Season 1 of Arrow wasn't shy about showing people getting killed, but it was mostly through villains that Oliver/the Hood murdered. It wasn't until the season finale that we got a truly tragic, game-changing death. Tommy Merlyn was Oliver's best friend, but also the son of his biggest enemy. He had a distrust of Oliver after learning he was the Hood, because of his willingness to kill people, but also through the fact that he was jealous. However, he came through in the end, playing a heroic part in the season finale. He saved Laurel's life, which ultimately cost him his own, but not before he and Oliver got to say an emotional farewell. It was the first really sad moment on the show, and one that totally changed it as well. Tommy's death was the catalyst for the Hood becoming the Arrow, and Oliver to stop killing people, so without it then we would have had a very different hero to the one witnessed over the past couple of years.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
