There’s no denying that Arrow Season 3 has been uneven so far. Coming off the incredible high that was Season 2, it would be nearly impossible for the series to maintain the breakneck, action-packed pace it had in those final episodes, as Oliver and co. battled against Slade Wilson to save Starling City. However, while the overall scope and story of Arrow Season 3 has been a little murky, the major theme of this season, identity, has been clear, and its importance has ensured that Arrow, and its characters, have only become better and stronger.
The Arrow Season 3 premiere, “The Calm,” swiftly announced that while Season 2 of Arrow had been about Oliver becoming a hero, rather than a vigilante, the show’s third season would center on whether he could be both the Arrow and Oliver Queen. Would he be able to be both the city’s savior and a regular person, or would he have to choose which side of himself he would need to embrace? That primary conflict was quickly established as soon as he and Felicity were almost killed while on their first date.
Yet while Oliver remains Arrow‘s main character (and his crisis of identity the show’s central conflict), this theme has bled into other stories the show is telling, allowing for not just Oliver but the rest of the series’ characters to discover who they are and define themselves more fully. It’s something that hasn’t always worked–it’s getting very crowded on Arrow, especially with the additions of Ted, Ray, and the increased presence of Malcolm–but when it has, the role of identity, and the constant struggle these characters seem to have with it, has led to some of the best scenes Arrow has ever produced.
Let’s first look at John Diggle, whose world forever changed in the Season 3 premiere when Lyla, his ex-wife now fiance, gave birth to their daughter, Sara. For much of the early part of this season, Oliver insisted that it was too dangerous for Diggle to be out there on the streets, fighting crime with him; he now had a child that needed him, someone he had to look after.
However, what Oliver didn’t realize then (and what Diggle has already known and reaffirmed this season) is that his role is not to be a father or a husband or a crime fighter: it’s to be a protector. As showm by John’s speech in Arrow‘s mid-season premiere, “Left Behind,” he always thought of himself (and still does consider himself) as Oliver’s bodyguard, but that role extends beyond his work on Team Arrow and enters every part of his life, whether he’s fighting alongside Oliver and Roy, giving advice to Felicity, helping Lyla and A.R.G.U.S., or rocking his daughter to sleep. John Diggle has been and always will be a protector.
In addition to Diggle, Laurel has also been etching out her own identity this year, a transformation that you could argue has been happening ever since Arrow‘s first season, but one that didn’t really kick-start until after Sara’s death in the Season 3 premiere. Although her journey began as simply a quest for vengeance, Laurel soon realized that it was not catching or killing her sister’s murderer that would bring her peace or comfort. Instead, she needed to continue to seek justice, something that she has sought for many years as a lawyer, but in a new way, a different way.
While some may say that Laurel’s simply picking up the mantle left by her sister, filling the Black Canary void that now exists in Sara’s absence, that would be too dismissive of both the character and her story. Putting on a costume and fighting criminals isn’t something that Laurel just decided to do. No matter how cheesy her “I’m the justice you can’t run from” line may sound, that moment, when she first suits up and actively stops the bad guys all on her own, has been properly built up to; it’s the culmination of all that Laurel has done and been through the two and half seasons before it.
And then there’s Felicity. After the final scene of last Wednesday’s episode of Arrow, “Uprising,” I’ve seen and heard comments from fans claiming that Felicity was too whiny or self-righteous when she got upset with Oliver and his decision to work with Malcolm; some are even saying that her words to Oliver were too mean and cruel. To anyone and everyone saying that, I have only one thing to say: you’re missing what’s happening in that scene.
When Felicity says “I don’t want to be a woman you love” to Oliver, it’s not simply another roadblock on their way to possibly becoming a couple. This moment isn’t about “Olicity,” and it’s not about how Oliver feels (although Stephen Amell absolutely nailed Oliver’s devastation at hearing those words). No, this moment is Felicity declaring who she is; it is claiming and reaffirming her identity.
Felicity has always been the moral center of Arrow and, especially during the show’s past two seasons, has acted as Oliver’s conscience, always pushing and urging him to do the right thing. She recognizes the immorality (not to the mention the stupidity) of trusting Malcolm and ensures that she won’t be a part of it. Felicity will not surrender her integrity in order to simply stand by Oliver; she will not compromise who she is, no matter how much she loves him, illustrating just how far she has come from the awkward, babbling IT girl we met back in Season 1 and showing that she has transformed into a woman that has no problem announcing her strength, honor, and conviction.
