tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) Arrow Season 7 Premiere Review: “Inmate #4587” Chris King October 16, 2018https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-7-premiere-review-inmate-4587/ Quote However, when Felicity and William are threatened, the dormant vigilante re-awakens inside of Oliver. He takes down Brick with a book to the throat and beats Diaz’s crony (the same inmate who tells him that Felicity is dead) to within an inch of his life. After months of playing the “good prisoner” role, Oliver decides to take control of his life behind bars. In many ways, his actions echo the message that Felicity shares to him during their conversation, when she comes to visit him, beaten and bloodied after Diaz’s attack. “I have to fight back,” she tells him. “You of all people have to understand that.” * * * But could Oliver take this type of behavior too far? Is there a chance that the violent nature of prison life could cause Oliver to become what he most despises, what he’s fought so hard against over the years? It’s definitely possible, and I am curious to see how Season 7 explores this internal struggle for Oliver as he remains isolated from those who matter most. Just as Oliver attempts to gain control in prison, Felicity also seeks more power in her own life. Her promise to “fight back” against Diaz and the actual, physical fighting we see from her in “Inmate #4587” are fantastic on their own. But her proclamation to Oliver, along with her insistence that he won’t “get to decide this time,” serves a greater purpose than revealing that she plans to take down Diaz herself. In this moment, Felicity reclaims equal power of her own life and of her relationship with her husband, who made a decision to turn himself in during the Season 6 finale without consulting her, a decision that caused her to go into Witness Protection and raise a son on her own, a decision that dramatically changed her life forever. During this conversation with Oliver, Felicity reemphasizes the importance of equality in their relationship; if they are truly going to be a unit moving forward, in both marriage and in their mission to protect Star City, they need to continue to communicate with each other, continue to be honest with each other, and continue to trust each other’s instincts. With this one line from Felicity and Oliver’s quiet but understanding “Okay, okay” afterwards, the two of them are agreeing that there is no longer room in their relationship for secretive, self-sacrificing actions or hidden plans that will be revealed “when the time is right.” From now on, they’re in this together in every possible way, and they need to trust that they’ll support each other, even when they disagree with one another. Because, simply put, that’s love. While the Oliver and Felicity material in “Inmate #4587” is strong, the rest of the premiere is a little uneven. Diggle doesn’t receive nearly enough screen time, although his conversation with Oliver reassures the audience that the bond between the two friends remains as solid as ever, despite the manufactured drama that occurred between them last season. ... * * * -Felicity’s response to her customer at the coffee shop asking her out is so charming and wonderful: “I’m flattered and everything because, ‘Whoa still got it.’” -An even better Felicity moment, though: When she tells Diaz, “Thank God you monologue a lot,” during their battle at the safe house. Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo 5 Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) Arrow Episode Guide: Season 7, Episode 1 - Inmate 4587 Starman October 17, 2018http://www.mygeekygeekyways.com/search/label/Arrow Episode Guide Quote Why, of all things, is Felicity working as a barista? Couldn't she find a tech job working from home that would pay better, take advantage of her talents and limit her exposure in public? Ignoring how Black Siren shouldn't be able to convincingly masquerade as a lawyer, why on Earth would she be rehired to work for Star City's District Attorney's office? The real Laurel Lance was outed as the first Black Canary after her death and the new government of Star City is allegedly anti-vigilante to a fault. It seems strange then that they would let their DA's office be run by an ex-vigilante! How does ARGUS let Diaz slip through their security AND let him get away? Performances There honestly isn't a bad one to be found here, but Emily Bett Rickards slays with the steel in her performance as she declares that she is going to start fighting back in the final scenes. Most Improved: Rick Gonzales as Rene Ramirez. For some reason, Rene didn't grate on my nerves the way he usually did. I think it's because all of his macho posturing is gone. Rene had always been ready for a fight in the past but two years seem to have taught him what is worth fighting for and Gonzales perfectly captures Rene's realization of what a true warrior's role is. His interactions with Zoe and his students do more to humanize Rene in two minutes than every scene with the character to date. Artistry The fifth segment fight-sequence which cuts between Oliver in the prison shower and Felicity fighting Diaz may be the best in the show's history. * * * The new title card sequence shows a grey arrow with a sound of cell doors closing. Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo 5 Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) TV Review: ‘Arrow: Inmate 4587’ POSTED OCTOBER 16TH, 2018 BY DARRYL JASPERhttp://sciencefiction.com/2018/10/16/arrow-review-inmate-4587/ Quote Though Diaz comes close to realizing his wish, Felicity is able to fight back long enough for A.R.G.U.S. to save the day (off-screen). Diaz gets away and Felicity, battered and bruised, visits Oliver in probably the most emotionally charged scene in the last few years. She’s done hiding, opting to return to Star City to do whatever she can to take Diaz down. If that means putting herself in danger, then so be it. She refuses Oliver’s pleas to return to witsec and her defiance in the face of near-death sparks something in Oliver. After doing his best to stay out of the way, only fighting to defend himself, he reminds the inmates that he is Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow. “Inmate 4587” is an excellent start to Season Seven. It has our former team of vigilantes split, finding their own ways of contributing to society without the masks and mayhem of fighting criminals. It offers up the return of the vile Ricardo Diaz, still on the loose despite the FBI doing everything in their power to track him down, as the villain (though we still don’t know if he will be the season’s Big Bad) and Oliver in the worst place a man can be: away from his family and helpless to protect them. Yes, Season Six’s premiere gave us much of that same hope after an abysmal Season Five but, as things wore on and the writers attempted to create their own version of Civil War, it all fell apart. Though players like Curtis, Rene, and Dinah bring their own positives to the show, in order for Arrow to recapture the magic it once had, it has to be more about Oliver, Felicity, and Diggle and that trio’s fantastic chemistry. Sprinkling the others in here and there is great, but forget about making them a focal point of the show. Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) The season premiere always seems to generate more reviews - and from unexpected sources (see, even this sports guy doesn't like Diaz)... ‘Arrow’ S7:01 Recap and Review: “Inmate 4587” Micky Small October 16, 2018https://www.myfantasysportstalk.com/arrow-s701-recap-and-review-inmate-4587/ Quote What is it about Oliver Queen having everything to lose that reinvigorate this show? Arrow season 6 was a real disappointment. There were moments of possibility and a low point of horrendously vile violence from Ricardo Diaz, and walking a fine line toward abuse with Black Siren. Overall, it just didn’t have a cohesiveness that made it something to look forward to. Arrow Season 7: “Inmate 4587” changed that. Having Beth Schwartz take over as showrunner was just the breath of fresh air this show needed. The show has returned to its roots. Oliver in prison was an excellent move. Showing members of former Team Arrow, Felicity and Dig finding their way without Oliver actively in their lives creates a strong sense of dramatic tension and gives the audience a chance to see how each person functions without Oliver’s protection. And with a new masked vigilante in town. * * * Watching Oliver shift from being Star City’s protector, having to focus on protecting himself and Felicity and William indirectly, the choices Oliver has to make in order to survive in the confines of prison creates a highly dramatic scenario. Using Diaz sparingly makes his presence much more engaging. However, I am still not a fan of the character. I think his arc is one dimensional and has run its course. I much prefer the nuances of Merlin and Dahrk. Even Slade. Having moments of humor in the villains balances the darkness of the show. Diaz’s pure motivation in hatred and revenge has gotten old. I’ll be happy to see that end. Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) ‘Arrow’ Aims for Seventh Season With Strong Premiere October 16, 2018 Kerrianne Rileyhttps://bcheights.com/2018/10/16/arrow-season-seven/ Quote ... Oliver’s absence pains Felicity, which is something Emily Bett Rickards displays well. As she returns home to William, what she actually needs is evident. While the emotion here is visible on screen, the scene plays a bit awkwardly. Perhaps the toughest part of the episode to get through is the related attacks on Oliver and Felicity. As Oliver is jumped by Diaz’s people while in a shower in prison, a scene that was incredibly hyped through the season’s trailers, simultaneously Diaz goes after Felicity inside her apartment. In the midst of Oliver’s fight, one of Diaz’s men says that Diaz has killed Felicity. The hype leading up to this scene was worth it—its content and importance made it compelling and interesting to watch. By the end of the episode, we know Felicity has not been killed—and there could be no Arrow without her presence. She and William are safe after she fights back. Upon visiting Oliver in prison, Felicity confesses her plans post-attack. She sees that sending William to a boarding school would be best for everyone. It would allow her to leave the witness protection program and focus her energy on ensuring Diaz’s downfall. Although Oliver’s facial expressions and words express that this idea is not what he would have done himself, his prior decisions that led them to the current situation prohibits him from having much say. As Arrow begins its latest journey, Oliver’s motivations for success are still the same. Many of the more awkward or campy parts of the episode can be forgiven. It’s very impressive that a superhero show like this, especially on the CW, has made it to seven seasons. Many other shows would have been reusing and recycling storylines over and over at this point— if they were not cancelled entirely. Fans who have made it this long are probably still very much on board in spite of the minor flaws. Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) “Arrow” Kicks Off Season 7 LaDale October 16, 2018http://www.canyon-news.com/arrow-kicks-off-season-7/84428 Quote Rene is busy teaching boxing and the art of discipline, Dinah is loving her role as the authoritative figure in Starling City, Laurel is ever-present as the Mayor, but it seems crime in Starling City is still prevalent. If anything the criminals have appeared to amplify their dirty dealings knowing they have nothing to fear, but they do. Felicity has gone back to her hacker style and has made it her mission to protect William at all cost, but it’s apparent she is scared to death of being hunted by Diaz and Oliver not being by her side. Oliver met a new buddy in the pen, but our hero was in no mode to make new friends or protect those who cannot protect themselves. At first I thought it was just Oliver being cold, but I had to take a moment and reflect: he’s trying to get back to his family. One mistake behind bars, one fight, one casualty and his stay is extended. I will admit Dinah annoyed me to new heights with her new ethics and moral code; take a look in the mirror you were doing all types of illegal stuff last year. * * * ... There was so much emotion in this episode, because watching Felicity pour out her fears to Oliver who could do nothing, but ask her to re-enter the witness protection program was disheartening. She didn’t want to live in fear and hurrah for her because anyone who has been a victim of a crime understands that wholeheartedly. You want to be in control of your life, not someone else dictating when and where you go. Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 (edited) Arrow's Return Actually Gave Us A Delightful Twist James Whitbrook Oct 17, 2018https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/10/arrows-return-actually-gave-us-a-delightful-twist/ Quote Arrow rarely feels as though it can offer something refreshing these days. After all, some of the show’s biggest problems lately have come from it regurgitating similar arcs and never letting its characters really grow. But yesterday's season seven premiere might have finally done it. Although, in true Arrow style, it’s by riffing on a familiar tune. * * * While the episode is largely character driven instead of particularly flashy actionwise — save a brief break to watch a butt-naked Oliver beat up some of Diaz’s goons in a prison shower — it sets up for the paths each member of the team is going to go on this season, even as they’re mostly disparate and isolated from each other. * * * Most of the episode leaves these flashbacks without context, but we suddenly and shockingly get some when Mystery Island Man is caught up in one of Lian Yu’s many traps and comes across a familiar face: None other than Roy Harper himself, older, wiser, and back in his Arsenal gear — because these aren’t flashbacks, but rather flashfowards.[sic] And Mysterious Island Man is actually a grown up William! Yes, it’s Arrow resorting to a familiar arrow in its quiver once again. But it’s such a fun twist on something so known in the series’ lexicon that you can’t help but cackle at the audacity of it all. * * *What better way to point the show in the direction of a new chapter — and potentially even a conclusion to the story we’ve seen over the last six years — than to start telling the story of how the next wave of Green-clad archer vigilantes rises? Edited October 17, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 ARROW 7.01 Review “Inmate 4587” Amelia Emberwing Oct. 16, 2018https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2018/10/16/arrow-7.01-review-inmate-4587 Quote Throughout “Inmate 4587”, Oliver is plagued by nightmares of Diaz finding Felicity and William, despite the two of them being under ARGUS protection. Before the episode closes, that nightmare becomes a reality. Sure, it’s not great that Diaz found them. But, on the other hand, we get to see Felicity Megan Smoak go ham on Ricardo Diaz with a coffee pot and a fire poker, so let’s just call it a wash? * * * By the end of the episode, Felicity is done being passive. She’s done running, she’s done hiding, and she’s going back to the team to take the fight to the man coming after her son. Oliver protests, obviously, but before “Inmate 4587” ends, we see him throwing fists again himself (note: probably not the smartest idea to threaten the wife and child of a vigilante with nothing left to lose. Just a thought). Felicity joining the fray again means that William has to be put somewhere safe, no matter how much both of them hate it. As a token, Felicity gives him Oliver’s arrowhead, passed from Oliver to Thea, Thea to Felicity, and now Felicity to William. * * *Arrow has had “more of the same” issues in the past. It’s historically struggled from wheel spinning and backward steps after some of the most exciting character progress was made. But something feels different this year. Beth Schwartz is the head of the ship now and, while we have no idea where in the hell it’s headed, we’re excited to get there. 2 Link to comment
Mellowyellow October 17, 2018 Share October 17, 2018 Loving the reviews @tv echo Haha believe it or not I only read the bits you highlight so you actually dictate all the review content I read =P 8 Link to comment
tv echo October 18, 2018 Share October 18, 2018 (edited) I say this every season, but I'll say it again :) ... I am a fan of Felicity, Oliver, Diggle, Olicity and OTA, so those are the things that I primarily focus on in posting Arrow episode reviews and quotes. I am not trying to be comprehensive or representative of all characters and relationships on the show. It goes without saying that anyone can post reviews featuring their faves. For subsequent weekly episodes, I will be posting far fewer reviews (maybe more for special episodes). Edited October 18, 2018 by tv echo 11 Link to comment
tv echo October 18, 2018 Share October 18, 2018 (edited) TV Review: ARROW: Season 7, Episode 1: Inmate 4587 [The CW] PopcornMovieMaiden October 18, 2018 https://film-book.com/tv-review-arrow-season-7-episode-1-inmate-4587-the-cw/ Quote The CW‘s Arrow: Season 7, Episode 1: Inmate 4587 sculpted a new Arrow. A thicker build, a thicker beard, and thicker skin, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) was not the same man. Inmate 4587 was a different Lian Yu from which Oliver will carry different scars. Oliver was literally stripped of everything and forced to mentally and physically fight for every bit of his solitude. Even the opening Arrow emblem was devoid of its green glow, reflecting the coldness of the prison bars keeping our hero subdued. With seamless grace, our stars and James Bamford delivered an emotional, physical season opener. * * *The central issue in this episode was about rising up, and not only the literal images of Oliver rising every morning to the beat of the same prison drum (his daily routine underscored with “Madness” by Ruelle). Everyone was laying low. Rene had his students beating on dilapidated equipment in a broken down gym. Dinah (Juliana Harkavy) and Laurel (Katie Cassidy) were wearing the cloaks of detective and DA. Felicity embraced her gothic youth to blend in with hipsters in Any City, USA. Oliver, he wore his prison grays like a kryptonite shroud, stripping him of his sympathy, and making him numb. We know Oliver can be cold at times, but Inmate 4587 was ice. It is hard to describe the hurt I felt when Oliver walked away as that little man, Stanley (Brendan Fletcher), got destroyed. The message from sage Diggle (David Ramsey) rang clear as a bell: Oliver could either choose