#oliverd

[enteragoodnamehere]

can i get an uhhhhh oliver banks for the ask game?

tysm for the ask!! oliverd time :]

How I feel about this character

ohhhh oliver my friend. I don’t think a Whole lot about him but when I do I get really sad his whole story is so *grisps* me when I lose my boyfriend to the stranger and then start having dreams that predict people I love dying horribly and I can’t do anything about it and I try and stop myself from sleeping but then im exhausted so I impersonate a guy and go out on a scientific expedition to the literal middle of nowhere and get hit by a satellite and end up coming back to be forced to serve and eldritch being representing the fear of death.

he’s also just so fun, I like him and his voice a lot, and his personality seemed really fun from what we got of him

All the people I ship romantically with this character

I didn’t pay it any mind at first but I will say jonoliver has grown on me a lot. I think they’re neat :]

Also additionally mmmmmaybe jane? idk if i like them better as platonic or romantic or Secret Third Thing but i love the concept of them and their dynamic. Also shout out to that one time i was super exhausted and thinking about jane and my brain somehow generated the terrible polycule of oliver/jane/nikola. I’m probably never gonna do anything with it but it was hilarious at the time

Non-romantic OTP with this character

Like I said above jane!! They’re so interesting to me I’d love to dive into their dynamic in one way or another at some point tbh. Also annabelle I think. They’d be good friends maybe :]

Unpopular opinion about this character

If I had a nickel for every time there was a fic I read that featured oliver cucking martin and “seducing” jon away from him that was terribly out of character and also lowkey a little racist I’d have too many nickels. Why is this like a Mildly Popular fanfic trope what.

I’ve talked about it with several discord friends before but also shoutout to that one 40k word fic that had him do that and be a major bastard about it And have him cheat on graham at the same time. Gotta be one of the worst fics I’ve ever partially read

One thing I wish had happened/would happen with this character

I do wish we got more time with him tbh. Like I’m satisfied with what we did get but I would’ve loved for him to make another appearance. Alas 😔

[francisswimwatersports]

Travessia Itaparica-Salvador abre inscrições para edição de 2024

Estão abertas as inscrições para a 9ª edição da Travessia Itaparica Salvador que reunirá no total 800 atletas em diversas categorias, nos dias 21 e 22 de dezembro, com chegadas no Porto da Barra. Os interessados já podem acessar aplicativo ou site do Ticketsports, onde poderão se inscrever para as provas que serão realizadas no sábado (21/12).

No primeiro lote, os valores são R$ 160,00 para a prova Meia TIS (6 Km); R$ 150,00 para a SprinTIS (1,5 Km); R$ 140,00 para a Sprin Teen, nas categorias Mirim 400 metros (7 a 10 anos) e Petiz 900 metros (11 e 12 anos) e iniciantes 900 metros com material(pull boy, palmar, pé de pato - faixa etária acima dos 13 anos); R$ 100,00 para a categoria InicianTIS, de 400 metros (acima dos 13 anos); e R$90,00 na categoria mirim e petiz de 200 metros (até 12 anos).

Das cinco provas, apenas a de 12 km terá as inscrições realizadas junto a Federação, somente no mês de dezembro, para os atletas que foram classificados nas provas do campeonato baiano. Já os três primeiros colocados no masculino e feminino da Meia TIS já se classificam automaticamente para a edição da travessia de 12 km em 2025.

Considerada uma das provas em mar aberto mais tradicionais do país, a Travessia Itaparica Salvador, que acontece no domingo (22/12), reunirá 200 atletas nas categorias master e elite masculina e feminina. A largada será na Praia de Gameleira, na Ilha de Itaparica, e chegada no Porto da Barra, em Salvador.

“Acredito que teremos a melhor prova dos últimos anos, porque a TIS 2024 não é só a travessia em si, mas todo o evento. É a celebração dos esportes aquáticos, encerrando o calendário oficial de um ano olímpico com chave de ouro. O evento será uma grande festa, com uma programação para toda família, na qual os principais atletas da modalidade poderão escrever seus nomes ao cruzar a Baía de Todos os Santos”, comenta Diego Albuquerque, presidente da Federação Baiana de Desportos Aquáticos.

