There's a lingering finality the events of "Promises Kept" are working towards, especially in the case of John Diggle's tenure as the Green Arrow. Given that there is one more episode before the universe wide "Crisis on Earth-X" crossover and that Amell will be back in the Green Arrow costume (which makes it easier to explain to non-viewers for Arrow and newcomers), it signals a close to the first stretch of season six. Unfortunately for anyone who keeps a close watch on Arrow, some of these things are just inevitable, but that doesn't mean there wasn't worthwhile developments in this episode.
With both Diggle and Slade taking on prominent roles in this episode, there is this sense that their journeys have taken them to unfortunate turning points. Diggle must finally confront his pride as the tremor from his injuries flare up again. For Diggle, he had to face the truth that he cannot continue his facade or reliance on the designer steroid at the expense of his pride. It's played fairly deftly as Diggle and the audience discover the twist that Dragon is behind both the potential cure for Diggle but also problems for Star City, and to watch as Diggle eventually relents and gains some perspective from his actual family and his crimefighting one. The simplicity in having Diggle ask for forgiveness in the final scene, and that forgiveness was easily given and not needed to be wrenched out from team was heartwarming to see.
Slade on the other hand, traces a similar path to Diggle as he attempts to win back the love of his son by joining the Jackals and following along with their plans. It is by the end that he also faces the truth that his son is the twisted image of his father when Joe/Kane who wants nothing more than his father's approval even if it mean outright, homicidal mimicry in his childhood years. Watching as Slade unfolds because of the mirakuru (and appearance of mirakuru-Shado) and subsequent abandonment was also a delight to see, helping to tie those events back into the tapestry of the show and its strong sense of time. There's an out for the writers and for Slade as he departs in search of Joe/Kane, and the son Grant which he never knew about as it seems the fate of Deathstoke's TV adaptation is up in the air much like it was for Deadshot.
Oliver again sits firmly in the background as a support character for Slade, but also obtains more clarity and certainty as he concludes he has made the right choice to abandon his masked vigilante life for raising his son. It's in that denouement that part of him is glad in some way that he will not end up as Slade and his son did. The ongoing arc for Oliver does help reinforce that taking on William and abandoning the Green Arrow persona is not just a lark and is treated with proper weight and care. For those keeping score though for the weeks ahead, it means is that for whatever reason for Oliver to return will have to be informed by both his previous and current worldviews, which will be fascinating to see how it will unfold in the weeks to come. His return as Green Arrow will have to be earned.
Miscellaneous thoughts:
- Although David Ramsey and Manu Bennett can definitely sell their lead roles on this episode, I found Liam Hall's Joe a little lacking. Not entirely his fault when he has not much material to work with whereas the other two have years of depth to draw from.
- Despite it being the obvious shot to see, the one with Oliver's eye blacked out by the lighting with Joe/Kane trots out the literal eye-for-an-eye line is superb.
- Speaking of Oliver, he gets to take on more of the visually interesting action by going to town on random henchmen in some extended action sequences, so I'm glad they haven't disappeared yet.
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