to let prison change him or be the man he honed himself to be no matter the circumstances. As he can not control Felicity’s choice to rise up out of hiding and fight back, Oliver made the decision to rise up too. Inmate 4587 was woven together to show that neither Oliver, Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) nor Rene (Rick Gonzalez) could bear a life of passivity. Felicity did not escape the same fate as Oliver, because, despite the pink hair and sunshine, she was essentially in prison too. People say it all the time. Prisoners are not the only ones who serve their time. Their families do time too. We got the image that her days were as monotonous and uneventful as the flat white brew she served her customers. It was only when she peeked her head out to solve a dysfunction in an app code that she was “discovered” the next day. How awfully convenient that her customer had a code issue that he needed solved. Maybe I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist, but Diaz (Kirk Acevedo) is a clever man, and Felicity has explained several times that coders have signatures. We know that the same is true of her. Felicity can’t not touch a keyboard if it means she can be helpful. For her, working an espresso machine would be like rubbing sticks to together to make fire. She needs to rise to the occasion, which she certainly did with Diaz. Felicity’s fight with Diaz was spectacular! That was probably one of the most realistic fights I have ever seen on Arrow. Felicity was a mother desperately fighting an intruder to save her child and herself from certain death. She used anything within reach and did not let up. Untrained and overpowered she still held her own, so it was realistic, which made it fantastic! Edited October 18, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
SmallScreenDiva October 18, 2018 Share October 18, 2018 1 hour ago, tv echo said: It was only when she peeked her head out to solve a dysfunction in an app code that she was “discovered” the next day. How awfully convenient that her customer had a code issue that he needed solved. Maybe I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist, but Diaz (Kirk Acevedo) is a clever man, and Felicity has explained several times that coders have signatures. We know that the same is true of her. Felicity can’t not touch a keyboard if it means she can be helpful. For her, working an espresso machine would be like rubbing sticks to together to make fire. She needs to rise to the occasion, which she certainly did with Diaz. I've seen people mention this in several places and I'm not quite sure there's a direct link. There could very well be, but the show didn't make it very clear that she was found because she helped out a dude with coding. Diaz could have said something like "I knew you couldn't help yourself" or a reference to her turning down the date or something, anything that would tie it back. Can't decide if it was oversight on the show's part, just the writers showing their incompetency yet again or just a coincidence. 2 Link to comment
way2interested October 18, 2018 Share October 18, 2018 31 minutes ago, SmallScreenDiva said: I've seen people mention this in several places and I'm not quite sure there's a direct link. There could very well be, but the show didn't make it very clear that she was found because she helped out a dude with coding. Diaz could have said something like "I knew you couldn't help yourself" or a reference to her turning down the date or something, anything that would tie it back. Can't decide if it was oversight on the show's part, just the writers showing their incompetency yet again or just a coincidence. I think it's just a coincidence, but that people took Diaz knowing that she was "Erin," only referenced by the other guy, as the direct link. If that was on purpose, it could just be they left it in the open because in the end it didn't matter in the outline, kind of like how they left out Argus saving Felicity. It's not so much incompetence or oversight as much as just streamlining the story to get to the beats (ex: we don't need a link since we've been told Diaz is "intimidating" but here's one left up for interpretation as we get to the more important scene or we don't need a scene of Argus coming in for the rescue because we have Felicity referencing away the plot hole and keeping up the "suspense" for Oliver and the audience is more important/satisfying for the next important scene). 1 Link to comment
apinknightmare October 18, 2018 Share October 18, 2018 2 hours ago, tv echo said: but Diaz (Kirk Acevedo) is a clever man, Mmmmmmm no. 11 Link to comment
Trisha October 19, 2018 Share October 19, 2018 I like this a lot: How ‘Arrow’ Season 7 Offers a Tantalizing New Start For Felicity http://collider.com/arrow-season-7-felicity 5 Link to comment
BkWurm1 October 19, 2018 Share October 19, 2018 4 hours ago, Trisha said: I like this a lot: How ‘Arrow’ Season 7 Offers a Tantalizing New Start For Felicity http://collider.com/arrow-season-7-felicity Some highlights: Quote Everyone is off on new and distinct paths as the season gets under way. Even and most especially, Felicity Oliver’s wife is, naturally, the person most affected by his absence. She’s been sent into witness protection and is left parenting his son William on her own. Her life remains under threat from the villainous Ricardo Diaz, and she’s stuck making Starbucks instead of saving the world. On paper, this isn’t exactly an upgrade for her, as a character. Except it kind of turns out to be. By sending Oliver to prison, Arrow manages not only to reimagine the series’ lead character in a whole new way, but Felicity as well. And this shift offers the most exciting growth opportunity for her since the series began. 3 Quote “Inmate 4587” clearly showed us a Felicity who is actively working to reclaim some agency over her own life. In the past few seasons, she often found herself forced to react to the choices made by others rather than making informed decisions about her own future. The most recent example of this is Oliver’s current stint in prison – a course of action he decided upon without consulting or telling her about until he was literally being dragged off in handcuffs. It makes perfect sense that Felicity might – and likely should – have a bit of unresolved resentment over this decision and the fallout from it, which forced her and William to abandon their lives in Star City. However, Felicity’s exile ultimately shows us that she’s done letting others choose her fate for her. Instead, we see a Felicity determined to take the fight to Diaz on her own terms. What that will ultimately look like is up for debate. Despite her brief moment of hand-to-hand combat in the premiere, she’s not exactly what anyone might call a physical threat, but she’s more than earned the right to stand up for herself in any way she can. Quote Seeing Felicity seize control of so much of her own destiny is refreshing in a small screen universe that often struggles to figure out how to write its women or give them anything approaching real agency. It’s Felicity who chooses to send William to safety so that she can hunt down Diaz. She’s the one who refuses to go back into Witness Protection. She chooses to stand up, to fight back, to stop running. It’s a Felicity who doesn’t wait for Oliver to save her, who fights just as hard as he does – both physically and otherwise – for the things she cares about. That’s a Felicity worth watching. Quote Arrow has never drawn such clear parallels between Oliver and Felicity as it did with the dual sequences that intercut scenes of him fighting a gang of prison thugs in the shower with her battle against Diaz in her kitchen. Obviously this moment was primarily intended for dramatic effect, but it also provides a clear visual reminder that Felicity is Oliver’s equal. Maybe not in terms of physical strength. (Thank goodness for dumb villains who monologue, right?) But in terms of heart, absolutely. Felicity is every inch the hero that Oliver is, and it feels as though this is the moment that Arrow fully acknowledges that fact. 7 Link to comment
tv echo October 20, 2018 Share October 20, 2018 (edited) Should Manifest Flight Have a Group Text? Five-0 Gals Join Sex Cult?! Was Jacked Chidi a Surprise? And More Qs! By Vlada Gelman, Matt Webb Mitovich, Michael Ausiello, Kimberly Roots, Andy Swift, Dave Nemetz, Rebecca Iannucci, Ryan Schwartz and Charlie Mason / October 19 2018, 8:51 AM PDThttps://tvline.com/2018/10/19/manifest-passengers-group-text-tv-questions-answers/ Quote 9 | Do people in WITSEC, such as Arrow‘s Felicity and William, freely call out each other’s real names across the apartment, where neighbors might hear? Also, what makes boarding school so safe? Lastly, can anyone who has ever handled a 45-lb. weight agree that Oliver walloping an inmate across the face with one would probably kill the guy, or at the very least KO him? Edited October 20, 2018 by tv echo 1 Link to comment
tv echo October 20, 2018 Share October 20, 2018 17 TV Moments From This Week That We Can't Stop Talking About Nora Dominick October 19, 2018https://www.buzzfeed.com/noradominick/tv-moments-of-week-2 Quote 11. In Arrow, Oliver and Felicity had an emotional conversation in prison after Oliver thought Felicity was dead. 12. Also, the series delivered a monumental twist when it flashed forward to a grown-up William visiting Lian Yu and finding an older Roy Harper. 2 Link to comment