PREMIAÇÃO

Os vencedores da categoria Elite masculina e feminino receberão a seguinte premiação em dinheiro: 1º lugar – R$ 5.000,00; 2º lugar - R$ 3.500,00; 3º lugar - R$ 2.500,00; 4º lugar – R$ 2.000,00; e 5º lugar – R$ 1.500,00. Já na categoria Master Feminina e masculina, a premiação será: 1º lugar - R$ 1.500,00; 2º lugar – R$ 1.000,00; e 3º lugar – R$ 500,00. Os campeões de cada categoria receberão troféu e todos os participantes ganharão medalha e kit atleta.

Realizada pela Federação Baiana Desportos Aquáticos - FBDA, a Travessia e Yacht Clube da Bahia é apresentada pela PetroBahia e conta com o patrocínio da Speedo, Shopping da Bahia. O evento tem o apoio da Caffeine Army, Ultrabar, Tia Sônia, Oliverde, Farmô, Avatim, Ultra Cofee , Jungle , Disk Bananas, FazAtleta e das prefeituras de Salvador e de Vera Cruz.  

PERCURSO E SEGURANÇA

No sábado (21/12), as provas contarão com a mesma infraestrutura da tradicional prova realizada no domingo, que será armada no Porto da Barra. Na prova dos 6 Km, os nadadores farão o percurso na altura do Terminal Náutico até o Porto da Barra. O percurso da prova dos Sprin TIS (1,5 Km) e das categorias de 900 metros, será feito a partir do Yacht Clube até o Porto da Barra.

Na prova InicianTIS, de 900 metros, os participantes poderão utilizar pé de pato, pull buoy, palmar e boias sinalizadoras. Os iniciantes e crianças, a partir de 7 anos de idade, podem participar da prova de 200 e 400 metros, realizada na praia do Porto da Barra.

No mar, os nadadores contarão com a total segurança aquática, através do apoio do Salvamar, Corpo de Bombeiros e da Capitania dos Portos, que vai regular o tráfego de embarcações em todas as provas.    Na Travessia Itaparica Salvador, cada atleta deverá contratar uma embarcação para acompanhá-lo no percurso da Praia de Gameleira até o Porto da Barra. Todos os atletas contam com seguro de vida, hidratação e com a assistência de ambulâncias de plantão nas praias.

Fotos/Divulgação: Diego Albuquerque, presidente da FBDA, e imagens da travessia de 2023.

[oliverdant]

Oliverdant | What’s next...

I have been a superfan of just Arrow for 8 years… Now, the series is over  and it’s time to move on [hard words] ...  I still love blogging and I’d like to keep using this platform to keep creating, sharing and discussing  interesting content, but from now on it will be about other topics and activities I’ve always enjoyed and I could not share before... Not that I would not discuss comics and TV (that I still love) or follow up with some of my Arrow favorites, but I want to amplify the scope of what I post and explore new things.

First, I want to thank every single one of my followers for the unconditional support you offered me during these years, I feel proud when I say that I’ve always had a great time blogging on Tumblr…. Here I learned a lot about fandoms, communities, influencers and also how to manage and navigate better the harsh environment that is our beloved Internet.

To tell you the truth, there were times (Arrow Season 4, for example) when I just wanted to quit and speak about other topics, but well I decided to stick to the promise of the blog and continued posting just because...  I love Oliver Queen

Unfortunately, the show is over so I want to share are some details of the Plan B for my blog:

[I hope you like it and stay around]

The content of the blog will revolve about my favorite topics and  also everything that gives me joy. I warn you I am a bit nerdy so, expect a bit of science content too.... 

To give you more light about what you will find in the blog, here is a list of things that will help you decide if you will keep me in your the list of your blogs to follow….

OK...Here is the list: 

1- Everything Streaming [TV content to Movies] Series, movies, everything I am watching or already watched, reviews, articles and recommendations. Sometimes I will ask you for your recommendations too... 

It’s crazy the amount of content I consume…It’s almost all I talk about.

2- Travel and interesting destinations: I confess that I am a travel junkie… I have been to 70 countries and expect to reach at least a 100…. Expect to find here notes, articles and some suggestions of interesting and unique experiences around the globe.

3- Photography: One of my hobbies… So if I see an interesting picture, I am planning to share it here.

4- Comics, Superheroes & Sci-Fi: I love this type of content, so I would not abandon it.

5- Almost sure, I will include others themes, but for now, I hope you like these  above and give my new blog a new chance. Thank you!

Please, let me know your thoughts and suggestions...I will really appreciate them.

