All These Expectations Are Cutting Into Ollie's Party Time

Reading Oliver Queen's actions up to this point, he comes off as someone who would rather just do as he pleases, but can't stop worrying about others' opinions of him enough to fully commit.

What I mean is, Ollie clearly seems to want to do as he pleases, but he hates that his actions produce expectations in other people. He enjoys owning a company, but hates the meetings, the reports, the memos. In other words, the administrative stuff needed to keep the company running. Once he's actually lost the company, he wants it back. Partially for himself, but also because he doesn't like people thinking he blew it on some fratboy road trip deal.

He hates that his late father seems to have set up numerous tests for him before he can take full control of the company. He's sick of them, of being measured and found wanting. Yet, he can't let the company go. He has to get it back, because he can't bear to think he's confirmed his old man's suspicions.

He did the right thing in not showing his full range of skills during his fight in Mr. Fang's home. Might give him an edge, cause him to be underestimated. But he can't stand being mocked by Fang, being told his company will become a chain of pet stores. He feels like he has to suit up and hit Fang back right then, even though it could cause a lot of problems for a costumed American to be running around attacking wealthy businessmen in China.

He likes being Green Arrow, but gets resentful when other people question whether he's fighting the right kind of crime. They wonder if he's making a difference, really helping people with their problems, and he hates that. Hates that people who use his name as they steal may be more highly regarded, hates that he can't just fight the crime he wants, have some fun with his trick arrows.

It could be that Nocenti is going to make him grow up, get some awareness. Ollie has so far spent his time indulging whatever impulse enters his head without a thought for the consequences. If it happens to be something good (charity poker tournament), he acts like he wants a pat on the head and a cookie for it. We could be seeing his maturation process, as he's more gunshy around women now, and more aware of his responsibilities to his employees and to the world at large (hence the conflict between regaining his company and giving Fang facial recognition software that could enable greater oppression).

As for me, I enjoy the struggle Ollie's having. It happens to me a lot, where I'd rather not do something. It's usually something I should do, helping a coworker or a friend with moving, but I know it's going to be a hassle and an inconvenience, and I'd rather not. But I don't want people thinking I'm a shiftless slackass, so I end up helping. That's ego chiming in, I suppose (guilt, too, because I know they can use the help and I ought to), and it's nice to see Ollie with the same problem.