EW’s final in-depth conversation with consulting producer and series co-creator Marc Guggenheim.
Warning: This article contains spoilers from the series finale ofArrow, which aired Tuesday night on the CW.
After eight seasons ofArrow, Marc Guggenheims work is done.
Credit: Colin Bentley/The CW. Inset: Getty Images
Looking back on the episode at a recent press screening, Guggenheim mostly likes what he sees.
Im proud of Diggles eulogy.
Then again, that happens every episode.
Colin Bentley/The CW
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: To start, did you guys pitch [executive producer/co-creator] Greg Berlanti your ending?
How did he react?MARC GUGGENHEIM:Yeah, we definitely pitched it to him.
He was cool with everything.
Diyah Pera/The CW
It was more like, Wow, that just feels really right.
You know, go with God, essentially.
And so we did.
Is that the same scene?Thats the scene.
Did it change at all from then to now?No.
In fact, its pretty much word for word.
It was amazing to actually get to watch it get to be shot.
This is the first and last time thats ever happened to me.
So I think a lot of things were roiling around in my head that particular morning.
The finales structure is surprising, because it starts with the documentary.
Showing it as opposed to telling it was checked off a huge box, obviously.
That said, we wouldnt have introduced the documentary concept just for this episode.
You know, it was there because of 712, our150th episode, as a equipment.
Were there any other scenes in the episode that were recycled deleted scenes?No, actually there werent.
Olivers been dead for two episodes now.
So again, it felt right.
You know, that tends to be the single barometer, its our gut.
None of these ideas are just something Beth and I think of and we just immediately put into practice.
Its funny, I would say it was almost everything, quite frankly.
I think its good to discuss these things and also discuss, is it a good idea?
Is it good for the show?
Is it good for the characters?
Does it make sense for the characters?
Theres not a single episode of anything Ive ever worked on I wouldnt take back in a heartbeat.
Ill give you a specific example: I wrote 513, which wasthe gun control episode.
What do you think youll miss the most about the show?Well, certainly writing the show.
I truly enjoy writing the show.
It will probably be working with everybody.
Those are great relationships.
Obviously, we never saw that.
But I will say we really actually wanted to get Jessica back for the series finale.
Believe it or not, its a little bit more complicated than one would hope.
DefinitelyStar Trek: The Next Generation, because that is the gold standard of series finales.
I am of course blanking on all the other ones.
My last issue ofBladewas not going to bethelast issue of Blade.
My last issue ofX-Menwasnt going to bethelast issue ofX-Men.
Whats the theme that pulls all these things together?
We know all these pieces, but whats the thing tying it all together?
That provided that thesis statement.
Its like if youre doingGilligans Island, theyve got to get off the island.
If youre doingStar Trek: Voyager,they have got to return to the Alpha Quadrant.
Its gotten incredible support from the studio, the internet.
You know, everyone involved with the production has worked really given their all.
And the sailors themselves, the fans, have really been amazing.
Look, its obviously a very complicated fandom.
I interact with them at comic book conventions, and they kept the flame alive.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
