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Just my opinion... In Defense of Felicity's Tears If someone you love dies, do you: (A) cry, (B) remain stoic and suffer in silence, or (C ) act happy and make quippy jokes? If you answer 'A', you're Felicity. If you answer 'B, you're Oliver or Diggle. If you answer 'C', you're no one I recognize. Last season, IIRC, the only time Felicity cried was when Moira died. When she told Diggle that she didn't know why she was crying since she didn't even like Moira, Diggle said that she was crying for Oliver. That's who Felicity is - she's empathetic and wears her emotions on her sleeve. I don't recall tons of people complaining about her crying then. This season the losses have affected Felicity more directly: Sara dies - If Felicity cried when Moira (the mother of someone she cares about) died, then of course, she'd cry when her own friend dies. Oliver dies (she believes) - Felicity loves Oliver. Maybe at that time, she still hadn't acknowledged to herself that she was in love with him, but he was arguably her closest friend. 'Oliver Queen' dies when he becomes Al Sah-him (she believes) - At this point, Felicity knows that she's in love in Oliver, they've acknowledged their feelings for each other, and they've slept together. She also knows that he has struggled with his humanity for three years. So even though he's alive physically, he's lost the real battle for his soul (she believes). If these kinds of losses aren't worth crying for, then what is? Maybe people would've preferred that Felicity remain stoic and suffer in silence. That's not her. She is openly caring, loving, and soft-hearted when it comes to those she cares about. For her not to cry would be OOC. Maybe she was supposed to grieve quickly and then get over it. But grief takes a long time to overcome, so what if she sheds a few residual tears in subsequent episodes. She still stays strong in her grief. She continues to do her job for Team Arrow. She continues to be a friend. She tries to move on. In addition, in between all those major losses, other stuff happens that further confuse, frustrate and throw her for a loop, so it's no surprise that her emotions remain close to the surface. All of these things happen within the space of 7-8 months. So if you want to blame anyone for Felicity's tears this season, don't blame Felicity. Blame the EPs for creating a season with so much to cry about.

I still feel like the fact Malcolm orchestrated Sara's murder has been glossed over, and is barely remembered by anyone anymore.

Rich Epstein's belated review of 3x21 "Al Sah-Him" at BleedingCool (more recappy and less reviewy than usual)... The Whole Scoobie Gang - Recapping Arrow 3.21: "Al Sah-Him" By Rich Epstein Posted May 6, 2015 http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/05/06/the-whole-scoobie-gang-recapping-arrow-3-21-al-sah-him/

SA's birthday is tomorrow (May 8) - he turns 34.

That article was announcing the winner of Eonline's Alpha Male Madness 2015 contest. It was down to Sam Heughan and Colin O'Donoghue, and Sam won. Stephen Amell was eliminated in the previous round.

io9's review of 3x22... The Best Combined With The Worst In Last Night's Arrow Esther Inglis-Arkell 5/07/15 8:40am http://io9.com/the-best-combined-with-the-worst-in-last-nights-arrow-1702773613

I like this pic - kinda highlights how they could've used Barry's help earlier...

They certainly released those spoiler pics quickly.

If I think of Diggle and Felicity as part of Oliver's 'family' (like Thea), then I have an easier time accepting that they will both forgive Oliver - even Diggle eventually, although issues may crop up later. If S4's theme is indeed going to be family, maybe there will a comparison or conflict between biological family members and created family members, with distrust issues percolating throughout the season.

I don't recall this, but I could be wrong.

OK, so he went to duel Ra's to save both Thea and SC. But, IIRC, he didn't know that he would be expected to destroy SC until Ra's told him in 3x22.

I thought Oliver went into this situation originally to save Starling City. Ra's threatens to destroy SC if Oliver doesn't surrender Sara's killer. Oliver goes to duel Ra's. He loses but survives, and returns to train with Malcolm in anticipation of a second duel with Ra's. Ra's finds out Oliver is alive and makes him the offer to become his Heir because of the prophecy. Ra's stabs Thea, forcing Oliver's capitulation. Oliver and Malcolm plot to have Oliver dismantle the LOA from the inside. Ra's tells Oliver that he has to wed Nyssa and then destroy SC with the virus. Oliver sends Malcolm to TA to get help. I agree Felicity will forgive Oliver, but Diggle will take longer to reconcile with Oliver, and that both will have trust issues going forward. I would also add that Felicity has always been concerned more for Oliver's soul/humanity than he has been (you're not a killer, there's got to be another way, you're a hero). Knowing that he didn't succumb completely to the darkness of the LOA will make her happy.

