Arrow Kills Laurel: Burning Questions Answered!
Arrow Laurel Dies
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT TEAM ARROW?
The aftermath of Laurel's death will be "huge and significant," says showrunner Wendy Mericle. "The episodes [coming up]... they're devastating, and they're meant to be. We wanted to have everybody feel the impact of this loss because it is a game changer. Big moves like this force our characters to rethink their decisions and their objectives." Most specifically, though....
Arrow Laurel Dies
WHO WILL BE MOST RACKED WITH GUILT?
In the flash-forward grave scene, Oliver says that whereas in the past he would admit fault, this time he feels a "responsibility" — to "end" the person responsible for Laurel's fate. Diggle, however, "will never forgive himself," says showrunner Marc Guggenheim, seeing as his misplaced, oft-questioned faith in brother/H.I.V.E. mole Andy ultimately led to the fatal showdown. "You can draw a straight-ish line from his decisions to Laurel's death, and that fact is certainly not lost on him."
Arrow Laurel Dies
WILL GRIEVING QUENTIN FALL OFF THE WAGON?
And frankly, who could blame him if he did? He's lost Sara three (!) times, and now will lay his other daughter to rest. "He's going to have to pick up the pieces — not pick up a bottle — and reconcile what's left of his life," says Paul Blackthorne. "He's got the Arrow family, and that will be where he'll have to find his anchor now, without his beautiful daughter."
Arrow Laurel Dies
WILL TIME-TRAVELING SARA GET THE NEWS?
Though he shared no details, Guggenheim said that in an upcoming episode of DC's Legends of Tomorrow — guest-starring Arrow's Paul Blackthorne — "Sara will find out what happened with Laurel. Paul was very gracious to lend his time to Legends to really allow us to explore that. I feel like we give it its due."
Arrow Laurel Dies
WILL THIS TRAGEDY LEAD FELICITY BACK TO THE TEAM?
Mericle hints at Felicity's possible return to the Overwatch position, saying that this tragic setback for the team "will definitely have a huge impact on her character," as revealed in the next episode. "But everyone is going to be compelled to try to fix this... and get revenge."
Arrow Laurel Dies
WILL THERE BE ANOTHER CANARY?
Echoing that which he shared in his TVLine Q&A, Guggenheim says, "We'll play with that notion in Episode 19," which guest-stars Supernatural huntress Madison McLaughlin in a mystery role. That said, "I don't know if I'd say [the Canary mantle] is up for grabs."
Arrow Laurel Dies
WAS IT ALL A BIG FAKE-OUT?
When a seemingly fine-and-dandy post-surgery Laurel began to ask something of Oliver, the camera pulled back, not allowing us to hear what was said. Moments later, she began seizing, fatally. Could the two have whipped together an elaborate ruse to fake the hero/would-be DA's death? In a word, "No," Guggenheim makes clear. "We've done a fake death before." Nor did Laurel ask Oliver to euthanize her, the EP adds. So what was Laurel's request? "You'll know in Season 5," says Mericle.