Finally, I want to give special thanks to some bloggers and Twitter peers for their support and inspiration during these last 8 years. Sorry if I forget to include you, you are sooo many....I love you all! 

@dmichellewrites @befitandchase @dust2dust34 @scu11y22 @cherchersketch @audrey-gianelli @jbuffyangel @klarolicityswan @todoarrow @callistawolf @lyricalarrow @thenerddess  @smoakandarrow @skcolicity @emeraldoliverqueen @smoakmonster @hoodiesandcomputers @almondblossomme @jules85 @booklove22 @saebrfan @olicityalways @alexiablackbriar13​ @runyxwrites​ @lostolicityscenes

[lageniuswannabe]

Music and Lyrics Meme

Now my Kellie Picklerwas tagged by @hope-for-olicity

Instructions: Write the first ten songs that come up on shuffle. No skipping, no cheating. Twist: Quote your favorite lyric from each song and tag ten people.

1. Vince Gill -Look at Us - If you want to see How true love should be Then just look at us

2. Patsy Cline - Crazy -  Worry, why do I let myself worry? Wondering what in the world did I do?

3.Sammy Kershaw- Baby’s Got her Blue Jean’s on -   They turn their heads and they Watch her 'till she's gone Lord have Mercy Baby's got her blue jeans on

4. Toby Keith (not one of my favourites but it’s there) I love this Bar (I ussually skip this song I should really delete it)  We got cowboys, we got truckers, Broken hearted fools and suckers.

5. Prairie Oyster - One Way Track - She Knew He Was His Father's Son, So It Came As No Surprise When Billy Said I'm Headin’ West, To See The Ocean Meet The Sky

6. Kellie Pickler - Best Days of your life - And ain't it sad? You can forget about what we had Take a look at her and do you like what you see? Or do you wish it was me

7. Garth Brooks - you Move Me -  Life is only therapy Real expensive And no guarantee

8. Holly Dunn - Daddy’s Hands -  Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin' Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand There was always love in daddy's hands

9. Ian Sherwood -  Come Back to Me (New Saskatchewan Artist really really good) - Now My walls have fallen down, I’m a faker, I’m still in love

10. Gretchen Wilson -Not bad for a bartender -  I stood behind that bar till closing time I served cold beer, warm whiskey, and Rotgut Wine Now I'm up here on the stage Everybody knows my name And I can't believe how long they wait In my autograph line

Yes I am a country Music Girl LOL although I am also old fashioned andI listen to the radio a lot more.  But seriously Ian Sherwood is new and coming up in Country music he is awesome. 

[blazingdeerreview]

Oc theft

I know this isn’t the usual review.   Do not go after them. just block please and protect your characters. Oc = original character. you can get ocs from other people. those will be legally yours until you give\trade them away.  It looks like GrimReaperSlaughter on Toyhouse is stealing ocs This person is a nsfw, gore artist who is a MINOR.  Oliverdeer had shown a screenshot with Reaper referring themselves as a MINOR.  They have multiple accounts:  grimreaperslaughter / MassacredGrimReaper / Overtime / GrimReaperGoldLust / ChonkyReaper / GrimGremlin / GrimReaperSlaughter Their SO who is an adult: ]ChonkyGremlin / ChonkyReaper / GrimGremlin / ChonkyGremlin

look at this character. I’ve seen this character on OliverDeer page. It looks like they hid all the characters because of what’s going on.  there is a beware on Reaper: https://toyhou.se/~bulletins/387263.beware-grimreaperslaughter in the beware they have a google doc link.  Reaper even edited a screenshot to favor them.  here’s the unedited screenshots. 

here is the edited screenshot:��

[millennialfangirl]

Tagged by @mel-loves-all ! Thanks!

Rules: name 10 favorite characters from 10 different things and then tag 10 people.

1. Steve Rogers (Marvel DCU)

2. Felicity Smoak (Arrow)

3. Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

4. Dean Winchester (SPN)

5. Buffy Summers (BTVS)

6. Phil Coulson (Agents of Shield)

7. Captain Raymond Holt (B99)

8. Cisco Ramon (Flash)

9. Penelope Garcia (Criminal Minds)

10. Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher)

Ignore if you've done it already! I'm tagging:

@lerayon @lifeisforthealive @dust2dust34 @befitandchase @itsmoonshoespotter @mee2themoo @mysocalledfandomlife @oliverdant @scu11y22 @believe-the-unimaginable

[sweetdawn129]

Why Arrow means so much to me...

