Spoiler Discussion Thread

[apinknightmare]

The line about if it weren't for Oliver she would have stayed a waitress in Las Vegas didn't ring true even then and less so now. If you're thinking big enough to get the money together for MIT and apply, you're not going to be stuck as a waitress. Much less take your degree there because schools like that teach you that as someone attending, you're something special.

She never said she would've been a waitress in Vegas if it weren't for Oliver, she said that if she she had accepted her life, she would've been a waitress in Vegas like her mother.

ETA: that came off kind of catty, which was not my intent, it's just that maybe I've watched that part so many times I know it by heart, sadly.

Edited August 28, 2014 by apinknightmare

[DrSpaceman10]

I don't know, I'm not in the television business. That just doesn't look like EBR and she doesn't really say anything until she's offscreen.  

 

People on twitter, who were watching them film, said it was definitely Emily. 

[SmallScreenDiva]

In the video that doesn't look like EBR body, could it be a stand in while they are blocking the scene and EBR is on the side providing the voice?

 

I'm all for learning more about Felicity without Olicity taking over it. 

 

The fan who was at the scene said she saw the actress turn around and realized only then that it really was EBR.

[Morrigan2575]

I suppose Felicity could've just liked to wear a lot of clothes when she was younger, maybe because her mother barely wore anything when she was growing up.

 

 

In my head, I went with Felicity being a little chubby and this leading to her self esteem issues (as far as men goes, she's generally totally confident in her abilities).  It could tie into the "my mother is my mother" comment as well. Mom being a Vegas cocktail waitress probably kept in really good shape (if she was on the strip...off the strip is another story).

 

Of course another part of me is annoyed with my own head canon...of course they're going to make the geeky/nerdy/female hacker character chubby as well..because that's just the way TV roles...they're either super hot like Angelina Jole or the female character that was picked on in HS

Edited August 28, 2014 by Morrigan2575

[SmallScreenDiva]

The line about if it weren't for Oliver she would have stayed a waitress in Las Vegas didn't ring true even then and less so now.  If you're thinking big enough to get the money together for MIT and apply, you're not going to be stuck as a waitress.  Much less take your degree there because schools like that teach you that as someone attending, you're something special.

 

statsgirl, I don't think Felicity said she would have stayed a waitress in Vegas if it weren't for Oliver (especially because they didn't know each other back then). If I remember the line correctly, it was about not accepting things. She said if she'd accepted things, she would have stayed in Vegas and become a cocktail waitress like her mom. Let me look for the exact quote ...

 

ETA to add the quote: "You can't just accept things, Oliver. If I had accepted my life, I would be a cocktail waitress in Vegas like my mother, and I never would have gone to college, and I never would have believed some crazy guy in a hood when he told me I could be more than just some IT girl. Please don't do this."

Edited August 28, 2014 by SmallScreenDiva

[Sakura12]

What's with tv writers not knowing that you don't have to be chubby to have self esteem issues. Felicity could've been awkward, shy and dress in clothing that doesn't make her stand out growing up still looking like she does. 

[Password]

In my head, I went with Felicity being a little chubby and this leading to her self esteem issues (as far as men goes, she's generally totally confident in her abilities).

 

It seems in the video she's a bit more...frumpy. It just makes me wonder how far they'll go in her secret origins if she's already had a run in (not herself) with the FBI. To be fair she's probably 6 years older and more experienced in hiding her online presence but it may well make hacking them a little iffy. But I'm sure we'll find out why she puts aside her feelings on breaking the law too.

[Morrigan2575]

What's with tv writers not knowing that you don't have to be chubby to have self esteem issues. Felicity could've been awkward, shy and dress in clothing that doesn't make her stand out growing up still looking like she does.

I really don't know if that's where they're going but it is a typical Hollywood trope so it wouldn't surprise me in the least if this is some sort of ugly duckling/cinderella type story.

 

ETA:because my typing sucks

Edited August 28, 2014 by Morrigan2575

[Sakura12]

I don't mind the Goth look, but it wasn't the black hair that made it hard to tell it was EBR, it was the frumpy clothing they dressed her in. 

Edited August 28, 2014 by Sakura12

[apinknightmare]

I don't mind the Goth look, but it wasn't the black hair that made it hard to tell it was EBR, it was the frumpy clothing they dressed her in.

Well, she came from a single-family household in Vegas and probably didn't have a lot of money and spent a ton of time on schoolwork instead of worrying about her appearance, I imagine.

