Arrow Review: Suicidal Tendencies (Season 3 Episode 17)

Someone please tell me that Deadshot is not actually dead? I don’t know if I could handle that kind of heartbreak.

It was The Arrow vs. The Atom last night in “Suicidal Tendencies,” but as the title would suggest, we also got a good little look at the new and improved Suicide Squad. Complete with Cupid.

Roy: “Ray built a super suit? That’s kind of awesome… and reckless.”

With such different plots coinciding in the same hour, you might think that one would flop while the other flew. Not the case for Arrow, as both subplots are incredibly well formed with tons of emotion packed in — made obvious by the way I screamed at my television when Deadshot sacrificed himself.

Even if it is a very short character arc, Deadshot’s history makes his death at the end of the episode feel at least a little redemptive. Coming back from years at war and being unable to connect with his own baby girl takes a toll on him and ultimately puts him on a path of destruction. It makes total sense to me – and sets my heart on fire – that he would see Lyla and Diggle headed down the same path and try to stop it.

Oliver: “Go. Live.”

It seems like Oliver and Deadshot are of the same mind about Diggle’s family life. His sacrifice means that they get to return to their daughter rather than leave her an orphan. Hold for tears.

Back with Team Arrow, Oliver fruitlessly tries to track down Maseo (the leader of Ra’s smear campaign against the Arrow) while fending off the attempted justice of Ray Palmer.

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this rivalry, mostly because Felicity seems to be at the heart of it. Two heroes with differing methods of saving the city is intense, but I can’t help but feel like their battle is mostly a duel for Felicity’s hand or something.

The shipper in me swoons, but the critic in me sighs.

Oliver: “Your new boyfriend is stubborn. Once he’s made up his mind, that’s the end of it.
Felicity: “Sound like anybody we know?”

Love triangles are so last season.

Speaking of love, let’s talk about Cupid for a little bit, shall we? This girl is ten kinds of crazy, and yet when she turned her demented devotion on Deadshot… I kind of dug it.

It is all very tragic and short-lived since he doesn’t even survive the episode, but for a hot minute there, it’s a hot new item. CupidShot? Yeah, I ship it. Maybe one day Deadshot will rise from the grave (it’s been known to happen on this show) and we’ll get to see these two loons take a stab at romance.

Rounding out a near perfect episode, we end on Maseo’s assassination of the mayor. And who’s in his sights next but one Felicity Smoak. Oh dear…

Is Felicity a goner? Or will she live to see another day? Let us know your theories in comments below!

And don’t forget to give “Suicidal Tendencies” your own rating!

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