calliope1975

From what we've been shown on the show, it would have made more sense for Sara to pass her leather jacket onto Felicity. It wouldn't have actually made sense, but at least a relationship has been built there. I just had a horrible thought. Since it'll be five months later when S3 starts, we are going to get already trained Laurel, aren't we? Ugh.

Yep. It would basically be career suicide to speak out against TPTB regardless of his own personal feelings. No one wants to hire the guy who might rock the boat.

I'm not very optimistic that this writing group can fix Laurel. They knew there was a problem with the character after the first season. Instead of integrating her into the story lines more, they isolated her. They had her be dismissive of Felicity and Diggle repeatedly, go through an incredibly poorly written addiction phase, blackmail her way back into her job, and had to literally be told by the villain of the show that the ex-boyfriend she knows so well is the Arrow. Combine that with the very gross aspect of sister swapping, and I don't think the character is fixable for me. That was a misstep from the very first episode. I could tolerate her this season because she seemed very much in the background, even when she had a main story. But, I don't feel she earned her way onto Team Arrow wouldn't wish that Diggle and Felicity had to deal with her. Now, if TIIC are going the villain route, they may have something.

It's very whiplash writing. The whole blackmailing, being rude to 2/3 of Team Arrow, and letting the darkness in stuff seem to be edging toward villainy, which I actually might find intriguing. But all the interviews and weird Laurel is awesome, no really, she is moments don't support that. It just feels like TPTB still don't know what to do with the character, and it shows.

I'm not necessarily taking Felicity being taken by Slade as true evidence of who Oliver loves the most. (And I'm a shipper.) Oliver loves every person in his life in different ways, and honestly, Thea should be at the top of that list. But Slade is crazynuts, and this show has been paralleling Felicity and Shado for most of S2 including verbatim dialogue with 'my life, my choice.' I think maybe Slade sees Felicity and Oliver's relationship being like his and Shado's, but he's a very unreliable narrator at this point, so I can't put much stock in what he thinks/says. I do hope fervently that Felicity saves herself. She's smart, capable, and resourceful, and I want to see her use those skills against Slade. Then, Oliver can swoop in and arrow him in his one good eye.

SA is really going to have to step it up with KC to sell any type of romance, because he looks like he can't stand her half the time. Versus with EBR/Felicity who he looks at like he either wants to spend the rest of his life with her and/or bang her against the nearest surface. I know he's a busy guy, but he and KC need to either rehearse or work out some back story or something as to why O/L would want to be in the same room together let alone some grand love. Or he needs to dial it back with EBR which I think he did do these past several episodes. Of course, that was followed up with the 5 minute hand holding stare of regret and lost opportunities.

I didn't understand the Isaac stuff or George stabbing himself either. I would think much more damage would need to be done to the body before she had to find the toad a new home. Frankly, I don't get Mary's motivations. Was she possessed when she sold her soul? Did it automatically make her eeeevil? How does she know all these spells?

I would love that idea, ArctisTor, so of course, that means Slade will be Felicity's father or some other inane idea that makes no sense.

I would love to get Diggle's POV on Laurel knowing. He's never been fond of her and didn't look thrilled with her in the Arrow cave. But I also presume he and Felicity brought her there (unless I missed something - I did ff a lot.)

I'm a comic reader and it's hell for me because Laurel is so NOT Black Canary. Sara and CL are doing a great job of the type of BC I want to watch. I don't care that Laurel has the name; Sara has the abilities and a believable back story of how she acquired her skills.

It's both for me. I liked KC on Supernatural, but the character was mishandled from the beginning. I think it's gotten worse, especially this season. TPTB isolated Laurel for the most part, and now trying to integrate her with the rest of the cast is annoying. And they're not doing it well. Don't have this divisive character be rude and dismissive of two of the most popular characters on the show. It doesn't endear her to me. Overall, everything they've tried with Laurel hasn't worked and KC's acting hasn't helped. At this point, I'm tired of them trying; I just want her gone. Increasing her role will probably make me stop watching - something I don't know if I've ever done over one character before. But she's that much of a joy suck for me.

Yep. I'm not finding anything redeeming about her. I am interested in how she went from seemingly nice, unwed pregnant girl to Witch Supreme. I'm digging on Seth Gable, though. He seems like he's having a blast with this role.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Cotton Mather leading Mercy around like a bloodhound in that creepy head cage thing was extremely disturbing. I like that these were her only two options. But I admire her for her commitment. Mary went all in on that hand.

That was my first thought, as well. It looked like Slade was actually knocked out for a minute or so. Oliver should have walked right over there and cut the bastard's head off. He's not Deadpool; it won't grow back.

Exactly. Sister swapping is gross. Period. End of sentence. If Laurel and Oliver were to get back together at this point, I doubt I could buy the relationship, and it would probably be a show killer for me. Maybe if the writing was good enough, but it's not.

I couldn't agree more. For a variety of reasons, this character isn't working. I'd rather they make her a full on villain or write her off the show (preferably not dead, just gone.) For whatever reason, though, TPTB seemed committed to shoehorning Laurel in, whether or not it makes any narrative sense. Didn't Smallville actually play "She Will Be Loved" over one of Lana's scenes? Makes me think of that.

And having just asked him about their mother keeping a secret and wanting people to be honest with her, I don't think anything Oliver said at that point would have mattered. It does seem like maybe Kreisberg and/or Berlanti had more influence on this episode. Such a difference from the eh to mediocre to just okay eps I've been seeing since they left for The Flash.

I wanted Sara to be paired with a woman as well. I'd really like Nyssa to come back and explore that relationship more. Every woman on the show does not need to hook up with Oliver. (Even if they did so in the past.)

The only DC book I'm reading right now is Nightwing, and I believe that is ending with the next issue. I've heard nothing but bad things about the New 52. Before I quit years ago, I was reading Superman/Batman and Teen Titans, but the new run hasn't interested me. (I just got back into comics within the past month.) I also watched the Birds of Prey series back in the day. I didn't hate it, but only Oracle seemed in character. I mostly like what Show has done with the comic characters though a few have been underused/underdeveloped (Shrapnel, Bronze Tiger). But then they'll go and make Deadshot a really interesting character. I also really love this version of Black Canary.

Fellow TWOPper for the past 14 years. I binged Arrow right before the second season began and loved it up til Three Ghosts. Now, I still really like it but I just want it to be better. Cautiously optimistic it can find it's way again. Felicity's my fave, and I admit, I'm down for Olicity at some point. I read comics, but not Green Arrow - mostly Marvel now. But I used to read Justice League several years ago.

I would like to know what Sara has told her family about her time away. And, has anyone questioned Oliver about what he knew about Sara? But, I've resigned myself that I am unlikely to get those answers.