SleepDeprived

And, also, if they do plan on really pursuing Laurel and Oliver as *dramatic voice* destiny, then can they please stop shooting scenes between EBR and SA where they are at the center of the frame with dramatic lighting/gorgeous scenery in the background suggesting THINGS and making the screen crackle with their electric chemistry? Because, seriously. That is now 4 times in the span of, likely, 2 days, where there was serious eye-fucking between Oliver and Felicity that some almost kissing happened! Meanwhile, the actual sex scene between Oliver and Laurel in S1 was pretty freaking unremarkable and the opposite of sexy.

This is where I'm at, as well. I, more often than not, watch the show live but next season I'm debating if I'll still keep this as appointment tv. I just really do not trust the EPs/writers about the Laurel of it all. I have to admit that I'm still quite angry about the fake-out. But the way that SA played it both at the mansion and especially at the beach, I absolutely believe that Oliver has those kind of feelings for Felicity. And I've seen the development of their partnership. I know they truly care about each other. Everything they've both been through plus the acting and chemistry between EBR and SA makes me want to believe that Oliver and Felicity would likely be endgame. But, then, the writers sneak in that "Oliver needs you" line and I'm right back to wishing boils and sores on the writers for clinging to something that just does not work! Stop with the sister-swapping! It wasn't cool in the beginning and it will never be fucking cool! Bolded for emphasis and because it needed to be repeated. Yep. Meanwhile, Nyssa was so not up to even dealing with Laurel other than tranquing her straight away. But the Felicity and Nyssa meet was a great scene. I giggled because, apparently, Sara and Nyssa share the same taste in women. Would not be opposed to a threesome. Hee. This. I'm happy Sara is alive but man, the show did her dirty if we're really meant to believe that she happily went back to the assassin lifestyle. Quentin's alive, no one can tell me otherwise. And I can't wait for Thea's hero/anti-hero journey! Oh, btw, if Nyssa's boat is the Nordic Pearl, does that mean that the LoA base (or Nyssa's group, at least) are located in Scandinavia? I always thought Ra's al Ghul was based in Tibet...

I'm in the same boat, quarks. Forget Laurel's kidnapping, I'm all about how hot Nyssa is looking right now. I mean, I know she's a beautiful lady but she just seems extra hot in that sneak peek. Get it, Sara Lance! You go, girl!

Well, The X-Files taught me that FEMA can exercise some sort of extra-constitutional role and, basically, declare martial law to exercise additional governmental powers once a state of emergency is declared... I'm not saying ARGUS thinks Slade's an alien hellbent on colonizing other cities (earth!) after Starling City but we do have Krycek on the show so... ;)

Most of the things that the producers say is overkill. Because Oliver was unresponsive and completely resigned to his fate while Laurel kept talking to him about things she thinks she knows about him. There was just a sadness about him, especially when they remembered Tommy, that never really lifted, all throughout Laurel's, presumably, uplifting speech. At least, that's how I saw Amell play that scene. His reaction changed and there was a spark of anger/hope once Laurel told him about Blood. Which, kudos to SA because there was a very distinct change in his demeanor once he had the information that Blood was working with Slade.

We can have both. She knows all about gambling because she's from Vegas and she's skilled at counting cards because of her mathematical/logical prowess. I'm hoping that the "What? He's where?" clue that Stephen gave in that Facebook thing is that we'll be done with the island in the flashbacks and Oliver will be elsewhere next season. Like, say, Russia with Anatoli? Then we can have the Oliver becoming a Bratva Captain and learning Russian flashbacks. And since they like to make parallel storylines in the present, the show can delve into the DC archives for mobsters/organized crime family units for Team Arrow to takedown.

Do you mind if we take this to the speculation thread? I don't want to accidentally spoil anyone if, heaven forbid, any of this turns out to be true? (And if it does, there will be hell to pay, Arrow writers. Fire and brimstone shall rain on your heads.) Can someone break down this whole theory over at the spec thread for me, please? This is the first time I've ever heard of it. Just so I can actually try to discern if there is any semblance of logic there. ETA: Never mind, guys. I think I've found this theory of Felicity maybe being evil/in on it with Slade. And I have no thoughts about it. Only maniacal laughter. ;)

Oh, BkWurm1. That's freaking hilarious! I mean, I'm sure somebody really put some sort of thought about the title of the episode being "Unthinkable" and clearly ran a whole marathon with it. But, really, that is some kind of ass-backwards Machiavellian theory! I appreciate their effort at trying to think critically, I guess? But that speculation does a mind-boggling disservice to how Felicity has been developed onscreen. As well as Slade's masterplan that he's been planning for five/six years.

