jay741982 November 16, 2018 Share November 16, 2018 12 hours ago, KenyaJ said: Emily was named to TV Time's 2018's Top Talent Under 30 I think she's one of the only people on the list who's younger than the character she plays. She was 25 in season 3 right? So that would make Felicity 29 or almost 29 Link to comment
Featherhat November 16, 2018 Share November 16, 2018 I swear I thought her character was about her own age officially/unofficially but I admit I don't remember where I saw that. Like she was 6 years younger than Oliver because SA is playing slightly younger. Link to comment
BkWurm1 November 16, 2018 Share November 16, 2018 Felicity was definitely 2-3 years older at least than EBR. There were so many jokes about EBR being younger in real life than Willa but Felicity older than Thea. 2 Link to comment
KenyaJ November 16, 2018 Share November 16, 2018 (edited) Someone posted actual pages from the book here a while ago, but in the Arrow: Oliver Queen's Dossier, they gave Felicity the same birth date as Emily, but two years earlier, July 24, 1989. So that makes her two years older than Emily and four years younger than Oliver. Edited November 16, 2018 by KenyaJ 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 17, 2018 Share November 17, 2018 (edited) On 11/16/2018 at 10:18 AM, KenyaJ said: Someone posted actual pages from the book here a while ago, but in the Arrow: Oliver Queen's Dossier, they gave Felicity the same birth date as Emily, but two years earlier, July 24, 1989. So that makes her two years older than Emily and four years younger than Oliver. From Felicity Smoak's Queen Consolidated I.T. Department Personnel File (based on the official screenshot used on Arrow), which screenshot is included in the book, Arrow: Oliver Queen's Dossier... Edited November 17, 2018 by tv echo 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 17, 2018 Share November 17, 2018 (edited) Every Superhero In The Arrowverse: Flash, Supergirl, & More BY MATT MORRISON – ON NOV 15, 2018https://screenrant.com/arrowverse-superheroes-list-batwoman-flash-supergirl-legends/ Quote THE SUPERHEROES OF ARROW ... Oliver Queen/Green Arrow - The world's greatest archer and leader of Star City's vigilantes. John Diggle/Spartan - Hired to be Oliver Queen's bodyguard, this former soldier would find a new war to fight as Oliver Queen's right-hand man. Helena Bertinelli/Huntress - This Mafia princess sought to bring down her family's criminal enterprise from the inside, but her tactics proved too fatal for Oliver Queen's taste. Felicity Smoak/Overwatch - A hacker with a heart of gold, she became Oliver Queen's staunchest ally and, in time, his wife. Lyla Michaels/Harbinger - John Diggle's former commanding officer and former wife, whom he remarried. Now leader of the anti-terrorism group ARGUS. Roy Harper/Arsenal - A former petty crook from the bad side of Star City, he found a new life as Oliver Queen's partner in crime-fighting. Ted Grant/Wildcat - A former pro-boxer, he used his fists to protect The Glades decades before Green Arrow showed up. Tatsu Yamashiro/Katana - A master swordswoman, she helped to train a young Oliver Queen and saved his life years later, after his duel to the death with Ra's Al Ghul. Laurel Lance/Black Canary- Oliver Queen's former lover, she became a vigilante to avenge her sister's murder. Thea Queen/Speedy - Oliver Queen's half-sister. Trained as an assassin by her father, Malcolm Merlyn, before joining Team Arrow. Curtis Holt/Mister Terrific - A former Olympic decathlete and engineering genius. Inventor of The T-Sphere. Rory Regan/Ragman - Wielder of the magical Rags of Devarim, Ragman seeks to punish the wicked the law can't touch. Rene Ramirez/Wild Dog - A former Navy SEAL, who turned to vigilantism after the violent death of his wife. Evelyn Sharp/Artemis - An aspiring hero who blamed Oliver Queen for her parents death and eventually betrayed Team Arrow. Christopher Chance/Human Target - This method actor and master of disguise claims to be able to turn himself into anyone, hiring himself out as the ultimate double agent. Vincent Sobel/Vigilante - A former Central City cop, with a metahuman healing factor. Dinah Drake/Black Canary II - A former Central City cop, with a metahuman sonic scream. Green Arrow III - A mysterious new figure, who has taken up Oliver Queen's mantle in season 7. Zoe Ramirez/Black Canary III - Wild Dog's daughter, a vigilante in the future of 2038. Edited November 17, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo November 17, 2018 Share November 17, 2018 Oh, c'mon (say what you really mean)... 33 TV Couple Moments That Were So Bad People Actually Gave Up On The Show Entirely Nora Dominick November 17, 2018https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/tv-couple-moments-caused-people-to-stop-watching Quote We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which TV couple moment caused them to stop watching a show. Here are some of our favorites: * * *26. When Oliver and Felicity started dating in Arrow. ... "Putting Oliver and Felicity together completely changed the show for me. I liked Felicity as an independent character and then the show made her character all about her relationship to Oliver." —charlottemiller1822 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 17, 2018 Share November 17, 2018 (edited) TV Trendsetters Nov 17, 2018, 08:58 IST | Karishma Kuenzanghttps://www.mid-day.com/articles/tv-trendsetters/19981198 Quote Want to ace some of the hippest trends on television that are making heads turn? We tell you how to make them work * * * Fuchsia Felicity WHAT: Fuchsia lipstickINSPIRED BY: Arrow's Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards)SPOTTED: Priyanka Chopra * Fill in your brows, apply a good amount of mascara and some blush to get the complete look. * Wear a pair of black framed specs or square shades to give the look an edge. * Pull your hair back into a sleek ponytail to enhance your lips and make-up.DON'T: Avoid going overboard with the rest of the make-up as that can make your look messy. Edited November 17, 2018 by tv echo 4 Link to comment
SmallScreenDiva November 18, 2018 Share November 18, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, tv echo said: Oh, c'mon (say what you really mean)... 33 TV Couple Moments That Were So Bad People Actually Gave Up On The Show Entirely Nora Dominick November 17, 2018https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/tv-couple-moments-caused-people-to-stop-watching That’s from Nora’s list? I know she didn’t write the actual quote but that’s disappointing that she’s participating in crap like that. Edited November 18, 2018 by SmallScreenDiva 3 Link to comment
Mary0360 November 18, 2018 Share November 18, 2018 16 hours ago, tv echo said: Oh, c'mon (say what you really mean)... 33 TV Couple Moments That Were So Bad People Actually Gave Up On The Show Entirely Nora Dominick November 17, 2018https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/tv-couple-moments-caused-people-to-stop-watching I'm getting really really tired of this Fake News argument. For one it's completely not accurate in the sense that Felicity is not some boy mad silly teenager who is incapable of doing anything else but obsess over Oliver or her relationship to Oliver. Their relationship takes a back seat 90 percent of the time and Felicity has done and does plenty of stuff within the show that's independent of her romantic relationship with Oliver, like say run Team Arrow operations, run a company, build a company, joined and then took down helix, was instrumental in taking on and taking down Chase, and is now the person who is driving taking down "the baddest villain EVA! (Pink smoke included)". And since the show is about Oliver, he's the main character, it's his mission that is at the centre of the show, he is the leader of that mission then Dinah Rene Thea Lance Diggle Laurel and Curtis you could argue are as equally "all about Oliver" as Felicity. 13 Link to comment
tv echo November 19, 2018 Share November 19, 2018 Does Walking Dead Math Not Add Up? Did Last Ship Make Hearts Sink? Was Arrow Bombing a Dud? And More Qs! By Vlada Gelman, Matt Webb Mitovich, Michael Ausiello, Andy Swift, Dave Nemetz, Ryan Schwartz and Charlie Mason / November 16 2018, 10:21 AM PSThttps://tvline.com/2018/11/16/walking-dead-time-jump-michonne-rick-jr-age-tv-questions/ Quote 12 | TVLine reader JDH says of Arrow‘s Talia al Ghul reveal: “Let me get this straight: Prometheus literally killed nobody on Lian Yu except William’s mother? He blew up the damn island! Can’t wait till Artemis turns up in Season 8.” 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 (edited) Arrow Season 7 Episode 6 Review: “Due Process” Chris King November 20, 2018https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-7-episode-6-review-due-process/ Quote Felicity Smoak comes close to losing her true self in the final scene of this week’s Arrow. She’s been pushed to the edge by Diaz, pushed to the point of wanting to murder him because of everything he’s done to her and her family, and so she shows up in his holding room, carrying a pistol, telling him she’s prepared to shoot it and kill him in cold blood because he’s turned her into someone who is capable of that. Felicity is usually Arrow‘s beacon of light, always inspiring Oliver and other members of the team to be the best versions of themselves with her example of goodness and empathy, but this scene is her darkest moment. For the first time in a long time, Felicity Smoak needs something else, someone else to lean on, and it’s Black Siren delivering the news that, if she keeps Diaz alive, if Felicity doesn’t give into her worse impulses, Oliver will be released from prison. The simple thought of Oliver coming home, the knowledge that she will be reunited with her husband, is enough to convince Felicity to put the gun down, because even when she and Oliver are not in the same physical space, the emotional connection they possess is enough for them to be able to save each other. In that moment, Felicity understands that the darkness and hopelessness that’s overtaken her in recent weeks doesn’t have