If Arrow has taught us anything these past three seasons it's that 1.) shirtless salmon ladder workouts are THE BEST thing ever, and 2.) even the supposed villains can have soul-crushing backstories. And that's exactly what the show delivered during Wednesday night's Arrow episode "Suicidal Tendencies," which revealed glimpses into Deadshot's past and led to his eventual death. (No, I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!) You see, it turns out that he, like Diggle, once had a wife and daughter that he loved more than anything else. But his return home from war did not deliver the happily ever after that he craved. Instead, it was plagued with tragedy.
Consumed by all the death he inflicted overseas, Lawton snapped and, in a fit of rage, accidentally went off the rails on his wife and daughter — gun-pointing and all. Basically, it was enough to convince his wife to call the police and have him locked up. However, it didn't take long for H.I.V.E. (which in D.C. Comics circles stands for Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination) to come calling and recruit his special services for their own means. His first target? John Diggle's brother, Andrew.
Sure, that alone doesn't paint him in the best of light. However, when you add on the fact that he ended up sacrificing himself during their most recent Suicide Squad mission — thus allowing both Diggle and Lyla to return home safely to their daughter — it's enough to make even the Grinch's heart grow three or four sizes. Seriously, you guys, his final words to Diggle are downright heartbreaking. "You and your wife — you just get back to your baby girl, John." And just before the building exploded, he took out a picture of his family to look at one last time. (If you're not balling your eyes out right now then you're a MONSTER.)
Lawton may have squandered any chance he had of redeeming the family he lost long ago. But he wasn't about to let that happen to someone else, especially Diggle, whom he'd already seen go through too much sadness on his account. Deadshot may have started out as a villain, but he left this show a true hero. The only downside to this generous act? Diggle and Lyla both realize that maybe they can't have both a family and a career after all. Looks like Team Arrow may be down a member soon. Prepare your breakdowns accordingly.
Images: The CW
