Arrow Season 4: 13 Questions We're Asking After Eleven-Fifty-Nine
5. Why Laurel?
Ever since the Season 4 premiere we've known one character would die, and it's been a slow working to a point whereby they could eliminate one of the characters. Even the writers didn't know back then who it would be, but they've written this season in a way that ends up at Laurel.
'Why Laurel' isn't born of some anger at killing off a major character from the Green Arrow comics, because they've not been sticking to canon anyway, and any chance of a Laurel/Oliver relationship has long-since passed.
But why Laurel, and why now?
Admittedly the pool of characters they could kill off is pretty slim. Laurel has been the most problematic character on the show, including a period where she was by far the most detested by a big section of the fanbase, and even earlier this year there were questionable decisions.
Generally, though, she's been far more likeable, especially in recent weeks (which may be deliberate, to make her death hurt more). Although a divisive character, it still feels like a bit of a waste, and that there was more they could've done with her going forwards, especially if they'd made the decision to kill off Quentin, who most (including myself) had been betting on.
Unfortunately, the writers failed this character.