The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak

"I can't stop it... because I wrote it five years ago."

- Felecity realising that she wrote the computer virus

"The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak" is the fifth episode in the third season of Arrow and the fifty-first episode overall. It aired on November 5, 2014.

Synopsis
When a cyber attack brings Starling City to its knees, Oliver and Felicity are pushed to their limits to contain the destruction. Life gets even more complicated for Felicity when her mother, Donna, stops by for a surprise visit. Meanwhile, Ted Grant questions Laurel’s motives, and Thea buys an apartment with Malcolm’s "estate" money, which infuriates Oliver.

Production
Preparation ran from August 14 until August 22, 2014. Filming ran from August 25 until September 4, 2014.

Behind the scenes

 * Originally the episode was titled "Oracle". The codename Oracle was later referenced in A.W.O.L. when Oliver comments he was thinking about using it for Felicity but that it was already taken.


 * In the world of DC Comics, "Secret Origin" was a popular term and title for one-shot recaps of where principal characters came from, particularly when they were being rebooted in the 1980s and 90s.

Trivia

 * Cooper Seldon's shirt when being arrested is a vague depiction of the first ever Justice League cover. (Brave and the Bold Vol 1 #28)
 * Diggle mentioned that Lyla was off on an A.R.G.U.S. mission to Santa Prisca. In DC Comics, Santa Prisca is a fictional Caribbean island nation under harsh Communist rule and heavy illegal drug trade. Santa Priscia is best noted for being the birthplace of the super-villain Bane, a major Batman enemy.
 * Felicity's goth look from her college years, especially her black hair and shirt, and the silver ankh necklace, is a nod to the Sandman character Death.
 * When Felicity meets her boyfriend in prison, her necklace is the Egyptian Ankh symbol. This is a reference to Dr. Fate, a DC Comics superhero who has possession of the Helmet of Nabu which grants magical powers.