Arrow 3X21: Al Sah-him

Dude. This episode was completely unhinged. What is happening right now?

Oliver losing himself into Al Sah-him, sure. I get that. Sort of. It might even be somewhat of a coping mechanism. But him being so far into it that he kidnaps Lyla and almost kills Diggle and feels nothing? Is it possible, he's 'faking' this mind control stuff? I guess, but I don't think he is.

He's told by Ra's that he needs to kill Nyssa. (I don't really get why, but them's the rules). However, Team Arrow has decided that they are gonna protect her, hence the kidnapping of Lyla to trade for Nyssa. But Nyssa decides to go willingly, and they trade. So Lyla is safe, and Nyssa is back with the league.

So, it's at this point where things get a little crazy. Druing the exchange, Oliver almost kills Diggle (and thinks nothing of it) and he's only saved because Thea shows up (in some hooded get up 🤩) and shots Oliver to save him.

Then, Ra's decides that Oliver is going to marry Nyssa. I'm sorry. What? How is that a thing? Where did it come from? I don't think this is actually gonna come to fruition (mostly because I'm convinced that the season finale will be Oliver being Oliver again and not the heir to the Demon Head), but it's also so fucked up. It's 2015 (yes, I had to look that up), arranged marriages are so out. Plus, they are both in love with other people! Sure, Sara is dead, but Nyssa is still hung up on her.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, Ra's tells Oliver that the final step to ascending, is to destroy your home town. What?!? So, all the crazy flashbacks backstory I've been claiming is insane, shows up now. We're using that Alpha-Omega virus to wipe out Starling City. I mean, that's the idea, at least. Again, I don't think we're actually gonna do it, but come on!

Lastly, Felicity spills the beans to Thea about Roy. I really hope she goes and meets up with him, explains the situation, and he comes back to help to team figure out how to rescue Oliver. I don't know what that means for him going forward (really hope he's in S4, you guys know I love Roy), but I hope for him to get a better goodbye with Thea if this is it for them.