Does a Season Renewal Open the Door for Deathstroke to Join Arrow in S6?

Every episode of Arrow so far has begun with Oliver Queen narrating the episode with the line, "After spending five years in Hell." However, Oliver Queen's flashbacks in Season 5 will conclude that five year excursion in Hell.

When Season 6 begins, there'll be no need for integrated flashbacks of Oliver Queen's past on Lian Yiu, China, or Russia, but Season 6 might begin a new chapter that utilizes flashbacks from past seasons of Arrow as a replacement. Previous season callbacks might be utilized in Season 6 because of Slade Wilson a.k.a. Deathstroke.

Deathstroke played a pivotal role in Season 2–3 of Arrow, and while Deathstroke was left rotting in a prison cell on Lian Yiu, he was given an open-ended conclusion, suggesting a possible return. That resurgence could believably take place in Season 6 of Arrow.

Arrow Renewed For Season 6

In a soft announcement, Arrow has been renewed for Season 6. The renewal will mark a new chapter on Arrow, with the new season refraining from integrating flashbacks into every episode.

Every episode of Arrow so far has begun with Oliver Queen narrating the episode with the line, "After spending five years in Hell." However, Oliver Queen's flashbacks in Season 5 will conclude that five year excursion in Hell.

The Deathstroke Plot Could Be Addressed In Season 6

Back in Season 3 when Deathstroke was imprisoned on Lian Yiu, he was last seen vowing vengeance against Oliver Queen. Oliver had the reason, motive and opportunity to kill Deathstroke but chose not to. Instead, he left Deathstroke rotting in a jail cell, waiting for an opportunity to escape and do what he set out to.

Deathstroke's grudge against Queen stems from the blame he places on him for the death of Shado. Despite knowing that Queen had to choose between who would be executed — Shado or Sara Lance (or see them both executed) — Deathstroke holds Queen responsible for Shado's death. With that in mind, Deathstroke's return would address the open plot thread involving Deathstroke's long-standing grudge against Oliver Queen.

We'll have to wait until information on Season 6 surfaces, but we do know that Arrow is in for a soft reboot next year, so we can assume some new faces will be joining Team Arrow as well. We may not see every member of the team go their separate ways, but Oliver Queen is likely to be left sitting alone at the conclusion of Season 5. Unless, of course, Oliver Queen takes a step away from being Green Arrow in Season 6 and someone else takes up the mantle for him — though, highly unlikely.