way she is completely out of breath. I CANNOT. I JUST CANT.

— I LOVE that he just holds his hands up where her face was after she walks away. He’s just like “shit. What did I just do? Did I just lose the love of my life?” It’s heartbreaking.

— Barry! What’s up, my friend?!

— “Laurel Lance. Always trying to save the world.” “Runs in the family.” Love their relationship.

— BUT BUT WHHHYYY SARA?! Gah. Forever sad about that death. Even if she did come back to life, haha.

alli’s Arrow 2x02 rewatch thoughts

(Aka: Felicity establishes some friendship rules for OTA)

Diggle: “Why the sudden interest in my love life?” Oliver: “If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.” aww! (and yet, it’s easier for Oliverto acknowledge a real love and friendship for Dig because his feelings toward Dig are straightforward, unlike his feelings toward Felicity)

Felicity “I quit!” With newfound confidence, self-worth, sass. Partially because this is her professional sphere, where she always had a lot of confidence. And partially because she has become more aware of her own strength, bravery, and sees herself as more of an equal.

I think this change in Felicity is very similar to the change we see in her after Oliver “dies” in his duel with Ra’s al Ghul. When he comes back, everyone has gone through a lot without him, and in 3x13 Felicity’s like “That doesn’t mean we can go back.” We never get to see what they go through when Oliver leaves after the Undertaking, but it’s safe to say it had a profound effect on them. Felicity grows more confident - both because during the Undertaking she helped mitigate the damage and was heroic and self-sacrificing, and because she had to come to terms with fear and pain in its aftermath.

She always did have fight in her when pushed, when her unconscious confidence rose to the surface, but she’s not holding herself back now. Last season I measured progress in her almost-touches, but this right here she jabs him in the chest unapologetically. “Which you think I am going to accept.” And unlike the Oliver of old who held himself apart, he kinda plays along lolol. She jabs him and he reacts bodily like she pushed him hard (the first in a long line of Oliver-reacting-to-Felicity-punching-him-as-if-it-hurts), looking down like “did you really just do that?” ADORABLE. (But he basically accepts it and this is the real start of Oliver and Felicity being handsy with one another.)

“Every time we need to discuss how we spend our nights.” // “And I love spending the night with you.” OMGGGG though I’m so struck this time around by how much this flirty sexual tension is ON THE SURFACE. Like, ON. THE. SURFACE. I’m just picturing Diggle already thinking they need to get a room.

Meanwhile I love how Oliver tries to catch John’s eye like “can you believe the big deal she’s making over this?” but instead John adds his own, “Well it could be worse. My secret identity’s as his black driver.”

So she gives in but she makes sure to let him know she won’t make this easy for him: she’s gonna be loud and opinionated! Slamming her hand on his desk, clomping loudly in her high heels, and then: “May I get you a cup of coffee?”

She’s provoking him, instead of simply holding silent. She wants him to know she’s serious. She wants him to know that she’s done silently doing his bidding while fading in the background. Also, the dress. The clothes and the attitude definitely go together. And the hair. All of it deliberately provocative. My godddddddd this scene is everything!

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And then THIS SCENE after Oliver’s ambushed by the SCPD:

Felicity reaches out and almost touches his arm in sympathy, but then at Dig’s mention of Laurel: “Hey! Go easy on him!” (“It’s all right, Felicity.”) “No. It’s not.” SHE GRABS HIS ARM and this is the first time she’s ever grabbed him and he looks down like “wtf is happening?” I think he’s equally caught off guard by the fact that she grabbed him and the fact that he’s letting her.

“You don’t get to jump down his throat just because you happen to be having a lousy week. You’re pissed - he invoked the almighty Laurel.” This is the first time she calls out the way he reveres Laurel. Definitely Oliver’s personal life has always been “off limits,” but she’s done with that. And she’s mocking him over it.

Felicity’s speech and anger on John’s behalf basically draws a sharp contrast between the way Oliver treats Diggle and Felicity versus the way Oliver treats Laurel. On the one hand, Dig and Felicity know his secrets, have his trust, and risk their lives for him, while Oliver constantly questions their judgment, disregards their advice, and leaves them out to dry. On the other hand, Laurel doesn’t know anything about who he is now, doesn’t risk her life for him, and now is actively working against them, while Oliver continues to keep her on a pedestal and disallows anyone from saying anything bad against her.

