S04.E11: A.W.O.L.

[Guest]

On the bright side: 

 

Overwatch, Green Arrow, Spartan, the first letter of each word spells out OGs???? Ummm. 

 

 

Whaaaaat. That's awesome. The OG's. The Original Gangstas! Haha I love it. 

[pivot]

Loved the episode. EBR hit is out of the park and EBR have insane chemistry together.

We finally got a D/F scene and it was adorable.

Katie Cassidy continues to not be able to act. No wonder SA isn't making eye contact with her, he's trying to not laugh at her line readings. Please let Laurel Lance be the one in the grave.

I don't care about Amanda's death. I've always thought the plots with her character were boring as hell.

[EmilyBettFan]

Omg the OGs so good!

[Guest]

No but seriously guys. Olicity were SO damn good in this episode. The way Oliver looks at her kills me every single time. I just loved every scene of theirs tonight. He was supportive and caring and patient. I would have liked her to tell him she was actually hallucinating instead of him thinking she was shouting at him but that was such a minor quibble, it doesn't really bother me. I want them like this all the time.

 

Things like this is gonna make their break-up really hurt when it happens. 

Edited January 28, 2016 by Guest

[RoyRogersMcFreely]

This was a good episode. It's frustrating that this show can be pretty good when the writers actually flesh out their stories a little. And write flashbacks that actually add to the current story.

[jay741982]

Call me petty but the fact that the Oliver/Laurel sparring scene was them talking about Felicity was great lol. LOVED the Episode. EBR KILLED it as GothFelicity and her current self. Loved Oliver Dig and Lyla kicking ass, all the Olicity moments. Oliver would've so hit on GothFelicity lol. I'm not trusting Andy and next week looks good!

[SmallScreenDiva]

I will never get over how cute Oliver gets when he says "ow" after his tiny blonde girlfriend punches or pokes him. I mean, the guy gets beaten up and pounded by bad guys all the time. 

 

OK, I really enjoyed this ep. I'm not sure I love the entire ep, but those scenes with Felicity and Oliver were just perfect. Especially the one in the lair. That had me tearing up. Actually, that had me bawling. What Felicity was saying and how Oliver was reacting to what she was saying. Stephen Amell with his red eyes glistening with tears couple and Emily Bett Rickards potent combo of vulnerability and strength = me dead. 

 

I was stunned by Waller's death. Expected it but was still shocked when it happened. I enjoyed the fight scene toward the end even though there were a dozen people in it. Maybe because Oliver was allowed to be badass. Also I enjoy watching Lyla fight. Audre Marie Anderson probably has a stunt/fight double but I don't think about it. I just buy that Lyla is badass. 

 

Andy became much more interesting in this ep. Now I can't wait for him to double-cross his brother, LOL! Him meeting his niece in the end was cute. But now I'm wondering, where is his family? Did Carly and AJ leave Star City?

 

I'd love to see Goth Felicity again, but not this mean one, LOL! I do like how she provided a peek into who Felicity was in the past. But now I want an Earth-2 version. Oh, and despite Oliver echoing Felicity's words about questionable fashion choices, I can tell the boy was intrigued :P

[Morena]

[benteen]

You know, I really enjoyed this episode.  I was glad we got a change of pace with the flashbacks focusing on the Diggles, even if they tie back to the useless main flashback storyline of these season.  But any chance to move Diggle to the forefront and see more of Lyla.  Also liked the use of Andy a lot in this episode.

 

EBR did indeed kill it tonight and I liked how strong Felicity turned out in this episode.  I admit I laughed when Oliver turned his head to see who Felicity was yelling at and Goth Felicity was smiling at him.

 

I wasn't expecting Waller's death but it's not a surprise with the Suicide Squad movie coming out this year.  I was surprised we even saw Waller and ARGUS and there was noticeably no reference to the Suicide Squad.  I can't say I'm sorry to lose the character as I was never impressed with this version of Waller (though the episode did nail the character's steeliness tonight).  I'm hoping that Lyla will be running ARGUS now.

 

I laughed when Oliver explained the whole time traveling thing to Laurel.  It was a nice change of pace episode and that can be good sometimes.

[Soulfire]

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kjahjskjahksjhadjhahjhs I can't with these two.

[Morena]

[apinknightmare]

Few things: is Andy double-crossing Diggle? Is he going to be a last-minute heroic death or what? 

 

Why on earth did Oliver tell Laurel about the time travel? What possible good could come of that? He could express that he thought the whole thing was his fault without mentioning it. 