I tried watching Arrow from the first episode with my husband. We absolutely HATED the voiceovers - totally turned us off. We stopped watching and I didn’t start again until the middle of season 2 in early 2014.

I had been having a really hard time. You see, my husband and I had been trying to start a family without any luck. And it was getting pretty depressing...every month, realizing I failed again, unable to do something women had been doing and were expected to do since forever...get pregnant.

So I re-discovered Arrow (and discovered Olicity!) and binged it to catch-up. I was hooked. I wasn’t on social media so I didn’t have the fandom yet for another year, and then didn’t really start interacting for around another year after that. But I had my hands full anyway. I went on to have 5 IUI treatments in 2014 - all failures. I burrowed into Arrow even more - watched and rewatched episodes to escape life.

When Oliver got kicked off the mountain in 3x09, I was distraught for Arrow and Olicity...and me. I found Tumblr and Twitter and Stephen’s Facebook page. I gobbled up fan fiction and couldn’t believe I had gone so long without any of it. I started reading @jbuffyangel reviews and it gave me hope.

The fandom gave me hope.

Olicity gave me hope.

Arrow gave me hope.

I don’t even know why. It really doesn’t make sense. But somehow, the escape let me process my feelings in a way I couldn’t without it.

In 2016, my husband and I decided to try IVF. He actually had decent insurance (the 5 IUIs were all out of pocket expenses and were expensive enough), and we thought the new job with the better insurance was a sign to us. Even though we still had to pay a lot of money out of pocket, the increased chances of conception were worth the try. Two failed IVFs later and I was more numb than I could ever have thought.

Season 5 was so hard for that reason. Olicity was in such a dire place, as much as I was emotionally. It caused me to actually start interacting with people here on Tumblr. I found fandom friends who are sweet and caring and loved what I loved about Arrow. Throughout season 5 and 6, I breathed in the love of virtual strangers and found so much solace in that escape.

My husband and I decided to give up the dream of a family. It was too hard on our mental health. I saw a therapist briefly to try to process the grief of the death of a dream. I held on to the perspective that it could definitely be worse - my husband and I were still a team and still loved each other and still had so many blessings. We had great jobs, great friends, great home - really privileged lives. We would find another dream to pursue by deciding to build our dream house. I dropped off Tumblr because I had so much going on with work (a promotion!) and the new house (managing a house build is not easy). But I figured I’d pick it back up once the season started.

Then in July before season 7 started, I was so tired and couldn’t keep my eyes open. I chalked it up to the stress of the job and the house, when I realized at 8:30am after I decided to work from home that I may be pregnant. I thought FOR SURE I am pregnant. I bought a pregnancy test. That sucker turned positive before I could even stop peeing on the stick. I couldn’t believe it. My husband and I were in disbelief and over the moon! It couldn’t be! But we heard so many stories about how letting go of the dream sometimes helps it come true.

The dream lasted about a month. I miscarried. And I really haven’t recovered emotionally.

There had been so much joy and anger and angst in the fandom all year and I’ve been here, but not really as present as I’d like to be. I haven’t really been present in anything...just going through the motions hoping I get back to my old self.

Then I hear the news today and watch Stephen’s Facebook live and I am so sad. I am sad when I think that maybe the people whose stories I follow on AO3 or blogs I read on Tumblr may stop posting. I am sad when I think I won’t see a great love story like Olicity on my screen anymore. I am sad when I think how I haven’t been as present as I would like to be for every second of the past season because we’re running out of time.

And so once again I am thankful for Arrow and its fandom because it just helps give me the right perspective. It allows me a different way to express myself and process my emotions. I cried a lot today knowing it will end soon. It’s nice to feel something again when I’ve been numb for so long.

I am going to try to be present every day in my life, in this show, in this fandom until the end. Thank you for inspiring me to do so.

