The tenth episode of the eighth season and the 170th overall of the series, it was written by showrunners Marc Guggenheim & Beth Schwartz, and directed by James Bamford.
Stephen Amell stars as Oliver, and is joined by the season's principal cast members David Ramsey, Rick Gonzalez, Juliana Harkavy, Katherine McNamara and Katie Cassidy.
The episode sees the return of Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity Smoak, guest starring following her exit from the series at the end of season seven, alongside appearances from other former cast members including Colton Haynes, Willa Holland and Susanna Thompson.
In the present, Oliver has changed more aspects of the timeline, with John Diggle and Lyla Michaels' pre-Flashpoint daughter Sara being brought back and being J.J.'s sister, Tommy Merlyn, Emiko Queen, and Quentin Lance also being alive and Rory Regan's powers restored.
[13] Main cast members Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, Rick Gonzalez, Juliana Harkavy, Katherine McNamara, and Katie Cassidy appear as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow, John Diggle / Spartan,[13] Rene Ramirez / Wild Dog, Dinah Drake / Black Canary,[4] Mia Smoak,[14] and Laurel Lance / Black Canary respectively.
[2] McNamara said the return of Rickards's character Felicity Smoak was "so critical" for the storyline, elaborating, "It made even the social aspect of wrapping the show mean so much more because she is so much of what Arrow is".
[16] Additional guest stars include Caity Lotz as Sara Lance,[6] Audrey Marie Anderson as Lyla Michaels,[4] Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers, Grant Gustin as Barry Allen,[6] David Nykl as Anatoly Knyazev, Katrina Law as Nyssa al Ghul, Lexa Doig as Talia al Ghul,[5] and Joe Dinicol as Rory Regan / Ragman.
[20] Madison McLaughlin and Jessica De Gouw were offered to reprise their roles as Evelyn Sharp and Helena Bertinelli / Huntress from previous seasons, but could not due to scheduling conflicts.
The website's critical consensus reads, "Arrow packs up its bow with a heartening emphasis on closure by bringing back a fan favorite, teasing fresh starts for its ensemble, and bidding a sentimental farewell to Oliver Queen.
But the last episode -- coming after the death of its title character -- couldn't help but feel a bit anticlimactic, looking back to its past even as it endeavored to plant seeds for the future.
"[32] A behind-the-scenes image of Gustin throwing up a peace sign over Oliver's grave became a popular Internet meme shortly after the finale aired.