Arrow Review: Living Proof (Season 7 Episode 21)
Oliver takes an introspective beat while the present and future work double time to emphasize the bleak state our favorites are in on a relatively solid Arrow Season 7 Episode 21, “Living Proof.”
While there’s plenty of action to consider, it’s the character moments that immediately stand at the forefront, temporarily distracting from the many questions about the overarching plot that have come up as the penultimate episode of the season plays out.
After Oliver finds himself in the heartbreakingly similar position at the end of Arrow Season 7 Episode 20, “Confessions,” Tommy’s appearance as Oliver’s subconscious makes for the perfect combination for a noteworthy introspective look at himself.
Colin Donnell’s return to Arrow is wonderful and welcome as Tommy offers Oliver the insight he needs to figure out what his next moves should be. There’s something about the pair’s dynamic that has always been enjoyable in the myriad ways we’ve gotten over the years, and this specific turn is no exception.
The frank conversations between Oliver and “Tommy” are solid moments that really highlight the toll the trauma has taken on Oliver over the years and just how much of a lasting impact they have had on him.
It’s heartbreaking to see the manifestation of his trauma come at him in the form of his dead best friend.
Oliver’s hallucinations, which we last saw on Arrow Season 2, feel like they come in particularly crucial turning points for Oliver and offer solid emotional moments
Meanwhile, the flashforwards continue banking on the uncertainty for the tension and the bleakness of some of our favorites’ futures to keep things moving forward.
However, it’s William, Felicity, and Mia’s moments that add the emotional weight to the future we’re seeing and there’s no shortage of heartbreak and angst for the trio as we circle back to William’s abandonment issues.
It’s gutting to hear what William felt when Oliver and Felicity let him choose to live with his grandparents and the 20 years of silence he got from them. At one point, the justification of wanting him to have a “normal life” and “protecting” him begin to feel like it’s not enough.
William: I didn’t need her money, Mia. I need a mother.
Mia and William’s moment where we get his perspective on those intervening years provides a painful sibling bonding experience that unfortunately, the pair are familiar with. Though, while William missed out on 20 years with both of his parents, Mia missed out time with one.
It shows how much of a no-win situation Oliver and Felicity are put in and how much they’ve sacrificed for the sake of others and how desperately sad the state of the Queen-Smoak family is in 2040.
In a sense, “Living Proof,” reinforces my earlier concerns about what we see in the future and how bleak things are. Sure, Felicity has been reunited with her children. But there’s still the matter of the intervening 20 years that the Queen-Smoak family spent apart (and still no definitive answer as to what happened to Oliver).
That uneasy feeling coming from both the present and the future don’t quite sit well when usually there is at least some level of certainty heading into the final episode of a season.
Are things going to turn around at some point? Will Oliver, Felicity, and their family get a win? Or are we doomed to end on a bummer?
I hope we find out soon.
Random Thoughts
- It’s disappointing to see Dinah continuously opt for the more selfish route when it comes to most missions then feigning compassion for those that do end up making the sacrifice on her behalf. It happened with Oliver and Felicity, and it’s happening with Roy. It’s frustrating and does Dinah no favors.
What did you think of this episode of Arrow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Arrow‘s Season 7 Finale airs Monday, May 13 at 9/8c 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.