Arrow Season 6 Exploring Deathstroke’s Backstory in Two-Part Episode #SDCC2017
Manu Bennett’s Slade Wilson/Deathstroke returned in Arrow’s fifth season finale, stealing the show as expected. The Season 2 villain had made a few appearances prior, following his imprisonment on Lian Yu, but none of them were particularly favorable. In an apparent effort of fan service and giving the character his due, showrunner Marc Guggenheim has revealed Slade’s backstory will receive the utmost attention in Season 6. Two episodes are to be devoted to exploring Deathstroke’s story in flashbacks.
During Arrow’s SDCC panel, where the Season 6 trailer debuted, Guggenheim explained that much more of Slade is on the way. According to CBR, the executive producer said of Deathstroke’s return: “He’s also coming back for a special two-part episode in the first half of the season, where we’re really going to be focusing hard on his character post everything he experienced.” Whether this pertains to everything that happened to him following his participation in the fight against Prometheus, or if it refers to his backstory pre-Arrow isn’t quite clear. However, a follow up article from CBR suggests the two-part, Deathstroke-centric special may indeed focus on the character’s life prior to the Season 5 finale.

Grant Wilson on Legends of Tomorrow Courtesy of The CW
Whatever avenue is taken in expounding on Deathstroke’s story should surely offer details on his son, Joe, who has only ever been mentioned on Arrow. As an incentive to get Slade’s help, Oliver gave him information on his son’s whereabouts in the Season 5 finale. But perhaps details on another son (Grant), depicted as Deathstroke in a hellish timeline on Legends of Tomorrow, will also get a nod or two.
Tell us your Deathstroke theories in the comments below.
Arrow returns Thursday, October 12 at 9pm EST.