 

And why didn't Oliver seem to be very concerned that Felicity was clearly talking to someone else in the loft? 

[Soulfire]

Wasn't allowed to post more gifs in my last post, so here comes some more --

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Primal Slayer]

When you hold in secrets, it can eat you up inside and sometimes you just gotta tell someone to get it off your chest.

Few things: is Andy double-crossing Diggle? Is he going to be a last-minute heroic death or what? 

 

Why on earth did Oliver tell Laurel about the time travel? What possible good could come of that? He could express that he thought the whole thing was his fault without mentioning it. 

 

And why didn't Oliver seem to be very concerned that Felicity was clearly talking to someone else in the loft? 

And I think he just chalked it up to her being frustrated.

[benteen]

When you hold in secrets, it can eat you up inside and sometimes you just gotta tell someone to get it off your chest.

And I think he just chalked it up to her being frustrated.

 

I'd be concerned about telling Laurel about time travel because it might give her another horrible idea!

[apinknightmare]

When you hold in secrets, it can eat you up inside and sometimes you just gotta tell someone to get it off your chest.

 

Yeah, but usually not when the guy who made you time travel says, "Hey, this fucks things up!" Seems like the best thing would be to keep it to yourself. I'm not complaining about him telling Laurel specifically, BTW. I'm complaining about him telling anyone. 

 

And he might've chalked up Felicity being frustrated, but he actually looked over his shoulder to see who she was talking to. It was weird that he just brushed it off. 

[Primal Slayer]

I'd be concerned about telling Laurel about time travel because it might give her another horrible idea!

Good thing she doesn't have super speed, or have any reason to time travel.

[Guest]

Now that he's staying with Diggle, I'm so relieved Andy can finally go to the bathroom now. Maybe take a shower. Freshen up a bit. LOL.

[apinknightmare]

I'd be concerned about telling Laurel about time travel because it might give her another horrible idea!

 

"How fast do I need to run?" 

[SleepDeprived]

Me, when I heard the Overwatch codename:

 

 

Except, unlike Felicity, I didn't smile afterwards and I didn't/don't love it. Also, there might've been an expletive in there somewhere.

[tarotx]

I still didn't like the Flashbacks. Except the very end. I love Diggle and Lyla and tonight was no exception. Unamused that Andy is now living with the Diggles. Uggggg. Don't need more fear of dead john >.<

 

lol Another dead female (asshat DC :( ) Yeah Oliver needs more male allies besides John Diggle because I will cut a bitch if he's in the grave. I'm still with Lance being in the grave. This episode even had a cops scene and didn't use Lance just to remind us that Laurel is in the DA's office. That to me is more proof that it's going to be Lance in the grave.

 

One of Felicity's best episode. Love all her scenes. Nice to see a Dilicity(?) scene. Oliver wasn't in the episode enough for me but I loved the Olicity scenes. I even loved the Laurel&Oliver training scene but that too was an Olicity scene

 

Uggggg Overwatch. I couldn't waste prayers to the TV Gods for a good code name because of the stupid flash forward grave knowledge. I did love the call out that they wanted Oracle (Asshat DC) and at least there is the "watch" in common with Chloe without it being the same code name.

[apinknightmare]

Guys, what do the Diggles do for money? Neither one of them seems to have a job, apart from Digg's random night gigs moonlighting as Oliver's security.

[Guest]

LOL what exactly was the point of that O/L scene though? I mean, I didn't hate it or anything but it felt totally pointless? You could have removed it from the episode and it wouldn't have changed a single thing. 

 

[Edited by mod: Discussion of fans vs discussion of show.]

Edited January 28, 2016 by MuuMuuChainsmoker

[dtissagirl]

We can't even shorten Overwatch to OW because that just sounds painful. Stupid codename is stupid.

Edited January 28, 2016 by dtissagirl

[Morrigan2575]

LOL what exactly was the point of that O/L scene though? I mean, I didn't hate it or anything but it felt totally pointless? You could have removed it from the episode and it wouldn't have changed a single thing.

[Edited]

*Whispers*death anvil*whispers*

[nksarmi]

Laurel knows about time travel - she encouraged Sara to go off and do it (or will very soon - I'm not sure how these timelines align) but knowing that Barry can do it isn't huge news.  Lots of people know and it's not like he has huge amounts of control over it.

