r/arrow • u/Ok_Combination_1037 • 9h ago
Discussion This conflict is everything bad and great about Arrow
So, I think most of us can agree that this conflict was dumb. In Season 6 of the show, having a falling out of this magnitude between Oliver and Diggle reeks of dramafarming, and the context of this falling out is quite unsatisfying.
But, unlike The Flash, Arrow is almost smart about how it executes it. The show knows that Diggle being mad at Oliver about this is out of character and makes no sense for their relationship. Arrow has always had just a bit more self-awareness than the other Arrowverse shows. But the problem is, Arrow still really likes to dramafarm. So it still has this conflict, but makes sure to emphasize several times that it is out of character for Diggle, and that it is petty given the history these two have. Even Diggle himself acknowledges this multiple times, which is good, and this is what bumps this show above The Flash at least. The problem is, they don't know where to go from this. Because the writers still want to escalate this conflict into a full-on blowout, but have just deconstructed the reasoning they set up because of how petty it is.
This comes to a head in the scene pictured above, and I really do hate this scene. They try to be smart about how they frame the conflict and Diggle's anger, but it devolves back into petty arguments from Diggle. The crux of this conflict is now Oliver's poor decision making skills, which makes Diggle the latest proponent of the "blame Oliver" trend, the worst part of Arrow. This trope almost never works in this show, because Oliver has sacrificed too much for us to ever actually believe he doesn't have everyone's best interests at heart. Diggle has been here since Day 1, but still decides to blame Oliver for choices that he made to the best of his ability, whilst dealing with impossible situations.
David Ramsey is also overacting way too much. The level of emotion he gives Diggle's anger would work in a different context, but not here. Ironically, it makes him feel more empty and fake, because he's pouring his heart out saying stuff that we can't agree with because majority of it just isn't true. But honestly, I don't really blame the actor, the arc they took this character on this season just doesn't work. No matter how he was directed or acted, I don't think it would've worked. This is the worst of Diggle, and is borderline character assassination.
But, in comparison, I think Stephen Amell does a superb job in this scene. Throughout this whole conflict (and this whole season actually), he's written well. He's logical, and his anger at Diggle's anger was actually well built up and portrayed here, not blown out of proportion but an understandable response to all of Diggle's complaints. It is jarring how we keep shifting from Diggle's vague platitudes about Oliver's poor teamwork and leadership skills to Oliver's wholly logical rebuttals about the actual contexts of the situations Diggle is mentioning. It's always nice to see Oliver stand up for himself, and here it's especially satisfying. If this were The Flash, Barry would either defend himself in the worst way possible, or take all of the insults hurled towards him even if they're clearly incorrect.
What I can say about Arrow is they make the most out of the bad plot points they are given. Here, the conflict is dumb and unsatisfying, but they approach it with a modicum of self awareness and emotional intelligence such that it reads better at least. Stephen Amell's acting is always a standout even in the poorer arcs. Even Season 4, a poorly written mess, gifts us Neal McDonough as Damien Darhk, a wholly out of place villain who overstays his welcome but is nevertheless fun to watch. Season 3 forces us to work with Malcolm Merlyn, but the show is aware that he is not redeemable and makes sure the characters acknowledge it too.
Arrow is an inconsistently consistent show I would say. These pieces shining out of the bad is why I consider Arrow, among all the bad, to be a great show nonetheless.