Arrow 8×06 proves the Lance family is at the heart of the show

Paul Blackthorne returns to Arrow as Quentin Lance for another emotional hour in the shows final season. His return also proves that Quentin, Laurel, and the Lance family are the heart of the show.

Arrow is pulling out all the stops for its final season. In the latest episode, “Reset,” Paul Blackthorne returns to guest star as Quentin Lance. He is another in a long line of guest stars the show has brought back this season.

When it was first announced that Quentin Lance would be returning to the show, fans were wondering how that was possible since Quentin was tragically killed towards the end of Season 6. It turns out his return was another test by The Monitor. Oliver and Laurel both needed to be taught a lesson so they were put in a Groundhog Day scenario, and who better to teach them than dearly departed Quentin Lance.

More from CW

• The CW’s culture of pulling shows continues as Everyone Else Burns and Run the Burbs are removed from the schedule
• All American: Homecoming season 3 release updates, strike delay, and more
• The CW is out of the superhero business with Superman and Lois canceled
• The Spencer Sisters filming locations: Where is the CW drama filmed?
• The Librarians: The Next Chapter release updates and everything we know so far

Regardless of the reason for his return, it was wonderful to see Paul Blackthorne back and his chemistry with both Stephen Amell and Katie Cassidy Rodgers did not suffer for their time apart. The three clicked on screen as if he had never been gone and seeing the three of them work together brought back fond memories of the earlier seasons.

Laurel needed a chance to say goodbye to Quentin, who may have been from another Earth but was essentially her father and was the one who inspired her to become a hero. She finally got her chance this episode and got to tell him how much he meant to her. The scenes between Quentin and Laurel were undoubtedly the highlight of the episode and you could really feel the love between them.

Watching Laurel struggle to save Quentin repeatedly and then finally come to the realization that she had to say goodbye was heartbreaking. Quentin meant so much to her and without him, Laurel would likely not be on the path she is on now and would not have become the Black Canary.

Quentin treated this Laurel as if she was his own Laurel, and hearing him say that protecting her was the best way for him to go out and having him validate her as a hero was everything, both for Laurel and for the audience. It was a much needed moment of catharsis and cemented why Blackthorne and Cassidy Rodgers remain two of my favorite actors on the show.

Oliver and Quentin also shared some wonderful scenes together, reflecting back on their early days. At one point Oliver asks what made Quentin finally trust him all those years ago, and he says it was his daughters, Sara and Laurel. His daughters were no fools, so if they trusted him then there must be something to it. These small moments remind us how connected Oliver is to the Lance family.

Quentin’s appearance also had the added benefit of allowing us to see Laurel not only become emotionally vulnerable but also to see her really team up with Oliver. It’s the Green Arrow and Black Canary dynamic we’ve been missing and should have had long ago. It’s a shame it took so long and that we’re only getting it now that the show is about to end.

Because Quentin was so connected to so many characters on the show his return brought back a big wave of emotion and nostalgia, which has been a theme for the final season. There are few characters who could get to our emotions the way Quentin and Laurel did, and that’s what shows us that the Lance family is indeed at the heart of Arrow.

Obviously yes, the Queen family is also the heart of Arrow considering the show is about Oliver Queen. But so much of Oliver’s life is tied to the Lance family, and it is that history that makes the audience really feel something.

Imagine Oliver’s story in the first few seasons without Quentin, Laurel, or Sara. It would be a totally different story and would have a totally different ending. Without the Lance family, we would not have Arrow as we know it today and we would not have the same Oliver Queen.

Quentin was a father figure and moral guide for Oliver, Sara was a friend and ally who understood and shared his darkness, and Laurel was his first love and the hope that kept him alive throughout his five years on the island. The Lance family helped Oliver become the man he is, they propelled his story forward and are as crucial to Arrow as the Queen family.

Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

Every time the show has tried to downplay the Lance family and their influence on Oliver the show has suffered for it. Those moments almost feel like they are trying to rewrite their own narrative, because you cannot minimize the importance of the Lance family and still remain true to who Oliver is and what he has gone through.

Do we even need to remind anyone of the #NoLaurelNoArrow hashtag? When the original Laurel was killed off at the end of Season 4 fans rioted. With Sara off on her own show and Laurel killed off the audience was left with a huge hole at the heart of the show. The writers clearly knew it too because it didn’t take long before Katie Cassidy Rodgers was brought back as Earth-2 Laurel.

The fact that Laurel was brought back so soon after she was killed off and that the return of Quentin was one of the most emotional episodes of an emotional final season says a lot. When the Lance family thrives so does the show.

The show becomes infinitely more interesting and gripping when Laurel is allowed to be involved and play an active role and thankfully the final season is allowing her to do just that. Here’s hoping it continues through the last few episodes and into the potential spinoff.

Did you enjoy Quentin’s return? What do you think of Laurel’s role this season? Let us know!

Arrow is currently airing its final season on Tuesdays at 9/8c on the CW.