7 Shocking Character Fates And The Green Lantern Truth Revealed In The Arrow Series Finale

The conclusion of the series that launched the entire Arrowverse, Arrow’s series finale, titled "Fadeout," remains one of the most emotionally resonant and narratively significant episodes in modern superhero television. Airing on January 28, 2020, the episode served as a powerful epilogue to Oliver Queen's journey, which had technically ended two episodes prior during the monumental "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover. As of December 15, 2025, fans continue to dissect the final moments, the countless Easter eggs, and the definitive fates of the beloved characters who carried Oliver's legacy forward.

The finale’s structure masterfully wove together two timelines: a present-day funeral for Oliver Queen, attended by a resurrected cast of characters, and a flashback to 2012, showcasing an early, pivotal mission with Oliver and John Diggle. This dual narrative not only provided closure for the Green Arrow’s friends and family but also offered a powerful reminder of how far the hero had come from the dark days of "The List."

The Definitive Fates of Team Arrow and Star City's Heroes

Oliver Queen’s sacrifice as The Spectre during the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover was not just a heroic death; it allowed him to become the architect of a new universe, dubbed Earth-Prime. The finale confirmed that this new reality brought back several characters who had previously died, offering them a second chance at life. The episode then focused on providing definitive, happy endings for the surviving members of the original Team Arrow.

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• Oliver Queen (The Spectre): Oliver’s physical journey ended, but his existence continued in the afterlife. The final scene showed him reunited with his soulmate, Felicity Smoak, in a perfect, peaceful realm created by The Spectre. He finally found peace after eight years of trauma.
• Felicity Smoak: After a long absence, Emily Bett Rickards returned for the finale. The episode confirmed that in 2040, she chose to leave her life and daughter, Mia Smoak, to join Oliver in the afterlife via a portal opened by The Monitor (Mar Novu). This reunion, known by fans as "Olicity," served as the true emotional conclusion of the series.
• Moira Queen & Tommy Merlyn: Thanks to Oliver's power as The Spectre, both his mother, Moira Queen, and his best friend, Tommy Merlyn, were resurrected in the new Earth-Prime timeline. Their return allowed for emotional closure, especially at Oliver's funeral.
• John Diggle: Diggle delivered a moving eulogy and prepared to move his family to Metropolis. In the episode's closing moments, a mysterious meteor crashed near him, and when he investigated, he found a small box that emitted a bright green light. This was a clear, direct tease of his destiny to become a Green Lantern.
• Thea Queen & Roy Harper: Thea, Oliver’s sister, and Roy Harper (Arsenal) were given a definitive happy ending. Roy proposed to Thea, and she accepted, finalizing a long-running, fan-favorite romance.
• Rene Ramirez (Wild Dog): Rene achieved his political aspirations, announcing his successful campaign to become the new Mayor of Star City, symbolizing the city's transition from a crime-ridden hellscape to a place of hope and legitimate governance.
• Dinah Drake (Black Canary): Dinah was offered the role of Star City's new Chief of Police but turned it down. She decided to leave Star City to find a new purpose, a journey that later saw her reunite with Laurel Lance (Black Siren) and Oliver's daughter, Mia, setting up the spin-off attempt, Green Arrow and the Canaries.

The Truth Behind John Diggle's Green Lantern Prophecy

One of the single most talked-about moments in the Arrow finale was the final scene featuring John Diggle. After his emotional farewell, the green light and the mysterious box solidified a long-running fan theory and an Easter egg first planted in the "Elseworlds" crossover, where the Flash of Earth-90 asked Diggle why he didn't have his ring.

The finale's tease was a promise to the audience that Diggle's journey was far from over. However, the full transformation into a Green Lantern never materialized in a dedicated series. Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim later confirmed that while they had permission for the tease, they were unable to fully commit to the character due to the ongoing development of the HBO Max Green Lantern series, which was set to use the main DC Comics characters.

The story of Diggle and the ring was given a final, definitive resolution in a later Arrowverse series, The Flash. In a Season 8 episode, Diggle returned, still wrestling with the burden of the box and the power it represented. He ultimately chose to reject the offer to become a Green Lantern, fearing the power and the potential for it to separate him from his family. He realized his true mission was with his wife, Lyla, and his children. This closure ensured that Diggle's arc remained centered on his role as Oliver Queen's brother and partner, rather than a new superhero entirely.

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The Most Emotional Callbacks and Easter Eggs in "Fadeout"

The episode "Fadeout" (Season 8, Episode 10) was a deliberate love letter to the entire series, packed with nostalgic references and callbacks designed to reward longtime viewers. The episode’s writers, Marc Guggenheim and Beth Schwartz, ensured that Oliver Queen’s legacy was honored through the show's own history.

The structure itself was a giant callback. The present-day events were framed by a documentary about the Green Arrow, featuring interviews with Quentin Lance, Dinah Drake, Rene Ramirez, and John Diggle. This provided a perfect vehicle for characters to reminisce and reflect on Oliver's impact on Star City.

Key Easter eggs and references included:

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• The List: The flashback storyline focused on Oliver’s very first mission from the pilot episode, hunting a human trafficker named John Byrne, a name taken directly from the infamous "List" of corrupt individuals his father gave him. Diggle’s reaction to the sheer number of names on the list mirrors his initial horror in the early seasons.
• The First Hood: In the flashback, Oliver wears a crude, early version of his vigilante gear, a simple green hood and mask, directly referencing the darker, less-refined "Hood" persona from Season 1 before he was known as the Green Arrow.
• The Green Arrow Statue: Quentin Lance dedicates a statue of the Green Arrow in Oliver’s honor, a powerful symbolic act showing the hero is now accepted and revered by the city he saved, a stark contrast to his early years as a wanted criminal.
• Van Wayne Industries: A subtle but hilarious Easter egg occurs when Roy proposes to Thea. The scene takes place in front of a building with a "Van Wayne Industries" sign, a nod to the DC Comics character Van Wayne, a cousin of Bruce Wayne, and a direct callback to the short-lived DC sitcom Powerless.
• The Queen Consolidated Tower: The new Star City skyline, rebuilt and revitalized post-Crisis, features the Queen Consolidated tower prominently, symbolizing the enduring impact of the Queen family's efforts to save their city.

The Enduring Legacy of the Arrowverse's Foundation

While the Arrow series finale provided a definitive end to Oliver Queen's story, its true legacy lies in its role as the foundation of the entire Arrowverse. The show's success proved that a grounded, serialized superhero drama could work on television, paving the way for The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman.

The finale’s message was clear: Oliver Queen was not a perfect hero, but his journey from a broken, vengeful playboy to the selfless savior of the Multiverse—The Spectre—inspired countless others. The new Star City, safe and thriving, is his ultimate monument. The final, peaceful reunion with Felicity Smoak in the afterlife was the perfect emotional payoff for a show that began with a man stranded on an island, ending with a hero finally finding his way home. The Arrow series finale remains a benchmark for how to conclude a long-running superhero saga, balancing narrative closure with the promise of new adventures for the characters who continue to carry the torch.