Are we having a mint chip ice cream party here? I want in! I'm pretty much the only one in my family who eats it 'cause they're a bunch of yogurt-lovers. Inconceivable! What kind of far-fetched fan speculation is that? Where have you been hanging around, quarks? Seriously, relax. Any sane person who's seen the show would never peg Felicity to be any kind of evil mastermind--not that she couldn't. She totally can vie for world domination if she wanted. I mean, super intelligent, masterful with WiFi and tech, likes to blow stuff up, is very handy with vans... Yep, she'd be great at it! But Felicity has always been about justice, saving people, and trying to do her best to be a hero/help other heroes. To suddenly make her "teh evil" would be an unforgiveable retcon of the highest order that would result in my setting fire to everything that the writers know and love.

I don't think I ever really let go of the notion that Felicity would be the person that Slade will save for last. Because way back in Three Ghosts, she was the person shown in Slade's monologue of "corrupt those he loves" then she was conspicuously not present at all in the 3-minute half-season trailer monologue. And there have been a lot of foreshadowing to her possible death/capture at the hands of Slade. Add that to the parallelism of Felicity being the Shado to Oliver now and how Slade has been surveilling Oliver and friends very closely the past few years... It works really well that she would be the "one more that needs to die" to really break Oliver, I'd say. Of course, I hope Felicity does have something up her sleeve and she injects Slade with the cure. Additionally, I have to commend EBR's portrayal of Felicity so much. Since the very picture of her in peril, with crazy Slade behind her, is making my heart palpitate. I can honestly say that if Felicity Smoak never became a regular on the show, I might've dopped it long ago.

Oh, is it? I mean, I know about the aesthetic change DC made with her (and I dislike it so much) but is this how New52 Waller acts? No finesse about her plans at all and just brashly plows through everything without any regard for the usefulness of her assets/uneasy alliances? Willing to reduce a whole city to ash and dust? Whatever happened to the clandestine part of her organization? If this is DC's idea for the reboot of a great villain/anti-hero like The Wall, then I'm so glad I have never picked up an issue from the New52 line. From what I hear, that shit is awful!

I'm betting it's this. Or the scene in the premiere when Felicity accompanied Oliver in the board room at QC to try and save it. That the reason why Isabel has been so bitchy towards Felicity all season long is because it was Felicity that ruined her takeover plans by bringing Oliver back from the island (and Diggle, though I don't think she knows he was instrumental in that). Isabel would have succeeded way back in the beginning of the season if it weren't for the meddling of Black Driver and Bitch with WiFi!

The extended promo has Sara and Nyssa with Isabel. So many badass women in one room. I'm more excited to see that fight scene than the inevitable Salde/Oliver showdown. Can't wait!

Dude, seriously. I mean the way they directed that hug between them, it almost made me think it was going to end in a kiss. Again. Much like that serious eye-fucking from last week. Their chemistry, man. I want it to happen but I don't? I really need them to slow that down a bit and develop their connection/relationship some more. I don't watch this show for shipping at all but I haven't been this invested in that kind of chemistry since Mulder and Scully (true fax)! Ya got me, quarks. I was "awwwing" all over the place at Sara. I just like her. A lot. And I need her to stay as the Canary forever so she can continue to be a delightful badass on my screen. I also am tired of the whole BC debate and just want them to put it to rest, please. Make Laurel the Manhunter since Kate Spencer is dead and she'll likely be writer-ed into the DA position, anyway. I agree that the lower part of her costume (read: everything below the bloaty-forehead-looking headgear) is great, especially the double samurai swords. And, since it's a television rule of cool, Summer Glau and fight scenes are always fantastic! But don't even get me started on her gorgeous hair. It's magical. So much this! I hate what the show has done with Waller. That is not the devious and politically-savvy character that I know. I fervently hope that this one's a decoy/plant/fake and the real Waller's out there, played by Pam Grier or CCH Pounder, who's really pulling the strings.

