"I miss watching you kick ass." — John Diggle, to wife Lyla
Oliver’s “Pre-Crisis Farewell Tour” continues in episode three of the final season of Arrow, with “Leap of Faith.”
At the end of episode two, Oliver announced he was headed back to Nanda Parbat to find find some answers about the mysterious Monitor. Why he thinks anyone else on earth would know anything about the cosmic being who has sent him on a scavenger hunt to prepare for the coming Crisis is a stretch. Frankly, I think it was just a writer’s excuse to give Oliver a chance to fight with the League of Assassins one last time and to say goodbye to another loved one.
One subplot this season so far has been Diggle teaming up with his on-again, off-again, on-again wife Lyla. They are given some very meaty and romantic scenes in between their spycraft missions that allow them to cement their re-commitment to each other in a very satisfying way. While they are undercover at a high-end party, dressed to the nines, deft camerawork follows them, rotating smoothly around them as they dance, as a third partner.
Another subplot of each episode this shortened season has been the flashforward, 20 years in the future adventures of the Next Generation of Team Arrow: Oliver’s son William, Oliver & Felicity’s daughter Mia, Rene’s daughter Zoe, and John Diggle’s son Connor Hawke. Why has precious airtime in this 10-episode season been devoted to them? Most likely because The CW has already begun filming a spinoff series Green Arrow and the Canaries, featuring their continuing adventures. However, not everyone will make it to the spinoff unfortunately. One character meets an untimely and painful death.
Multiple reunions, fight scenes, and some cool Indiana Jones temple puzzles later, Oliver actually does discover a crucial piece of info about the Monitor’s motives, and has another tearful parting scene (boy, I sure hope actor Stephen Amell stays hydrated this season). The episode ends once again with Oliver being transported by the Monitor to his next assignment, where he faces a shocking surprise. NO ONE saw this one coming!
The final season of Arrow airs Tuesdays on The CW.
