Team GATV Roundtable: Talking Arrow Season 6 So Far

Has the addition of William to Oliver’s life been a good thing for the show?

MELISSA: I wouldn’t go so far as to say William added in was a good thing, but surprisingly, I don’t think in season 6 it turned out to be a bad thing. Young children on drama/action shows tend not to be a great fit unless they are easily shunted off screen like Baby Sara/John Jr. and even then, there is worry diapers and playdates will take over what little personal life our heroes have shown. A preteen like William is even more complicated. For one, they have opinions!

However, at this time in the show, Oliver having William in his life was the perfect driving force to prompt the changes that allowed the show to explore truly new aspects of Oliver’s personality that I can’t imagine otherwise happening. He’s had to grow and mature in order to figure out what William needed in a parent which positively affected many areas of Oliver’s personal life. This time it’s Oliver left to watch his friends and loved ones face danger while he stays behind. It also led to some wonderful role reversal moments where now Oliver is the rock and mentor to Felicity and Diggle instead of the other way around. I’ve enjoyed how natural and earned Oliver’s growth has felt in the circumstances.

CRAIG: Absolutely. I love watching Stephen Amell working opposite Jack Moore, and the family angle from Oliver is some of the best acting that we get from Stephen. It reminds me a bit of how warm the relationship between Oliver and Thea has been, but of course with Willa Holland absent a lot, we haven’t gotten that as much as I might have liked.

William being a part of things gives Oliver an added responsibility, forcing him to grow up even more and avoiding making the mistakes that his own father did. I also have really liked the interaction between William and Felicity so far.

MATT: I think it’s given some new areas to explore for both Oliver and Stephen Amell, as well as added new dimensions to Oliver. I’d like them to really develop a strong emotional life between the two. Right now, it feels very left-brained and a bit detached.

STEPHANIE: Definitely. The series started because of the relationship between Oliver and his father, so it’s only fitting that once Oliver grew from a carefree playboy into a responsible and driven adult that he would have his own opportunity to succeed where his father failed. In addition, William has given Oliver a human and vulnerable side that we really haven’t seen since he looked after party girl Thea. Felicity tutoring William was also a nice touch because she’s finally gotten over the manufactured drama of Oliver having a son and embraced someone who means the world to one of her friends.