to be permanent, because Oliver Queen will soon be back to fill her life with light, inspiring her in a similar but different way than what she does for him. It’s a reflection of what I said in my review of last week’s Arrow: Felicity Smoak is Oliver Queen’s hero, but he is also hers—the two of them are constantly saving each other, in big and small ways, every day. It’s why they’re partners. It’s why they’re spouses. It’s why they’re equals. * * * Although Black Siren has seemed to find herself, John Diggle remains as lost as ever in Arrow Season 7. It’s as if the writers had to forget how to write an authentic version of Dig in exchange to create a more believable, empathetic Black Siren. The Diggle we’ve seen throughout these first six episodes this year is obnoxiously self-righteous and so unsupportive of both Felicity and Oliver that it has me questioning the six previous seasons of friendship between the three of them. During “Due Process,” Dig tries to claim that Felicity pushed him out earlier in the season, and it’s the most ridiculous argument I’ve ever heard him make. I mean, he’s making less sense than Season 3 Oliver Queen and his convoluted plans that put others in danger. The Diggle of the past six seasons of Arrow would not act defensive towards Felicity; he would not try to shame her for doing whatever it takes to bring Oliver home. The John Diggle I know and love may have disagreed with Felicity’s methods, but he still would have had her back and supported her in whatever way he could. Maybe that support doesn’t come in the form of ARGUS resources. Maybe it comes from giving her tactical advice, or hell, even just calling her to check in and see how she’s doing. The Arrow writers do remember that Felicity and Diggle’s friendship has been one of the cornerstones of the show since Season 1, right? Just like Oliver and Diggle’s friendship, a relationship that the writers also attempted to compromise last year with the whole “Dig wants to be Green Arrow” arc. This pigheaded, sanctimonious, and hypocritical version of Diggle is not the same man who has stood by Oliver and Felicity for more than half a decade. While I am enjoying many parts of Season 7 so far, what is happening with Diggle is nothing short of character assassination, the same thoughtless, plot-before-character type of writing that plagued Rene, Dinah, and Curtis for so much of Season 6. There are still many in the Arrow fandom that won’t give any of those three characters a second chance (I, for one, still enjoy moments with Rene and Dinah and do my best to ignore last season—Curtis and his lames jokes and passive-aggressive comments can disappear forever, though). If the Arrow writers aren’t careful, this same type of mindset may soon apply to Diggle, and frankly, that’s inexcusable. John Diggle deserves better. He deserves more. Hopefully, “Due Process” is his ultimate low point, and the rest of Season 7 turns things around. * * * -Anatoly tells Felicity that she currently reminds him of the Oliver Queen he knew in Russia, the same Oliver Queen who chose to split himself in two during that time: the man and the monster. Felicity’s arc this episode, and really this season, has reflected Oliver’s transformation into the “Kapiushon.” Oliver refuted this splitting of the self for the final time in last week’s episode, and Felicity, faced with the possibility of doing it for the first time, of splitting herself into the woman before Diaz and the woman after, ultimately rejects the idea as well. Edited November 20, 2018 by tv echo 5 Link to comment
tv echo November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 Arrow recap: Team Arrow rides again as Felicity almost crosses a line CHANCELLOR AGARD November 19, 2018https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-7-episode-6/ Quote Once the mission is done, Diggle lectures Felicity about her willingness to sacrifice an innocent-ish man to get what she wants, and warns her that she might not still view herself as a hero when this war is over. That does give her a lot to think about, and she ends up apologizing to Anatoly for risking his life like that. But Anatoly has no interest in apologies because “You cannot take away mistake by wishing it so. In my line of work, you make choice and you do not look back.” He suggests that she stop embracing half-measures and fully embrace her demons; that’s what Bratva Oliver would’ve done. (Clearly, Anatoly isn’t watching Arrow, or else he’d know “That’s what old Oliver would do” is usually the bad option, since the show is all about Oliver’s growth.) * * * Felicity and Curtis eventually realize that Diaz is planning to use the bombs to blow up some gas plant, which would destroy the city. Given the precariousness of the situation, Diggle reunites Team Arrow to head back into the field to stop him. And what do you know? They actually succeed! Well, with the help of the new Green Arrow, who arrives in time to knock Diaz out. Unfortunately, the Longbow Hunters manage to escape. But who cares, because Team Arrow finally has captured Diaz! Link to comment
tv echo November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 (edited) ARROW SEASON 7, EPISODE 6: "DUE PROCESS" REVIEW BY JESSE SCHEEDEN 19 NOV 2018https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/20/arrow-season-7-episode-6-due-process-review Quote While the teaser for this episode seemed to lean pretty heavily on the legal battle to free Ollie, that thankfully turned out to be a fairly minor footnote. As multiple characters have pointed out, this Laurel isn’t a true lawyer. The idea that she could spend a few months reading books and somehow do a competent job of serving as D.A. seems ludicrous in a way metahumans and alternate realities aren’t. Not to mention her belief that somehow switching sides from prosecution to defense will help Ollie’s case. I’m sure most residents of Star City are aware by now that Laurel Lance has a bit of a pro-Oliver Queen bias. * * * It’s also interesting to see Felicity quickly plunge into darkness even as Laurel struggles to pull herself into the light. Felicity is torn being opposing forces right now. Diggle is urging her to remember the person she was before Ricardo Diaz stormed his way into her life, and Anatoly is urging her to do what’s necessary to end the threat once and for all. Here’s another example of the flash-forwards finding clever ways of interacting with presence even with the massive time gap. In the present, Felicity is still clinging to the hope that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. In the future, all signs point to her having fallen so far into darkness that she’s taken her father’s supervillain name and begun plotting Star City’s destruction. I’m sure there’s much more to that story than meets the eye, but it’s another sobering reminder that Diaz broke this team in ways that will apparently never be healed. * * * Fortunately, that all appears to have been a fake-out. Even without the trailer for next week’s episode confirming that Diaz is playing that old Dark Knight/Skyfall-style “Getting caught was part of my plan” card, it’s pretty obvious that he’s pulling a con on Team Arrow and the police. And regardless, that interrogation room showdown between Felicity and Diaz would have made the whole thing worth it. Evil Felicity is turning out to be the best Felicity. Edited November 20, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 (edited) Arrow, ‘Due Process’: Felicity Faces Down Diaz and Her Own Worst Impulses BY CRAIG WACK · NOVEMBER 20, 2018http://oohlo.com/2018/11/20/arrow-due-process-felicity-faces-down-diaz-and-her-own-worst-impulses/ Quote The 2018 Laurel Redemption Tour chugged along, and nearly took Felicity down with it. The series is trying to show there’s potential for good and evil in everyone, and they’ve chosen to contrast bad guy, Black Siren performing selfless deeds, while the normally virtuous Felicity is pushed to the edge of ruthlessness while in Mama Bear mode. As a longtime Laurel loather, the whole enterprise left a bad taste in my mouth. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest episode of Arrow: * * *On the island of the future: Kudos for the transitions that got us from the present to the future. Not a ton of progress here. Felicity has been “dead” for a couple of weeks and before that, she was ruthless. Though we do find out her master plan was a 180-degree turn from the Season 1 master plan. Instead of someone trying to blow up The Glades, someone (allegedly Felicity) wants to blow up Star City, and leave The Glades intact. Sex and the Olicity: A reunion is close, very close. And, oh what glorious makeouts there will be. * * *Last impressions: Can we talk about Laurel’s bad lawyering for a second? Her appeal before the federal bench goes nowhere when she gives a rousing speech about the nature of heroism, instead of backing up her argument with stuff like case law and legal precedent. For the purposes of the show, the speech was the most important thing, because it got Dinah on Laurel’s side. It’s frustrating, because I’m just a reviewer of comic book shows (and as much of a not-lawyer as Laurel), and even I know given that Oliver was subjected to off-the-books psychological experiments, that Oliver’s Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment were violated. Those are actual grounds for appeal. Laurel could still have made the needed hero speech along with the legal argument, but no; we still need Ollie in prison for another week so he and Diaz can have a showdown in prison … so even the most basic efforts at some kind of realism are pushed into a corner. (On a side note, how many prosecutors have visible tattoos on their wrists and hands? Couldn’t the makeup team have done something to cover up Katie Cassidy’s ink?) Now that my rant is over, this was an okay episode. Too many events happened because the plot demanded it. But, it seems like the writers are looking to wrap up this chapter of the Diaz saga before the crossover, so cutting corners to get to that point is excusable. Edited November 20, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
