Arrow (3x23) Season 3 Finale Recap

My Name Is Oliver Queen. And so we have reached the finale of Season 3. It's definitely been an interesting season that's gotten mixed reviews from fans. Oliver Queen was making his return to Starling City and he was finally going to face off with Ra's once more. Barry was also in this episode and played an important role. I had a feeling it was going to be a good ending and it was really, really great.

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As Oliver was on his way to Starling City with Ra's, the Team was left in the cell. They were still alive, which Malcolm explained was needed to show he was still loyal. Malcolm got the vaccination from Oliver's blood, and then inoculated the rest of them. Now, they only needed to wait for Barry to show up and he sure did... along with passing the "magic hot tub" along the way. He broke them out and allowed them to get their weapons. He also let them all know that Oliver still needs them, that hasn't changed at all. Alike to Oliver's cameo on The Flash, his cameo was short here, also. It was still nice to see him pop in and help.

The "My Name is Oliver Queen" scene. The strength in Stephen's voice was so powerful, I loved how he stood up to him. I also love how Nyssa helped him out. I figured she would. Of course, Ra's gets away, but I liked the dialogue between him and Oliver. Yes, Ra's gave him his crusade and holy mission, but Oliver already has one like he said. The bigger problem on his hands was not crashing the plane, and he was able to pilot it, allowing it to land as safely as possible. I don't know when exactly he learned to pilot a plane... maybe we'll learn that later on in another flashback?

Malcolm became the leader of the group, telling them what they need to do. Diggle agreed, but Oliver showed up not long after. He also had another gift for him, a good right cross that knocked him to the ground. He was pissed. Oliver knew the only way he could defeat the League was the inside. The problem was, they still feel he should have told them, but he wanted to keep them safe and out of the small group that knew. The plan was originally to kill Ra's on the plane, but obviously that didn't happen. Felicity's issue was that Oliver was pretty much planning on dying because he wouldn't of survived the plane crash. He didn't want her to know that he was going to die. I absolutely loved the emotion from all three of them in this scene. Diggle was so mad, Felicity was mad and upset, and Oliver just didn't even know how to explain how sorry he was. Great scene from the three of them.

Quick note about the flashbacks, we saw Oliver sitting with a murder weapon in his hand saying that he killed the man in Hong Kong because "he failed this city."

From Malcolm's suggestion, Oliver sought out Damien Darhk. Each of them took down different people in different areas of the building, but Damien had left before they could get there. Diggle had a kickass take down though, so that was nice to see. I love seeing him fight. Ra's did pay a phone call to him after this scene, only to taunt him about releasing the Alpha-Omega virus on the city. Keep in mind, this was only halfway through the episode. So much has happened, but so little is still unsolved.

We haven't really had a scene between Quentin and Laurel for a few episodes and we got one tonight. I really loved what she had to say towards him. They're both alcoholics, but he needs to make her and Sara proud and throw away the bottle to save the city.

© 2015 The CW Network
 All Rights Reserved

Ray and Felicity were both looking for a way to stop the virus, but they needed to know where the virus would be released first since it would be in four different locations in the city.

There was an Olicity scene and I adored it. She brought him coffee and Oliver told her how he dreams every night of her, and sometimes it still ends in him dying, but other times, he gets away and it's just him and Felicity driving away together. Felicity is always there to support him, and it was no difference here. She told him that yes, he has changed, but it's because now he feels something even more than before. She knows that he can keep fighting, but now he must fight to live, not fight to die.

Ra's sent his own men out with the virus, which made things even harder to stop. Diggle was the first to come across one, and Speedy (Thea, who was wearing the Arsenal suit) helped him get the guy down. They didn't notice the virus was actually in him until he began bleeding, and they immediately began to evacuate people from the area. Thea was also inoculated by Malcolm. Nyssa wasn't inoculated, but she still was going to fight to undo her father's actions. The team set out to save the city, with Ray and Felicity working the computers figuring out how to spread the cure. Meanwhile, Oliver was off to face Ra's for a second time this season.

This time, Oliver was going to defeat Ra's because he has something to live for. In the midseason finale, he had something to fight for, but not as strongly as he does now. Now, that will to live is much stronger than before. I loved the fight scene between the two of them. He did lose his sword again, but this time, he kept fighting. He got a hand on Ra's' sword and struck it through his chest, killing him. The police weren't far and they were waiting for a clear shot, despite Quentin's protests, and they did shoot Oliver, causing him to stumble over the railing and down to the depths of the water fall, but someone showed up to save him in the Atom suit. No, not Ray. Ray insisted that he needed to stay and finish the cure for the virus, so Felicity went in the suit and saved him, instead. The smile on Oliver's face when he saw it was her who saved him, and the smile on her face that she did save him was so cute.

© 2015 The CW Network
 All Rights Reserved

Ray did get the cure in the air and the city was cured. Oliver beat Ra's because he had everyone around him. Even if he did die, the legacy would have lived on, but he was able to live, but he still doesn't have to be a hero in the field anymore. He wants to explore the person Felicity said he's become with her away from Starling City. Diggle left, and they each wished each other well. He insisted he wasn't a hero, but Oliver said he was. For three years, he's been the city's rock, he's been Oliver's rock. He's played such an important role. Alike to what Felicity said not too long ago, if he decides to go into the field again, he'll want to conceal his identity. The scene between him and Diggle, I loved it, but it definitely hit some sad emotions.

Oliver packed for his trip with Felicity and then said goodbye to Thea. He also gave her the official name, "Speedy." He also handed the ring Ra's gave him to be the next Ra's to Malcolm, which was part of their deal. Oliver even said he'll never forgive him for anything he's done, but their deal was their deal, he just hopes he does good on his end of it. So, Malcolm is the new Ra's. Nyssa isn't thrilled at all about this.

There was a small scene with Ray working on the Atom suit, which teases the Legends of Tomorrow spin-off, and Ray officially gained the ability to shrink during this part. The show sounds like it can be great, so I'm excited to see more, eventually.

Oliver's retired as the Arrow. Personally, I don't think it'll last long, but we'll see. He kind of did end the season running like Stephen said, only him and Felicity were going on a getaway together as they drove off in his (beautiful) Porsche. Both of them are extremely happy and I'm so happy for both of them. His dream came true. I'm guessing Damien Darhk will be part of next year, but other than that I'm not sure what it'll involve. I'm excited to see where season 4 takes us in around five months. I loved tonight, it had so many great moments. The entire episode was great. So... I guess that wraps up season 3. I probably will do a review on the season soon, I'm just not sure how soon. I hope you enjoyed this season and the recaps. I'll see you all with another recap when season four begins, but be sure to check back as I definitely will keep posting.

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