Arrow Season 5 Episode 8 carries with it the third part of the four-series crossover event for the CW's "Supergirl," "The Flash," "Arrow" and "DC's Legends of Tomorrow." This event also marks Arrow's 100th episode.
"The Flash" part of the crossover left audiences with the alien abduction of the Green Arrow, Spartan, Speedy, White Canary and the Atom, and "Arrow" kicks-off with the continuation of this event. According to CBR, showrunner Wendy Mericle stated in an interview that this episode of Arrow would still feel contained to groundedness that the show has been known for, and even calls it a "love letter to the show."
In this world, both of Oliver's parents are alive, and he is engaged to the now living Laurel Lance; Thea is a successful owner of a club named "Verdant," and enjoys a good relationship with their mother, which is quite the contrast with what she had before; John Diggle is now the Green Arrow and is being aided by Felicity Smoak; Sara Lance shows no signs that she was ever romantically involved with Oliver as she has said to Laurel that she is more into girls than boys; Ray Palmer in this world is engaged to Felicity, instead of the late Anna Loring.
Oliver and the rest of the team were able to realize that the world they are in is just a dream. While trying to escape, they are confronted by enemies in the form of Malcolm Merlyn, Damien Darhk and Deathstroke. After they woke up, they were able to steal a Dominator space pod and escape with the help of the Legend's time ship, the Wave Rider. Ray Palmer discovers that the Dominators are planning on deploying a weapon to exterminate metahuman life on Earth, thus ending the episode and will be continued in DC's Legends of Tomorrow Season 2 Episode 7.
Eventhough everything was just a dream sequence caused by the aliens probing their minds, this gives the 100th episode of Arrow a heartfelt tribute. Most of the previous characters, those still living or have been killed off return to offer Oliver a new perspective in his life. It also showed them and the viewers that Oliver has finally embraced the not-so normal aspect of his life, especially with his constant interactions with The Flash and other otherworldly characters.