Merlyn! That was awesome. And I just knew these writers wouldn't be able to resist doing a Darth Vader-like reveal with Thea! Lol.

Well, that was certainly a sneak preview, alright. I can't think of an adjective to describe it since it made me feel nothing? Maybe a tiny bit amused (and I don't think that's what that scene was supposed to convey). That sneak peek triggered no sense of urgency or anticipation at all in me. At least, there was absolutely no precision implied in that shot. Just notch and release. Whatever, show. Whatever, Laurel. Looks like I'll be adopting the Cersei Lannister-approved method of dealing with vacuous fuckery around her. More wine?

Eh. To me, Oliver really didn't seem all that impressed or moved by anything that Laurel was telling him re: her knowing him down to his very osseous tissues, cartilages, marrows, etc. Funny how her, apparently, deep knowledge of his anatomy was so useless in figuring out Oliver's identity as the hood and she had to be told by his arch-enemy. But I digress. Oliver really only responded once she mentioned that Blood and Slade were working together. The new information about Slade's plans was what brought him out of his funk. Not Laurel, per se. However, that whole scene was still sloppily written, oddly directed and badly acted. Diggle certainly did not seem content, though. He seemed quite annoyed to me. Then again, Diggle's always been allergic to any kind of bullshit. Hah. Okay, wasn't this the name of a band back in the day? Hipsters would have you know that The Strokes is totes still trendy, 'kay? Hee. They do make some pretty good music.

Lol! That would be amazingly hilarious. Especially since that would mean that Oliver is a secret Lyla/Diggle shipper and he hallucinated them getting it on in that Suicide Squad episode.

Felicity, also, has a nut allergy (which made the one and only time she ate a pot brownie an unpleasant experience) and likes to binge on mint chip ice cream when stressed. She dyes her hair blonde and is a fan of wine. Oh, plus, she had a Lacrosse player stalker once upon a time and, apparently, knows very well that frat boys are easily manipulated by the power of the boobs. Hee. Maybe she does run over Isabel with the van next week to help Diggle out. Which is why it looks like the van flipped over in the promo?

Thread title? "My name is Oliver Queen..." Yadda. Yadda. Yadda. It's pretty much the most quoted line on the show ever.

That was not a good or menacing Ravager costume. I'm sure cosplayers at cons can come up with something infinitely better. The costume department did Summer Glau dirty. But the hair department continues to shower her with so much love. Yeah, it's worth a look Actionmage. If only for the scene where Diggle comforts a crying Felicity. Because all the scenes those two had in this episode were, basically, the best and most awesome ones. If anyone knows where I can buy a t-shirt that says "Bitch with WiFi" on it, please do point me in the right direction? Line of the night, for sure! Shhh... It's better not to think about those financial aspects of the plot too much. I'm certain the writers didn't. It came from his butt. Or, at least, from the back area of his body. Maybe, he was sitting on it? Or, maybe, that cop who brought him in is part of Slade/Blood's group so no frisking was performed before the handcuffing. Yeah, she would. Because Oliver always found a number of ways into other girl's skirts/pants when they were still together. So, you know, she's speaking from experience. (That was a little mean. Sorry.Not Sorry.) Well, nobody ever said Sebastian Blood was a smart dude. I mean, this is the same guy that put a timestamp on the PDF document of the press release for Moira's death. As far as I know, timestamping on PDF is something that one deliberately does. So... Not of the smart villain variety that Blood. I bet Felicity came up with that. It was her plan to blow up the QC labs the last time. So blowing up a tunnel seems like something she came up with. That girl certainly likes to start firestorms all over Starling City. Heh.

Thanks for the heads up, quarks! That totally justifies why I have been putting off upgrading to Windows 8.1 ever since they announced it. No, Microsoft, I don't care if it's free in your store! Hey, to the more knowledgeable comic book fans, would it be out of the realm of believability if The Question turned out to be Felicity's father? I really only know him through the DCAU's JLU (and I liked him!) so I know he had a thing with The Huntress/Helena. But, say the show reimagines The Question, would it work that he could be Felicity's dad? I'm only wondering because I remember there was talk of him, possibly, coming onto the show last year since Guggenheim, I think, really likes his character. And I know I saw a screencap of a white question mark on a barrel or something, like an easter egg, from one of the episodes of season 1. So, could it be possible?