 

I thought he was just inches away of telling her WHY he thinks time is trying to "punish" him (Barry's false belief that Felicity dumped him when she found out about the kid) - hopefully this is just setup for him talking to Diggle about it.  Diggle will set him straight.  Please show please.

[benteen]

BTW, was this the first time Diggle's codename has been revealed?  I like Spartan.

[apinknightmare]

Laurel knows about time travel - she encouraged Sara to go off and do it (or will very soon - I'm not sure how these timelines align) but knowing that Barry can do it isn't huge news.  Lots of people know and it's not like he has huge amounts of control over it.

 

I thought he was just inches away of telling her WHY he thinks time is trying to "punish" him (Barry's false belief that Felicity dumped him when she found out about the kid) - hopefully this is just setup for him talking to Diggle about it.  Diggle will set him straight.  Please show please.

 

Yeah, I just think it's stupid to tell anyone that they were in a timeline that got undone. Barry didn't even want to tell Oliver - it didn't add anything to what they were talking about. Dumb all around IMO. 

[Morrigan2575]

BTW, was this the first time Diggle's codename has been revealed? I like Spartan.

No. He was given that codename in 406 Edited January 28, 2016 by Morrigan2575

[Primal Slayer]

Can you imagine if this was a S2 episode? Felicity wouldve become a full on druggie.

[Delphi]

I think chronologically this episode might have taken place prior to LoT so that Laurel understands that time travel is possible. And thus isn't blown away by the idea.

[Primal Slayer]

LOL what exactly was the point of that O/L scene though? I mean, I didn't hate it or anything but it felt totally pointless? You could have removed it from the episode and it wouldn't have changed a single thing. 

 

[Edited] 

 

 

Edited by mod:  Discussion of fans vs discussion of show. 

Edited January 28, 2016 by MuuMuuChainsmoker

[thuganomics85]

Didn't see Amanda Waller's death coming, although I guess it makes sense due to DC cleaning house to separate everyone from the film versions that are coming out (sniff... poor Deadshot.  Had to go for Big Willie Style Deadshot!)  But I'm surprised how throwaway it was.  Done in by someone who is probably going to be just an one and done villain.  If they had to kill her, I figured it would have been more impactful if she went out at the hands of Damian Dahrk or something.  Whatever, I guess. Wasn't a huge fan of the character, but hopefully Cynthia Addai-Robinson will move on to better things.

 

Diggle and Andy flashbacks are way, way better then all the stupid stuff involving Oliver and the island.  Then again, that isn't saying that much.  Still, I'm glad this storyline is finally letting Diggle take front and center some more, and David Ramsey is shining as always.  You can never have to much Diggle.

 

The Felicity stuff surprised me, thankfully.  I liked that instead of her getting addicting to pills and whatnot, it ended up being her hallucinating her younger, Goth version instead.  And while not quite up there with Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) or anything, I thought Emily Bett Rickards was great in all those scenes, and I almost forgot at times that it was the same actress.  And then instead of dragging her doubting herself for long, she already got over it by the halfway point.  Nice job, show!  

 

That said, yeah, Overwatch is lame.  You should have at least had Cisco email you a list of suggestions, Oliver.

 

Credit where credit is due, Laurel was actually decent in this one and Katie Cassidy did look pretty fit in her scene.  I mean, I still think no one will beat Caity Lotz in that department (although Katrina Law is right behind her), but Katie clearly does take training seriously.

 

Much better episode compared to last week, but you really can't screw up an episode that focuses heavily on both Diggle and Felicity.

[Mrs. de Winter]

Diggle and Felicity episode?  What a concept!  EBR and DR were both fabulous.  Why can't we have nice things more often? 

 

SA's face when Felicity reveled Goth Felicity was priceless.  How can this Oliver be the same guy who lied to Felicity?  Stupid plot points are stupid. 

 

I am curious how this Felicity becomes "kill the son of a bitch" Felicity. 

 

In my version Oliver telling Laurel about the time travel is set up for the fact that the timeline demands some sacrifice and Laurel will be it.  I mean Laurel has cheated death twice now - once with the pit by bringing Sara back and once when the timeline was changed.  A sacrifice must be made and it is her turn! 

 

 

[RoyRogersMcFreely]

LOL what exactly was the point of that O/L scene though? I mean, I didn't hate it or anything but it felt totally pointless? You could have removed it from the episode and it wouldn't have changed a single thing. 

 

[Edit]

I actually think these scenes that aren't necessary add to the show. They should have been doing this kind of thing all along with different characters in different variations just talking to each other about life while doing random things. That's how you build a believable team with believable friendships. 

