La Dee Da

That was lovely - I made inaudible sounds when Chidi read the note. It was the story of how he’ll save the world - the foreshadowing with his dad’s “someday he’ll solve the world’s largest problems” was a smidge much, but there were great moments with the crew that contrasted well with his experiences on Earth. I too would have struggled when presented with the possibility of Janet answering any question - I would’ve tried to do 3 profound questions before succumbing to asking how my favourite show is supposed to end or what happened to my high school boyfriend. Great little touches - kudos on Beignet and the Jets as a donut store name, and the return of the red cowboy boots. I’m very curious how Chidi translates his experience into the non-answer solution. Boo holiday break!

I didn’t think they’d reach the end of the experiment this quickly - plenty of time to dissect the results! I’m not convinced Brent demonstrated an inclination for growth or repentance when they hit pause - it sounded sincere but it could also be he’s sincerely sorry he didn’t get a final round of golf in. But it leaves a lot of room for philosophical discussion, which has been a bit lacking this season. I liked Simone more last year when she was a character embedded with the group rather than a plot device. Her data gathering tracks well with her initial skepticism. I don’t think the issue is that she’s always right - to use her example in her current context, it’s that you do the experiment the 1001st time in the hopes that you were wrong. Humour-wise, I liked this one. I always like call backs like almond milk but I loved Tahani’s flustered “I know Sting!” and Janet’s sparkly version of her uniform.

I missed the “not a girl” but I guessed there had been an opportunity to swap Janets. This is the twisty turny multiple episode setup stuff I appreciate on this show! I do wonder how the trip to the Bad Place is going to go super south - cannot wait! This was a great episode for Jason - I loved his glee at the prospect of seeing Michael’s true form but the matter of fact “coconut rum” was *chef’s kiss* It’s never shallow to appreciate art, Tennisgurl! 😉

How are their aprons so neat on chocolate week? I would have looked like I went for a swim twice in a chocolate lake. I guess the showstopper allows a break from cakes? It did seem a little unambitious - speaking as someone who hasn’t made chocolates, and given the range of techniques in the technical. I’m sad for Liam - he seemed like a lot of fun.

I’m disappearing into the multiverse after this one - this is the finale. Next year is basically a mini-series with some of the cast. Felicity’s departure is a needed moment of hope - they’re off to be together (I like the idea of Morrigan’s pocket heaven - maybe one like Aruba) and there is a lot of parsing to be done around “I saw you die”. That doesn’t - and probably doesn’t - mean Oliver stays dead. I’m not one to ship but I loved Oliver and Felicity. That last five minutes was beautiful.

His tears get me every time - there is hope in that ending.

Agreed. I feel whiplashed between characters pivoting from “let’s make this work” to “my way is the only way” and the mayor being anti-vigilante until it was no longer convenient. At least the needle landed on “everything returns to normal” in the end. Adorable baby stuff - the OTA scene was so well played. The bronze kitten reveal took me pleasantly by surprise. The future stuff was amusing this week - paper money and sriracha still exist but Amazon must not, given the flea market trip - but the cassette playback at the end was difficult. I thought there would be some twisty way out of this, but no, Oliver and Felicity decided to keep the kids a secret from one another (I guess google doesn’t exist either?). The rationale is going to have to be super compelling and hopefully reversible. I think about when writers say they are choosing to write to what people need than to what they want. I can’t believe viewers in our current environment need a tragic, heroic ending - that is the theme for the majority of the show - instead of hard work and sacrifice finally leading to mutual personal and communal reward. I need onesies being held to stomachs, cooing over tiny baby firsts, Oliver and family retiring to Aruba and a city, while likely challenged from time to time, resilient and protected by those inspired by the Green Arrow. I definitely feel this future will be discarded in favour of a more triumphant one next season.

I agree - this more like the old way rather a hybrid way. Oh well, soon the “officially cops” aspect will fade from everyone’s minds.

Super cute OTA scene!

The cops have a point about evidence, but surely they convicted some of the guys that Oliver gift wrapped for them.

I guess the only competent cops were the evil ones last season!

I bet Dinah did not get a clean bill of health and instead was told she has one scream left in her, in order to set up a heroic moment.

I appreciate the old timey approach Stan used for his stalking - photo film, typed messages on loose leaf, yet another murder board. However, i’d Love to see a modern take next time - a tasteful Pinterest murderboard with digital pictures using a cute filter and screen captured snapchats. On the big reveal - can’t wait to see the heart eye level on the next episode - and the ongoing mystery of the fast forwards, I wonder if this ties into the next crossover. We’re supposed to think that Oliver is on borrowed time, but what if the Monitor decides to take away Mia as the “price” for his last intervention? Maybe they only connect later in life, long after team Arrow has gone its separate ways and William is no longer around? It’s needlessly tragic and therefore well within the lane of this show.

I wonder if they wrote the whole episode as a documentary and then found out what the voiceover would cost and how labour intensive the editing would be, and then thought, “eh, seven minutes, tops”. Leading off with Lance talking about the inherent tension of vigilantes serving a city in turmoil had a ton of impact - there was so much potential to explore when Oliver revealed himself. And to end with there being no tension because vigilantes are now cops and all is forgiven in a city that didn’t want vigilantes .... meh. I get the team had to be brought together and given free reign, but there was nothing exceptional about this episode. If you told me it was episode 149, I’d believe you. Ever since the end of the prison plot line it has felt like this season is bidding its time, holding its better cards for the end run. This milestone episode was no different. That said, there were some shinier spots - I thought they did a good job with William. The kid has been through a lot the last few seasons, and I could see the boarding school issue crystallizing all those feelings and hurt. The cameos were fantastic. The interactions with the camera crew were solid - I loved Diggle’s eye roll when Curtis was talking. I’m reserving judgement on Diggle until next week when the crew is cleaning up the lair - oops, I mean precinct - as there would presumably be a chat between Felicity and Diggle to further reestablish him.

Ooooh, everyone but Oliver, Felicity and Diggle in jail is not a bad outcome! The mayor has a point about the law being the law!