tv echo October 21, 2018 Share October 21, 2018 (edited) INTERVIEW: Breaking Free – Manu Bennett’s Rudis James D Smithey on October 14th, 2018https://www.iliveindallas.com/manubennett/ Quote His experience in dance helped out as he transitioned into fighting roles on camera later in his life. He has now participated in hundreds of choreographed fights. His TV personas have viciously cut down opponents at will and shown no mercy. His macho characters have been marveled at by thousands of viewers. Manu enjoys playing the characters, but he doesn’t necessarily find fulfillment in their combat records. I still think as an actor I like to find performance heights not at the moment where there's victory in the arena or as Slade Wilson slinging my sword, but in those quiet moments where the truth of my character comes out. It is finding the subtext of what my character is doing in each scene. The audience at home has been through this harrowing journey but end up in these moments knowing and feeling what I am thinking. When I'm watching the series or episodes, I wait for those moments. If you have followed the various seasons of Arrow you have seen exactly what Manu is referring to. Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, has been a staple in the series. His suave, cunning, and merciless nature is starkly contrasted by his humanizing friendship with Oliver. Audience members around the world have connected with the character and Deathstroke has skyrocketed in popularity as a result. There is currently a rumor circulating that DC is planning on creating a standalone Deathstroke movie. The interest has had an adverse affect on Manu and his role in Arrow. The show has reportedly had difficulty keeping the antagonist in the series due to potential rights issues over the potential movie. The situation has left many to ask, will Manu continue to have a future in the Arrowverse? The answer of that question lies in the power of pen. It really comes down to the directors of Warner Brothers and the CW seeing where they can maximize the return on their investment. There's something to be said in the fact that they even thought to make Deathstroke a standalone film. I guess we brought him back to popularity in our TV show to where they can cash in on a popular character by bringing him to a feature film. I've been flattered by the support of fans who have come out in large numbers saying that they would like to see me play in the film. At the same time I understand that many people have been behind the mask of Batman, and many people have worn the Superman cape, and there are many people who will dress up as Deathstroke. I really wish that I had the opportunity to make Deathstroke in a TV series that concentrated on him. The great writer Marv Wolfman’s storyline is still being written about the character. I would like to do with what they did with Punisher and Daredevil. I think Deathstroke the series could go to the next level! I have suggested it and my fans have suggested it, but the ability to do that is really just up to the Network's and the producers. Edited October 21, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo October 21, 2018 Share October 21, 2018 (edited) Superhero Insider: Breaking down the returns of Arrow and Supergirl CHANCELLOR AGARD and CHRISTIAN HOLUB October 20, 2018https://ew.com/tv/2018/10/20/superhero-insider-arrow-supergirl-2/ Quote Arrow ... Honestly, I can’t believe it took seven seasons for Arrow to give us a naked fight scene. Oliver’s highly anticipated prison shower brawl was hands down the highlight of the twist-filled season 7 premiere. Unlike the show’s usual fights, this one wasn’t just cool; it was brutal, and James Bamford’s direction made you feel every single hit. Plus, I loved how it was paired with Felicity’s own death-match against Diaz. There was something very satisfying about watching Felicity whack the Dragon with a fire poker over and over. —C.A. Related: Read our recap here, .... Entertainment Weekly's Superhero Insider: Arrow, Supergirl, The Flash, and Black Lightning October 20, 2018 Kyle Anderson and Chancellor Agard Edited October 21, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
tv echo October 21, 2018 Share October 21, 2018 (edited) I still think that Oliver & Felicity are stronger together, but I agree that, since they're forcibly separated this season, it can only help them to become stronger individually as well... ARROW: WHY OLIVER AND FELICITY MAY BE STRONGER APART THIS SEASON OCTOBER 20, 2018 BY BXREPORTER (MARK WILSON)https://www.wblzmedia.com/2018/10/20/arrow-why-oliver-and-felicity-may-be-stronger-apart-this-season/ Quote To begin, this will be about the bond of Oliver and Felicity. Like when is it not ever about them? However, over the course of the show, Oliver has been mostly around to protect the ones he loves. But with him in prison, he can’t be that cushion of protection. With Felicity and William supposedly hidden in Witness Protection, they embarked on a new life. But somehow, Diaz was able to track them down and Oliver’s family was almost taken away for good.* * * Felicity told Oliver that without the Arrow, she has to fight back. With William in harm’s way, she wasn’t able to protect him. Now, what does that mean going forward, no one knows. Will Felicity do work from behind a computer or will she join the troops on the ground? What this means for Oliver is focus. With Diaz still gunning for Oliver in prison, he no longer needs to be worried about the outside world. While Felicity is safer with Team Arrow than she is alone, Oliver can now focus on making sure his mind is clear to protect himself from the dangers that are sure to come. In no way am I saying that Oliver and Felicity would be better off divorced. However, in order for them to be reunited, this is their only option. Felicity has to know that she can defend her family and Oliver has to know with John, Dinah, Curtis, and Rene watching over her, Oliver can rest a little easy knowing she has a fighting chance instead of being isolated in Witness Protection. Yes, there will be dangers but the focus for Oliver and Felicity is returning to one another safely. Season 7 of Arrow should not turn Felicity in a vigilante, but we should see her become a bit more independent in terms of survival. The two of them together are a great team but this season, Felicity will learn to rely on her instincts more than others. Felicity needs this. Oliver needs this. But most of all, fans of Arrow are craving for this. Edited October 21, 2018 by tv echo 2 Link to comment
BkWurm1 October 21, 2018 Share October 21, 2018 Quote Season 7 of Arrow should not turn Felicity in a vigilante, Too late. She's been one since season one. 18 Link to comment
tv echo October 22, 2018 Share October 22, 2018 (edited) Arrow - Inmate 4587 - Review Posted by Lisa Macklem at October 22, 2018 https://www.spoilertv.com/2018/10/arrow-inmate-4587-review.html Quote And we quickly get to my first big quibble. Would they put Oliver in general population – with people like Turner (Michael Jai White) and Brick (Vinnie Jones) who he put there? Even if they didn’t care about Oliver, starting fights and riots like that in a prison is stupid and endangers other prisoners and guards. And then we have to suffer through Oliver not standing up for Stanley (Brendan Fletcher) as he just tries to keep his head down and get out earlier based on good behavior. But of course, the guards resent him too, so that’s never going to happen. At least we only have to suffer through one episode of wallflower passive Oliver. My second big quibble is that the “team” is honoring Oliver’s sacrifice by not continuing his mission – which is what he actually asked them to do! Dinah (Juliana Harkavy) – who is as annoying as ever – is now police Captain and basically lords it over Rene (Rick Gonzalez) that she can continue the mission there. Diggle (David Ramsey) is working with ARGUS and Curtis (Echo Kellum) is now head of R&D at ARGUS. Rene has been sidelined to running a run down gym and teaching kids self-defense – so helping in his own way too. His students call him on not helping as Wild Dog anymore – everyone knows who he is too after all. * * *I loved Felicity’s pink hair! Having her work as a barrista seemed beyond cruel, however. Naturally, both she and William are miserable in witness protection. And it’s about the worst witness protection ever when Diaz shows up again. I did like them intercutting the fight between her and Diaz with the fight with Oliver in the prison that was very Eastern Promises – think Viggo Mortensen as the naked combatant – and not carefully shot as this was (yes. Do yourself a favor and watch the movie if you haven’t – or even if you have!). Much more annoying is that we never see or even hear – really – how Felicity got out of it – or how Diaz got away… again. I did like the scene between Oliver and Felicity. Both Amell and Rickards are terrific here. Felicity tells Oliver that she’s found a spot for William – which later seems to be planted as rather than Cambridge, it seems William will be staying at ARGUS? She also tells him that she’s done hiding – and not fighting back. It also seems like Oliver is finally ready to stop being a pacifist too. Of course, why stay in witness protection when Diaz can get to her anyway – and clearly, he can get to Oliver in prison too. Oliver’s final fight in prison – using The Count of Monte Cristo, which we’d had ample time to see he was reading – was terrific. * * * If we could just get rid of Dinah and Curtis, I think there’s enough interesting stuff happening here. It still felt like this episode was a bit all over the place – with a number of logic holes, but I’m intrigued enough to give Schwartz a few more episodes to get her sea legs. ... Edited October 22, 2018 by tv echo 1 Link to comment