[Guest]

[Edited]

 

Edited by mod:  Now the discussion is turning fighty.  Please stick to discussing the show, not other fans.  

Edited January 28, 2016 by MuuMuuChainsmoker

[Primal Slayer]

Edited by mod:  Now the discussion is turning fighty.  Please stick to discussing the show, not other fans.

Edited January 28, 2016 by MuuMuuChainsmoker

[Guest]

[Edited.]

 

Edited by mod.  No.  

Edited January 28, 2016 by MuuMuuChainsmoker

[dtissagirl]

Are we gonna need the dead horse this early in a thread?

[Guest]

I actually think these scenes that aren't necessary add to the show. They should have been doing this kind of thing all along with different characters in different variations just talking to each other about life while doing random things. That's how you build a believable team with believable friendships. 

 

Interesting points! Just a shame I don't buy them as friends though. 

 

 

Are we gonna need the dead horse this early in a thread?

 

By all means...

Edited January 28, 2016 by Guest

[benteen]

Alasdair Wilkins of the AV Club enjoyed the episode and gave it a B+.  He wrote something I thought I would post here...

 

 

Sometimes it’s Arrow’s own sibling shows that produce the weirdness. Consider Oliver and Laurel’s interaction during their training scene. The exchange starts off well, positioning Laurel in the kind of supporting role that serves her best, specifically here as the empathetic confidante who gets Oliver because she has some distance from their former love. It feels natural for Laurel to offer advice as the only other person still in Oliver’s life who has dated him, and Katie Cassidy is best equipped to deliver this kind of material. But then, because Arrow—never a grounded, realistic drama, admittedly—has to acknowledge its place in the heightened universe The Flash has created. Oliver explains he’s brooding not just over his immediate responsibility for antagonizing Damien Darhk and indirectly triggering the attack that has left Felicity paralyzed—a reasonable thing to feel, even if Oliver is once again being way too hard on himself—but also over how Barry time-traveled last month and how maybe Felicity’s devastating injury is the timeline trying to reassert itself. I have no idea how Laurel ought to react to a statement like that, and Cassidy doesn’t appear to have much idea either, as Laurel just looks kind of vacantly dumbfounded. Which, honestly, I’m not going to blame her for, as the scene as written isn’t really playable any other way. Acknowledging the larger, crazier reality comes perilously close to derailing the entire scene.

[Delphi]

I really don't see a problem with the laurel/Oliver scene. Thea would have been inappropriate. Dig was busy. And as Laurel pointed out, she was a unique character in having that former relationship with Oliver. I thought it worked well.

[AyChihuahua]

Are we gonna need the dead horse this early in a thread?

I prefer the ignore option, myself. 

[TwistedandBored]

You know, I started to bitch about the code name but the more I thought about it the more I was okay with it. 

 

Anyways, this episode was really great. I enjoyed The Diggle's storyline as well as Felicity's storyline. DR and EBR killed it. It also helped their scene partners were also bringing it. 

[Primal Slayer]

Are we gonna need the dead horse this early in a thread?

Go for it.

[Guest]

I thought the stunts were much better in this episode too. They split up a few times and there wasn't this huge focus on the four of them going out together which was boring beyond words. Plus I always like it when Diggle and Oliver team up. 

[calliope1975]

In my version Oliver telling Laurel about the time travel is set up for the fact that the timeline demands some sacrifice and Laurel will be it.  I mean Laurel has cheated death twice now - once with the pit by bringing Sara back and once when the timeline was changed.  A sacrifice must be made and it is her turn! 

 

Not gonna lie - a little anvil fell to the floor in my apartment during the O/L scene. I agree with the above review - the scene was going along nicely (I had no Laurel complaints!) but bringing up time travel seemed completely out of place. Especially since there are a hundred other reasons that Oliver could blame himself for DD's attack. 

[wonderwall]

Okay now that I'm done apologizing... My thoughts on the episode. In short, I loved it!

 

I think the episode highlighted everything that makes the show work. 

 

The character beats for Felicity were interesting (one that I wasn't expecting) and strong. I always thought that Felicity (back then) was always the same Felicity we see today, but it turns out she hated who she was back then. It's something that pleasantly surprised me and shows me how far she's come in her life, and shows me that she's actually happy with who she is today, which is very satisfying to hear because Felicity today is amazing. Not only that but I loved how the episode highlighted how Felicity is never down for long regardless of what happens to her. I also loved how the episode shows that the show is taking the whole wheelchair arc seriously by the little moments like Felicity pointing out that they're going to need ramps in the lair. 