insomniadreams88 November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 3 minutes ago, tv echo said: Arrow, ‘Due Process’: Felicity Faces Down Diaz and Her Own Worst Impulses BY CRAIG WACK · NOVEMBER 20, 2018http://oohlo.com/2018/11/20/arrow-due-process-felicity-faces-down-diaz-and-her-own-worst-impulses/ Quote Sex and the Olicity: A reunion is close, very close. And, oh what glorious makeouts there will be. After what we've had to sit through so far this season? We deserve many, many "glorious makeouts." 8 Link to comment
tv echo November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 THE GANG CATCHES DIAZ(?!) AS FLASH FORWARD MYSTERIES UNRAVEL IN THE LATEST ARROW Trent Moore November 19, 2018https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-gang-catches-diaz-as-flash-forward-mysteries-unravel-in-the-latest-arrow Quote With Oliver still behind bars, this week’s story really put Felicity front and center to grapple with a lot of the challenges we’ve seen Oliver battle in past seasons. She’s come to realize the “old” Felicity didn’t have the stomach to stop Diaz, so she’s tries to become someone colder, meaner and more ruthless to get the job done. Much like young Oliver, she’s aided in that journey by Anatoly, who the team rescues from Diaz’s clutches. Anatoly tells her not to make excuses or apologies for making the tough calls. If she wants to stop Diaz, she’ll need to be ruthless — and Anatoly pushes the pendulum to that side. * * *Back to the future: The flash forward arc played a major role this week, with adult William and Old Man Roy learning that future Felicity (allegedly) died just a few weeks prior to their arrival in the remnants of Star City. In the decades we’ve missed, Felicity apparently adopted her father’s old super villain name The Calculator and starting running in some very shady circles (which is what apparently got her killed). It seems the future team will be spending the foreseeable future trying to piece together how and why Felicity was killed (assuming she’s actually dead), and why she had plans on her computer to blow up Star City. 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 (edited) Arrow Episode Guide: Season 7, Episode 6 - Due Process Starman November 20, 2018http://www.mygeekygeekyways.com/2018/11/arrow-episode-guide-season-7-episode-6.html Quote Black Siren says that the FBI failed to keep their end of Oliver Queen's plea-bargain since Ricardo Diaz is still at liberty. It was pointed out repeatedly by Agent Samandra Watson that Oliver's surrender was contingent on the FBI bringing down Diaz's empire - not capturing Diaz himself. Apart from that, Black Siren's plan is just idiotic and seems to confuse an appeal with a dismissal. She asks for Oliver's conviction to be overturned for reasons that have nothing to do with his original trial and the fact that he helped to expose corruption inside the prison he was being held in and was beaten for his trouble, while troubling, has no relevance to whether or not he was guilty of the crimes for which he was convicted or whether he made a plea-bargain in bad faith. Additional: Everyone seems to have forgotten that Laurel Lance was once Oliver Queen's fiancee and Black Canary before her apparent death. Both of those should have been reason enough for a judge to deny "Laurel" the right to represent Oliver Queen in court, due to the massive conflict of interest. * * *Emily Bett Rickards continues to slay as she showcases Felicity's sliding down the slippery slope of idealism. Edited November 20, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
JamieLynn832002 November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 4 minutes ago, tv echo said: Everyone seems to have forgotten that Laurel Lance was once Oliver Queen's fiancee Possibly because she wasn't? They dated but Oliver has only had one fiancee and that was Felicity. 14 Link to comment
apinknightmare November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 4 minutes ago, JamieLynn832002 said: Possibly because she wasn't? They dated but Oliver has only had one fiancee and that was Felicity. The author is probably confusing 5X08 with reality. 7 Link to comment
insomniadreams88 November 20, 2018 Share November 20, 2018 Let me rewrite that sentence. Original: 28 minutes ago, tv echo said: Arrow Episode Guide: Season 7, Episode 6 - Due Process Starman November 20, 2018http://www.mygeekygeekyways.com/2018/11/arrow-episode-guide-season-7-episode-6.html Quote Everyone seems to have forgotten that Laurel Lance was once Oliver Queen's fiancee Corrected: "Everyone seems to have forgotten that Laurel Lance was once planning her and Oliver's wedding while he was planning to take her sister on vacation/a sex cruise/etc." (How everyone would have known that? No idea. Maybe she registered. And started going to see venues and caterers?) 12 minutes ago, apinknightmare said: The author is probably confusing 5X08 with reality. Oh, true. So here, another rewrite: "Everyone seems to have forgotten alien reality Laurel Lance was once Oliver Queen's fiancee, in a fake world no one knew about except for five people, three of whom are no longer on Arrow. AKA everyone forgot something they never could have known about." 14 Link to comment
Primal Slayer November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 (edited) Quote Despite that weirdness, this did turn out to be a pretty solid episode on the Laurel front. Her scenes played well on the frustration Laurel feels in trying to turn over a new leaf and confronting doubt and scorn at every turn. Granted, she more than deserves it given how her arc in Season 6 played out, but her frustration and self-doubt does help mold her into a more sympathetic figure. https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/20/arrow-season-7-episode-6-due-process-review Quote While the last scene of “Due Process” is crucial for Felicity’s character, it’s also incredibly important for the continuing evolution of Black Siren, who has never been better as a character than she is this week. The Arrow writers have such a better grasp on who Black Siren is in Season 7, and throughout these first six episodes, but especially throughout “Due Process,” they develop her into a more complex, believable ally for Team Arrow, a person who, as she tells Oliver near the end of the hour, doesn’t want to be his or anyone else’s Laurel. She will not be confined to a one-label box, a stock hero or a stock villain, and her efforts to not only help Oliver get released from jail but to improve conditions at Slabside and, ultimately, help prevent Felicity from murdering Diaz are believable, earned actions that provide some validity to her claim that “everyone has good and bad inside of them.” If Arrow wants Black Siren to stick around as an antihero ally for Team Arrow, a person who trades snarky barbs with Felicity but still invites her to go grab pizza, a person who struggles to to conform to the everyday, accepted practices of superheros, even as she tries to do good, I’m here for it. The series just needs to keep up this quality of writing for Katie Cassidy and the character.https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-7-episode-6-review-due-process/ True dat. The quality has gone up so much since BS took over, its been refreshing. Edited November 21, 2018 by Primal Slayer Link to comment
apinknightmare November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 I'll give Beth some credit if the show doesn't wind up going off the rails at some point this season as it always does - even MG managed good stretches before it all went to shit. 2 Link to comment
Mary0360 November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 2 hours ago, insomniadreams88 said: Let me rewrite that sentence. Original: Corrected: "Everyone seems to have forgotten that Laurel Lance was once planning her and Oliver's wedding while he was planning to take her sister on vacation/a sex cruise/etc." (How everyone would have known that? No idea. Maybe she registered. And started going to see venues and caterers?) Oh, true. So here, another rewrite: "Everyone seems to have forgotten alien reality Laurel Lance was once Oliver Queen's fiancee, in a fake world no one knew about except for five people, three of whom are no longer on Arrow. AKA everyone forgot something they never could have known about." "Everyone seems to have forgotten that the Aliens that had kidnapped Oliver and began brainwashing him with subconscious projections of what they assumed was his ideal world used a figment of Laurel to keep him trapped and he still ran for the hills and didn't want to marry her" 11 Link to comment
Featherhat November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 (edited) Whilst they were never engaged having E1LL prosecuting Moira for the death penalty after the Gambit AND her just ex live in boyfriend had died in what MQ was accused of was just as stupid as now but hey she needs this to have a storyline. Still confused about what's going to happen if they try and make BS into just a snarky anti hero. The team already has that and someone with her exact powers we know isn't going anywhere. I don't want her peramently as Felicity's "1 person on the show she's allowed to talk to apart from Oliver". Which they've done to so many different characters now and in the past (so it wasn't just an MG thing.) I'd say they'd ship her back to make amends on E2 but I doubt KC is going anywhere until the bitter end. More self righteous speeches at Oliver? That didn't work when she was E1 and he actually did care for her and feel guilty. KC must be pleased she's getting more praise than in a long time though. Edited November 21, 2018 by Featherhat Link to comment
olicityfan25 November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 The original article was corrected after making the author aware that he was never engaged to her. 5 Link to comment
