This finale was reflective of the entire season: a mixed bag. Good ideas. Poor execution. Questionable decisions.
I didn't understand why they didn't keep the mystery of whether Oliver was brainwashed or not underwraps until the finale. It would've made his "My name is Oliver Queen" moment more powerful, and it was lacking for me because they showed he never stopped being Oliver Queen. It would've made last week's ending more scarier with Team Arrow possibly dying.
I didn't understand why Flash couldn't have stuck around to help. Yes, he had a conversation with Harrison Wells waiting, but hold on...based on the Flash episode that just aired, there's no reason to think Wells was going anywhere or escaping. Flash really could've stuck around and helped for a few hours. Just a plot convenience to get Flash out of there even though there was no reason he couldn't have helped more.
Oliver and Malcolm planning this entire thing to find out how Ra's was going to attack Starling City? Eh, when was this planned? Before or after Ra's starting killing city civilians? Before or after Thea's near-death. If that was the plan the entire time, why didn't he just give himself over to Ra's sooner? Baffling.
Felicity getting angry at Oliver because he was going to sacrifice himself to save Starling City...that annoyed me. Oliver's shown up until this point he's willing to go the distance to save his city and family. Why is she surprised? Shouldn't she have known he'd do this?
The Damien Darkk inclusion was a waste. I didn't buy at all that Ra's was going to succeed. There was a lack of suspense in the episode that the last two finales had. Probably because the lead villains better, despite my enjoyment of Nable's take on Ra's Al Ghul. He should've had more time this season.
Oliver quitting leaving with Felicity was a surprise ending that obviously won't last long. Malcolm as the new Ra's is so weird. He survived Ra's sword because he was freed from torture, not because he himself escaped death as Oliver did.
Enjoyable, but disappointing after two great finales.
Feel free to tell me I'm overreacting or over analyzing things.