For anyone who cares, Sam Heughan is the winner of Alpha Male Madness 2015 (with 66.34% of the vote)... It's Official! The Most Beloved TV Actor Is... by LAUREN PIESTER and KRISTIN DOS SANTOS Wed., May. 6, 2015 3:06 PM PDT http://www.eonline.com/news/653461/it-s-official-the-most-beloved-tv-actor-is

If it is legally binding, then it could either (1) be annulled during the summer hiatus (shown in the 3.5 comics, referenced in 4x01) and then it would be over before S4 began, or (2) continue into S4 for some plot reason. I don't recall... has MG ever outright lied to us (as opposed to skirting an answer)?

I'm thinking the line in the season finale will indicate that the marriage is legally binding (unfortunately). Otherwise, why would MG have previously said that they haven't decided yet whether to have the marriage carry into S4? If it's clear in the finale that it's not binding, then there's no question.

JustAboutWrite's review of 3x22 (too lengthy to quote all the parts I wanted to quote)... Arrow 3x22 "This Is Your Sword" (Lessons Hard Taught) http://www.itsjustaboutwrite.com/2015/05/arrow-3x22-this-is-your-sword-lessons.html

'Arrow' Recap: 10 Epic Moments From 'This Is Your Sword' Adam Bellotto May 7th, 2015 9:37am EDT http://www.starpulse.com/news/Adam_Bellotto/2015/05/07/arrow-recap-10-epic-moments-from-this-?page=1

Robert Dougherty's review of 3x22 (gives it a score of 2/10 - ouch!) - warning: rest of article inludes a spoiler... Arrow S3: E22 -- 'This Is Your Sword' By Robert Dougherty May 07, 2015 08:07AM EDT http://www.themovienetwork.com/review/arrow-s3-e22-your-sword

For comics fans... Arrow Season 3, Episode 22 Watch: DCU Connections And Easter Eggs BY JESSE CARP 6 HOURS AGO http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Arrow-Season-3-Episode-22-Watch-DCU-Connections-Easter-Eggs-71736.html Arrow: Easter Eggs and DC Comics References In "This Is Your Sword" By Russ Burlingame 05/06/2015 http://comicbook.com/2015/05/06/arrow-easter-eggs-and-dc-comics-references-in-this-is-your-sword/

EW's generally positive review of 3x22... 'This is Your Sword' Arrow Ep. 22 | Aired May 06 Posted May 6 2015 — 11:30 PM EDT BY CHANCELLOR AGARD http://www.ew.com/recap/arrow-season-3-episode-22

Stating the obvious (Eonline reviewer gives four reasons why Team Arrow is not dead and Oliver is not evil after 3x22)... Is Arrow's Oliver Really Evil? Why We're Totally Not Buying that Crazy Cliffhanger by SYDNEY BUCKSBAUM Wed., May. 6, 2015 6:00 PM PDT http://www.eonline.com/news/654274/is-arrow-s-oliver-really-evil-why-we-re-totally-not-buying-that-crazy-cliffhanger

Regarding Felicity being given ownership of PT - It's the way this show works... Oliver was head of QC last season, Thea was running Verdant as an 18-year-old, and Laurel became the Acting D.A. even though she was the newbie in the D.A.'s Office.

Vulture review of 3x22... Arrow Recap: Here Comes the Brood By Jenny Raftery May 7, 2015 8:44 a.m http://www.vulture.com/2015/05/arrow-recap-season-3-episode-22.html

Yahoo review of 3x22 (I think the reviewer meant Season 4)... 'Arrow' Recap: Wedding Bells for Oliver Robert Chan May 7, 2015 https://www.yahoo.com/tv/arrow-recap-this-is-your-sword-118343331495.html

In the Behind the Scenes thread, we were talking about the superhero fight club promo, and I speculated about how that promo and related montage poster were probably aimed at attracting new (male) viewers - who might find the costumed characters more appealing. Here's a new interview with MP (there's more than what I've quoted)... Q&A: CW President Mark Pedowitz Gets Guys "How the network's fortunes changed in a Flash" By Jason Lynch May 7, 2015, 8:02 AM EDT http://www.adweek.com/news/television/qa-cw-president-mark-pedowitz-gets-guys-164297