So in this scene Felicity is defending Dig, but she’s also standing up for herself, requiring that Oliver recognize that THEY ARE IMPORTANT. They are people too, and they are actual friends who deserve respect, and he’s got to listen to what they have to say and he can’t just act without taking their needs and concerns into consideration anymore. (And yeah, I 100% believe she’s still bitter about him making her his EA without at the very least consulting her. Wow! Just realized how deep this boy’s patterns of behavior run. Season 2, season 4 (and now, dammit, season 6 😫 though I blame that on bad writing, not a lapse in Oliver)).

The thing about the way Oliver and Felicity communicate is that he always catches her subtext. I am sure he caught this subtext, which is why it had such an impact on him - why he seems apologetic to her, even though the argument was ostensibly over Oliver’s treatment of Diggle.  

But she turns her back on him and walks away. I think this is the first time she ever actually turns her back and walks away from him. And it cuts him because maybe without him even realizing it they’ve gotten to the point where her opinion of him matters.

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Mmkay just so we are clear: Felicity as Oliver’s EA is just so delicious, one of my favorite things about season 2, and I absolutely think it helped bring them closer faster. I wishhhh we saw more of it on the show. Thankfully there’s EA fanfic, some of which I’m writing.

“Miss Smoak.” “Hmm?” “Would you get my guest and I some coffee?” HE IS ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY TRYING TO PUSH HER BUTTONS HERE. You can tell by his little smile that it’s a challenge. (ADORABLE!)

OH OLIVER, FELICITY HAS COME TO PLAY: “You know, I would Mr. Queen, but it seems someone’s broken our coffeemaker. Violently.” ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: PLAYFULNESS (and deeper respect).

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Oliver: “I got wrapped up in my own suffering and I forgot that some other people might be suffering too.” OH YOU THINK, OLIVER? At least we’re seeing the immediate payoff of Felicity’s influence right here. *sigh*

AND THEN: The coffee cup of emotions. “One.” She brings him that coffee because she can see he’s feeling down, and because she sees he’s apologizing to Dig and just generally trying. So the context of her bringing the coffee has entirely changed, which is why she allows it: this isn’t the action of an EA, but of a friend.

AND THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS HOW YOU BUILD A BEAUTIFUL, STRONG, SLOW-BURN SHIP BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT.

(further random thoughts below the cut)

- Shirtless Oliver and sleeveless Diggle training.  Be still my heart.

- Merlance is soooo much better.  Oliver and Thea ganging up on Moira was  adorable.  Oh, "Snap."  

- Sneaky Diggle.  Wasn't it last week he was lecturing Oliver on lying to  partners?  Result?  Oliver stealing into the police station.  Oy vey.

- Brunch at the Queen's.  "Why would he want you to be a wizard?"  Just fact-  checking; the Dr. Oz Show started in 2009, after the Gambit went down.  Carter's line was a mouthful; I think Warren was having trouble with it.

- Cheeky Felicity returns.  Oliver can barely keep from smiling.  Diggle  approves.  

- Tommy's heartfelt confession to Laurel was so sweet.  Laurel made him better,  but he made her better too.

- Murphy (of Murphy's Law fame) must really hate Oliver to interrupt every time  he's with Moira.  

- Reston: "Not his fault.  I turned my son into this."  Parallel to Robert/Oliver?  Island Oliver hallucinating, still knows his father loved him.  (How many pages  has he burned from that book?)

- Drunken, aggressive Thea.  I remember unrequited love at that age.  Poor girl.  Maybe she noticed the snugly tailored shirt and pants Tommy was wearing.

- Oliver and Moira reconnecting over burgers and shakes was so sweet.  (BTW,  I cut my burgers in half before eating with my fingers.)

- Brooding Oliver.  Yoda Diggle.  All is well with the world.

