Arrow Season 6: 9 Episodes You Should Re-watch Now
Hiatus is in full swing, and that means summer-time television and potential re-watches and binges.
Now that we’re inching closer towards what I like to think of as the midway point (hello, Comic-Con!), it might be time to highlight a few of the episodes that make the grade and make for an enjoyable Arrow summer re-watch.
Arrow Season 6 may have been a rollercoaster in terms of story (and quality—more on that later this summer), but there were a few bright points in the season in terms of episodes.
Read on for nine Arrow Season 6 episodes worthy of a re-watch.
1. “Reversal” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 4)
This particular episode is one of the strongest in Arrow Season 6A. The hour (re)introduces Cayden James just as Alena returns to ask Felicity for help tracking the man down and stopping him before things get too far in terms of his plans.
We get to see Olicity’s first date after reuniting now that things are starting to somewhat settle for William and their personal lives.
Seeing them wade back into relationship waters is adorable and so sweet throughout the hour as they try to find time for “dessert.” The almost “dessert” scene still is a steamy return to form for the pair on par with their scene in Arrow Season 4 Episode 6 “Lost Souls.”
“Reversal” also offers a look at a role reversal between Oliver and Felicity. After he decides to give up being the Green Arrow now that the FBI is onto him and William doesn’t want his father out there risking his life, Oliver finds out what it’s like staying behind, and he seems okay with it.
Their (last) first date and ensuing conversations throughout “Reversal” shows exactly how far they’ve come independently as well as a couple since their break up. Oliver’s sense of pride for what Felicity accomplishes and offering her that support personally and out in the field is lovely.
2. “Thanksgiving” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 7)
“Thanksgiving” offers our favorites a mixed bag of happiness and trouble coming their way in the form of Samanda Watson’s continued investigations and development in Thea’s condition.
The first of a few arrests this season for Oliver, the hour offers a sign that Samanda Watson is the formidable legal villain that can finally connect the dots between everything that happens to Oliver and the people around him and the activities as the Green Arrow and the team.
Until this point, Diggle and Oliver haven’t really had any kind of open conversation. But “Thanksgiving” gives us the gift of a somewhat honest conversation between Oliver and Diggle about what’s wrong with his arm and why he hadn’t said anything sooner.
Granted, tougher times are ahead for these two (thanks to some mental gymnastics in the form of questionable narrative choices). But it’s a start and gives us the Quiggle we love to see.
And of course, Thea waking up from her post-island coma is the holiday reprieve the Queen-Smoak-Clayton family needs and enjoys by the end of the hour.
3. “Irreconcilable Differences” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 9)
“Irreconcilable Differences” is another one of those mixed-bag episodes as we start with sweet and end the hour on a frustrating note, as the beginning of one of my least favorite arcs Arrow has given us kicks off—the “civil war.”
But the hour provides a sweet reception for the newly married Oliver and Felicity complete with a cake cutting, a first dance, and an adorably nervous Oliver seeing Felicity for the first time that night.
We even get a pseudo-father/son moment between Oliver and Quentin that is just so heartwarming and continues to build on it until the finale, making their final moments together in the season all the more impactful.
4. “We Fall” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 11)
Arrow Season 6b may shift the focus away from the more engaging aspects of the show, but it is not without re-watchable episodes. Arrow Season 6 Episode 11 “We Fall” is one of them.
The hour makes the list because it does take some of the episode to focus on William finding out that his dad is still the Green Arrow despite being told otherwise.
Oliver and Felicity confiding in each other when it comes to obstacles in their parenting, especially on a subject like lying and being a vigilante are lovely to see, from their quiet moment together to the family meeting he calls to check how William processes it all.
The highlight comes in the form of Felicity’s monologue about loving someone who is a vigilante like Oliver.
5. “The Thanatos Guild” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 16)
On the heels of Roy’s return, we get a break from the frustrating newbies’ story and the Dragon. In its place, an hour exploring Thea’s last mission before leaving town as she discovers the legacy Malcolm leaves behind for her in Arrow Season 6 Episode 16 “The Thanatos Guild.”
Nyssa’s presence and deadpan delivery offer a few funny moments, even when she realizes how much the teasing about her “marriage” to Oliver bothers him and Felicity, his wife. But you have to appreciate the teasing comes with a parting gift that is a perfect wedding present.
The final Queen sibling moment is a touching goodbye that calls back to their first reunion five years ago.
6. “Fundamentals” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 18)
After a bit of a less than stellar episode, Arrow Season 6 Episode 18, “Fundamentals” brings in the focus on character and dissects Oliver’s fears and insecurities in an engaging and heartbreaking way.
From Felicity, asking for separation, to Adrian Chase making his return and serving as the demon in Oliver’s head, verbalizing all of the doubt he has about his choices.
It hurts seeing Oliver ask Quentin what he did wrong to have everyone leave him.
Felicity getting through to him in the midst of his vertigo dosing is an amazingly heartwarming moment, especially after seeing his earlier conversation with Lance.
The episode is one of the bright spots of 6b and always worth a re-watch.
7. “Docket No. 11-19-41-73” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 21)
Oliver’s put on trial for his crime of being the Green Arrow on Arrow Season 6 Episode 21.
This episode stands out for a couple of reasons including seeing the newbies start to change their stance on what they’ve been doing the back half of the season. There are hints of remorse and apology for what they’ve done.
Along with the surprising turn around from the newbies, there’s plenty of emotional story covered in terms of the Queen-Smoak family’s preemptive goodbyes and the pressure Rene faces while testifying.
Oliver’s conversation offers insight into what he hopes is his next step in life (which does not include being the Green Arrow forever).
Overall, it’s a solid hour that leads into a pair of solid final hours of the season.
8. “The Ties That Bind” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 22)
The last bit of quiet is short-lived in Arrow Season 6 Episode 22, “The Ties That Bind.”
With the team (sort of) back together, there’s finally a chance that they can take down Diaz. An opportunity they don’t miss out on.
The mission serves to highlight a few things including how well the Diggle-Michaels work in the field as a team, and it’s something that Felicity notices.
But while Diggle and Lyla are working well, Oliver and Felicity struggle with the idea of both of them being out in the field while also being parents (a concept that’s new to them).
As a result, there are some great moments between the couples together as well as apart as Oliver and Felicity confide in Digg and Lyla about how they make it work.
The endgame for the season becomes clear as Samanda pops back into the picture.
9. “Life Sentence” (Arrow Season 6 Episode 23)
Arrow Season 6 Episode 23, “Life Sentence,” serves as the gut punch end to a somewhat tumultuous season in terms of story and choices.
A bittersweet step towards a victory after seeing what Oliver has to give up in order to get this win and Oliver and Lance’s final scene provides for the “gut punch” portion of my previous statement.
Oliver’s farewell tour doesn’t go unnoticed by Felicity, and it becomes abundantly clear what he did for those he loves and his teammates…confessing and a prison stint.
Paul Blackthorne, Stephen Amell, and Emily Bett Rickards completely own the final hour of the season and really play out that heartbreak well.
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What are your top re-watchable episodes of Arrow Season 6? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Arrow returns for Season 7 Mondays at 8/7c this fall on The CW.
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.