Let's face it, at this point this needs to be a thread, otherwise we'll have a really messy forum because finale predictions are popping up in all the threads even remotely related to the finale (which now includes the final three episodes as Stephen revealed they all take place in one night). Let's all remember we all have strong opinions, some of those differing. This is a thread to share our thoughts, just like any other thread.
Now.... we haven't had much confirmation as far as the Suicide Squad themselves, but Diggle's ex-wife/girlfriend is back in the finale, so one can assume we will at least see some ARGUS forces thrown in the mix, whether they're the Squad or just troops. Merlyn will be back in episode 22 and likely continue his guest star role in 23. My guess is that he will, at best, be a wild card as he will want to protect Thea/get her to come with him, and so he could be working against Slade, but not necessarily with Oliver. Finally, Nyssa will be back, and there's two ways that can play out, depending on if there is an Island flashback in the finale or if they get the Island stuff out of the way in Episode 22 so that the finale can be only Starling City. If there is an Island flashback, it could just be Nyssa rescuing Sara; but if there isn't, then one can assume the League either is tracking Merlyn or are alarmed by the events of Starling City and send Nyssa (and possibly others) to locate and destroy the originator of the threat. I hope Oliver calls Anatoli for help, but we'll see.
As far as the finale and character deaths. I'm going to do what I did last year: list the ones I think are likely, my reasons why, and do so in the order I think them most likely.
1. Laurel Lance - I would love if Laurel stuck around because she's finally getting interesting again, but it was pointed out to me on another forum that Paul Blackthorne's final scene in the finale was with the people who would be there during an emotional time for him, and Laurel was not among them. It was Felicity, Sara, and Oliver, but no Diggle or Roy. They're being purposely vague as usual, and while there are still hints being dropped about Laurel becoming B.C., they could also be doing so as a way of misdirection. It would not be the first time this season they've done that (blatantly lied about a character development). The most pressing time I recall that is when Guggenheim or Kreisberg said that Roy would not be learning the Arrow's identity, meeting Team Arrow, or visiting the Arrowcave any time soon in an interview, and three episodes down the line from that interview, what happens? So Laurel is the top option simply because her arc is scarily similar to Tommy's was in the first season. He started out as a douchebag (though a relatively likable one), went off on Oliver quite a bit even before learning The Secret, and then when he did their friendship was changed. Finally, unlike many actresses in television or film, Katie Cassidy is not dependent on acting for income thanks to her fashion line and other aspects.
2. Sara Lance - I love the character and how her storyline dovetails and compliments Oliver's own journey to vigilante and now up-and-coming hero. But I am a pragmatist, and I recognize that if the producers aren't just blowing wind in the sails and Laurel is meant to be the B.C. one day, her younger sister dying is a prime inspiration (because almost all heroes have some tragic thing that makes them take up vigilantism, and since Tommy's hasn't done that, her sister's is the best option). Sara also has the unfortunate honor of having been the woman whom Ivo threatened to kill and was saved by Oliver, at the expense of Shado's life. Slade knows this and while he intends to make Oliver, whom he considered a brother by the time they stormed the freighter, suffer, he has no such needs when it comes to Sara Lance. He will kill her if and when he gets the chance. So she is definitely under the threat of the Reaper's Scythe before the season ends. And, like Katie Cassidy, Caity Lotx has other endeavors that bring her income other than acting, so unlike Colin Donnell, she does not need to go on an audiitioning kick with pilot season.
3. Quentin Lance - Yep, all the Lances are on my list this year. Once the vigilante's most bitter pursuer, Quentin has become the confidante of the Arrow and, in a Jim Gordon-esque fashion, believes the Arrow is the best symbol for a slowly-dying city, not some politician and not the SCPD. Quentin is, for lack of a better term, a 'true believer' in the Arrow and unfortunately, there is a kick in the show right now of Oliver's most faithful 'followers' losing their faith in him. With Quentin not, the death knell for him could be this season. But if they intend for him to continue as the contact of the Arrow (which one would should presume) he is put low on the list. Still, a strong possibility.
4. Moira Queen - Thea has a storyline to unfold, especially if Malcolm Merlyn is meant to be the Big Bad of Season 3, as teased by Manu Bennett. Moira, on the other hand, may have to make the ultimate sacrifice for redemption. How that comes about, I don't know. It might be that she is even killed in Episode 21, from which images of a funeral have leaked. I guess we'll learn how that goes soon enough.
Now, final portion is a mini-rant: I'm trying to figure out what about Slade's plan is supposed to have surprised us. Building the Mirakuru Army to take Starling City by force to hurt Oliver, check; using Q.C. to help build said army, check; in essence, gettin revenge on Oliver all-around, check. Where is the surprise, the twist that is supposed to make us gape?