Plus, I wonder if they're going for the visual effect of her doing a complete 180 in her present life-bright clothes, light hair, etc.

[BkWurm1]

It seems in the video she's a bit more...frumpy. It just makes me wonder how far they'll go in her secret origins if she's already had a run in (not herself) with the FBI.

 

I've noticed when shows do flashback, one thing they like to do is make all the clothes from the past look lumpy and unflattering so it might just be their take on 6 years ago (though honestly it looked more like something out of the late 90's)

 

As for the guy taken away by the FBI, I like to think they both were hackers just that Felicity was better at it then him.  More likely he got her involved in the shady side and he was the only big fish the FBI wanted. 

[TanyaKay]

I think the jacket and boots were fine. Most of us had dressed like that in college. We've had a weird angle and have no idea if she actually looked frumpy. For all I know, it could come across very edgy and cool onscreen.

I don't think Canary's bustier would look flattering during the day from an off angle but looks real badass at night. Wait for the episode to air before we call College Felcity geek/nerd/frumpy etc.

[BkWurm1]

Wait for the episode to air before we call College Felcity geek/nerd/frumpy etc.

 

Wait?  Wait?  All I'm doing is waiting!!!  Waiting for the season 2.5 stuff, first part one then waiting for part 2 and again for part 3.  Waiting for this years poster, this year's cast promo shots.  Waiting for the season to start (still more than a month away) and since I already know episode one is going to break my heart, I'm waiting for it to get picked up or stomped on even more in episodes 2-4 and now 5 looks all kinds of awesome but that isn't until November.  November!!!! 

And even when we get to that FINALLY, the Oliver can't have a life problem will still be killing me.  All I'm going to be doing this ENTIRE season is waiting and I think I'm starting to go more than a little nuts. 

[dtissagirl]

I spent my college years dying my hair this [ridiculous] shade of blueish pitch black, so I can completely relate here. *g*

 

The black backpack on top of the black jacket is also making her look bulkier. I mean, maybe they did pad the clothes for all we know, but this is a video understandably shot from a terrible angle, and that is definitely not helping.

 

And I'm now back to thinking "The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak" may be a literal title, meaning we're gonna watch the NAME "Felicity Smoak" being originated, after whatever is this that happened with the FBI.

[NumberCruncher]

I can see MIT Felicity being on the rebellious side--especially if she hangs with the hacker crowd.  I also think most college students tend to be short on funds so her dying her hair black and wearing whatever comfortable clothes she could afford would ring truer to me than being the blonde style queen she is now. 

 

I'm not going to speculate that they're trying to somehow make her have self-esteem issues due to excess body weight because it could simply appear she's heavier because of the clothes she's wearing.  If they purposefully are padding her clothes to make her overweight, that's not necessarily a false appearance either because I've known more than a few college students who packed on the pounds due to the stress of being away from their homes/families and as a result of eating munchies late into the night while studying.

 

I'm leaning towards the show presenting something drastic happening during the MIT days that scared Felicity into straightening up her act.  There would have had to have been something occur to transform her from the gothic rebel hacker into the sweet IT specialist she is now.

[Morrigan2575]

They don't call it the Freshman 15 for nothing.  

[Starfish35]

They don't call it the Freshman 15 for nothing.

True story.

[BkWurm1]

There would have had to have been something occur to transform her from the gothic rebel hacker into the sweet IT specialist she is now

 

Hacker Goth or not, I'm having a hard time imagining that Felicity has ever been anything but upbeat and excited.   Sure there would be the normal having to deal with her mother being her mother but I just can't see her being some sullen death is beautiful life is meaningless gal. 

Edited August 28, 2014 by BkWurm1

[apinknightmare]

Hacker Goth or not, I'm having a hard time imagining that Felicity has ever been anything but upbeat and excited. Sure there would be the normal having to deal with her mother being her mother but I just can't see her being some sullen death is beautiful life is meaningless gal.

She seems pretty upbeat and excited jumping on her boyfriend. :)

[Password]

She seems pretty upbeat and excited jumping on her boyfriend. :)

 

One thing I am really looking forward to seeing is Felicity in a romantic relationship. I mean she was adorable, but fairly awkward with Barrles, so it would be so much fun to see that side of her. Is she super affectionate? More reserved? Really touchy? Ah give it to me!!!

[TanyaKay]

She seems pretty upbeat and excited jumping on her boyfriend. :)

 

Yes, she is climbing up that boy in a very upbeat way. Lucky dude got to make out with Emily Bett even if it was in front of a crowd with cell phones cameras on.

