Arrow Season 7: 4 Ups & 2 Downs From ‘Star City 2040’

2. Tying It All Together

When the flash-forward arc first began in the Season 7 premiere, it was so out of left field that it left us a little puzzled as to whether or not it directly related to the current timeline, or if it was just one of many potential futures. However, in recent weeks, things began to seem a little clearer.

From Felicity's confirmed pregnancy to William's departure, the writers have been planting some breadcrumbs - all of which seemed to suggest that this grim future for Star City was indeed set in stone. However, 'Star City 2040' finally confirmed the inevitable with its closing moment.

Following a 40-minute adventure set in the future, the episode's final scene took us back to the present where we saw Felicity in her apartment testing a trial version of the Archer programme. If you've been keeping tabs on the flash-forwards, you'll know that the Archer Programme is the most advanced technology of its time and allows its owner to see everything and anything that is going on across the whole of Star City.

When Laurel Lance first questioned Felicity's bizarre new, over-the-top, home-security system, none of us could have guessed that it would go on to become the revered Archer Programme, but that's exactly what appears to have happened. The writers deserve some major credit for their long-term planning here, as well as their subtle method of introducing the future's most powerful weapon.

Yet another amazing asset created by Team Arrow's resident genius, it would undoubtedly be dangerous if it fell into the wrong hands, especially if those hands belong to the villainous Kevin Dale.