@almondblossomme @wherethereissmoak @turtlejustice @tdgal1 @oliverdant @supersillyanddorky06 @dust2dust34 @dettiot @felicityollies @flowerandsunshine @hope-for-olicity @jbuffyangel @jules85 @jaspertown @latinasmoak @louiseblue1 @laurabelle2930 @coal000 @normalisjustafairytale @nalla-madness @machawicket @marytagus @memcjo

[swordandarrow]

@1-crazy-dreamer @ah-maa-zing @alanna-the-lionheart @alexiablackbriar13 @allimariexf

@almondblossomme @andjustforthismoment @arrow-crack @arrowgirl20 @arrowgirl23

@arrow-through-my-writers-block @athenaagron @aussieforgood @babblingblondegenius

@bazingagubicorn   @bb-olicity @befitandchase @bifelicitys@bindy417 @bisexualfelicity

@bitchwhwifi @blondeeoneexox @bokayjunkie @bookolicitynessa @cainc3 @callistawolf

@candykizzes24 @charlie-leau@cherchersketch  @coal000 @cogentranting @crazycrystal10  

@cruzrogue @dianasmatthews @dmichellewrites @charlinert @doe-eyed-girly-evil

@dust2dust34 @ebett @eloquence-of-felicities @emilybettsource@fandombookmark

@feilcityqueen @felicitisqueen @felicitysmoakdaily @felicitysmoakgifs @felicitysmoakq

@foreverxyoungxwildxfree @frembett @fyeahebr @geneshaven @gothsmoak

@green-arrows-of-karamel @hope-for-olicity @it-was-a-red-heeler @jaspertown  

@jbuffyangel @jedichick04 @jhopq @jules85 @katluna90olicity @klarolicityswan

@laurabelle2930 @lostolicityscenes@lucyyh @lyricalarrow @magda1102

@marytagus @mel-loves-all @memcjo @mindramblingfics@miriam1779 @missafairy

@missyriver @mogirl97 @mortallock @msbeccieboo @nalla-madness @oliverdant

@oliverfel4 @oliverfelicitygifs @oliversfelicity @oliverxfelicity @onceuponanolicity

@oneofakindxx @pintofmintchip @pleasantfanandstudent @quebecolicityfanart

@queensarrow @quiveringbunny @rua1412 @ruwithmeguys @saebrfan @scu11y22

@segsibongsoon @shaniartist @smkkbert @smoak-and-mirrors @smoakfoxxgoddess

@smoaking-greenarrow @smoakmonster @smoakqueenz @songbin @spartandiggle

@spaztronautwriter @stellahellaviola @storyteller0311 @supersillyanddorky06

@talkingtomyquiver @tangled23works @tdgal1 @thebookjumper @tinaday3w

@truevampireslovers @turtlejustice @V4l13 @vaelisamaza @virelove

@walker-oliciter @wherethereissmoak @whoeveryoulovethemost

@wifiandbow @wildirish23 @wrldtravler                                                                                                                                                                                                 ...and to the whole Olicity fandom

[fan-dos-multiversos-blog]

[miasmoakdaily]

Is Mia Smoke supposed to be the arrow verse's version of Mia Dearden ?

Hi Anon, I am not well-versed in comics, but I think Mia’s name is merely meant to be a nod to the comics, kind of like Felicity Smoak’s name. There may or may not be characteristics/arcs in Mia’s story that are reflective of the Mia Dearden character, but alas I would not know the difference myself. For further comic insight, I recommend asking our resident comic expert @oliverdant. 

[thesunnystar]

Dante, He Hath Seen Hell

Curtis: “Lyla copied the bank data because she suspected the ARGUS has something to hide. That data led us to Byrd. If there is a deeper connection that Argus doesn’t want anyone to find, i figure we should know first. Worth the risk, right?” Dig: “Did you find anything?! - check it out. it’s a painting?! it took you all night to decrypt a single image?”

Curtis: “Do you realize how many decryption algorithms i had to run just to get the drive to boot up? This thing’s security had security.” Dig: “Alright, looks like someone doesn’t want us to see this. what’s the origin?” Curtis: “this painting is from the 19th century by a French artist named Jean-Leon Gerome. the title is DANTE, HE HATH SEEN HELL.” “D: Hidden meaning? C: It’s art. there’s always a hidden meaning. we just need to find out what it is.”

“Dante, Hell, Inferno. Virgil, Nine circles” these all have been mentioned in Dante’s (Italian Poet) greatest work “The Divine Comedy”. in that book Dante had a travel through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise with someone called Virgil.

Now, Who is “DANTE” in DC comics?

In Green Arrow Rebirth comics written by Benjamin Percy, there’s a criminal organization called “Ninth Circle” and the leader of this group is someone called “Dante”.

What’s Ninth Circle?