[BkWurm1]

Yes, she is climbing up that boy in a very upbeat way. Lucky dude got to make out with Emily Bett even if it was in front of a crowd with cell phones cameras on.

 

What I can't tell is if it's a last desperate goodbye kiss or just a super happy moment that got rudely interrupted. 

[Password]

What I can't tell is if it's a last desperate goodbye kiss or just a super happy moment that got rudely interrupted. 

 

It looks like they're just chilling, being happy. Doesn't seem anything sort of desperate in the way they're kissing.

[Velocity23]

Charlotte Ross will be on set today also! 

[writersblock51]

the college scene (and I'm assuming it was a college setting) threw me at first - didn't look like EBR in any way but the she jumped into the guys arms and it ended with what sounded like her yelling... so .... interesting!

 

I've convinced myself that Felicity was hacking in college - possibly part of a group but didn't do nefarious things.  Felicity seems to have a strong moral code.  It could have developed after lessons learned along the way or she's always been that way.  it would be interesting to learn. 

 

Also, we know her mother's name is Donna but do we know officially if her last name is Smoak?  I know "Mama Smoak" has beem widely used already, including by Charloss Ross on her Twitter bio.  If so, then I doubt there's been a name change, post college.

 

Not that it's important one way or another EXCEPT that wouldn't that have been red flagged by Oliver when he researched her?  Missing years and all that?

[BkWurm1]

Not that it's important one way or another EXCEPT that wouldn't that have been red flagged by Oliver when he researched her?  Missing years and all that?

 

I'm willing to believe that Felicity would be good enough that Oliver wouldn't have found gaps but given that we saw that scene at college, presumably while she is at MIT, then I have a hard time seeing her becoming a new person since she was already there and later graduated so presumably people would have known who she was. making a name change without purpose.  Now before going to MIT, I could imagine it.  

Edited August 28, 2014 by BkWurm1

[icandigit]

 

Or it's possible that she was arrested too and had to change her name and identity, but if that were the case wouldn't she have been more cautious about doing illegal hacking if she had been arrested and had to change her identity once already?

My head cannon is that she is that good now but also protected by ARGUS and Oliver contacts/money. I think they should address it. Maybe in her episode.

[Sakura12]

If there was a name change it had to happen before she got to college, otherwise her MIT degree would be erased. 

 

With her mom there, maybe she's the reason they changed their names before Felicity got to college. Maybe they're in Witness protection or something. 

[Orion]

I still have my doubts on how well Oliver did his homework on Diggle and Felicity. I think that phrase could just be in reference to him testing them. There were some of that with Felicity when he was asking for her help and telling her all those ridiculous lies. That those were test to see how she handled solving the problems and if she would tell anyone that Oliver Queen isn't playing with a full deck. Oliver didn't seem to know anything about her family during the "you're not going to loose me talk".

 

With Diggle, once Oliver learned about his service record from Diggle (something about 3 tours -special forces) and Andy - knowing what it would mean to Diggle to stop guys like Deadshot from doing that to other families would have been enough to convince Oliver to ask him to be apart of it. IIRC O and D have a conversation in Felicity's cubicle that Oliver had to make the same gamble with Diggle not telling as he did with Felicity. Digs response was what if I had gone to the police and Oliver tells him he would have put an arrow in him. 

 

Homework could just be feeling them out as people and light background checks.

[NumberCruncher]

Totally agree, Orion.  I never took that he checked Diggle or Felicity out all that extensively beyond the timeline post-island.  Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the reactions he had when Felicity told him about not knowing who her dad is and when Diggle broke the news that he and Lyla were once married.  He seemed genuinely ignorant of both situations.

[Velocity23]

think this is the guy Emily jumped

 

http://instagram.com/p/sQccY6k3zJ/?modal=true

Edited August 28, 2014 by Velocity23

[ban1o]

The girl in the video looks nothing like EBR. She looks a lot heavier. EBR is pretty thin. it could be a stunt double maybe. 

[wonderwall]

If they're doing a close up (look at where the cameras are at) I don't think they would use a stunt double. 

 

I agree the woman looks a lot heavier on screen, but it could be because of the clothes or the fact that EBR is wearing padding underneath because she's meant to be a little heavier in college? IDK. 

[Tallis]

No, it was Emily. She was recognised by people there.

[ban1o]

No, it was Emily. She was recognised by people there.