Now.... we haven't had much confirmation as far as the Suicide Squad themselves, but Diggle's ex-wife/girlfriend is back in the finale, so one can assume we will at least see some ARGUS forces thrown in the mix, whether they're the Squad or just troops. Merlyn will be back in episode 22 and likely continue his guest star role in 23. My guess is that he will, at best, be a wild card as he will want to protect Thea/get her to come with him, and so he could be working against Slade, but not necessarily with Oliver. Finally, Nyssa will be back, and there's two ways that can play out, depending on if there is an Island flashback in the finale or if they get the Island stuff out of the way in Episode 22 so that the finale can be only Starling City. If there is an Island flashback, it could just be Nyssa rescuing Sara; but if there isn't, then one can assume the League either is tracking Merlyn or are alarmed by the events of Starling City and send Nyssa (and possibly others) to locate and destroy the originator of the threat. I hope Oliver calls Anatoli for help, but we'll see.
As far as the finale and character deaths. I'm going to do what I did last year: list the ones I think are likely, my reasons why, and do so in the order I think them most likely.
1. Laurel Lance - I would love if Laurel stuck around because she's finally getting interesting again, but it was pointed out to me on another forum that Paul Blackthorne's final scene in the finale was with the people who would be there during an emotional time for him, and Laurel was not among them. It was Felicity, Sara, and Oliver, but no Diggle or Roy. They're being purposely vague as usual, and while there are still hints being dropped about Laurel becoming B.C., they could also be doing so as a way of misdirection. It would not be the first time this season they've done that (blatantly lied about a character development). The most pressing time I recall that is when Guggenheim or Kreisberg said that Roy would not be learning the Arrow's identity, meeting Team Arrow, or visiting the Arrowcave any time soon in an interview, and three episodes down the line from that interview, what happens? So Laurel is the top option simply because her arc is scarily similar to Tommy's was in the first season. He started out as a douchebag (though a relatively likable one), went off on Oliver quite a bit even before learning The Secret, and then when he did their friendship was changed. Finally, unlike many actresses in television or film, Katie Cassidy is not dependent on acting for income thanks to her fashion line and other aspects.
2. Sara Lance - I love the character and how her storyline dovetails and compliments Oliver's own journey to vigilante and now up-and-coming hero. But I am a pragmatist, and I recognize that if the producers aren't just blowing wind in the sails and Laurel is meant to be the B.C. one day, her younger sister dying is a prime inspiration (because almost all heroes have some tragic thing that makes them take up vigilantism, and since Tommy's hasn't done that, her sister's is the best option). Sara also has the unfortunate honor of having been the woman whom Ivo threatened to kill and was saved by Oliver, at the expense of Shado's life. Slade knows this and while he intends to make Oliver, whom he considered a brother by the time they stormed the freighter, suffer, he has no such needs when it comes to Sara Lance. He will kill her if and when he gets the chance. So she is definitely under the threat of the Reaper's Scythe before the season ends. And, like Katie Cassidy, Caity Lotx has other endeavors that bring her income other than acting, so unlike Colin Donnell, she does not need to go on an audiitioning kick with pilot season.
3. Quentin Lance - Yep, all the Lances are on my list this year. Once the vigilante's most bitter pursuer, Quentin has become the confidante of the Arrow and, in a Jim Gordon-esque fashion, believes the Arrow is the best symbol for a slowly-dying city, not some politician and not the SCPD. Quentin is, for lack of a better term, a 'true believer' in the Arrow and unfortunately, there is a kick in the show right now of Oliver's most faithful 'followers' losing their faith in him. With Quentin not, the death knell for him could be this season. But if they intend for him to continue as the contact of the Arrow (which one would should presume) he is put low on the list. Still, a strong possibility.
4. Moira Queen - Thea has a storyline to unfold, especially if Malcolm Merlyn is meant to be the Big Bad of Season 3, as teased by Manu Bennett. Moira, on the other hand, may have to make the ultimate sacrifice for redemption. How that comes about, I don't know. It might be that she is even killed in Episode 21, from which images of a funeral have leaked. I guess we'll learn how that goes soon enough.
Now, final portion is a mini-rant: I'm trying to figure out what about Slade's plan is supposed to have surprised us. Building the Mirakuru Army to take Starling City by force to hurt Oliver, check; using Q.C. to help build said army, check; in essence, gettin revenge on Oliver all-around, check. Where is the surprise, the twist that is supposed to make us gape?
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