So, yes, it is true that Arrow Season 3 has not been as great as Season 2 so far, but I wouldn’t change anything about it (well, except for maybe the DJ working undercover for the League of Assassins). Because, ultimately, everything that has happened has led us to where we are now, with characters that are more rich and fully defined than ever, guaranteeing that we have not just one but several heroes to root for, whether they’re in a costume or not.
[Photos via The CW]
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This is so true but IDK about the DJ thing I wouldn’t change anything this season or any season for that matter.
Not even the DJ? You sure about that? Haha, but seriously, you’re right. It’s so hard to critique this show because of how strong and consistent it is. One of the best series on TV right now.
LOL the DJ stuff. Yeah. Wow on that one. A really intriguing look at the journey of the characters & the identity theme. Thanks for this, particularly the look at Felicity Smoak. Some of the criticism of her after the last ep left me scratching my head for exactly the reasons you cited. Thanks.
Thanks so much for commenting! I love to hear readers’ feedback. I still don’t get how or why people were criticizing Felicity after Wednesday’s episode. That whole conversation stayed true to her character. Plus, it was great to finally hear her voice how she felt after not hearing much from her about her and Oliver’s relationship in the first half of the season. Just a really great scene overall.
I think as soon has people heard “a woman you love”, they immediately slapped the ‘lover’s quarrel’ tag on it. But it was much more than that, it was a dispute over ideologies with Felicity wondering if she even knows who this person Oliver Queen is if he’s willing to throw over what she thought were his principles like that. I appreciate that you put your interpretation out there.
I enjoyed reading your analysis, thanks.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Kathleen! I agree with you about people perceiving it as a “lover’s quarrel” simply because the word “love” was uttered. It’s a shame some people can’t realize that two characters that are romantically entangled can actually, you know, fight about things other than their feelings for one another.
Also, side note: Diggle is the best, and we need more of him on the show. He’s hanging out in the Arrow Cave way too much for my liking.
Thank you so much for that spot-on analysis of that last scene between Oliver and Felicity and the importance of Felicity’s words to her journey this season. One of the (few) things I enjoyed about the Oliver-lite episodes is the emergence of Felicity as the de facto leader of Team Arrow. Her declaration to Oliver is part of that, I think. And I truly appreciated finally hearing her feelings for Oliver. I don’t think she could have been any clearer. The girl was fantasizing about a future for her and Oliver.
I can’t wait to see how Oliver’s identity crisis plays out the rest of the season. With his decision to work with Merlyn, he’s definitely chosen to be more Arrow than Oliver.
Diggle has always been a protector, but could he do his protecting alongside Oliver, please, preferably with something that hides his identity? I understand he now has a family, but grounding the best fighter in the bunch in the lair while less-skilled ones were out getting pummeled was a head-scratcher.
Thanks for commenting! Couldn’t agree more about Felicity emerging as the team’s leader in Oliver’s absence. Their whole new dynamic didn’t start coming together until AFTER she got involved again in Episode 11. Also, you’re completely right about Diggle. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t out fighting more in these past couple episodes. Hopefully, that will change later this season.
completely agree on felicity… good job
Thanks for the kind words, Holly! Glad you enjoyed the article.
Chris, I loved your review! Anyone who thinks Felicity was being whiny or annoying clearly doesn’t grasp the crux of what has been going on. She realized in that instant that Oliver came back as The Arrow and NOT as Oliver Queen. She put the emphasis on YOU. I don’t want to be a woman that YOU love. Because she knew he came back as The Arrow. Everything she has had bottled up for over two years just exploded.
Never mind the emotional ringer Oliver has put her through with his constant push and pull. Oliver truly does love her, but he knows that SHE knows that he’s not going to put her first. His face was wrought with such pain and guilt. That’s why his tone was so soft and humble in the alley. Felicity is not going to abandon everything that she believes in just to spiral into the darkness with him. I thought it was such a strong moment and so well delivered by Stephen and Emily. “Identity” theme indeed.
Wow, do you want to write for us? Haha. I’m serious, though. You’re spot on with the idea of him returning as The Arrow rather than Oliver, and you’re also completely correct about Oliver’s expression after what Felicity says. It’s not just him being heartbroken – it’s the realization that he failed her, that he can’t put her first, and that pain and guilt was completely shown across Stephen’s face. Just such a great scene overall – so many layers and so much going on. Thank you for commenting!
Ha! Sure. Beam me up, Scotty. I am a professional Olicity over-analyzer.