Morrigan2575 November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 (edited) 10 hours ago, Featherhat said: Whilst they were never engaged having E1LL prosecuting Moira for the death penalty after the Gambit AND her just ex live in boyfriend had died in what MQ was accused of was just as stupid as now but hey she needs this to have a storyline. Not for The Gambit for the Glade/Undertaking; and yes that was unbelievable especially since they lampshaded it just to ignore the conflict of interest. Edited November 21, 2018 by Morrigan2575 Link to comment
tv echo November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 There are 20 gifts shown... You Won't Fail Your City OR Your Friends With These Arrow-Inspired Gifts November 20, 2018 by BREA CUBIThttps://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Gifts-Arrow-Fans-45503350 Link to comment
tv echo November 21, 2018 Share November 21, 2018 (edited) Arrow Review: Due Process (Season 7 Episode 6) November 20, 2018 Brianna Martinezhttps://www.telltaletv.com/2018/11/arrow-review-due-process-season-7-episode-6/ Quote Felicity getting Anatoly out there in the field and helping get that information from Pyotr is the first time in this arc that I feel we actually get to see the ruthlessness partnered with her determination to take down Diaz and get Oliver out of Slabside. * * * It feels like the natural evolution and a completely understandable move for Felicity from the glimpses we’ve seen of her in times of trouble for those she loves or what she feels should be the logical thing to do over the years. * * *Emily Bett Rickards does a fantastic job as Felicity faces off against Diaz and she points the gun straight at him. At that point, you just can’t blame her for wanting to be rid of the one person that ruined her life. * * * Meanwhile, “Due Process” has helped me discover my new narrative arch nemesis: these flash forwards. * * * These flash forwards add another level of anxiety to the ongoing story, giving off a similar tone and feeling as the later season flashbacks only without the added luxury of knowing how everyone fared in the present. * * * However, seeing William unflinchingly give up on his stepmother, continuing his search for her, and seeing where Felicity is hiding out before she “died”—with the fern and the code involving Oliver’s target practice routine from the early years—is heartwarming in a very Arrow way. * * * -I get what they’re doing with Black Siren, attempting to redeem her and all. But couldn’t it be argued that Oliver is right when he says that she’s only doing good because she has something in it for her? The “something” in it for her being of course that she’s considered a rehabilitated villain. -It really feels like up until the final act of “Due Process,” Oliver and Felicity had to turn to an unusual list of people in order to get help. It shouldn’t have felt like pulling teeth, especially from people who claim were their team members and friends. It’s disappointing that the city, the FBI, and their friends (save for Rene) have essentially failed them. -Don’t even get me started on Diggle’s whole “pushed out” argument against Felicity. It’s frustrating to see the revised history and feels like Digg has a long way to come back from his 7A choices. Edited November 21, 2018 by tv echo 4 Link to comment
KenyaJ November 24, 2018 Share November 24, 2018 ‘Arrow’s’ flash-forward scenes are leaving a sour aftertaste Jay Ruymann November 23, 2018 Quote Can the series give viewers a happy ending if it doesn't happen until 2040? Arrow season 7 has introduced a change to the normal storytelling. It was a welcome twist in the premiere, and continues to be fruitful, but could it lead to disastrous consequences for the future of Arrow? Instead of featuring flashbacks of Oliver, or anyone else’s, time before they ended up in Star City as the people they are in the present, we’re seeing a story presented far into the future as an adult William struggles to figure out Felicity’s code. On William’s adventure, he has teamed up with Roy (and now Dinah and Rene’s daughter, Zoe) to uncover why Felicity left him a memento of Oliver’s with coordinates to Lian Yu, where he discovered Oliver’s bow. However, it’s been revealed that not only has Felicity Smoak perished, but Oliver’s (probably) dead and Star City has fallen to the Glades, which have been overtaken by villains. Meanwhile, Dinah is patrolling the city as a vigilante, struggling to survive, and Zoe revealed that her father would not come near the city anymore. *** The flash-forward has presented some interesting questions and mysteries that have me excited to see answered in future episodes, like what role Oliver had with the current state of Star City in 2040. However, there’s a bigger issue here, which relates to the end of the series (whenever it happens). According to Beth Schwartz, the new Arrow showrunner, the series will remain “grounded” as the flash-forward scenes continue on in future seasons. Basically, this means that nothing that happens in the present day, including anything Barry does and time traveling, will change what we’re seeing in the flash-forwards. Even if it somehow was changed, the entire premise of these flash-forwards would be erased, rendering them useless and a waste of our time that could have been spent creating a deeper plot and character growth in the present day. Regardless of what happens in 2040, can there ever be a real, satisfying conclusion for Oliver Queen and his friends and family? After watching Oliver fight to save his city for the last seven years, it’s going to be very disappointing to know, when the series finale ends, that Oliver won’t get a happy ending until at least 2040 and Star City will have just recently been saved. There’s no happy ending for these characters in the present, and even if one is introduced, we know it eventually fades to lead into the characters’ lives in the future. *** After everything that has been sacrificed for this mission, it seems terrible and extreme to think about these people fighting for their lives every day. With these flash-forward scenes, as interesting as they are, it creates a larger issue as I laid out before. Is it worth it? *** The flashforward story is definitely intriguing and mysterious, but I suspect that's all the writers were thinking about when they created it. I don't think they bothered to consider how bleak and pointless it would make the current day storyline feel. I'm curious to see if they'll course correct in 7b. 4 Link to comment
tv echo November 24, 2018 Share November 24, 2018 (edited) This was a very long review of 706 (believe it or not, I didn't quote much of it)... Quote However, Season 7 is not sweeping it under the rug this time. The focus isn’t about Oliver and Felicity walking in each other’s shoes this time. This time it’s about Felicity. Arrow is focusing on her character in a way it never has before. This spiral is about what Felicity has lost, the situation she’s forced into, the choices she’s made as a result, and what she’s willing to do to protect her family. Felicity has been fighting a war almost entirely on her own in Season 7 and we all know what war does to a person. * * * What’s amazing is Oliver is finally coming to that conclusion; however Felicity is moving the reverse direction. She has always been the one to hold the moral line while Oliver hops back and forth over it. Their arcs this season have been paralleling, but now they are diverting. Arrow very clearly shows Felicity is slipping to where we began with Oliver, which is why they bring back Anatoly Knyazev. He was Oliver’s teacher during the darkest part of his life and becomes the same to Felicity in “Due Process.” * * *I am beyond tired of everyone judging the means in which Felicity is going after Diaz, while simultaneously refusing to help her. Yeah, that’s primarily directed at you John Thomas Diggle. He actually has the nerve to judge Felicity for working with Bl*ck S*ren. Maybe she wouldn’t have to work with Bl*ck S*ren if you hadn’t turned your back on her John!!!! * * * For some odd reason, the writers choose to act like Anatoly is a helpless victim for a good chunk of the episode. The man is the leader of one of the most dangerous mobs in the world. He trained Oliver Queen in both fighting and tactics. Are we really pretending Anatoly Knyazev can’t hold his own against some KGB agents? He can’t even take down Roslov. Give me a break. * * * HOWEVER, that’s where my agreement with Diggle stops. It’s ridiculous Felicity even needs to make any threats of any kind or lie to Anatoly. Isn’t Diggle working for A.R.G.U.S. now? Don’t they have some kind of legal power? WHAT THE HELL DO THEY DO? If anyone should be threatening Anatoly with legal consequences if he doesn’t help it should be John. Particularly, since he’s so hell bent on doing things the A.R.G.U.S. way. * * * Me: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???!!!! Sometimes I wonder if the writers pay attention to previous episodes. This line is so counter to what Diggle actually said in 7x02 it makes me question if Tonya Kong and Sarah Tarkoff actually watched that episode. Episode continuity isn’t always Arrow’s strong suit. As @callistawolf? points out this is classic gas lighting. John is refusing to take any responsibility for his actions and instead makes it seem like all Felicity’s fault. She didn’t push John out. HE PEACED OUT. * * * John’s reasoned all of this behavior as prioritizing his family (*cough*at Oliver’s family’s expense*cough*). Then, he refuses to help Felicity go after Diaz after the A.R.G.U.S. way has proved to be completely ineffectual. * * * Finally, he accuses Felicity of putting innocent lives at risk. * * * By innocent he means Anatoly - the mob boss who tried to kill all of them last year. John is able to throw moral condemnation Bl*ck S*ren’s way, Felicity’s way and even the new Green Arrow’s way, but ANATOLY is innocent. I swear to God, Pod Diggle is INSANE. * * * John’s speech to Felicity is hollow because he’s not willing to stand by her side. He has abandoned a soldier on the field, something I thought I would never see John Diggle do. Maybe Diggle would have better luck pushing Felicity to find better and more humane ways to find Diaz if he was also fighting by her side. Would that require John to compromise? Maybe do things Felicity’s way at