"Olicity" has been a maddening aspect of
Arrow for the last two seasons, with the on-and-off relationship between Oliver and Felicity sparking some harsh criticism from fans of the show. While it was
previously reported that David Ramsey hinted an Olicity reunion was on the horizon,
Arrow star Stephen Amell cleared that up on Sunday at the Heroes & Villains FanFest.
“I was chatting with a couple of fans earlier and they were saying there hasn’t been a lot of positivity and reassuring notions when it comes to Oliver and Felicity’s relationship. I think that it’s important to remember that relationships on the show don’t have to be only defined by romance. Oliver and Felicity could have a wonderful, fulfilling, dynamic relationship and not be together, right? That wasn’t a question, OK. That’s how the world works! So we will see where they are this year. I hope that they’re both in a happy positive place. Whether that means they’re together or not remains to be seen.” This bodes well, considering the relationship has been loudly criticised as taking the focus away from Oliver and his mission.
Amell refocused the discussion on the overall direction of season 5, saying that the new villain and vigilantes will help the show get back to its original premise, saving Star City.
“The villain that we are introducing is a direct result of things that Oliver has done in Star City [and] calls back to a lot of things that happened in the first season of the show. It really grounds the show and really focuses on its core value, which is the battle to save Star City. The first two episodes [of season 5] refocuses us on what the core mission of the show should be, and that to me is very exciting. Plus? Russia.”
Russia, of course, refers to where the fifth season will be taking its flashbacks, showing Oliver's background and relationship with the Russian mob featured in earlier seasons. The flashbacks have also been critiqued as slow and seemingly pointless after the shift away from the island, so it will be interesting to see where
Arrow takes things next. With all this talk of a new direction, are you excited for
Arrow's fifth season? Sound off below!