On the behest of Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman) who reveals Oliver (Stephen Amell) accepting the role of Ra’s al Ghul‘s (Matt Nable) heir is nothing more than a ruse, Laurel (Katie Cassidy), Diggle (David Ramsey), Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), and Ray (Brandon Routh) join Merlyn and Tatsu (Rila Fukushima) in Nanda Parbat, despite only half-believing his story, to put a stop to Ra’s plan to poison Starling City. There are a lot (you could easily argue too many) secret motives and hidden truths in “This is Your Sword” muddying up the episode more than necessary before revealing the “deaths” of Ollie’s friends and giving us Oliver’s marriage to a very unhappy Nyssa al Ghul (Katrina Law).
While Oliver continues to play the truth close to the vest, offering and then dashing the hopes of his friends yet again, his choice of Malcolm as sole confidant is inspired (even Malcolm’s “betrayal” late in the episode only further cements Oliver’s position within the League). Just what role Nyssa will play remains to be seen. Given her husband’s deception and hatred for her father will she choose one side over the other? Next week’s season finale should reunite most of Team Arrow for one final stand against the League, although it appears Roy (Colton Haynes) won’t be returning with Thea (Willa Holland) to Starling City. With her spunky new red outfit that doesn’t mean Speedy won’t see some action. And, speaking of red-clad heroes, the teaser confirms the Flash (Grant Gustin) will be on hand for Arrow‘s finale as well.