times? Sure, but that’s nothing he hasn’t done for Oliver. Diggle is fine pointing out all the moral dangers threatening Felicity’s soul, just like he did with Oliver, but he also refuses to put his money where his mouth is and help her like he did Oliver. * * * The genius of the Bl*ck S*ren character is she solves a massive LL problem. BS fixes the chemistry between Katie and Stephen. * * * I think we can all agree their chemistry is a hot mess typically, but now that they get to hate each other on screen it gives the actors an entirely new energy and it works. The hate feels far more honest than Oliver and his Laurel’s relationship too. Quite frankly, I never believed Oliver and Laurel liked each other all that much. The scenes where Oliver and Laurel were fighting always felt more believable. Bl*ck S*ren erases all the “We’re best friends/You’re the love of my life Ollie” nonsense. * * * It is probably more Oliver cannot fathom Felicity, who refused to work with Malcolm Merlyn, ever making a similar decision as him. He so fundamentally believes she is a better person than him. However, Oliver fails to see what Felicity shares in common with him. While they are polar opposites in many respects, Oliver and Felicity are quite similar too. They are driven by love and selflessness, but they are also prepared to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. That “sacrifice” isn’t always a physical one, but rather emotional, spiritual and psychological. Felicity has been better at toeing that line than Oliver, which leads him to the false assumption she always will be. * * *This is one of my primary frustrations with Arrow when it comes to LL characters. The speed in which they move through her arcs is break neck. Bl*ck S*ren wearing $2,000 three piece suits, playing lawyer, living in Laurel’s apartment and teaming up with Felicity does not equal redeemed. It’s no different than the speed in which they moved through the BC arc. (Yes I am forever bitter about that). I was with Felicity when she was acknowledging both the good and bad in Bl*ck S*ren, but I cannot accept this “She’s all fixed!” mentality. * * * Yeah, no. There are huge red flags this is all crap. Felicity’s map leads Team Flash Forward to her underground lair where there’s a computer and a fern. * * *YAO FERN LIVES. If the fern is present it symbolically means Oliver and Felicity’s love will survive. * * * It seems odd to me a woman who supposedly is consumed by hate, enough to participate in mass genocide, would wrap every step and clue in love. The hozen, Rubiks cube, fern, and tennis ball security measure are all tangible connections the two people Felicity loves more than anything. Those clues represent beautiful and happy memories of the Queen family. If Felicity was so lost then why is the path leading William back to Star City laden with evidence of her holding on to everyone who matters the most. * * * The bigger issue, of course, is everyone believes Felicity is dead and the leap Arrow wants us to make is Oliver is dead too. If Felicity has become lost without Oliver in present day, then what would happen to her if she lost him permanently in the future? The writers want us to believe Oliver’s death would be a sufficient trigger to push Felicity to the dark side. It’s something we’ve always feared would happen to Oliver if Felicity died, which is the key to all of this. Arrow is preying on your fears to make this storyline plausible. They know the audience is perpetually terrified they will kill Oliver or Felicity (mostly Felicity) and/or our beloved couple will not get the happy ending they deserve. Arrow wants you to believe the worst because you fear the worst. * * *“Guys, we caught Diaz. This is what happens when we all work together.” Cool, so why didn’t you and Diggle agree to help Felicity weeks ago? It was her intelligence, sacrifice, risk to her own life and plans which lead to Diaz’s capture. Just to review: Felicity generated all of the leads on Diaz, she saved Anatoly, figured out the Dragon’s plan, the location of the bombs, and knew how to diffuse them. But “WE caught Diaz.” * * * Last time I checked Curtis you were in Russia on an op with A.R.G.U.S. and bitching about your suffering every step of the way. This guy is unbelievable. I need a drink. * * * I’m not just siding eyeing Curtis. Dinah and her joy over sticking it to the FBI is A+ level bullshit since she did very little to help Felicity combat the FBI. Dinah helped some, but nowhere near enough to warrant such an arrogant pat on the back. And I’ve already ranted about Diggle. Nobody thanks Felicity. Nobody gives her any credit. NOBODY EVEN INVITES HER OUT FOR A DRINK. #GetFelicitySmoakBetterFriendsIn2019 Edited November 24, 2018 by tv echo 10 Link to comment
tv echo November 25, 2018 Share November 25, 2018 Supergirl Reports to Uncle Sam? Did Conners Miss a History Lesson? Is Game Night on Shelf Too Long? And More Qs! By Vlada Gelman, Matt Webb Mitovich, Kimberly Roots, Dave Nemetz, Rebecca Iannucci and Ryan Schwartz / November 23 2018,https://tvline.com/2018/11/23/supergirl-works-for-united-states-government-tv-questions/ Quote 10 | Has Arrow‘s begrudging-yet-productive alliance between Felicity and Laurel been a surprise delight this season? Link to comment
tv echo November 26, 2018 Share November 26, 2018 (edited) FEELS OF THE WEEK: NOVEMBER 18TH – NOVEMBER 24TH Posted on November 25, 2018 By Lyrahttp://fangirlish.com/feels-of-the-week-november-18th-november-24th/ Quote Moment That Made You Collapse Into a Puddle of FEELS... ...Charles: If you are a Olicity fan, then I would say the moment Felicity says “Oliver’s coming home?” when the team has captured Diaz and Laurel says they will trade him to the feds for Oliver. The wait for Oliver and Felicity on Arrow to get back together has been a long one for fans and it looks like the end of the rainbow is here. * * *Moment That Gave You Hope ...Lariel: Ricardo Diaz finally getting arrested! Now, if only the secret experiments in Slabside hadn’t been halted. He’d have made an excellent guinea pig. Edited November 26, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo November 26, 2018 Share November 26, 2018 (edited) Quotes of the Week: Supergirl, Arrow, The Conners, Walking Dead and More By Team TVLine / November 25 2018, 7:00 AM PSThttps://tvline.com/2018/11/25/arrow-standing-right-here-best-tv-quotes/ Quote ARROW “So now you’re working with Laurel?” “I’m standing right here.” “Hold on a sec, you’re gonna give me crap about working with the New Green Arrow, and meanwhile you’re siding with the Black frickin’ Siren?” “Again, still here.” Openly dissed Laurel (Katie Cassidy) somehow makes a years-old TV trope feel fresh Edited November 26, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
KenyaJ November 26, 2018 Share November 26, 2018 If you're frustrated that Diaz is still alive and think Laurel pretending to be a lawyer is beyond stupid, you will probably enjoy the Arrow discussion on this week's podcast. Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) I only quoted non-spoilery parts below - non-spoilery if you've seen 707 (warning: rest of article contains spoilers)... Oliver's Future, According To Stephen Amell By SYDNEY BUCKSBAUM November 26, 2018https://www.bustle.com/p/what-that-arrow-fight-scene-means-for-olivers-future-according-to-stephen-amell-13190917 Quote Arrow just went full-on action movie for Oliver Queen's last hurrah behind bars. For a comic-book show that pulls off action sequences on nearly a weekly basis, Arrow outdid itself with this week's bottle episode, "The Slabside Redemption." The episode had barely any dialogue, as most of the runtime followed Oliver (Stephen Amell) as he fought his way out of a prison riot, which ultimately ended with his long-awaited release — and a romantic reunion with his wife Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) to boot. It's fitting that such an action-packed episode was directed by Arrow stunt coordinator James Bamford. To pull it off, Amell says they "just turned the stunt department loose." "It was the shortest script that I’ve ever read because it had such little stage direction in it," Amell tells Bustle along with a group of reporters on set in Vancouver. "It was basically [executive producer] Beth [Schwartz] going to James Bamford and saying, 'This is through line of what happens to Oliver from start to finish. Do what you can in the time that you have. Go.'" Every single punch, kick, and inmate thrown across the room was planned and executed by Bamford and his stunt team. The very few plot points of the episode — Oliver finally defeating Diaz (Kirk Acevedo) but leaving him alive in Slabside, Stanley (Brendan Fletcher) betraying Oliver, and Oliver and Felicity's make-out reunion outside of the prison at the end — were the only things planned by the showrunner and writers. Everything else came from the stunt team. * * * "All that choreography, that was something that the stunt department I think really excelled in," Amell says. "We should get nominated for a stunt Emmy." Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) Arrow recap: Oliver and Diaz go to war inside Slabside CHANCELLOR AGARD November 26, 2018https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-7-episode-7/ Quote I love a good stunt or gimmick; whether that’s setting an installment in Flashtime, staging an epic 11-minute fight scene without any cuts, or making an entire episode look like it was shot in one take, I’m a sucker for it. So, tonight’s Arrow, “The Slabside Redemption,” felt like it was made for me with its confined setting (Slabside prison) and multiple one-shot takes. And for the most part, I was thoroughly entertained. Director James Bamford’s excitement was palpable the entire time, and Stephen Amell was a straight force as Oliver endured his latest crucible. As much as I enjoyed the breathless and suspenseful episode — which sees Ricardo Diaz break into Slabside to kill Oliver before he’s released — it did leave me feeling a little cold because it was just so tightly focused on Oliver (and the fights!). While I understand why the story couldn’t and didn’t include Felicity or Diggle (Oliver’s not only fighting Diaz, but he’s fighting to get back to them), it still felt as though the episode lacked that extra emotional gut punch that some of the show’s best, operatic, and equally action-packed installments have accomplished. * * * Overall, “The Slabside Redemption” was a pretty raucous episode that showcased how well Bamford can shoot an action scene. If anything, he was the star of the episode more so than Amell, who delivers a strong performance here. Now that we’ve reached the end of Oliver’s incarceration, I’m interested in seeing how this affects the way he operates as Green Arrow. I think that will determine whether or not the prison arc was effective and worth it. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) THE SLABSIDE REDEMPTION BY JESSE SCHEEDEN 26 NOV 2018https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/27/arrow-season-7-episode-7-the-slabside-redemption-review Quote The cast and crew of Arrow have been hyping this week’s episode pretty hard. It’s not hard to understand why. “The Slabside Redemption” is the culmination of Season 7’s big prison storyline, and the source of the long-awaited rematch between Oliver Queen and Ricardo Diaz. But despite all that, this episode doesn’t quite live up to expectations. It’s not even the strongest episode of Season 7, for that matter. * * * Despite having James Bamford (arguably Arrow’s best director when it comes to action scenes) behind the camera this week, the action proved disappointingly bland. At best, the major fight scenes used the height of the prison environment to their advantage, particularly the sequence where Ollie and Turner simultaneously fought enemies on multiple levels. Other than that, the action rarely stood out this week. The low point was easily the corridor battle between Ollie, Sampson and Brick. The dim lighting made it extremely difficult to tell which fighter was which, to the point where I actually wondered for a moment if Sampson had suddenly decided to betray Brick and join Team Ollie. The Ollie/Diaz rematch also proved strangely disappointing. The decision to give Diaz super-strength definitely played into that. Rather than allowing for an all-out brawl between equals, this fight basically consisted of Diaz bludgeoning Ollie over and over till he finally let his guard down. Why was this super-strength plot point actually necessary? I do at least appreciate the poetic end to this phase of the Ollie/Diaz rivalry. After vowing he would never die in prison, Diaz found himself underestimating his enemy yet again and seeing his greatest fear realized. Though here again, the episode proved frustrating unclear. I actually thought Ollie had killed Diaz based on the final shot of the villain bleeding out and contemplating his failure. But according to Stephen Amell himself, Diaz survived and has merely become the new Inmate 4587. Honestly, at some point Arrow needs to let go of Diaz. Between this and the fact that the Longbow Hunters have quietly shuffled out of Star City, it feels more like these characters are being put on mothballs than being given a full, proper send-off. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) ‘ARROW’ 7×07 REVIEW: ‘SLABSIDE REDEMPTION’ Posted on November 26, 2018 By Alyssa Barbierihttp://fangirlish.com/arrow-7x07-review-slabside-redemption/ Quote There was a ton of hype surrounding Arrow’s seventh episode, which people deemed a work of art. But the only thing I deemed a work of art was Oliver and Felicity’s brief reunion that reawakened the dormant fangirl within! “Slabside Redemption” was a solid episode, but I wouldn’t go as far to say as it was the best. The season premiere still takes that for me. But as far as emotional stakes and badass fight sequences go, this was a very good episode. It was entertaining and thrilling throughout, and that reunion at the end just added icing on the cake. * * * All Oliver and Felicity have ever needed are a look. A look that speaks even more than the wonderful words that have come out of their mouths. A look that brings a sense of comfort even in the worst of circumstances. A look that literally takes your breath away. It’s been six episodes since Oliver and Felicity last saw each other. It’s been eight episodes since they’ve last touched. While this reunion was brief, it was the most meaningful thing that happened in this entire episode.* * * As far as subtly goes, Arrow was not being subtle at all with that shot of the quote “wait and hope.” Not only have we as an audience been waiting and hoping for this reunion that seemed to drag on forever, but Oliver and Felicity were in a tough situation knowing that a reunion might not come for a long time. If ever. It’s easy being a fan of a show where you know the hero will be getting out at some point, but these characters had to cling to that small glimmer of hope and weren’t sure how long they’d have to wait to be in each other’s arms again. * * * It’s all about perspective. Anything. Everything. Being a hero, especially. Especially when you’re fighting the “bad guys.” Oliver’s experience in Slabside has opened his eyes to a whole new world. A world where there are the really bad guys, the bad guys, the guys that did bad that are capable of redemption, and even the innocent. You can’t judge someone based on one situation alone. Shoot first, think later. Oliver’s been there, done that. Perhaps now Oliver can bring some of that new perspective when he puts on the suit again. * * * Teaming up with Turner, saving those guards, choosing not to kill Diaz (dude, what gives? I would’ve been okay with that one!), Oliver remained true to himself in a place that’s known to strip people of their souls and what makes them people. Oliver never lost who he was. Sure, at times he had to do whatever it took (to stop the cruelty on Level Two, to stop Diaz), but Oliver never sacrificed who he was to do it. * * *Diaz is a laughing stock. He’s not intimidating. He’s ridiculous. He mumbles. He hides behind henchmen. He hides behind a gun. This show actually had to hold Oliver back from kicking his ass so this show wouldn’t look incompetent for having a villain that is trash walk on this show for this long. Everything about Diaz is unrealistic. How he seems to just walk in anywhere and take shit over. How people are actually afraid of him. How he fights. How people listen to him. Speaking of, that final fight between Oliver and Diaz was laughable until the end when it got realistic. Just when Arrow seemed to understand Oliver can kick seven guys’ asses simultaneously, these same people dumbed us and Oliver down by making it seem like he can’t take on Diaz. Like. Come. On. Man. How dumb do you think we are? The most realistic part about the fight was how when Diaz invoked Felicity’s name that it was like a shot of adrenaline and Oliver finally woke up and kicked homeboy’s ass. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 4 Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) Arrow Season 7 Episode 7 Review – ‘The Slabside Redemption’ NOVEMBER 27, 2018 BY JESSIE ROBERTSONhttps://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/11/arrow-season-7-episode-7-review-the-slabside-redemption/ Quote I felt like this was an episode I just wanted to get through… and that’s never a good thing. * * * – I don’t have a lot for this column actually tonight; Kirk Acevedo (Diaz) got a whole Thanksgiving meal out of chewing the scenery tonight, mingling around the prison, inciting riots, ripping electrical cords out of the wall and generally just being a psycho getting off on torturing Oliver. I would say he’s enjoyed himself immensely on this show. * * * – Diaz’s grandstanding had come to the end. As I said above, I felt like I was just waiting for this to end, however that would happen. That it came down to the two of them just brawling, and Diaz stabbing Oliver, knocking him into his own cell and making grand comments about Felicity’s state of mind all felt like exposition to build upon what’s coming up in the rest of the season, and the flash forwards, not so much a finale to his storyline. I mean, he gets stabbed with half a pair of scissors and he’s down for the count. This dude survived a Canary Cry into the harbor! It felt so anti climatic and I kept thinking; what kind of statement would it have made for the rest of Team Arrow to be the one that puts him out without Oliver’s assistance? That would be a strong statement, but they couldn’t do that. * * * – There’s just a lot during this episode that didn’t feel like you were in the middle of a prison riot. They upped their game on makeup and effects, no doubt. And the cafeteria scene with the guards strung up looked like it could go Cable TV level violence, but it’s kind of like, we’ve seen them go this route before; Oliver’s fought tougher odds; even he didn’t look worried; I mean he walked in on 30 guys with a pillowcase of soda cans! And they beat up like 10 guys in that last scene; was that it? And where was the 50 guards on duty they mentioned? The prison just felt really small like they were in the same 3 rooms and hallways the whole time. I don’t think it came off that great. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) Arrow Episode Guide: Season 7, Episode 7 - The Slabside Redemption Starman November 26, 2018http://www.mygeekygeekyways.com/2018/11/arrow-episode-guide-season-7-episode-7.html Quote Goofs Oliver seems to shrug off the sedative Stanley gave him really quickly. Slabside does not seem to have any kind of fire suppression system, in violation of numerous federal laws that not only require prisons have sprinkler systems but have specially designed sprinkler systems that cannot be tampered with. The CGI fire effects are painfully obvious, particularly in the shot where Diaz says "I'm a lot stronger now." John Diggle vanishes completely in the pull-away shot from the prison as Felicity and Oliver kiss. Performances Michael Jai White has a fantastic turn here as Ben Turner. Hopefully Oliver will be able to make good on his promise and we'll get to see him more in Season 7 as a special ARGUS agent. Stephen Amell manages a perfect intensity as Oliver Queen in this episode, and you can see the change to the man he was in his eyes. Artistry Whatever else may be said about this episode, the fight scenes are all fantastic. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 1 Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) OLIVER FINALLY EARNS HIS FREEDOM IN A BRUTAL, PRISON RIOT-FILLED EPISODE OF ARROW Trent Moore November 27, 2018https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/oliver-finally-earns-his-freedom-in-a-brutal-prison-riot-filled-episode-of-arrow Quote Diaz’s plans tend to make less and less sense as they go along, but hey, this episode was still a bone-crunching romp, so it’s hard to complain too much. Also, the prison storyline has officially come to an end. * * * As for the big bad, Diaz took over Slabside all in a failed attempt to kill Oliver. Why he opted to do this in the prison, after breaking free from his transport detail, isn’t exactly clear. Diaz could’ve just as easily slipped back into the wild and targeted Oliver once he got home, but that’s not quite as cinematic as a prison riot backdrop. As for the rest of the prison gang, Brick is seemingly dead at the hand of Oliver’s former friend Stanley. Stanley also makes his escape from Slabside, so look for the murderous little creeper to resurface at some point down the line. * * * This week brought us no B-stories, and no flash forward saga — and was all the better for it. The final story of Oliver’s prison stay deserved all the focus, and it handled the pressure well. Easily one of the show’s best episodes of the season, logic gaps be damned. * * * Having Oliver free, and seeing how he adjusts back to life in the outside world, should be a compelling story. Also, what will happen when Oliver runs into the mysterious New Green Arrow? Speaking of which — any new theories on the New Green Arrow’s identity? Lyla seems to be an interesting theory making the rounds, though it feels like a bit of a stretch. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) ARROW 7.07 Review “The Slabside Redemption” By AMELIA EMBERWING Nov. 27, 2018https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2018/11/27/arrow-7.07-review-the-slabside-redemption Quote Before Oliver whoops his ass, Diaz leaves him with one parting gift: he mentions that Felicity was going to kill him. We’re undoubtedly going to see some drama unfold over that, which likely inspires an eye roll from most of you. But, hear me out. In the past, Felicity’s emotions have been handled pretty terribly by the show, but we’ve seen some serious progress to female character writing in this season. Fingers crossed that they continue that with Felicity’s little dance with darkness. When the day is won, the fires extinguished, and the inmates returned to their cells, Oliver Queen leaves Slabside Maximum Security prison as quietly as he entered it. Appropriately, it’s Dig and Felicity waiting for him at the gate rather than the whole team. When they see him, their faces aren’t relieved. All of the members of OTA look at each other as if they’ve just survived a war, driving home just how taxing everything’s been since Diaz tried to take over the city, the loss of Quentin Lance, and Oliver’s subsequent imprisonment. This somber moment aside, don’t think for a moment that we didn’t notice that you just removed John Diggle from the scene for the slow pan out, cinematography team. Yeah, it made your closing shot more symmetrical, but at what cost?! Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) Why Stanley Is a Bigger Threat Than Diaz in 'Arrow' Season 7 By Meredith Jacobs November 27, 2018https://www.inverse.com/article/51230-arrow-season-7-episode-7-recap-oliver-free-diaz-in-prison-stanley-escaped Quote Though Oliver may not know right away that Stanley escaped, he did promise to make sure he “faced justice” for killing a guard in Episode 6. So they’re sure to run into each other soon. Still, Stanley could very well be a threat to Oliver and his loved ones. It all depends on how he feels about Oliver. Stanley already met Felicity, and it’s very possible he could target Oliver’s wife if he wants to get back at him. He could also target William since he saw the photo of his wife and son Oliver stared at every day. If he still wants to team up with Oliver, he could target anyone working with the Green Arrow in his “place,” at least in his mind. Though Oliver can easily take Stanley down in a fight, that might not be a deterrent. After all, when he kills Brick on his way out of the morgue, he tells him he should have been nicer to him. He could feel the same way about Oliver. * * * Oliver let Diaz live, and that may turn out to be a mistake. We’ve seen Diaz bribe people in all levels of government before. He even bribed a guard to kill his coworkers so he could break into Slabside. So it’s not hard to imagine Diaz finding a way to escape at some point. Diaz also has allies on the outside. The Longbow Hunters have been working with him. They walked away when Diaz was arrested in Episode 6, so they’re still out there. We don’t know if they’ll be loyal to him while he’s locked up, but they’re still a threat. Diaz could also have other allies out there who could go after Oliver and his loved ones even while he’s behind bars. * * *Right now, Stanley is the more immediate threat, if only because we don’t know what he’s capable of. It’s still unclear exactly how he feels about Oliver, and he’s free to strike at any time. Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 (edited) 'Arrow': Stephen Amell and James Bamford Talk Constructing Tonight's Massive Fight Scene By RUSS BURLINGAME - November 26, 2018https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/11/27/arrow-stephen-amell-and-james-bamford-talk-constructing-tonights/ Quote The battle featured one of director and stunt coordinator James Bamford's trademark long, action-packed single-take shots -- this one pushing Oliver up the stairs, fighting back to back with his tenuous ally all the way. "The episode itself is a stand-alone episode, so it's not really a cookie cutter episode," Bamford said recently. "I should actually go back a year, and the episode was actually born out of a conversation Marc Guggenheim and I had. He was like, 'you know what we should do? We should do a whole episode that has like three words and the rest of it is just action beats.' I was like 'Yeah, that's what we should do. It should be like a silent film. The rest of it should be action like Buster Keaton. I'll do you one better; it should be like Birdman, the whole episode should be a oner.' He goes, 'Yeah, let's do that, yeah.' And then he kind of stepped back. So 707 came along, and turned out to be Beth and Rebecca writing it, and we started discussing what the original aspirations were -- a giant oner with no words that was just carnage and murder and mayhem and vigilantism. It turned into what you guys saw. They asked me right off the bat, 'how much screen direction do you want?' I said, 'well, just tell me the story you need to tell -- the beginning, the middle, the end, any details you want specifically -- and I'll fill in the rest of the blanks.'" Amell had the same impression, basically admitting that he had never seen a shooting script so thin -- and renewed his oft-repeated call for the Arrow stunt department to get more recognition. "[This week], they just turned the stunt department loose," Amell said. "It was the shortest script that I’ve ever read because it had such little stage direction in it. It was basically Beth going to James Bamford and saying, 'This is through line of what happens to Oliver from start to finish. Do what you can in the time that you have. Go.' There’s some specific stuff like Stanley gets Oliver with a needle and Oliver’s tied up or whatever, but all that choreography, that was something that the stunt department I think really excelled in. We’re not going to get nominated for a stunt Emmy, because we don’t get nominated for a stunt Emmy. But we should get nominated for a stunt Emmy." Edited November 27, 2018 by tv echo 1 Link to comment
BkWurm1 November 27, 2018 Share November 27, 2018 I guess knowing how much of the episode the stunt department basically wrote I’ll give them a bit more credit. Still, I agree that the season opener was more emotionally impactful and the fights mattered more while also looking fantastic. In this episode a lot if the stunts were just stuff to get through so Oliver could finally get out if there. Maybe I’ll be more entertained on a second viewing though so far I haven’t managed to rewind any further than Diaz talking about Felicity in Oliver’s cell. (But mostly I just kept watching Diggle vanish again and again and again) 6 Link to comment
