Barry was scheduled to return for a single episode towards the end of the season, though I don't know if that's contingent upon whether or not they get the go ahead for the Flash series.
Most of the reason I'm wary of Felicity getting a proper love interest - one who will stick around - is that I'm not convinced the show will play it right. She doesn't need another geek - a tech-savvy guy who is basically a male version of herself - and she definitely shouldn't be subjected to someone who's basically and "Oliver-lite" character, as in, a wealthy young businessman who just happens to show up and pay attention to Felicity.
For all his faults, Oliver's dynamic with Felicity has always been one of the best aspects of his character. He doesn't care that she's a geek, or socially awkward, or has a tendency to say embarrassing things. He's amused by her but never spiteful about it, and he has a lot of respect for her, and for all that he doesn't always show it, he does appreciate her. It's why they'd actually work as a couple if they ever got to that point, so it would be incredibly difficult to give a fair portrayal of a believable love interest for Felicity, because that person would have to fulfil all those qualities too, without it seeming like he's completely taking over Oliver's place in her life.
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I didn't really like the two of them together, though. Sure, it was good to see someone paying attention to Felicity, but they were wrong for so many reasons. It was such a cliché dumping the geeks together, and there was no potential for longevity with the two of them in different cities (on different shows) - and I never really felt they had much chemistry.
Most of the reason I'm wary of Felicity getting a proper love interest - one who will stick around - is that I'm not convinced the show will play it right. She doesn't need another geek - a tech-savvy guy who is basically a male version of herself - and she definitely shouldn't be subjected to someone who's basically and "Oliver-lite" character, as in, a wealthy young businessman who just happens to show up and pay attention to Felicity.
For all his faults, Oliver's dynamic with Felicity has always been one of the best aspects of his character. He doesn't care that she's a geek, or socially awkward, or has a tendency to say embarrassing things. He's amused by her but never spiteful about it, and he has a lot of respect for her, and for all that he doesn't always show it, he does appreciate her. It's why they'd actually work as a couple if they ever got to that point, so it would be incredibly difficult to give a fair portrayal of a believable love interest for Felicity, because that person would have to fulfil all those qualities too, without it seeming like he's completely taking over Oliver's place in her life.