Arrow 8x6 : Reset review

Be warned there will be *SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it. 

Arrow's final season rolls on with a time looping episode that pits Oliver and Laurel against a seemingly never ending timeloop. Beginning in Oliver's apartment he wakes up after the ending of last week's episode that saw him Dig and Laurel get hit with tranquilizers. Oliver awakens in his apartment. Mia, William and Connor soon walk in and tell him that he is late for some sort of function and that he will be giving some sort of speech. Immediately Oliver knows something isn't right and his thoughts are reassured when he does indeed arrive at the party. Diggle and Lyla are there and Lyla who stands by her proclamation of saying that she is a double agent assures Oliver that everything is as it should be. Rene shows up and brings Oliver to see the mayor who turns out to be none other than Quentin Lance. Stunned by this Oliver hides his real feelings as Quentin mentions how he survived the attack by Ricardo Diaz. The doctors said it was a miracle he even survived the attack which again leaves Oliver stunned. While talking they both get a call to say that there is a hostage situation at the SCPD building so off they go. Oliver suits up and goes along with Quentin after the hostage keepers specifically asked for Quentin. On the outside Dinah tells them of the ongoing situation which leads to Quentin going inside wearing a vest and Oliver going around the back. On the inside Oliver makes his way to the front and shoots the gun out of one of the guy's hands. He has another trick up his sleeve however which is that he has a detonator for a bomb which he sets off leading to the entire room going white and Oliver again waking up in his apartment. 

Oliver awakens again in his apartment and knows that something is up. He again goes to where Quentin is and again also to the SCPD. This time he knows of the bomb and finds it location which happens to be under the building. He goes deep underground and actually ends up bumping into Laurel who turns out has also been stuck in this loop. Time runs out on them as they both agree to meet at the party where Laurel ends up meeting Quentin again. Not believing what she is even seeing she Oliver and Quentin again go to the SCPD and along with Dinah's help actually defuse the bomb. Thinking they've done everything they were supposed to do. However..things aren't so simple as on the outside Quentin ends up getting assassinated by someone. This restarts the loop again and again as their main goal ultimately is to keep the mayor alive. At the bunker Laurel actually tells Quentin that in her reality he is infact dead and died protecting her. He says he couldn't have went any better way as the two along with Oliver again go to the SCPD and try this time to keep Quentin alive. It doesn't end well for him again as while Oliver deals with the mercenaries Laurel is left alone with Quentin after he gets shot. She ultimately ends up saying her goodbyes as he fades away right before her eyes. This starts the loop all over again but only for Oliver this time as Lyla informs Oliver that Laurel got what she needed out of the loop and therefore has been released from it's grip. Oliver still has something to get out of it however. 

The episode draws to a close as Oliver's final time in the loop begins and ends with him also accepting Quentin's death and therefore being released from the loop. So just why was he put in it? and why is Lyla working with The Monitor?? Lyla informs him that a greater evil unknown to even her is coming very soon and all of this was once again a test to make sure Oliver and everyone else basically is ready to fight and defend the universe. Lyla also says she is working with The Monitor as a way to protect her family. The episode ends with both Laurel and Oliver waking up in some kind of tent. The two talk about Quentin and mention how basically it was like a reward especially for Laurel to see him again. After all it is him who set her on the right path and made her into the person she is right now and who she will be going forward. The episode has one final surprise and that is on the outside as when Oliver and Laurel come out of the tent Mia, Connor and William also are there and Mia asks where are they?? Oliver responds with ''Lian Yu'' and that's how it ends with all characters looking far out. Honestly what an episode this was. The idea of being in a time loop is something I will never tire of. Legends Of Tomorrow did it in season 3 with Zari and that episode turned out to be one of the best ever. It's not handled as well here but it is done so very well nevertheless. The inclusion of them all being back on Lian Yu was expected but interesting as all nods to previous seasons seem to just keep coming. With only 4 episodes remaining including the Crisis it's slowly hitting me that this show is indeed ending and when it does it will be hard to take at first. This paved the way for the rest of the Arrowverse and even though it did decline over the years it's always been enjoyable to watch and take in. This episode was great and overall this season has been fantastic. Long may it continue up until the final episode. 

★★★★