tv echo November 28, 2018 Share November 28, 2018 (edited) Arrow Season 7 Episode 7 Review: “The Slabside Redemption” Chris King November 27, 2018https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-7-episode-7-review-the-slabside-redemption/ Quote The first six episodes of Arrow Season 7 stripped Oliver Queen of all the power that he had possessed throughout the show’s previous six seasons. He was no longer the mayor. No longer the leader of a team of vigilantes. No longer the Green Arrow. Throughout this prison arc, Oliver has found ways to wield some forms of control, whether it’s not succumbing to Brick’s orders or battling against Dr. Parker’s brainwashing methods. However, he still has been shackled (both literally and figuratively) by the constraints of jail, by assumptions of arrogant guards, by the antagonistic actions of his fellow inmates, by the need to keep his head down and play by the rules. That’s why “The Slabside Redemption” is more of a cathartic hour of Arrow than a great or important episode; events play out mostly how viewers expect, but that’s okay because we enjoy most of what’s happening onscreen and because, after weeks of watching Oliver being mentally and physically tormented, it feels earned to see him using a homemade explosive to break free of his cell or defeating a deranged Stan with his hands tied behind his back. But it’s two moments at the end of the hour that serve as the most satisfying scenes of the episode: Oliver stabbing a drug-empowered Diaz, locking him in a prison cell, and leaving him to bleed out as Slabside continues to erupt in flames, and Oliver, bruised and blodied, walking out of the prison’s gates to find Felicity and Diggle standing there waiting for him, the two most important people in his life welcoming him back into the world. In past reviews, I’ve complained at length at how underwhelming a villain Diaz has been, so to be free of him (oh God, fingers crossed he’s actually dead and done with) feels reinvigorating, for both Arrow‘s characters and the show as a whole. There’s no undoing the damage of Diaz’s arc from last season; what’s done is done. However, Beth Schwartz and her writers’ room in Season 7 have at least been able to provide Diaz with some intriguing and entertaining allies (the Longbow Hunters) and, more importantly, give Felicity a compelling storyline of her own as she has worked so hard to take Diaz down this season that she almost lost herself in the process. The toll that Diaz has taken on Oliver and Felicity, both mentally and physically, cannot be ignored, and honestly, that’s what I’m most excited to see now that the two of them have been reunited: how do two people come back together after such a long time apart, after such dark and drastic situations have caused them to push boundaries, almost to the point of no return? * * * That toll that Diaz’s reign of terror and Oliver’s time in prison have inflected is also something that I hope Diggle can now recognize after watching his two best friends reunite. The image of Oliver and Felicity’s kiss at the end of “The Slabside Redemption” is significant not just because it shows the two of them together again, but because it serves as a visual representation of all the struggle and heartbreak they’ve been through. Look at the blood-stained face of Oliver, the pain and torture he has suffered in prison. Watch as Felicity pulls him into their embrace with both hands, symbolizing the full, nonstop efforts she has gone to in order to track down Diaz and win Oliver his freedom. Pay attention to how slowly and intimately Oliver puts his hand on her back and pulls her in closer, as if she’s a dream he can’t fully comprehend; he’s spent virtually all of his time in prison clinging to a photo of his wife and son, his family, and now that Felicity is here in front of him, he has to take a second to truly drink the moment, to realize that she’s more than just a photo, more than just a mirage—she’s here and she’s his and he is hers, and no one, at this time, in this place, can take them away from each other. That kiss is a microcosm of Oliver and Felicity’s Season 7 story so far, a story that Diggle, up until this point, has refused to be a part of, as he has stuck to his ARGUS regulations and his own personal, familial interests. But here’s the thing: Oliver and Felicity are Diggle’s family, and maybe, throughout Season 7 and even going as far back as Season 6 as well, Diggle has taken this part of his family for granted. Perhaps, because he’s been with Oliver and Felicity for so many years, he’s begun to believe that they will always be there and that they will always be okay, no matter what. Now, though, as Diggle watches this kiss between the two of them, he’s seeing just how broken his two friends have become; he’s starting to understand how and why Felicity was so desperate to defeat Diaz and rescue Oliver earlier this season. Because despite how strong the love between Oliver and Felicity of them is, it still needs to be nurtured and it’s still susceptible to threats, both external and internal. Oliver and Felicity have had to face those threats separate but together, without any help from Dig at all, throughout Season 7 so far. This battle has left both of them emotionally broken (and Oliver almost physically so). One can only hope that John Diggle will return to the man he was once before and help his two teammates, his two friends, his two family members, repair the damaged parts of themselves and move forward to face whatever new threats arise as the year continues. * * * The fight choreography and the filming of said fights is spectacular throughout all of “The Slabside Redemption,” but I want to give a special shoutout to director James Bamford for that creative and gripping one-take of Oliver and Turner (aka Bronze Tiger) working together to save the guards on two different floors. Everything about the sequence is fluid and seamless and filled with energy. I loved it. Edited November 28, 2018 by tv echo 6 Link to comment
tv echo November 28, 2018 Share November 28, 2018 (edited) TV Review: ‘Arrow: Slabside Redemption’ NOVEMBER 27TH, 2018 BY DARRYL JASPERhttp://sciencefiction.com/2018/11/27/arrow-review-slabside-redemption/ Quote Six hours: that’s all the time Oliver has to wait until he’s free from prison. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? Of course, with Ricardo Diaz around, nothing’s ever that simple. Speaking of Diaz, in a plot that strains the credulity of even the fantastical CW’s shows like Arrow, the big-bad villain, hopped up on his mirakuru-like serum is able to take over the prison in the hopes of taking down Oliver once and for all. It’s a fight for the ages in one of the most ambitious Arrow episodes ever made. From start to finish, it all plays out like one big fight scene and while it’s not up to par with the prison scraps we’ve seen in Seasons Two and Three of Daredevil, it’s about as close to it as a network television show can realistically get. And while there’s not a lot of plot to the episode, it’s a ton of fun and the perfect end to Oliver’s prison saga. * * * Season Seven of Arrow got off to a rocky start but, the last few weeks have shown that there’s life still left in this show. “Slabside Redemption”, while far from perfect, offered the best large-action fight sequences the show has had and was the perfect ending to close the chapter on Oliver’s time in prison while also setting up some potentially strong payoffs as we ride the wave through the remainder of the year. Edited November 28, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo November 28, 2018 Share November 28, 2018 (edited) Quote Sometimes I wish they wouldn’t hype episodes. Inevitably, the hype raises my expectations no matter how hard I try to keep them reasonable or I simply disagree with the opinions of other reviewers. “Slabside Redemption” is not a taunt thrill ride or show defining episode as some have described it. Events unfold as expected, with a few notable exceptions. It doesn’t make “The Slabside Redemption” a bad episode, but my mind wasn’t blown either. The scene worth watching for, and quite frankly fast forwarding to, is the one at the end. * * *The only real upside to the phone conversation between Diaz and Oliver is the Dragon is forced to speak in a softer tone, so I don’t need to take migraine pills from all the screaming. * * *Unfortunately, he’s unintelligible when speaking softly. It’s more a mumble than a whisper. I may have Nancy Drew’d an explanation for why this actor yells every line. Did anyone else notice how Kirk Acevedo wiggles in between every pause for dramatic effect? Maybe the Dragon has a nervous tick. * * *Stan is way more terrifying than Diaz has ever been. This is like something out of Fatal Attraction. * * * The only way the writers could make Diaz a viable threat is to give him super strength. It’s the only reason Diaz lasts more than five seconds with Oliver. Unfortunately, little gimmicks like super strength don’t automatically solve a problematic character. Malcolm Merlyn, Slade Wilson and Adrian Chase were all scary without super strength. Ricardo Diaz is a crappy Big Bad and the best thing for Arrow to do is to remove him from our televisions screens for a looooong time. Hopefully, we never see him again. * * * Oliver putting Felicity on a pedestal will make it harder for him to reconcile some of her actions while he was in prison, which is obviously the point. The writers are mining a little more drama out of the situation even though Oliver has to ignore all of Season 5 to react this way. He may be able to see criminals in grey, but his wife is another story. She is forever in the good box. Felicity Smoak is queen of the good box. Oliver worships her box. * * * ...This grates on me because Felicity clearly told Diaz he’s the one who made her all dark, twisty and murdery. Yes, I know he’s lying on purpose, but everything about this guy bugs me. * * * * * *The only two who matter are the two who fought for his soul for years. Oliver is the man he is today because of their love. Felicity and Diggle should both be there to greet Oliver after his survives Slabside with his soul intact. It is their love and lessons that taught him how after all. It is disappointing Diggle didn’t fight for Oliver’s freedom more and I’m still super ticked at him. However, Diggle’s behavior the past seven months doesn’t erase his impact on Oliver’s life the past seven years. Edited November 28, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
GHScorpiosRule November 28, 2018 Share November 28, 2018 19 minutes ago, tv echo said: The only two who matter are the two who fought for his soul for years. Oliver is the man he is today because of their love. Felicity and Diggle should both be there to greet Oliver after his survives Slabside with his soul intact. It is their love and lessons that taught him how after all. It is disappointing Diggle didn’t fight for Oliver’s freedom more and I’m still super ticked at him. However, Diggle’s behavior the past seven months doesn’t erase his impact on Oliver’s life the past seven years. Regarding the last part, which I bolded: it may not erase Diggle's impact, but his behavior over the last year, I'd say, is a betrayal of that friendship; moreso the past six or seven months. Other than this, I agree wholeheartedly with the rest of the review. Hell, I fast forwarded most, if not all of Mumblemushmouth's scenes. It was that riveting. 4 Link to comment
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