KenyaJ October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 (edited) Arrow - The Longbow Hunters - Review By Jesse Schedeen, October 22, 2018 Quote It's clear already that the new season of Arrow is unfolding along three parallel trajectories. On one hand, Oliver Queen is dealing with his new reality as Inmate #4587 and the challenges of trying to protect his family from behind bars. On another, Felicity and the rest of the former Team Arrow are doing their best to bring Ricardo Diaz to justice before he strikes again. And then there's the big twist introduced last week - a new flash-forward storyline that sees an older William Queen join forces with Roy Harper. In general, Season 7 is shaping up nicely, with little of the sluggish pacing and wasted potential that bogged down the early portion of Season 6 last year. Unfortunately, after two weeks it's clear that one of these three story threads doesn't quite measure up to the others. As with the premiere, the Team Arrow portion is the one area where the series still seems to be figuring itself out right now. And a big part of that seems to hinge on the overabundance of supporting characters. I'm fully invested in Felicity and Diggle's shared struggle, especially as it becomes clear these two former partners are growing apart as Felicity's needs begin to conflict with Diggle's newfound responsibilities in ARGUS middle-management. There was some strong drama on display this week as the two butted heads and came to terms with the fact that their respective paths have diverged. That speaks to one of the larger themes driving the series now - that what was lost can never really be recovered. The issue is the rest of Team Arrow. Maybe this will change as the season moves forward, but right now there just isn't enough interesting material for characters like Rene, Curtis and Dinah. The former two are basically just there to crack wise and pitch in on the hunt for Diaz. And while Dinah had a much more meaty role this week, it's not one that bodes well for her future this season. This forced reconciliation between Dinah and Laurel just isn't sitting well. I don't really buy the notion that either character is suddenly ready to embrace the other and let the past be forgotten. The constant back-and-forth with Laurel betraying Team Arrow last season continues to have a lingering impact on the character. *** I do have the same concerns still about the interplay between future and present. It seems as though there's only so much the writers can really do to forge a clear link between the two. But this episode does show some of the storytelling potential at work here. The William/Roy scenes reveal that William never reunites with Ollie and Felicity, further casting a grim shadow over the series and reinforcing the idea that Team Arrow can never be truly whole again. I disagree that the Roy/William scene revealed that William never reunites with Oliver and Felicity post-prison. But the observations about NTA, BS, and the overabundance of characters are spot on. Edited October 23, 2018 by KenyaJ Because subject-verb agreement is a thing. 4 Link to comment
Angel12d October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 Um. Since when do I mostly agree with IGN? What is happening?! Quote The William/Roy scenes reveal that William never reunites with Ollie and Felicity, further casting a grim shadow over the series and reinforcing the idea that Team Arrow can never be truly whole again. I think this is what they want us to think right now. Link to comment
bijoux October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 Quote It's clear already that the new season of Arrow is unfolding along three parallel trajectories. On one hand, Oliver Queen is dealing with his new reality as Inmate #4587 and the challenges of trying to protect his family from behind bars. On another, Felicity and the rest of the former Team Arrow are doing their best to bring Ricardo Diaz to justice before he strikes again. And then there's the big twist introduced last week - a new flash-forward storyline that sees an older William Queen join forces with Roy Harper. The rest of the team is doing their best to bring down Diaz? What time does that show air, I might give it a spin. 6 Link to comment
Trisha October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 8 hours ago, Angel12d said: Um. Since when do I mostly agree with IGN? What is happening?! The commenters on that article are so angry that the IGN reviewer said something not terrible about Felicity. It’s wonderful. Laura Hurley isn’t doing full reviews anymore, but she did two articles on last night’s episode: Why Arrow Needs to Keep Oliver in Prison https://amp.cinemablend.com/television/2459915/why-arrow-needs-to-keep-oliver-in-prison Why That Felicity Twist Is The Change Season 7 Needs https://amp.cinemablend.com/television/2459914/arrow-spoilers-why-that-felicity-twist-is-the-change-season-7-needs 3 Link to comment
Angel12d October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Trisha said: The commenters on that article are so angry that the IGN reviewer said something not terrible about Felicity. It’s wonderful. I made the mistake of reading a few just now. The homophobia there is disgusting. I'm reassured that IGN commenters are the cesspool of humanity. 2 Link to comment
tv echo October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 (edited) One last review for 701... Arrow Music Notes 7x01 - Inmate 4857 Austencello (Ruth)https://austencello.tumblr.com/post/179319910804/arrow-music-notes-7x01-inmate-4857 Quote I don’t usually talk about songs added outside of the original score, but I will say that the song Madness by Ruelle was very effective. The lower electronic slide and low bass beat fits with the tone of Neely’s score and the intensity and repetition of Oliver’s daily life. * * * The music for Oliver and prison is harsher, reflecting more of Season 1 and 5. It has a similar soundscape to the Hood’s music: electronics, low electric bass, string patterns, percussion. It lacks heroic brass and sweeping melodies, reflecting the darker side and lack of humanity. One of the percussive elements used is a metallic clanging that appeared a lot during the Flashbacks, Season 1 while Oliver was kidnapped by Fyers on the Island: “Inhospitable Island”, “Friends in Arms”, Caged (1x05). Here it occurs to set the mood and stage as Oliver walks into the mess hall before Brick and company attack (with electric guitar) and when they visit in his cell (along with a new high electronic motif). It is music of being caged in, survival, and ruthless adversaries. * * * Meanwhile, Felicity and William are in witness protection, laying low to avoid Diaz and his men. Felicity returns home to William after her shift and he asks her how long they have to stay there. As they talk about missing Oliver, “Big Mistake” begins which is William’s theme. Until now, it has always been Oliver and William’s theme but now it expands to the entire family as Felicity tells him “at least we still have each other.” * * * Felicity and Oliver both get ready for a new day. An electric beat gives a slight ominous undertone as they both do their same mind-numbing routine. What is fascinating is the use of electric guitar harmonics during Felicity’s sequence as she gets ready. This instrument is typically Oliver’s established in the pilot and the ascending 5th is the opening for his hero theme and Scars (1x01), both which are alluded to as Felicity quietly and sadly gets ready. It alludes to the scars that have formed for hiding for the past 5 months and what is about to happen. * * * The following fight scenes are brutal and intense with a soundtrack of percussion and electronics. It gets quieter with Diaz’s monologues accompanied by sliding electronic notes to give a sense of foreboding and danger. His low electronic glissando theme returns (first in 6x19 and used in moments of violence) as he pulls out his gun to shoot Felicity. The music then goes seamlessly back and forth in intensity between the two fights. Hints of the Arrow theme return in punctuated strings chords as Oliver is fighting near the end (used in a similar fashion in “Damaged” S1). The fighter in Oliver is returning before beaten down and told that Felicity was dead. * * * A repeated electronic note plays as Oliver paces in his cell reflecting his anxiety and then dissonant notes play together almost like a hum as he waits for his visitor, certain that it would be John telling him of Felicity’s death. This is subtle but very effective music-wise to describe Oliver’s state of mind. A french horn and strings quietly play and calm the scene as they both see each other for the first time in 5 months, both terrified for the other. The horn motif is part of the horn melody in “Returning Home” (1x01) emphasizing that Felicity and William are his home and his life. * * * Like John’s conversation, the