“If someone robs a casino if someone hacks into a bank and empties its accounts, where do you think they stash their money? Under the mattress? If a criminal organization wants to build an arsenal... experiment with bio-warfare... take control of a city... where do you think they seek out loans? Evil is expensive. Let me put this as crassly as possible. The bad guys make trouble, but the really bad guys make trouble possible. Probably this comes as no surprise to hear... the really bad guys? They're bankers. The Ninth Circle is a bank.” (Virgil, one of the members of 9th Circle explains this in issue #3)

The Inferno. Ninth Circle’s headquarter.

What is their history?

Ninth Circle is an international criminal organization and bank. The board of directors is corrupt executives from varying, multinational corporations, who wear masks to conceal their identity. The lower members are forced to join: they're either kidnapped by the organization itself, or they enlist the Underground Men. The captives are then given a "rebirth" in lava, burning their skin and somehow brainwashing them into mindless servants. To symbolize their membership, coins of nine circles are inserted in their eyes.

Now it becomes more interesting if you see who are the members of this criminal organization.

Cyrus Broderick (CFO of Queen Inc in the Rebirth comics, BUT this character appeared in Arrow S6 as a member of The Quadrant. the only member who at the end joined Diaz. in 7x02 when Dig said Diaz has new friends, Felicity said her algorithm also tracks Diaz’s known associates like Cyrus Broderick and Longbow Hunters.)

Dante

Moira Queen

Robert Queen

Shado

Emiko Queen (besides being the Red Arrow, she was also with them because of her mother but she changed sides and helped Oliver after they sent Shado to kill Oliver)

Based on the spoilers we got early (SMH) we mostly know who is under the Green Arrow mask and we saw in episode one that (s)he has a list and apparently, a list of criminals. So my question/theory is what if the Ninth Circle is going to be the main villain of this season or even the Flashforward? If Glades became this powerful to build a wall around their area and use SCPD so they need to be lead by a powerful group who has money and everything and Ninth Circle fit that. Hint: last season after introducing The Quadrant many comic fans found the similarities between this and Ninth Circle and thought maybe this is Arrow’s version of Ninth Circle and will be the main villain of next season. @oliverdant what do you think?

[cherchersketch]

[ INSIDE ] >> a season 6 epilogue

Tictail | Ko-Fi | Redbubble | Twitter | Instagram

Drew this way before the Season 7 teaser trailer was released ;w; Design for the warden inspired by @oliverdant‘s speculation that Slabside’s warden is the same/similar to the comic version, Mister Miracle. 

Sad that now we know he can’t wear his wedding ring in prison. The concept was basically the basis for this whole comic. Hehe 

Arrow Art Tagbag: @jaspertown @chelsboyer @phoenixred27 @jessebalmer @olicitycomics @mell-bell @andjustforthismoment @scu11y22 @loud-burger @swansmoaked @dopecycleblaze @1forallallfor1 @smoakyfox @smoakmonster @emilybuttrickards @stellahellaviola @anarrtsygirrlslove @felicitymoaks @nishtanight @tsseract @franeeeng @blackcanarydinah @katala97 @lovelycssefan @not-too-tall-for-trick @olicity-klaroline-addiction @jonhdiggle @bazingagubicorn @geemarie @deyanirasilvaurtubia @dullbittylife @flowerandsunshine @redpensandhoodies @scandalnewbie @arrow-crack @manarshake @saebrfan @almondblossomme @evilelmo2383 @memcjo

[oliverdant]

This is it! I say farewell to my “Arrow” phase... But first, I want to thank this incredible Fandom and also all my dear loyal followers... It’s been a amazing ride... Love you all! #FeelingBlessed

I’m currently planning what I’ll produce and offer to you next. Hope you like it!

[storyteller0311]

What’s in a Name?

Sacrifice.

Unthinkable.

My Name is Oliver Queen.

Schism.

Lian Yu.

Life Sentence.

The title’s of Arrow’s season finales have ranged from metaphorical to literal over the course of 6 seasons. And, now, with season 6′s finale fast approaching the question is where this year’s title falls on the spectrum of literal to figurative.

The short answer to that question is that we don’t know and won’t for several more weeks. It could go either way. There’s a lot of evidence on both sides. But at the end of the day, chances are that the episode will end up being a little bit of both.

As much as we adore Arrow for all of its many parts – which truly make a fantastic whole – the show, at its core, is and always will be the story of Oliver Queen. 

