Arrow Review: The Fallen (Season 3 Episode 20)

There’s the possibility that I’m writing from beyond the grave right now because Arrow might have just killed me dead with this latest episode.

“The Fallen” has everything you want to see in a sweeps episode: the dead coming back to life, long-awaited sex scenes, heart-wrenching goodbyes, and a climactic ending that leaves you wanting more.

Fair warning, I’m not going to talk about the flashbacks. They are a seriously unappreciated distraction from the awesomeness going on at Nanda Parbat. Shame on them!

First up, let’s talk about Thea’s resurrection. Hissing and rituals and memory loss are all very impressive on paper, but I’m not sure that this particular subplot works very well. Unless Thea has some long term side effects that carry through to the finale — and possibly into Season 4 — I’m calling shenanigans on the whole thing.

It might help restore a tiny piece of her relationship with Malcolm, but that’s not necessarily a good thing…

That’s really my single complaint for the episode, though, because everything else is just FANTASTIC.

I mean, that love scene! Oliver and Felicity finally consummate their three-year-long game of will they, won’t they — and it’s amazing. Sure, Felicity probably should have let the paint dry on her breakup with Ray before hopping into bed with Oliver, but desperate times, folks!

#Olicity trended pretty much all night, so I assume you guys enjoyed that?

As much as I adore a good steamy sex scene, I think the deeper moment of intimacy happens on the plane. Oliver shows such emotion, and such vulnerability in that moment. He knows Felicity sees both the savior and the murderer in him, which is why he can admit to what he did on his last trip to Starling.

Stephen Amell just killed it in that scene, and I felt so deeply for Oliver and his fear of failing to protect Thea.

Letting Felicity into that moment strengthens their connection more than sex ever could, that’s for sure.

Now that Oliver is officially Al Sah-him and heir to the Demon, Starling is well and truly on its own. Unless Team Arrow can find a way to save the city without their favorite archery wielding duo. It’s a mad dash to the finale, with only three episodes to go!

We’ve also got crossovers with The Flash to look forward to, and the potential launch of a new spinoff! This universe just keeps expanding, and there have even been rumblings of keeping it open to a Supergirl crossover one day. It’s truly the age of the superhero!

What are you theories about the new spinoff? Will Oliver escape his fate as the new Ra’s Al Ghul? And when the heck are those flashbacks going to start becoming relevant?

Let us hear your theories in comments below, and be sure to give “The Fallen” your own rating! 

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

Lindsay MacDonald

Lindsay is an associate editor for Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer, viewer, and internet addict. Her obsession with TV started with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has been going strong ever since; current favorites include Scandal, The 100, The Walking Dead, and Arrow. She considers a perfect Friday night to be a joint-cuddle-session between an adorable puppy dog and her Netflix queue. Follow @lindsayjoane