first half of their conversation is in silence to help bring focus on this emotionally charged scene. Music enters the scene after Oliver asks Felicity to go back to witness protection. As Felicity answer that she is sending William to boarding school but staying to fight herself, the theme “Felicity pleads with Ra’s” (3x20) begins in the piano, strings and flute. While the instrumentation has changed to match these characters and setting (piano instead of Nanda Parbat crutales, flute instead of duduk), the emotional impact is the same. Felicity needing to fight for the man and family she loves. She is not willing to back down and while this breaks Oliver’s heart, he eventually says ok. Back in 3x20, Ra’s told Felicity to tell Oliver that she loves him and then let him go. In both cases, she does tell Oliver “I love you” and says goodbye but never lets him go. Here, she tells Oliver that she will always, always wait for him. * * * One fascinating story-telling device was the introduction of William in the future but looking like it was the past. The motif for Lian Yu returns as he heads towards it in a storm. As he looks for Roy, he comes across the graves including his grandfather’s: Robert Queen. The string melody of “Honor Memory” (1x02) plays, first heard when Oliver was at this grave after burying him with a different piano melody playing over it. This fooled me into thinking it was a son of Robert and half-brother of Oliver before it was revealed to be William visiting his grandfather’s grave while seeking to help his own father. * * * - This year, Blake Neely is joined by Nathaniel Blume as co-composers for Arrow. Nathaniel has already been helping Neely’s team for several years with Arrow and joined co-writing the Flash last year. Last year, Arrow was the only show Neely was doing on his own, so I am not surprised that he officially added a co-writer this year with the amount of shows that he is writing. It will be interesting to see if there will be any significant changes. Blume has six tracks that he wrote for Arrow on his own website (nathanielblume.com) including Helix Headquarters from season 5, which stood out to me during that season. Most of the music he writes is fighting music while I believe Blake likes to write the emotional scenes. Edited October 23, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
KenyaJ October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 Arrow recap: The Longbow Hunters' arrival creates tension for Felicity and Diggle by Chancellor Agard, Entertainment Weekly Quote Arrow’s season 7 efficient premiere set about righting the show’s ship while also introducing some interesting twists and the second episode continues to build on that table-setting. “The Longbow Hunters” marks the introduction of the season’s new villains, and also complicates the already-unusual dynamic between the former members of Team Arrow. As I mentioned, the episode introduces the Longbow Hunters, the trio of assassins that Ricardo Diaz hired to exact revenge against, well, everyone. We first meet the three villains — Red Dart, Kodiak, and Silencer — as they infiltrate one of ARGUS’ offsite safehouses and steal, well, a super battery. What makes them stand out from previous villain groups on the show is that they appear to have some fun while doing their work, especially Red Dart and Silencer, the latter of whom uses noise-suppression technology to sneak up and kill her enemies. I’ll admit, though, that I find Kodiak kind of silly but in an endearing way. It’s like Arrow looked at itself and was like, “Okay, we have a guy with a bow and arrow, a sword guy, what’s the next outdated weapon we can give someone? Oh yes, a deadly shield.” (Yes, I know Kodiak is a character from the comics, but that still doesn’t make the fact that he uses a shield as an offensive weapon any less funny). *** In the wake of Felicity’s blunder in the field, Diggle revokes her computer access at ARGUS, which leads to the duo’s first fight in, well, I don’t know when. Felicity accuses Diggle of giving up on Oliver and the mission and even brings up the fact that he declined Oliver’s desire for him to pick-up the Green Arrow mantle. While some of what she says isn’t totally fair — specifically that the last six years clearly didn’t mean anything to him — it’s easy to understand where she’s coming from because she has lost everything, and it also makes sense that she’s channeling her pain into finding Diaz. Furthermore, the tenacity with which Felicity is trying to go after Diaz feels very much in line with how she acted back in season 5 with Prometheus and teaming up with Helix. Diggle gives Felicity her space, but eventually pulls her aside to talk some more and reveals he didn’t pick up the hood because he saw what it did to Oliver and Felicity’s family and he couldn’t do that to Lyla and Little John. Like Felicity, it’s completely understandable why Diggle made his decision, and I’m glad that the show recognizes both of their viewpoints and it never feels like it’s choosing sides. Furthermore, David Ramsey and Emily Bett Rickards turn in pretty great performances in the scene, too. *** After being forced to watch Diaz get away, Felicity decides that she needs to work with someone who can focus all attention on Diaz. So, she leaves ARGUS and joins up with none other than Agent Watson at the FBI. While all of this was going on, Oliver was busy trying to get some information about Brick, who hired the men who attacked Oliver last week for Diaz. However, Brick says he’ll only tell him if he gets rid of Officer York. Working with Green Arrow fanboy Stanley, Oliver endeavors to find a way to make York leave without ruining his life, but in the end, he fails. With no other option, Oliver frames York for trying to shank him in the middle of the cafeteria. The message of the storyline is pretty clear: Oliver will have to compromise once again if he hopes to survive and get what he wants. This was the first normal Arrow episode of the season, and I’m surprised by how well the show handled not having its main character with everyone else. Part of the reason I think I enjoyed it so much is because Oliver’s dynamic with Stanley is very entertaining and feels really fresh. I loved the moment when Stanley wondered what Overwatch was. I’m looking forward to seeing this relationship develop. *** Wall of Weird: Felicity loves her wine, and that’s why she’s my favorite. “Back in town a week and you’re already sneaking out of ARGUS behind Papa D’s back,” says Rene. What Would Green Arrow Do? Heh. Mine too, Chancellor. Mine too. 3 Link to comment
way2interested October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 Quote The message of the storyline is pretty clear: Oliver will have to compromise once again if he hopes to survive and get what he wants. Kind of not really. The whole point was that Oliver didn't compromise himself and actually found another way to get what he wants without having to kill the guard but still get one step closer to helping his family. I guess it could be compromising if we're talking about Oliver doing a villain's bidding to get what he wants, but it still kind of showed that Oliver isn't going to compromise everything just yet. The whole plot for 702 was there because Oliver wouldn't compromise and just kill the guy. 7 Link to comment
KenyaJ October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 Yeah, the only thing he compromised was his internal organs. 8 Link to comment
way2interested October 23, 2018 Share October 23, 2018 Oh snap, EBR must really like this season. Also, lol Leanne got the other half of the ship for Shipworthy 3 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 (edited) Arrow Season 7 Episode 2 Review: “The Longbow Hunters” Chris King October 23, 2018https://www.tvovermind.com/arrow-season-7-episode-2-review-the-longbow-hunters/ Quote Although they receive only two extended scenes of screen time in tonight’s Arrow, the titular Longbow Hunters are already proving to be more formidable and more entertaining foes than Diaz was in Season 6. Sure, they’re technically working with Diaz, but Red Dart, Kodiak, and Silencer also stand out in fun, inventive ways, from their powers (Silencer’s abilities in particular are portrayed on screen in dynamic fashion) to their wardrobe to their minimal dialogue. Unlike Diaz, there’s no cliche-ridden monologues about how Star City is now theirs to control, or poorly shot fight scenes that try to illustrate how hard they punch. When it comes to villains on Arrow, at least early on here in Season 7, the Longbow Hunters feel like a breath of fresh air, and I’m excited to see more of them throughout this year’s stories. * * * Oliver’s initial move is to warn Yorke that someone wants him dead; he encourages the guard to transfer to another prison if he can. However, when that doesn’t work, Oliver is forced to improvise, staging a fight between him and Yorke after he pretends to threaten the guard’s wife and son. He actually stabs himself with the shiv as a way to get Yorke fired or transferred and, ultimately, save his life, and it’s an example of the type of quick-thinking, unselfish strategy that we’ve seen from Oliver in his best moments. As proven on countless occasions before this episode, Oliver is willing to sacrifice his own mind, body, and even freedom if he believes it will benefit others. That’s especially the