And, in one way or another, so too have the titles of the season finales been about Oliver in some way.

Sacrifice

The title of 1x23 comes literally from something that Felicity says to Lance about how much the vigilante has had to sacrifice to protect Starling City. But it also encapsulates an entire season of Arrow, where Oliver has sacrificed his entire existence for his cause from his family and friends to his happiness and safety. And now, with the Undertaking in progress, it looks like that sacrifice could have been for nothing. And while Oliver, Dig, and Felicity do succeed, Tommy dies, the city is partially in ruins, hundreds perish, Moira Queen confesses her involvement to save others, and Oliver ends up leaving. Sacrifices abound.

Unthinkable

While the title of 2x23 is much more metaphorical than its predecessor, it is by no means narrower in its scope. Once again, the episode’s title comes directly from something Felicity says when at the end she remarks that any real action stemming from his not-so-faux declaration of love in an effort to fool Slade was “unthinkable.” The unthinkable theme extends beyond Oliver and Felicity though. It’s a theme of the entire episode in which multiple people advise Oliver to do something that to him is unthinkable: break his promise to honor Tommy and kill Slade. It also is a nod to other events that in many ways were previously “unthinkable,” namely Lyla’s pregnancy and Thea leaving with Malcolm. In the end, part of the unthinkable theme is that Oliver does in fact succeed in his mission. He saves the city without killing Slade.

My Name is Oliver Queen

Unlike 1x23 and 2x23, the title of 3x23 comes directly from Oliver when he asserts that he is, in fact, not Al Sahim in the episodes opening moments. This episode is the culmination of sorts of a chapter in Oliver’s journey. He’s been at war with himself since 3x01, yearning for something more (Felicity) in his life but unable to see a way to make that happen while still being the Arrow. By episode’s end, Oliver has swung from one extreme to the other, abandoning his mantle as the Arrow and leaving Star City with Felicity to explore his identity as Oliver Queen, the man. Not Ollie the boy, or the castaway, or the vigilante, or the Hood, or the Arrow. And in doing so, it proves to Oliver that he is capable of being Oliver Queen without the mask and that he can be happy as that man too.

Schism

After taking a season off, 4x23 gives us our 3rd instance in which the episode’s title is voiced by Felicity. While Oliver’s decision to embrace his identity as Oliver Queen in 3x23 was definitely a step in the right direction, it wasn’t exactly a perfect decision. Season 4 underscores how Oliver equates his role as the Arrow with darkness, darkness that he thought he left behind when he left Star(ling) City in 3x23. But his and Felicity’s return to Star City and his return to life as the now Green Arrow has, in his mind, allowed that darkness to return. This is exacerbated by the myriad of events throughout Season 4 that by 4x23 Oliver associates with his darkness and the possibility that it’s tainting those around him: John killing Andy, his decisions regarding William and Felicity and the end of their engagement, Felicity’s paralysis, Laurel’s death, etc. By 4x23, Oliver is living 2 different lives: one in the light as the mayoral candidate, and one in the darkness as the Green Arrow. He isn’t able to reconcile the two halves of that whole, and as Felicity tells him, he is capable of being both – of being the man that killed Damien Darhk in cold blood and also inspired the city as simply Oliver Queen. There’s a schism within him, something that by the end of the episode, he is able to acknowledge – even if he isn’t comfortable with it.

It’s also important to note that the title of this episode directly ties to the literal landscape of Team Arrow by the end of Season 4. John and Thea leave, Oliver and Felicity remain but are still broken up, Laurel is dead, and Lance leaves the city with Donna.

Lian Yu

Of all the season finales, this is the easy one. (Or is it?)

Lian Yu is literally the location of the entire episode. It is the reason the episode exists. It is the culmination of 5 years of flashbacks and seeks to put to rest Oliver’s experience from the moment the Queen’s Gambit sank to the moment he returned to Starling City in 1x01. BOOM.

...But, it’s not that easy, is it? Season 5 does everything in its power to make Oliver question those 5 years away and then the following 5 years back in Star(ling). It makes him question his mission, his humanity. Was his mission valid? Is it still? Is he a monster? Season 5 serves as the bookend to a part of Oliver’s story. But it also is a true continuation of the theme of Season 4 – of Oliver’s deep battle with the darkness. And it is a story of fathers and sons, which effectively brings the first 5 years of Arrow to a close (harkening back to Robert Queen’s sacrifice) and launch Arrow into a new chapter with Oliver now the father to William.