@jules85 @blondeeoneexox @hope-for-olicity @allimariexf @adiwriting @memcjo @it-was-a-red-heeler

Episode 1 what I like is the tie in with the end of season five including the Deathstroke mask and everything.  I see a lot of sadness and hurt in the eyes and I think ti’s portrayed really well.  The fake smile for Tommy vs the genuine smile for Thea was interesting.  Shading Walter and his Mother.  LOL Laurel yuck okay no chemistry she seems like someone stuck in hate and the past and yeah not what I thought because everyone played up that she was the love of his life before I watched the show either they scripted it wrong or they picked the absolute wrong person to portray her.  The kidnapping I wonder if Moira paid them prior to them kidnapping him because if she didn’t he sure saved her some money LOL. The list first Adam Hunt that was fun especially the slipping of Diggle. To me it seems they fit more story in than they do now. The party being across from Adam Hunts building and using the sniffer arrow cool tricks.  I wonder who he went to for that tech device before Felicity. Also his set up of the Lair and workout scenes yummy.  THe police scanner and basic computer was cute especially considering what the Bunker had in it WOW.

Episode 2 The declaration of Life was interesting Thea and the partying repeat of Oliver prior to the Island.  The dedication of the Building they blew up in season 2 was cute Robert Queen Applied Sciences and him putting on a terrible show hilarious but not at the same time.  More ditching of John to deal with Nociente and Chyna White.  Even when they are eating Ice Cream together it looks like she wants to bite his head off constantly but it might just be me. I also felt that the Triad was more intimidating than anything this past season. Then the moira ominous limo meeting dundundun.

Episode 3 Getting along for the sake of getting along yeah. Night club idea I forgot it was brought up this early on.  Thea getting grounded best thing Oliver trying to control her not so good only pushes he away.  Floyd Lawton time. Felicity I just love the sideways glance that says “I know you are lying but I will go along with it for now.” the smile the magic you could feel it that episode I so could the first time I watched and every time after and the first time I didn’t know who she was I was still supposed to believe somehow chemistry would form between him and Laurel meh.  Carly and Big Belly Burger discussing the night club again. The Unidac auction and the gun shooting action hiding the hood in a garbage can Diggle chasing after him not realizing what would happen getting shot then Oliver saves him and a friendship is about to truly be born.  The feels.

Quick Thoughts

- I admit, I am STILL angry with Oliver from the episode - it’s been over a year and I’ll never forgive.

- I know people think Oliver is stupid or at least does stupid things especially in the early seasons but I never thought that. Still don’t. Oliver never behaved stupidly in my opinion until this and the previous episode.

- The fact that he thought it was okay to ask Felicity to help him with his girlfriend and continued to push after Felicity looked hurt and said with her words this wrong - UNFREAKING FORGIVEABLE!

This by far my favourite Felicity dress!

- Then Susan complains to his face that she can’t out him as the Green Arrow and he continues to feel bad FOR HER and blame Thea and Felicity! WTF?

- Yes, blackmailing the councilmen was not cool, surprised Felicity was down with it but this is her dark time. Would have been cooler if Felicity did not out Thea to Oliver - but she did - WHY DIDN’T WE SEE THAT CONVERSATION?

- The vigliante is stupid

- Adrian Chase is Prometheus - it would have been awesome if I hadn’t seen it speculated - hence, I no longer read spec or spoilers.

- Despite his CONSTANT stupidity - to the point, I thought he was playing Susan at the time - he really couldn’t be this dumb. HE IS SO SO SO HOT!

- Looking at the pretty helps this horrid episode go down - like a spoon full of sugar...

- Oliver throwing the Green Arrow under the bus...the Green Arrow is not a hero. Now I REALLY HURT. 

- How can he want there to be an US? Oliver clearly did not hit his head hard enough!!

- I don’t think Thea is broken - more stupidness

- Poor Curtis he didn’t see those divorce papers coming at all

- Felicity joins Helix

- Adrian taking Susan makes me SO HAPPY

-Season 5 tally- 3/15 episodes with shirtless Oliver.

Quick Thoughts

- Unpopular opinion -I did not like this episode.

- SHIRTLESS Oliver!

- I get what they were trying to do paying homage to past episodes but as a person who loved the past episodes, they focused on the WRONG THINGS. The lack of Felicity and OTA was just plain offensive

- Why is Felicity not freaking out - AT ALL??

- Rene’s dislike of metas and aliens feels racist and ignorant

- Laurel’s wedding dress was very pretty

- The alien thing was just stupid

- Thea’s storyline was the most heartbreaking, I completely understand why she wanted to stay in the dream world. She also had the coolest lines. I enjoyed her shooting an arrow for Sara to catch, that she was the one to figure out the alien spaceship - she really was the highlight of it all.

- Of course I loved the Smoak Technologies building

-Season 5 tally- 2/8 episodes with shirtless Oliver.