case for Yorke, who, despite his incredibly low opinion of Oliver (he calls him a common criminal who made the law into a joke), very much mirrors the former Green Arrow. Yorke has a spotless record and a wife and son he loves, and when Oliver discovers this fact about him, it’s clear that his mind jumps to directly to Felicity and William. From that moment on, Oliver wants to do everything he can to ensure that another father isn’t taken away from his family; it’s a small form of repentance for the damage he has inflected on both Felicity and William by choosing to turn himself into the FBI. Oliver can’t fix his own family right now, but he can stop another man’s from being torn apart. * * * And by the end of the episode, Diggle does save potentially millions of lives by getting the battery-powered weapon away from Diaz, even though it means that the Dragon continues to be free. But even though Felicity respects that outcome, it’s not enough for her, and that’s because, unlike Diggle, Felicity no longer has anything or anyone to lose. Her husband is in prison. William has been shipped away to a boarding school. Team Arrow has been dissolved. She’s fighting back to bring back everyone and everything she loves in her life, and even if it won’t ever be the same, even if it what Felicity, Oliver, and William had is gone forever, she sure isn’t going to let Diaz get away with it unscathed. Just look at the intensity that fills her face in that final scene with Watson. Hell hath no fury like Felicity Smoak scorned. * * *Can we just applaud the Arrow writers room for having Felicity and Diggle disagree with each other but also respect one another’s opinions? Where was this type of honest communication last season, Arrow? Please keep it around. Edited October 24, 2018 by tv echo 4 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 Quote The episode title shall hence forth be known as “The One Where Felicity Is Awesome and Anyone Who Isn’t Named Felicity Is Pissing Me Off.” Oh wait, I’m not mad at Oliver either. Everybody else is on my shit list though INCLUDING YOU JOHN THOMAS DIGGLE. * * * They have fought side by side for the last six years. Felicity, John and Oliver built something meaningful together. They built a mission and a family. Felicity isn’t going to turn her back on that or her husband just when the going gets tough. If anything it makes Felicity dig in more, which is why she’s the true essence of a hero. She’s had everything stripped from her, but Felicity Smoak is the only one still fighting. * * * If we’re asking “What Would Green Arrow Do?” then you needn’t look any further than his wife. She may not wear the suit, or know how to shoot a bow and arrow, but everything Oliver believes in and loves resides in the heart of Felicity Smoak. She embodies everything the Green Arrow is or hopes to be, which is why Felicity has always been Oliver Queen’s equal. As long as she draws breath, she will hope for Oliver’s return and the life they built together. The light still burns, even in the darkest of times, because of Felicity. * * * This is what makes Oliver different. He always sacrifices no matter the cost. Oliver sacrificed his job, freedom, family, and even his own body for this mission. He bleeds green. Oliver’s belief that Star City can be better is what drives him. It’s a calling he hears deep within his soul. 4 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 Arrow, ‘The Longbow Hunters’: Felicity Searches for Allies as a New Threat Surfaces BY CRAIG WACK · OCTOBER 23, 2018http://oohlo.com/2018/10/23/arrow-the-longbow-hunters-felicity-searches-for-allies-as-a-new-threat-surfaces/ Quote It’s not easy for a series to work around its lead rotting away in prison, and so far, Arrow is handling it better than most. Having a character with Felicity’s history helps that effort tremendously because like her or hate her, she’s been around from the beginning, and viewers are invested in her fate. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest episode of Arrow: * * *Sex and the Olicity: They were busy doing their own things, so no time for love, Dr. Jones. * * *What about the action: The Longbow Hunters use various high tech devices to get their missions accomplished. There were two big action pieces this episode. One was a foiling a big train heist that Diaz was directly involved with, and the other was Black Siren and Temporary Canary exploring a Diaz hideout, and encountering a Longbow Hunter who is protected from sonic attack. The first bit was designed to test Felicity’s promise to follow ARGUS’ lead while capturing Diaz. She makes the right call from a mission objectives standpoint, but the choice let Diaz get away, which is the last straw of the brief Felicity-ARGUS partnership. The second bit was to demonstrate how pervasive The Longbow Hunters are, and see how Quentin Lance’s death has changed Black Siren. Not-Laurel even apologies to Dinah for killing Vinny last season, but it’s tough to tell how much is real and how much is bollocks, because Laurels from any universe are the worst. * * *Last impressions: This episode nearly made me regret my endorsement of Mama Bear Felicity. She acted impulsively, and showed that she was willing to be a team player — so long as she is the one running the team. A conversation with Diggle, and making the right choice between letting Diaz go without the weapon of mass destruction, or risking it all on the shot to capture him set Felicity onto a better path. I’d figure, with a team working on nothing but capturing Diaz, Felicity will be better off. No sign of New Arrow this week, and only a couple of mentions of him. Overall, this was an entertaining episode. There was enough going on that not one plot segment wore its welcome out (though they did lay the Laurel redemption stuff on a little thick). However, the show feels like it’s walking a precarious edge by splitting the characters up the way they have. It could work out fine, or a misstep could send the whole thing crashing down. 2 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 (edited) ‘ARROW’ 7×02 REVIEW: ‘THE LONGBOW HUNTERS’ Posted on October 23, 2018 By Alyssa Barbierihttp://fangirlish.com/arrow-7x02-review-the-longbow-hunters/ Quote But Arrow has me hooked right now. With Oliver’s prison storyline. With Felicity’s fiery determination to fight for her family. With these flash forwards that provide more questions than answers. Hell, even this dynamic between Dinah and Black Siren is entertaining. The only thing I’d gladly do without is the travesty that is Diaz and how this show continues to waste our time and insult our intelligence. * * *There’s this fiery sense of determination in Felicity’s eyes throughout this episode. Pay attention and you’ll see it. Every. Scene. This is a woman that knows what she wants and will risk anything to get it. She’s in pain, but she’s not giving in or giving up. She’s using this anger to fuel her fight. And the moment she finally gets Diaz — because we all know damn well it’s going to be her — it’ll be the most satisfying thing this season outside of Oliver and Felicity’s reunion. There’s no doubt that her pursuit of Diaz compromises her as an ARGUS asset. Her only goal is getting Diaz. At first, she believes Diggle is her best way. Her brother, her oldest friend, someone that also loves Oliver. Makes sense. Only Diggle chose not to take on the Green Arrow mantle in his absence because he couldn’t subject his family to what that hood has put Felicity through, which is completely understandable. That doesn’t make Diggle selfish. That doesn’t take anything away from Felicity and Diggle’s relationship. That just means Felicity’s way to Diaz isn’t through Diggle. She has to find someone else to help her. Which leads us to Felicity’s partnership with Agent Samandra Watson. The woman that, lawfully, ruined her life by locking her husband up. But right now, the goal is Diaz and only Diaz. And who else wants Diaz as badly as she does? While everyone’s lives have gone on — albeit amid changes — Felicity’s entire life has been turned upside down. And it’s almost like these people that claim to be her friends haven’t realized that. They’re so caught up in their own lives that they don’t see their friend is hurting. So that makes Felicity believe that she has to do this alone. Without her husband. Without her son. Without her friends. So while there’s a sense of empowerment to how Felicity continues to fight for her family, it’s also heartbreaking to watch her have to do it on her own. * * * Oliver was presented with a dilemma that tested his morality in an interesting way. Everyone in this prison seems to be obsessed with the idea that Oliver isn’t a hero, which again here we go with people questioning Oliver being a hero. Though they get a pass because they’re in prison. And Oliver is in prison. And who the hell thinks a hero would be in prison? (In short: Oliver is a hero, and he proved it with his actions.) * * * Even after this second episode of a season that seems filled with promise I find myself asking: “Why is Arrow wasting its precious time on an embarrassment like Diaz?” Did they like lose money in a bet or something? Or get a concussion? Because that’s the only logical reason behind it. Diaz is the worst villain I’ve ever seen on these DCTV shows — and that includes the villain that was a shark. He’s more laughable than CGI villains and as