By the end of 5x23, Oliver is once again left in a state of torture where everyone around him, everyone he loves, is at the mercy of Adrian Chase’s goal to make Oliver see himself as that monster, as darkness personified, as destructive to everything he touches.

Life Sentence

So, here we are at 6x23. Life Sentence.

This could go a lot of ways. Literal. Figurative. Directly speaking to Oliver’s story. Speaking to multiple stories. Probably a bit of everything. 

So, what do we know? We know that Oliver is in turmoil. He’s under indictment and will have been to trial by the time 6x23 airs. He’s lost his team, and it probably will not be reassembled by 6x23. And we know that although Oliver is going to be going it alone, he values his family above all else.

What else do we know? Diggle is at a crossroads. Black Siren’s story needs to be resolved, and if rumors are true that resolution may come in the form of a transfer to Legends of Tomorrow and most likely will involve Lance. Felicity and Curtis seem to be setting their differences aside and delving back into their company as Felicity’s tenure as Overwatch is, at least temporarily, over. 

But, there’s still more to take into account. The powers that be have given mixed messages in the past several weeks regarding what is coming. We know, though, that they are the masters of spin and we can’t really trust what they’re saying. Because even if someone guesses spot on what is going to happen, they’re not going to look at us and say “you’re absolutely right!” What we do know if that something is happening that cannot be taken back.

Obviously, for Oliver, life sentence most literally translates into a conviction and a prison term.

But, prison isn’t the only kind of life sentence. Metaphorically, a life sentence could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

Being a parent is a life sentence.

Revealing your secret identity is a life sentence.

Death is a life sentence.

Marriage could be equated as a life sentence.

But, if we’re specifically talking about Oliver, and we’re remembering that “can’t be taken back” criteria, a life sentence in prison is reversible and if it happens, we know it’s going to be reversed.

So, what can’t be taken back that also can be equated as a life sentence?

Death

Reveal as Green Arrow

So, one thing we can rule out is that Oliver isn’t dying. But someone else could. Who? My money’s on Lance as it would serve a Black Siren redemption story line and usher her onto Legends. 

I can’t include becoming a parent in here because I don’t think the announcement of a pregnancy quite fits the criteria. Also, that kind of life sentence for Oliver has already happened (William) and if Felicity sees herself as  glue, it’s kinda happened for her too as she embraces her role as step-mom.

My money is on Oliver revealing (or it being revealed without his permission) that he is the Green Arrow. It matches the criteria of something that a) can’t be taken back and b) changes the show at its very core. It’s also, obviously, a life sentence. Can’t put that back in the box...

And I think when you look at the arc of Oliver’s story, particularly over the course of the last 3 seasons, it makes the most narrative sense and I really hope it actually happens. Oliver has been struggling since Season 4 with accepting that he is a good person as both Oliver Queen and as the Green Arrow. That they can coexist in one man, and that that man can be a husband and a father and the Mayor and a hero. Thea’s departure and Oliver’s decision that he can’t give up being the Green Arrow are all pointing in this direction. Oliver owning that he is the Green Arrow would be a culmination of that arc. It’s time to finally put the schism from Season 4 to rest. 

It’s time to finally unite all the parts of Oliver Queen.

@almondblossomme @callistawolf @melsanfo @eloquence-of-felicities @jbuffyangel @klarolicityswan @nalla-madness @oliverdant @ruwithmeguys @relativelyobsessedfangirl @smoakandarrow @skcolicity 

[smoak-and-mirrors]

You know what I would love to see on Arrow in Season 6 is Team Arrow following a ‘Villain of the Week’ from Star City to Las Vegas. It would give us some cute Mama Smoak scenes, more information about Felicity’s past including flashbacks, maybe to her as a child and a chance to see Felicity return to her past/home and what effect that has on her. 

Not to mention it would be a great place for a bit of an Team Arrow undercover mission, that could possibly include Felicity channelling Donna and go undercover as a cocktail waitress to get close to said villain to try and get information from him or even just to plant a tracker. Bonus points for jealous/protective Oliver and Diggle’s knowing looks.

So what do you think? What’s something you desperately want to see in Arrow Season 6?                                                                                             

41 Days until Arrow returns

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[swordandarrow]

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....and to the Olicity fandom