Arrow Review: What We Leave Behind (Season 5 Episode 9)

Congratulations, Arrow. You’ve sunk to new lows. I didn’t think you had it in you.

Not because you were so great before, no, but because crimes of neglect are easier to forgive than, well, actual crimes. Like the ones we put up with on Arrow Season 5 Episode 9, “What We Leave Behind.”

And I’m not even talking about the actual murder committed in this episode.

Before we start – and really, before we continue on, I have a warning for all of you: If you are here for Felicity Smoak, OTA and/or Olicity, it might be time to take a step back, or like, run for your life.

If, however, you are here for visually stunning action sequences, comic canon and brooding superheroes, make yourself comfortable. You’ve come to the right place.

Because it truly is a whole new world out there.

One with suits and jaw-dropping twists, one with angst and betrayals. One with feelings, yes, but without romance. And one where no one, absolutely no one, stays dead.

Except, of course, for Tommy Merlyn.

(Please, be Prometheus. Please, be Prometheus)

“What We Leave Behind” is not a bad episode. In fact, it could even be said it’s Arrow’s best episode this year, not that that’s a ringing endorsement. The problem is that that their total disregard for some things has left such a bad taste in my mouth I can’t even enjoy the “improvement.”

It’s not about killing Billy Malone. We don’t care for him, and I’m pretty sure most people watching thought he wasn’t long for this world.

It’s about selling the idea of a team of equals. It’s about making me think that heroes come in all shapes and forms, be it that of a quirky IT girl, or an alcoholic cop, only to then turn back around and say this show is just about Oliver.

His legacy is the only one that matters.

It’s not about Felicity being left to grieve alone – that’s standard Felicity, it’s about not caring enough about her relationship with Oliver (not even talking romantic here, but she and Oliver used to be friends) to throw us a line about how she choose to be alone. It’s about everyone consoling Oliver instead of Felicity, you know, the woman who actually lost someone.

And it’s about Felicity’s declaration that this was Prometheus fault, not Oliver’s. She is right – it was. Oliver couldn’t have known.

But does that seem like a congruent response for someone in pain to give?

No, of course not. But exploring any other possibility would mean having to dedicate actual screen time to Felicity’s feelings and Felicity’s journey, and who wants that? Not Arrow.

I get it, I do. When I signed up for this, I signed up for Oliver Queen’s story.

Except that, for four seasons, it wasn’t just his story. It was Felicity’s, and Diggle’s, Thea’s and Laurel’s, Quentin’s and Sara’s.

And now it’s all about …well, about the Green Arrow, I guess. Just not the one we knew for four seasons. Not the one in the comics, either.

Instead, Arrow’s legacy is that of a show who could never truly figure out what it was or who it wanted to appeal to.

This is made abundantly clear in the last scene of the episode, which gives us Katie Cassidy’s Laurel Lance back. Or, does it?

Conventional wisdom indicates not. It could be Black Siren. Or, this could be another consequence of Flashpoint, the gift that keeps on giving.

Either way, it feels like a slap in the face, for just about everyone. If you’re a Laurel Lance fan, you have to be wondering why now? What’s changed?

Why should we trust you?

And, if you’re a Felicity Smoak fan, you have to be re-considering giving this show even another second of your time. It’s not like they’re giving your favorite character any development, or time, or even basic human consideration.

That’s only reserved for Oliver Queen.

Other things to note:

• The Olicity scene was sorta cute, but endgame means nothing if you poison the journey, Arrow. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
• Does Oliver want Susan Williams to die? Does he just want to get laid? I don’t get his whole: “I have to keep a distance from everyone I care about” spiel when he’s just going to go unload on her.
• And get laid. Because, hey, we know what fade to black means. We’ve seen other shows.
• I couldn’t even re-watch the scene with King-of-Manpain Oliver explaining that he killed Billy and EVERYONE consoling him instead of Felicity.
• Like, I thought Felicity and Diggle were friends?
• I thought Rory liked Felicity.
• I thought Curtis was Felicity’s new BFF or something.
• Also, what was Evelyn’s plan? Was there a plan? Or is she just evil for the sake of being evil?
• Do you even like women, Arrow? Serious question. Do you?
• I still don’t trust this explanation as to who Prometheus is. Mostly because it’s lame and I’d rather believe that since this show is sucking in just about every other respect, they can still pull a fast one on me re: the bad guy.

What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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