Arrow: Why Present Tense Is The Best Episode Ever

For one week, at least, Arrow didn’t need action, mystical figures or computer technology to draw fans in. In “Present Tense” the entire episode was one emotional roller coaster. And with Season 8 being the final, they started off the last of the remaining episodes with a bang. With Oliver and the kids being transported back to the past/present in “Leap of Faith”, it set off a conclusion that fans have waited an entire season to get to.

With Oliver looking Team Arrow in the face for the first time in years (months for them) the rest of the team was in shock that there were three kids standing behind Oliver. When he turned around, it was like he was hit with a ton of bricks to the chest. Mia yelled “Dad”, William hugged Oliver and right then, Arrow fans had the emotional breakdown the writers were going for.

From there, it was Oliver (Stephen Amell) giving his best acting performance as Oliver Queen (or any role) ever. Over the course of 7.5 seasons, how many times have we seen Oliver actually cry? His emotions were running wild as he laid eyes not only on William but Mia, the daughter he had to abandon.

Their reunion was heart-warming but the John Diggle and Connor scene was just as good. “Dad”. The look on Diggs’ face said it all. He had no idea what was going on and when William tried to explain it, Connor was just as crushed as he thought his father didn’t know who he was.

Moving forward, all anyone wanted to see was the quiet time between the parents and their children. First up were Oliver and his kids. While Mia was still soaking all this in, Oliver had time to catch up with the son who walked out of his life just a few months ago but later returned as a grown man. William would spill the truth to Oliver that he was gay in which Oliver did not seem a bit surprised. They talked and the smile and tears that Oliver displayed were better than any action scenes from prevous seasons.

For Connor and Diggs, it was a battle of strength. Diggs wanted to blame someone for the future while Connor took the responsibility. Classic father and son. As the episode moved forward, they came to terms with how much they are alike. This is how we always envisioned Diggs to be during fahter hood.

As these special reunions were going on, fans were still sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for the emotional building to collapse. Who was going to tell Rene that his daughter Zoe was killed by Diggs’ oldest son JJ? Future Team Arrow tried their best to hide it, however, William being around the original team knew it was best to come clean. Rene was livid as he had every right to be and left the bunker to be with his present time daughter.

It was a scene we needed to see but didn’t want to see. We saw her die but for Rene to not know exactly when and how it was a bit nerve-wracking to see his face so full of fear.

Everything else during this episode was not important. Yes, they managed to catch Deathstroke but “Present Tense” was not about that. It was about Oliver reuniting with his daughter and son. Diggs finding out he has two kids and Rene dealing with the future. In the end, Oliver and Mia took the first step towards building a relationship Felicity always wanted for them.

Mark Wilson

Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.