 

The Olicity moments were amazing, they were serious, playful, supportive, and everything I love about the couple. Oliver being Felicity's silent supporter is something I've wanted to see for a long time, and I just love how much of a pro he's become at helping her feel better. Yes, Oliver's lie will most probably mess things up between them, but it's episodes like these that don't make me hesitate to think that they will get back together. They are the best versions of themselves when they're around one another. All of their scenes were just heartwarming and the one at the end made me cry. 

 

Diggle was also fantastic in this episode. I adored his scenes with Lyla (who seriously needs to be a regular on this show. Now that Amanda is gone and a regular is being taken off the show, hopefully she'll have a more integral role). Their relationship truly is Coach Taylor/Tami Taylor-esque. And I can't help but think that Andy is fooling Diggle. Diggle loves intensely, and I fear that maybe he let his guard down too quickly. But that scene with Sara? It made me tear up. 

 

This episode showed that Laurel is best as a supporting character who's mostly in the background. I liked her scene with Oliver enough even though it was sort of non-essential. But then again, everything about Laurel is non-essential... But it was a nice moment. However, in an episode where the acting from the main trio was top notch, you could tell the acting in this scene was quite subpar. 

 

I wish that Oliver opened up more to Thea. She was missed in this episode. I think the problem with her character is that they're limiting who she interacts with only to Laurel/Malcolm/Alex, and two of those characters are rarely ever on the show. I miss their heart to hearts.

 

The action scenes were also miles better than it was basically the entire season (as a whole -- Thea's moment in the elevator is still the best moment). This sort of shows that the show fails when it sends out 4 characters at the same time. Oliver looked like a badass again this episode, and that's all that mattered to me. 

 

And about the codename... I get that some people hate Guggenheim with the strength of a thousand burning suns, I myself am indifferent to him. But I don't mind it. It suits Felicity's role on the team and it's not Oracle. So I call it a win. And I truly liked how Felicity got her codename. Felicity put on Oliver's mask, gave him a bow, and got him a new outfit... It seems fit that Oliver returns the favor by giving her a codename. 

Edited January 28, 2016 by wonderwall

[Chaser]

I loved this episode. I teared up twice. Once when Felicity talking about all the things she couldn't do and again when Oliver swore he would find a way to make her walk again. The Olicity was just perfect.

 

So were the Diggles. I would take Diggle flashbacks over Poppy any day. I'm finally feeling the Diggle brothers. Up until this episode I really wasn't that interested in the pair. And I always love Lyla. 

 

It really made me wish for an Arrow that consistented of the Queens, Diggles and Smoaks. 

 

I'm so grateful for that small Diggle and Felicity scene, but I need more guys. A lot more. I was hoping for some Lyla and Felicity too. Was there a deleted scene with Sara?

 

The Oliver and Laurel. It wasn't terrible, but I couldn't figure out why it was there. Oliver revealing Barry's time travel to talk about his concern just felt bizarre. I would have expected his possible guilt to be this big emotional moment and it was tossed out so casually and then swept under the rug. I'm going to have to call it a death anvil for Laurel. Maybe her death is a consequence of the time travel or something. That wasn't the only weird thing about the conversation. Laurel reference to their past dating history was stupid in the context. I'm pretty sure that Ollie Queen wasn't hard on himself nor blamed himself for anything. I get it though. They need to remember people that Oliver would be sad if she died.

 

Some other little things. Lyla shooting at the van that Diggle was hanging onto…? That felt a little sloppy. As did Lyla punching a guy who was wearing a metal helmet. That was stupid. 

 

Andy Diggle being connected to the island. Oliver and Diggle is a bromance meant to be guys.

 

EBR was the MVP of this episode. I loved the differenced between Goth Felicity and Felicity, the tone and the mannerisms. Perfect. Her best moment though was the quiet speech to Oliver. Sutble and understated. She has grown so much as an actress.

 

SA was pretty great too. The adorable, if not mildly annoying, optimism at the beginning. The frustrated, at a loss Oliver. The man who kneeled down to listen to her to her speech. And seriously, that final scene may be my favorite Olicity scene ever. It's at least in the running. Chemistry in spades.

 

Oh and Overwatch. Sigh. 

[catrox14]

They should shorten OverWatch to,..wait for it....

 

Watcher..