This week, Arrow wasn't actually virtually the big bad, just about the big change that has happened inside the team: Diggle (David Ramsey) taking over as the new Green Arrow. Oliver's (Stephen Amell) correct-hand-human took up the mantle of the Star City vigilante last week in 'Tribute', when Oliver decided that he couldn't rest being a father and being a superhero (and existence the Mayor). It's a massive shake-up for the team, so this week's episode explored how the other team members are dealing with the change, and how Diggle struggles (at first) to live up to Oliver'south legacy (and skills with a bow).

Spending a full episode dealing with Diggle's new position in the team suggests that this version of Squad Arrow is going to be sticking around for a little while, at least. Notwithstanding, Ramsey has confirmed that the change isn't going to exist permanent, and that Oliver will return every bit the hooded vigilante. He describes his tenure equally Green Arrow as lasting simply "a few episodes" and "the appropriate corporeality of fourth dimension", but how long will that be, and what volition bring Oliver back to the squad?

Related: Ramsey Confirms Diggle's Time As Arrow Won't Last

Oliver's Plans

'Next of Kin' put enough of emphasis on Oliver's decision to stay abroad from Squad Arrow and vigilante work, and he'due south even making big plans that rely on him non returning to the superhero life. The biggest reason that he'south quit, of course, is his son William (Jack Moore). He knows that he tin can't keep his son rubber if he is always fighting criminals, and 'Next of Kin' sees William asking if this new affair is 'for real'. Oliver, of course, assures him that information technology is. He takes his son to watch the local team, he gets Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) involved every bit a math tutor, he makes breakfast... in short, he is aiming for a father-of-the-year award, and information technology'south hard to imagine what will happen to change this new attitude.

Oliver's role equally a father isn't the but thing that he is able to give more attention to as an average citizen. He's spending more than time at the Mayor's office, and working on improving the situation with the Star City police department. He besides had a scene with Felicity that thrilled Olicity fans, as 'Next of Kin' finally reunited these 2 fully. At the end of the episode, Oliver arrives at Felicity's door with a giftwrapped box, that holds a central to his apartment. He tells her that although they thought it would exist all-time to keep some distance while William gets used to his new situation, he has changed his mind, and that both he and William will exist better off with her in their lives. It's an incredibly sweet moment, and ane that puts the past backside them.

The Star City Investigation

Oliver's relationship with Felicity could potentially survive a return to his vigilante lifestyle, although information technology's doubtful that his son would be ok with that, only in that location'southward one more reason that Oliver can't go the Light-green Arrow once more: Amanuensis Watson (Sydelle Noel). This FBI agent turned up when a photo of Oliver every bit the Green Arrow was released, and she has fabricated information technology clear that she does non believe Oliver's claims that he is just a regular quondam Mayor. She's suspicious and very abrupt, and noticed immediately that Diggle/Arrow wasn't using actual arrows, leading her to suspect that it's a new man under the hood.

Squad Arrow has dealt with that particular result, as Felicity and Curtis (Echo Kellum) have created a modified crossbow that shoots arrows, not crossbow bolts, so that Diggle can use it. Despite this, Agent Watson is nevertheless going to be suspicious, and she is keeping a very close center on Oliver Queen. As long as she is effectually, he won't be returning equally the Light-green Arrow.

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About The Author

Rose Graceling-Moore (1516 Articles Published)

Rose Graceling-Moore has been writing about film, TV and comics since 2013, when she began writing for a local print magazine in Vancouver, BC. Since and then, Rose has written for Horror Honeys, Moviepilot and Quirkbooks equally well equally Screenrant, increasingly focusing on comic books and alive-action comic adaptations, as well every bit diversity and representation on screen. Rose also co-hosted the DC Movies Podcast, and has guested on other nerd and entertainment podcasts over the by 5 years. Rose's love of comics began all the style back in the early '90s, when she discovered the 10-Men while living in Africa (where in that location wasn't a whole lot to practise but read!), and since then has had an on-again, off-again love matter with not just Marvel, just DC and indie comics as well. You tin can follow her on Twitter: RoseMooreWrites for tweets nigh comics, movies, and more.

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