SUMMARY OF 418 SPOILERS:
S4, Episode 18: Eleven-Fifty-Nine [bIG DEATH EPISODE] -- Production code: 418. Shoot Dates: Feb. 12-23, 2016. Director: Rob Hardy. Writers: Marc Guggenheim & Keto Shimizu. Airdate: Apr. 6, 2016. (MG tweet, page 31 of Spoilers thread, and SpoilerTV article, page 33 of Spoilers thread) -- 418 episode synopsis: "MALCOLM MAKES HIS MOVE – Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Diggle (David Ramsey) learn that Merlyn (John Barrowman) is going to try to break Darhk (guest star Neal McDonough) out of prison. Meanwhile, Laurel (Katie Cassidy) gets a surprising offer and Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) has a heart-to-heart talk with Curtis (guest star Echo Kellum). Rob Hardy directed the episode written by Marc Guggenheim & Keto Shimizu. Original airdate 4/6/2016." (SpoilerTV article, page 33 of Spoilers thread) -- MG's Billy Joel song pick for 418 is "Famous Last Words." (MG tumblr post, page 31 of Spoilers thread)
-- See 418 producer's preview posted. (418 producer's preview video, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- See 418 promo and extended promo posted, which indicate that someone will die in this episode. (418 promo and extended promo videos, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- See 418 sneak peek video posted. (ComicBookResources article, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- See second 418 sneak peek video posted. (Variety article, page 992 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- See third 418 sneak peek video posted. (SpoilerTV article, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- See 418 promo pics posted. (TVLine photo link, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- See 418 comic preview posted. (MG tweet, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- 418 dialogue tease: "It's not myself I'm planning on hurting with this." (ArrowWritersRoom tweet, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- Per WM, 418 "is one of the most powerful [episodes] we've ever done." (WM tweet, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- Per MG and WM, 418 will be the episode where we find out who's in the grave. MG: "Dead is not goodbye... We definitely recognize across all three shows [Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow] that when we kill off a character, it means something different now. I'm not going to put a qualitative judgment on whether it's more or less impactful. I'll leave that up to the audience. But certainly, we acknowledge that there's a difference. Arrow much more so than Flash or Legends, for a lot of reasons, it traffics in death. For better or for worse, death is a part of the show. What we're finding as we're pushing into season five, the show has to evolve. The concept of death on the show is evolving and changing as we've seen with Sara Lance. As the show has evolved, so has death." WM: "It's going to be huge and significant... There's no question that it is going to be shocking. It was a shocking thing for us to process and to write the aftermath. We really wanted to make sure that we did it in a way that was very honorable and gave us space to honor all the characters' various reactions to it. The episodes we've written in the aftermath are devastating. They're meant to be. We wanted to explore that and have everybody feel the impact of this loss." Also WM: "It is a game changer in a very sad way that we're losing a beloved character but also in the sense of it's going to open up new storytelling avenues and will force our characters to rethink their decisions and their objectives... Death is a reality and with the Lazarus Pit and the possibility of coming back, it's easy to forget that these people are vigilantes, they're out on the street, they're doing dangerous things. This brings that reality back in a rude and brutal way. It's good for the audience to be reminded of that and for our characters as well." However, 418 will not be the last time we see the character who ends up in the grave. (Hollywood Reporter article, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- In 418: (1) we'll learn where Andy Diggle's true loyalty lies, (2) we'll see Malcolm make a big play in an attempt to fulfill his deal with Darhk (Malcolm helps Darhk in exchange for sparing Thea and him from Genesis), (3) we'll see father/daughter drama between Malcolm/Thea and between Quentin/Laurel, where Laurel must make a big decision regarding her superhero/civilian life, (4) there'll be a status quo shift that will change the game and set up what will drive us towards the season finale, and (5) we'll learn who's in the grave and this character's death will be permanent. (IGN article, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- In 418, in addition to the death surprise, MG: "There are a couple revelations in this episode... [The]’s death looms large, but there is a pretty seismic change for the Diggle-Andy relationship that we’ve been teasing.” (EW article, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- 418 will reveal who is in the grave and this episode's performances "will bring people to tears." (ComicBook article, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- Per media tweets from advance screening of 418, Natalie Abrams: "Prepare yourselves, people." Tim Beedle: "I'm not going to spoil anything, but it's easily the best episode this season. Keep some tissues handy." Christina Radish: "No spoilers, but tears will be had. Keep tissues nearby." Sydney Bucksbaum: "It's a big one. I have a lot of thoughts. Some good, some bad." (Morena post, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
-- The Felicity/Curtis scene mentioned in the 418 synopsis was not in the episode screened by the media on Apr. 4. (GreenArrowTV tweet, page 987 of Spoiler Discussion thread)
-- Laurel gets a job offer from Star City's new mayor. (GreenArrowTV article, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- On Feb. 12, PB posted pic of Quentin wearing a flashback wig. (PB tweet, page 316 of Social Media thread) -- On Feb. 17-18, Arrow was filming at Vancouver Community College on East Broadway (with "Queen for Mayor 2016" pic). (YVRShoots tweet, page 31 of Spoilers thread, and Oliver Queen Films Notification Letter, page 878 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Scenes being shot at Vancouver Community College have to do with the mayoral campaign. (YVRShoots tweet , page 31 of Spoilers thread) -- On Feb. 17, SA, WH and KC were filming something for mayoral campaign; and PB and KC filmed a coffee shop scene. (Juvelyz in VC tweets, page 880 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Taiana might appear in 418 because ER was on the Arrow set on Feb. 23. (ER tweet, page 32 of Spoilers thread) -- Unclear whether or not Donna will appear in 418. On Feb. 18, CR tweeted: "Nooooo @EmilyBett -I want to Nemo w/ you!! ???? We'll have Nemo pajama party next week!" (CR tweet, page 881 of Spoiler Discussion thread)
Grave-relevant Social Media Posts & News Reports -- On Feb. 6, in response to fan asking if it was true that KC "decided to leave" or whether it was just a rumor, MG replied: "Total rumor. And a false one, at that." (MG tumblr post, page 31 of Spoilers thread, and page 930 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- During 419 filming, papps tweeted funeral pics showing Dinah, Nyssa, Madison McLaughlin's character, Felicity, Thea, Diggle, brunette Laurel and Quentin (with and without flashback wig), and also men carrying a casket, and funeral scenes. (Various papp tweets and fan tumblr posts, pages 32-33 of Spoilers thread, and pages 908-915 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Per papp tweet, during 419 filming of funeral, SA was also in a group scene as well as a scene alone with the gravestone. (Larry Andreutti tweet, page 915 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- During 419 filming, per papp tweet, description on pic folder was "Katie Cassidy films her last day on Arrow." (marilia@melliegrantaf tweet, page 32 of Spoilers thread and page 909 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- During 419 filming, papp report (on Feb. 26) said: "Katie Cassidy films her last day on the CW series 'Arrow'. The 29 year old actress is apparently being fired from the show for not getting along with other cast members, and being late/holding up production." (Scan of Steve Ginsburg blurb posted in fan tweet, page 913 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- During 419 filming, per fan tweet (on Mar. 3), KC had her farewell party on set. (Black Canary Project @ blackcanaryPRO tweet, page 927 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Per Canadagraphs, 419 episode title is "Canary Cry." (Canadagraphs tweet, page 33 of Spoilers thread and page 914 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Per fan tweets from HVFF-Chicago (on Mar. 13), KC denied knowing who was in the grave but then compared the death to losing Tommy (CD) in S1; she also said it's how television works, no changing it, and "it's taking one for the team." Also, DR confirmed the death is final, but said person will always be a part of the Arrow family. WH said that the death was a huge loss for the show and that whenever you lose a character like this, it feels like losing an arm and a leg, because the cast is so close. (Felicitys_Arrow