[I really need an Arrow icon.]
I don't know where to start, so let's start at the end, since I'm conflicted about it and need to work it out - for my own sake if for nothing else.
I HATE that Sara died in the end. (Okay, so maybe not all that conflicted.) And the thing is? I don't really care that much about her either way. I mean, yes, she is an interesting character and I'd love to find out more about her journey, but as far as caring about her, I just don't. I like her, but she's not someone I connect with, and she's far from a necessary factor in my Arrow Viewing Experience.
However, using her death as a prop on Laurel's road to vigilantism is really pissing me off. Not least of all because Laurel's journey is something I care about FAR LESS than Sara's journey. The writing for the character of Laurel hasn't earned her the right to have ANYTHING prop up her journey, much less the death of a far more interesting character. And I think the writers did Laurel a great disservice by killing off Sara to further her journey. I've seen a lot of people saying they're pissed off with Laurel for being the reason Sara had to die, and I don't think that kind of resentment is going to help at all. I know it isn't helping me.
And the worst part is that Sara didn't have to die at all, she could have stayed away in League of Assassins Land and the writers could have found some other way to put Laurel on the path to becoming the Canary. But they just had to go and fridge another female character. Because of course they did. (Even though I hate the thought of Quentin not being on the show, killing him off would actually have made me respect the writers more. That would mean two male characters being fridged to promote Laurel's journey. Even though Tommy was probably more about furthering Oliver's development than Laurel's... But still!)
And since we're on the subject of things pissing me off in the final few minutes: Oliver.
Now, I actually liked that he wouldn't lie to Felicity and tell her that he didn't love her, but she begged him to quit it with the "maybes" so he should have said "I love you, but me being the Arrow means we can never be together". Of course, he couldn't, because that would mean killing that last spark of hope for a life that isn't solely about vigilantism; a life filled with drudgery, duty and darkness.
So that's why I'm pissed off with Oliver: he's refusing to let her go because it will mean letting go of his last shred of humanity, but he's also refusing to give her the closure she needs to move on.
I will completely understand it if Felicity is angry with him for a good long while, and if that cools off her feelings for him. (Even though I really don't want that, because I love them together.)
Leaving aside the rage-inducing final few minutes, I actually loved the episode. Oliver and Felicity were super cute when they were in flirting mode and in dating mode. Laurel was very non-offensive and easy to ignore, I was fairly interested in Lance's and Diggle's roles this season. Roy is kind of a non-entity though, isn't he? And I wish there had been more hints of Thea's upcoming arc than just a throwaway line about her traveling. But on the whole, an enjoyable episode.
If only those last few minutes had never made it to air... *sigh*