By who there? the person who posted said he/she didn't watch Arrow. 

[wonderwall]

Apparently the guy Felicity jumped is also the one Felicity punches.

 

or so that's what I presume considering EBR said "I'm Sorry" on her instagram

 

Color me intrigued! 

[TanyaKay]

There were a couple of people on twitter who said that they spotted Emily on the scene. If anyone here watched Awkward, this guy played Jenna's stoner boyfriend. Cannot recall his character's name though.

[ban1o]

There were a couple of people on twitter who said that they spotted Emily on the scene. If anyone here watched Awkward, this guy played Jenna's stoner boyfriend. Cannot recall his character's name though.

yeah that's why I think it's a stand in or stunt double or something lol. Emily would still be on the scene. I really don't think the person being is EBR though :P it doesn't matter that much though. . 

[Tallis]

By who there? the person who posted said he/she didn't watch Arrow.

No, a couple of other people who were there recognised her during the filming and then someone else who got there just after they'd finished as well.

[Velocity23]

Ok i am just gonna leave this here and continue laughing and wondering who she beat up before. 

 

[Sakura12]

She headbutted Caity Lotz and punched that guy in the face. Is that how EBR welcomes new cast members? Lol.

[Tallis]

The baby that kicked her in the face was obviously some sort of karmic retribution thing.

[statsgirl]

If Felicity's mother is all about appearance and how to get a man, she could have deliberately gone the other way, been frumpy or goth, rebellious and maybe chubby just to be the opposite of what her mother wanted from her.

 

 

I still have my doubts on how well Oliver did his homework on Diggle and Felicity.

He didn't have Felicity's resources.

 

I wonder just how much he could have checked them out.  He couldn't hire a  PI because someone would have found out, and he must have had minimal internet experience.

 

Thank you apinknightmare and SmallScreenDiva for the correction.  It still doesn't feel right though.

 

"I never would have believed some crazy guy in a hood when he told me I could be more than just some IT girl."

Anyone who graduated from MIT would think of themselves as "more than just some IT girl". 

Edited August 28, 2014 by statsgirl

[apinknightmare]

Thank you apinknightmare and SmallScreenDiva for the correction.  It still doesn't feel right though.

Anyone who graduated from MIT would think of themselves as "more than just some IT girl". 

 

I don't know, when Felicity first joined up with Oliver and Digg she said that after they found Walter she wanted to go back to being a "boring IT girl." She's always been confident in her skills and enjoyed her work, but I think that meeting Oliver and taking up his cause showed her that she could use those skills not only to make a living, but also to effect change and do work for the common good. That's something she obviously wasn't doing in the IT department at Queen Consolidated. If her past is as exciting as it seems to be, there could've been comfort in the "boring IT girl" status quo, so it's not necessarily meant to be a knock - she might've found value in the monotony of her life. But now she's found something else that she loves, and Oliver helped her realize that side of herself. It feels true-to-character to me.

[statsgirl]

You're right, it's possible that she enjoyed being "a boring IT girl" at QC.  That would argue that something did happen at MIT to make her want a quieter life because the leap to go from daughter of a cocktail waitress to setting her sights on MIT and getting through it financially and academically on her own is huge and if you're the kind of person that does that type of risk, you most likely will want to shoot for the stars rather than prefer a boring job in a cubicle.

 

To be honest, I think they hadn't thought of this backstory back in s1, and then they just threw in MIT in 2x02 to emphasize that being Oliver's EA isn't her thing.

 

On the other hand, if they had planned all this, then I can understand why they would want to push it to s3 because it's not the sort of thing you throw in a Slade/LoA episode.

[MsSchadenfreude]

Here some info on Nolan Funk's role on Arrow.

 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrow-nolan-funk-joins-season-729012

[dtissagirl]

"Cooper Seldon"? Really? I cannot with this.

[Starfish35]

Yeah I wasn't impressed by that either. :(

[Morrigan2575]

http://www.greenarrowtv.com/nolan-funk-to-guest-on-arrow-as-felicitys-spoiler/18420

GATV reports he's going to be in 3 episodes. Looks like whatever happens in the MIT flashbacks will come back to haunt Felicity in present day.

[dtissagirl]

Hmm. I wonder if they didn't misread "The CW comic book drama has landed Awkward and Glee alum Nolan Funk in a season-three guest spot, The Hollywood Reporter has learned." as 3 episodes? The THR article is clear about it being just ep 5.