Love Saved the City: Arrow 8x10 Review Part 1 (Fadeout)

Arrow fades out (PUN!!!!!!!!!) with a beautifully poignant, surprising, not so surprising, nostalgic, hopeful, and gut wrenching final episode. Seriously, y’all I cried buckets. Dawson-Leary-Dumped-By-Joey-For-Her-True-Love-Pacey-Witter-Ugly-Cry tears. 

Arrow’s finale is everything we love (and hate) about the show. Most importantly, it gives fans closure while leaving room for possibility.

Summing up the entirety of an eight year television show in a single hour is no easy task, but Arrow smartly zeroes in on what matters. The core characters are saying goodbye to Oliver Queen, but our hero is saying goodbye to us. In a life often mired down by uncertainty, Oliver’s decisions leave no room for doubt. He understands with perfect clarity the point of it all.

Arrow has meant many things to many people, but Oliver has the final word on what it all meant to him. The answer may be surprising to some, but I am certain those who have loved Arrow best have always known the point of Oliver Queen’s story.

Marc Guggenheim and Beth Schwartz gave me plenty to obsessively dissect. There’s symbolism to analyze; Greek philosophy and religion to wax poetically about; shade to throw; song lyrics to quote; snarky jokes to make; sweaty-tank-top-and-leather-pants men to drool over; missed opportunities to rage over; EPIC feels to feel; surprises to scream about IN ALL CAPS; tears to cry; and lessons to learn. And gifs. Of course there will be gifs.  

You’ve been with me the whole ride, so let’s go on one more mission together. Say goodbye to Arrow with me my friends.

I had to break this into two parts because of the gifs. Get comfy. We’ll be here awhile.

Let’s dig in (one last time)…

Merry Christmas!

We are only a few weeks away from the Arrow series finale and I am so thankful to be part of this wonderful fandom. We have created so many memories together and raised so much money for worthy causes. You are good people, my fabulous fandom family. Thanks for letting me part of this amazing community. I hope you all have a safe and joyful holiday. If you are grieving, feeling sad or depressed this time of year please know you are not alone. We are here for you. Sending you all so much love!!! I pray the love of Christ lights your way this Christmas season.

And to my Jewish brothers and sisters in faith - Happy Hanukkah!

A great interview with Audrey Marie Anderson. It’s nice to see her getting some time in the spotlight after all these years.

Giving In: Arrow 8x06 Review (Reset)

Arrow did a deep dive into spirituality in “Reset” and with mixed results. Ultimately it confirmed my theories about what is going to happen to Oliver. I’m going to break it down as simple as I can for you folks, because I don’t really think a time loop did a sufficient job.

Let’s dig in…

ALERT: OLIVER HOLDING MIA ON LIAN YU. I AM NOT GOING TO SURVIVE.

Strength: Arrow 8x05 Review (Prochnost)

We’re headed back to Russia for some Queen family vacation fun, except their version of “fun” is kidnappings and fight clubs.

Let’s dig in…

Oliver Queen || Maybe I've Done Enough (8x06) by  infinitecanvas

The most beautiful Oliver Queen fanvid I’ve ever seen. Goodbye isn’t an ending. It’s another beginning. I am going to be a mess during these final episodes.

Second Chances: Arrow 8x04 Review (Present Tense)

Holy frack there is a lot to unpack. 

Ha! That rhymes.  Let’s dig in….

Review Update

Hi friends! I have finished writing 8x04, and 8x06, but I still need to write 8x05. Hopefully I’ll have that done by Thanksgiving. I’m slowly but surely catching up. I had the cold from hell and have not been well enough to churn them out until now.

All the reviews still need to be gif’d, but I’ve run into a snag. Tumblr has changed the format of the gifs, so I have to convert all of them. It’s made a very long process even longer. Luckily, I have wonderful fandom friends and Muriel has volunteered to fix the gifs for me. It’s going to save me hours and hours, but it means the reviews will be delayed a bit longer. Sorry guys! Thank you so much for your understanding.

The CW is promoting Arrow with decent promotional material? This is a sign of the end times. 

Of course, the promo department we love and deserve is our wonderfully talented OlicityDreams. She added Emily in.

Love Without Fear: Arrow 8x03 Review (Leap of Faith)

This was a slower episode (BUT WITH THEA SO YEAH!!!) until the last five minutes when we throttled into high gear right past whoa and straight into to HOLY FRIGGIN FRACK!!!!!!!!!!! 

Let’s dig in…

davidpaulramsey: It seemed appropriate on my last day of Arrow to have my morning coffee in my favorite fan-made mug.Thanks to all the fans for being with me on this journey... Brace yourself for more emotional posts throughout the day!

davidpaulramsey:  During my last week on Arrow, a lot of things fill my mind... but mostly family... #Arrow

Excited to see this last episode. That’s for damn sure.

coltonlhaynes: Today is the last day on Arrow. The last day I will get to go to work with these beautiful humans on a show that gave me so much. These ppl were with me through all the good & sad times & helped me through more than I can ever repay them for. Thank you @gberlanti for bringing me on this wonderful journey & to all the incredible writers, producers, cast, crew, & FANS for being so incredible all these yrs.

Happy final day of filming my friends! It’s been a ride. We still have five episodes to go (ONLY FIVE????), but I’m getting emo over all these Arrow goodbyes. If I must suffer so shall you.