Sunshine

I think the cliffhanger is supposed to leave Oliver "reeling" so I assume it's supposed to be emotional too.

It's probably emotional but my guess would be Moira discovering her son is alive would carry the biggest emotional punch.

I didn't know Iris was already on the list. I haven't seen the list. Sorry if I spoiled it for you. I quit watching Flash last season but just happened to catch that moment.

Unless TVLine adds a fatality I am thinking Arrow fills in the possible fatalities-status unknown. Flash just suffered a loss.

I wonder if the only named deaths in the finale are Merlyn & Chase. MM has to go because he's Thea's father. Nyssa could defeat Talia without it resulting in death. Deathstroke & Captain Boomerang could earn their freedom. I think CB is more a candidate for death than DS. Evelyn gets caught and caged. I'm not sure there is a reason to kill her off after that unless she gets free. I guess (to me) it makes sense to allow the comic characters to exist in the universe. One of the shows might want to use them 2 years from now. :) It makes some sense for Samantha to survive narratively. She and William could resume their lives in Central City or move to Star City. William is available as needed for dad/boy scenes but you have a built in answer for "Where is William" when he's not part of the story. There could just be references from time to time like there is with Lyla and JJ. Father & boy scenes don't need the mom unless they want to create parenting conflicts for Oliver. Ha! With this show that is probably the route they would go.

I guess I didn't read much into the "Ms. Smoak" line. IIRC, this is the first time Chase has actually met Felicity. He has interacted with all the characters except her. She's also the person who exposed him with the help of Helix. As for Felicity & Slade

I don't disagree.

I think they are all back too but do you really think MG would tell us they weren't (if that was the case) before 5.23 airs?

I'm not concerned that they are writing off those contracted as regulars for S6. That said the only 3 IMO who are definitely safe are SA, JH & RG. One is the titular character. The other 2 were just promoted. MG isn't going to tell people that they are out (if they are) before the cliffhanger. I tend to think the cliffhanger might thin the ranks of guest stars whose characters are still in limbo and not only through death (i.e. Slade could get his freedom in exchange for helping Oliver).

Why do the cops appear to be arresting Oliver in the stills for next week? Does Chase reveal him as Green Arrow aka Billy Malone's killer? I can't figure out why they have Mayor Queen at gun point otherwise.

Why is that considered shade? The only person who should be emotional in the scene is Lance. BS knows who she's going after. Even if he's aware of her existence (I don't think he's been told onscreen), it must still be a shock to see the face of a daughter you've loved and lost belonging to a villain. It's not a father/daughter reunion.

Has Vigilante been set up as a villain or just a reckless vigilante with no regard for collateral damage? I think the latter which is why I lean towards Dinah's thought to be dead partner. I thought Pike once but I don't think he'd be so casual about collateral damage. Anatoly & Bratva could be their friend to foe storyline ala Slade Wilson. Why do something new if you can repeat what you already did does seem to be their motto. The only name drop and no more is Cayden James.

How about Anatoly & Bratva? He could fight them as both GA & mayor. Works on both a personal and Star City level.

I don't think the EMP was supposed to kill them either. It think the purpose was to destroy their systems which, at the very least, would slow them down in tracking him.

I think starts with violence ends with cake is about birthday party only. I'll be surprised if it lasts past title card. They probably couldn't get hold of Rene and when Dinah doesn't show they will know something is up.

Ending explosion which leaves Oliver reeling. I wonder if Malcolm dies saving Thea (a heroic moment) or if he dies in the explosion. MG said the boat wouldn't explode with the team on board with us wondering who survives all hiatus. It doesn't rule out Malcolm heading to the boat and it exploding. Full circle from pilot and Malcolm blowing up the Gambit. He's Oliver's family but not the one we think of (paraphrasing WM). Malcolm heads to boat to get it started. Oliver heads to wherever the others are. Malcolm blowing up on a boat would be apropos. I really want this. :)

Oliver's birthday starts out bloody and ends with cake. If William is taken Oliver finds out in 5.21. He's rescued and maybe Chase is arrested early 5.22. Team relaxes and Oliver has birthday cake. Black Siren and Artemis help free Chase and then goes after good guys.

I think Sampson (Cody Gunnels/Rhodes) must be the face of the overturned cases. Did we have any named criminals this year besides Tobias Church (dead), Black Siren (locked up in ARGUS without due process *irony*) and the trio of Cupid, China White & Lady Cop?

I hope the followers of Stephen Amell's feet (per MG tumblr question) enjoyed this episode. :)

Regarding the encased corpse possibly being Chase's father. So did Chase cut off some extremity to burn knowing he was going to do this 4 years ago? Cremated ashes left at the scene was the first clue that sent them looking for the son (Chase).

Yeah. Seemed like a strange way to go. I wondered if maybe they want a mayor for Frank to have more skirmishes with and David's availability is limited. A couple of weeks ago there was an episode where some strange little man was acting as a go between for the mayor and Frank. It was silly which made me think they wanted to use the mayor but David was unavailable.

This. I don't know if the return of BS is the A story for 5.22 but I'm thinking Lance might have flashbacks to her once he encounters BS. I have no interest whatsoever.

He's not anymore. He told Frank he's resigning.

Ignore.

Yeah, IIRC, JB & his husband Scott persuaded the EPs to make Malcolm Thea's father thinking there's no way Oliver would kill him. The original plan was for him to be Oliver's biological father. Maybe he thought he was safe. I'm more inclined to go along with the BTS & contracts theory.