tweets, page 33 of Spoilers thread, and page 944 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Per fan tweets from HVFF-Chicago, CR inadvertently revealed that Quentin was not the one in the grave when talking about Donna & Quentin's relationship and Donna being back for S5. (Felicitys_Arrow tweets, page 340 of Social Media thread, and tarotx post, page 944 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Per Amie Marie Bohannon's interviews with cast at HVFF-Chicago (on Mar. 13): DR said, "I was sad, it's sad, very sad. With shows like 'Legends', 'Arrow', and 'Supergirl', you never know what could happen." CR said, "I don't know, hopefully I don't get killed! We start filming the last 3 episodes of the season next week, so who knows." KC made no jokes and said, "You know, it's like it was in season 1 when Colin (Tommy) died, it's always sad, but at the same time, it is what it is, it's television, it's kind of like taking one for the team. I don't even know if they know who it is yet, I assume they do, but I haven't read that script... It's bittersweet, but at the same time, we're a team." WH said, Look, when something like this happens, because this cast is like family, it feels like losing an arm and a leg." PB said, Who's in the box? I'll tell you who. Somebody! ... How do you know I know who's in the grave? I'm ignoring that question! I don't even know who's in the grave! ... (when asked for his hopes for Lance in S5) Breathing!" (MoviePilot article, pages 947 and 968 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Pics of blonde KC on Mar. 12 and brunette KC on Mar. 13 at HVFF-Chicago. (ILoveKCassidy tumblr post, page 344 of Social Media thread) -- On Mar. 16, KC tweeted pic of herself with brunette hair standing at Hollywood & Vine with comment: "Hey look ma... I made it to Hollywood!!!" (KC tweet, page 948 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- KC returned to Vancouver the evening of Mar. 16. (KC tweet, page 949 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Papp pics of brunette KC at Vancouver airport on Mar. 17. (OutlawHobbies instagram, page 949 of Spoiler Discussion thread, and PUNKD Images tweet, page 344 of Social Media thread) -- On Mar. 18. KC posted pic of "Wig fittings. So edge." on instagram and twitter. (KC instagram post, page 952 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- On Mar. 22, KC posted pic of herself in front of NY International Auto Show with comment: "Partnering with Toyota USA to reveal a mechanical marvel at #NYIAS. Follow my story from NYC on Toyota's Facebook Page ot see it first... We're going LIVE tomorrow!" (KC facebook post, page 346 of Social Media thread) -- On Mar. 23, PB posted pic on CW Arrow's instagram of KC getting her make up touched up between scenes. (CW Arrow instagram, page 346 of Social Media thread) -- On Mar. 31, during LoT filming, papp tweeted screenshot of gravestone marked "DINAH LAUREL LANCE 1985 - 2016 THE BLACK CANARY." (Ken@pursuit23 and Punkd_Images tweets, page 34 of Spoilers thread and page 974 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- On Mar. 31, during LoT filming, papp tweeted screenshot of CL and PB standing over a gravestone, which papp said was Laurel's grave. (Punkd_Images tweet, page 34 of Spoilers thread and page 974 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- See better quality pics of Laurel's gravestone and of CL/PB standing over a gravestone posted. (Velocity23 post, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- Per Canadagraphs, KC was seen on the Flash set on Apr. 1, and she shot scenes with GG and KL. (Canadagraphs tweets, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- Per fan tweet, Laurel from Earth 2 was fighting with Barry Allen, and Wally was also there. (Jade@TeaAt23 tweet, page 978 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Canadagraphs and fan tweeted pics of Earth 2 Laurel dressed in a different BC(?) costume. (Canadagraphs tweet, page 34 of Spoilers thread, and Bonnie@bawnies tweet, page 980 of Spoiler Discussion thread) -- Fans tweeted video clips of KC (dark BC from Earth 2?) filming Flash episode 2x22 on Mar. 31. (Diva_Jong tweets, page 34 of Spoilers thread) -- AK: "We have a really exciting, fun doppleganger coming up in the penultimate episode of The Flash that we haven’t announced yet." (Collider article, page 979 of Spoiler Discussion thread)
-- Per MG (on Apr. 4), KC will appear as Earth 2 Laurel, a/ka Black Siren, on The Flash, episode 2x22, on May 17. (TVLine and EW articles, page 34 of Spoilers thread)
Here's an interesting EW interview with Zack Snyder, where he explains the ending of BvS [MAJOR SPOILERS for both BvS and Justice League movie].
