Moira's death made sense for the show - putting Oliver fully on his own - but the character (and actress) provided an emotional anchor to the show that really feels missing since.
Agreed that a Deathstroke killing Thea could have provided a great followup plot line, plus we could have skipped the annoying 'mind-controlled-Thea-kills-Sara' storyline.

Losing Moira and Walter really hurt this show.
Where are the Asian characters DC CW? #MoreAsians

That could've worked.
I'd still have killed Moira down the line. Both so Oliver has no blood family left and is forced to forge his own, and to annoy retards who think fridging is a thing.
Put LeVar Burton on Money

Laurel death show hero can die especially mask one.

^ That would have been epic.
Then in that scenario, you would probably have had Malcolm, Moria, and Oliver working together to defeat Deathstroke/Slade.
Would have been made for an epic S3.

Looking back, I think Slade killing Thea instead of Moira would have been better for the show.
It could have set up a war between Merlyn and Deathstroke for S3.
Instead of the daddy Merlyn nonsense and Thea being a ninja.

Killing Moira and Tommy made sense at the time on multiple level. Even Sara's death made sense in the context of 'Arrow'they're bringing her back had to do with LoT.
Laurel's death is the only one which was really pointless. Though admittedly, it has given some decent material to Lance, and by extension Thea.
Formerly sn939

Absolutely! Killing Moira was shocking but it wasn't ridiculous as Green Arrow lost both his parents. But yes I miss both Moira and Laurel.

I hate that they killed Laurel. Probably biggest mistake of show.
JP

Probably the most shocking moment in the Arrow show.