This is, perhaps, the weirdest and most unbelievable leap of speculation that I've read around the interwebs. And I have seen people suggest this a lot. Because, unless they make Felicity incredibly witless then it just doesn't fly. She's seen Slade and she's heard his voice. She knows who he is. Unless they do a massive retcon and say she has prosopagnosia or is slightly deaf in one or both ears then Felicity would have known Slade was the father that left her behind. She remembers him enough to know how painful his leaving was so hearing his voice or seeing his face should trigger memories of said father. I know, right? There's been too much focus on Felicity's maybe-evil dad. Was it ever revealed who the woman was that Fyers was following orders from in S1? Maybe, that was Felicity's mom. My preference would still be that her parents are actually regular people, not connected to the island or Oliver Queen. Somebody has to have had a normal-ish background on the show. But if they get Lucy Lawless (Spartacus connection!) or Amanda Tapping for Felicity's mom? I might not mind so much if she turns out to be a secret hero/vigilante/villain. Party at Lian Yu! The busiest and most crowded, supposedly, remote/deserted penal colony island of China!

I posted this over at TWoP but I thought I might as well bring it over here, too. Because I've decided that I'm about 98% sure that Felicity will be that one more person that Slade wants to take and kill in the finale. I was randomly thinking, about what was said over at TWoP, regarding Slade knowing about how Felicity is someone Oliver cares about and planting bugs or surveillance cameras to watch everyone else connected to him (stalker much, Slade?). So we know he put some in the Queen mansion to watch Oliver's family. He might have put some in the foundry, too, to watch Team Arrow. It would have been great if they showed us that he did that so we know he's monitoring the lair. But, the thing is, Slade doesn't really need to put cameras in the foundry, or see Oliver cartwheeling Felicity over the stairs to safety, to know that Felicity is someone that's very important to Oliver (and it doesn't even have to be in a romantic sense). Isabel was trying to acquire then started to actually work at Queen Consolidated. Knowledge about them wouldn't just be due to the nasty rumors because Oliver made Felicity his EA. There are, very likely, security cameras all over inside that building. All he needs is access to it, which Isabel can provide. Ms. Rochev could've planted bugs to listen in on Oliver's office, as well. And, voila! Slade could've watched how they saved each other when the Hood copycats burst into QC. He would've seen how, with the help of Felicity, Walter aided Oliver in saving his company (the first time). He would've known that Oliver pulled Felicity from IT and brought her 18 floors up to keep her close. He would've had front seats to Oliver killing the Count to save Felicity, as well as the aftermath. And let's not forget the "because of the life that I lead" moment after Russia. He might've even thought something of how Oliver reacted to seeing Barry. All their little moments at QC would definitely look interesting and useful to Slade's agenda. The most important thing, for Slade, about Felicity (and Diggle!), though, is that she really trusts/believes in Oliver and is very instrumental to him becoming a hero. Shado was all those, too. It doesn't matter that they're not sleeping together or that Oliver didn't have her picture in the island. Or that Oliver might not even realize how important Felicity is to him. Slade has been watching and he knows. He saw/sees something he must "corrupt" to break Oliver. Funny, though, that this might mean that the writers of this show knew what they were doing with the "Olicity pandering" in the beginning of season 2. It wasn't really just pandering or ship teasing but something meant to serve a purpose for their Slade-related endgame of the season. Anyway, I never took the majority of their scenes together as pandering (a few, maybe). I've always believed those scenes between those two were meant to show how their relationship was developing and slowly becoming more complex than just colleagues for justice. I dunno. This is a very rambly speculation. I mean, I'm actually saying that the writers definitely planned all these and I am so not their biggest fan. In fact, the EP interviews are the bane of my Arrow enjoyment. If they did plan this, then kudos?! If this was nothing but follies of my mind then, in my defense, I can't sleep and I've had some wine. Hee.

Hear, hear! On a shallow note: Susanna Thompson was a total hottie in the flashback! I mean, she looks beautiful and regal all the time but she was really working that long hair wig! The hair department must love her since I think she's the only one who has had to wear a flashback-wig that has looked really good. Oliver's flashback-hair always makes me laugh and was Laurel wearing a wig in that scene, too? Her flashback hair was kind of looking a little bit raggedy to me in this episode.