threatening as a Pomeranian. Sorry, I’d be more afraid of the Pomeranian. Edited October 24, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 (edited) Arrow Episode Guide: Season 7, Episode 2 - The Longbow Hunters Starman October 23, 2018http://www.mygeekygeekyways.com/2018/10/arrow-episode-guide-season-7-episode-2.html Quote Why the heck are The Longbow Hunters called The Longbow Hunters? None of them use a longbow and they aren't brought together to seek revenge on Green Arrow. (I'm not even touching the fact that Green Arrow doesn't use a longbow...) Apart from being another convenient road-block in keeping anyone from doing anything to stop Diaz, there is no reason why ARGUS would not want to capture and arrest the man responsible for leading the group that stole their technology. ARGUS has been shown abducting criminals off the street without trial for a lot less than what Diaz pulled. Stealing a power source and attempting to steal an energy weapon should be more than enough to build a case for terrorism charges. Why doesn't Dinah call in the cops when Black Siren goes into Diaz's base? Ignoring that it's what she should do as a cop who is trying to follow procedures now, it would be a wonderful opportunity to bust Black Siren violating the anti-vigilante laws. Why don't Dinah and Black Siren chase after The Silencer when her field shorts out? * * *Again, Emily Bett Rickards slays with the power of her performance here. * * * The silent fight scene between Silencer, Black Canary and Black Siren is well handled. Edited October 24, 2018 by tv echo 3 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 (edited) Arrow Review: The Longbow Hunters (Season 7 Episode 2) October 23, 2018 Brianna Martinezhttps://www.telltaletv.com/2018/10/arrow-review-the-longbow-hunters-season-7-episode-2/ Quote The energy and anger that Felicity carries throughout as she goes on the warpath is invigorating while also culminating in more than a few painful realizations about the people she once surrounded herself with—namely, Diggle. * * * After everything they’ve been through for the last six years, Diggle’s attitude and willingness to side with ARGUS over someone that is as close as a family is heartbreaking. From the moment he tells her that Oliver is gone and is never coming back to his actions on the train, it feels like he’s saying that even though these two people have risked so much over the years for the team, he can’t take that risk. I mean, at this point the newbies are expected to fall in line behind some lame rule of law justification for bowing out of helping Felicity take Diaz down. But to see Digg leave her just hanging there adds a painful distance to their scenes that leaves you feeling with the sense of isolation that Felicity is currently dealing with. * * * You would think after everything that Olive and Felicity have done for the team –which, yes, did include a prison break where Oliver risked his life back in Arrow Season 4 to get his best friend and brother out—they would be willing to help the two who have dedicated all this time and effort for the team. * * * While there’s more information gleaned in the flashforwards with William and Roy on Lian Yu, there’s something unsettling about that information about Oliver and Felicity we are getting. It seems highly unlikely that Oliver and Felicity would ever willingly leave William behind and never come back considering how hard they have fought for him and want to keep their family safe. * * *A new seasonal reminder: she’s not the Laurel they knew. She is a lying murderer, as Dinah mentioned, and she really hasn’t proven that she’s worthy of any kind of redemption or trust. Edited October 24, 2018 by tv echo 4 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 (edited) Arrow Season 7: 10 Biggest Questions After The Longbow Hunters BY MATT MORRISON – ON OCT 24, 2018https://screenrant.com/arrow-season-7-episode-2-longbow-hunters-questions/ Quote In the past ARGUS (an acronym for Advanced Research Group United Support) had been depicted as an American anti-terrorist organization that operated in secret. Their charter was seemingly quite broad, as the organization had been seen acting domestically to capture professional assassins like Deadshot, operating overseas through Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad and containing metahuman criminals from alternate realities like Black Siren and King Shark. While it is realistic for a federal agency to be far more limited in their scope, it still seems highly unlikely that the organization couldn't find some way to charge Diaz with terrorism activity given some of what he's attempted in the past. It's also unclear why ARGUS couldn't hold him without charges as they did in the case of the hacker Cayden James during Arrow's fifth season. Perhaps Waller was overstepping the bounds of her authority as director of ARGUS and they're trying to clean up the organization in the wake of her death? 10. ARE WE SURE DIGG ISN'T THE NEW GREEN ARROW? 9. WHY DID BRICK WANT OFFICER YORKE OUT OF THE WAY?8. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SCOPE OF ARGUS' OPERATIONS? 7. WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL BEHIND DIAZ'S THEFTS? 6. WHY DO OLIVER AND FELICITY ABANDON WILLIAM? 5. WHY DOES FELICITY GUIDE WILLIAM TO LIAN YU? 4. WHY EXACTLY IS ROY HARPER ON LIAN YU? 3. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEA QUEEN? 2. WHY IS OLIVER'S BOW BURIED ON LIAN YU? 1. WHAT IS FELICITY'S PLAN IN GOING TO AGENT WATSON? Edited October 24, 2018 by tv echo Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 I don't think there were any spoilers in this interview... 'Arrow', Rick Gonzalez Reacts To Working With Lady Gaga & Talks Season 7!! | Hollywire Published on Oct 23, 2018, by Hollywire Link to comment
KenyaJ October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 Here's Emily's interview with Leanne Aguilera. If you're like me and you can't get enough of watching Emily watch Olicity kisses, Leanne said she'll be posting a video of Emily's full, unmuted reactions later. 5 Link to comment
Mary0360 October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 There's so much to mock in this article: https://www.hypable.com/black-siren-needing-forgiveness-arrow/ 3 Link to comment
tv echo October 24, 2018 Share October 24, 2018 (edited) 27 minutes ago, KenyaJ said: Here's Emily's interview with Leanne Aguilera. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNnOlCKm40w I used spoiler tags for anything spoilery or even possibly spoilery: -- EBR sounded upbeat about this season and praised new Arrow showrunner Beth Schwartz: "I think it's intense, I think it's different, I think it's new... It's actually a very exciting time to be a part of a show that's been on for seven years because it's like a newer show with the characters that we already love." -- EBR "quite like[d]" the pink hair, although Felicity was "not a fan" of it because "she feels like she's in hiding and she just wants to be free." She thought Felicity looked "pretty good" with the pink hair. -- They then joked about Oliver's line in 702 about his wife having taught him a few things when he was hacking the prison computer. EBR said that it was probably through "osmosis." -- EBR said that she's become a faster typist, but that she recently realized that she's a "loud typer" which is becoming an issue for her. Spoiler -- LA: "When are we going to get our Oliver and Felicity reunion? ... Have you filmed that reunion just yet?" EBR: "Well, maybe. But who knows if it's in reality or not. ... ooh la la, sexy, sexy. (Laughs) I don't know... It has to happen because the crux of Felicity's desire and main objective and goal for the season would be to be with her husband. So, if that doesn't happen, then - I mean, she's just going to light everything on fire and she's going to go to prison for arson." Spoiler -- On Felicity's mindset going forward in S7, EBR: "Well, I think her, like, original mindset is a little broken because it's been sort of jaded and - and dis - deconstructed if not completely destroyed. And I think the danger is wondering - or the danger is in, has it been completely destroyed or is it repairable? Um, and I think that is pretty much her arc for the season, is deciding, you know, where now she, like, believes justice and her morals lie, and whether or not she can accomplish that by being the person she was or does she have to accomplish it now by being the person she has made herself into." Spoiler -- On the flashforwards, EBR: "Flashforwards, I dare say this, are more of a commitment than a flashback, because your storyline has to go in a way of which you have designed it to, you know, progress towards these - and how far in the future, right? In some reality. I mean, we're lucky in our show - lucky and destroyed a little bit by it - that we have so many areas of different realities because of the universe that we've established. You know, things can happen that maybe did happen or didn't. Um, that's the sort of reality they live in. Um, you know, but really committing to that type of storyline and feeding the characters of where they're going to go, it sort of creates the question. I mean, like, if you're not there already, is it nurture or is it nature that got you there?" Spoiler -- On future William's statement about Olicity abandonment, EBR: "Well, children have a different idea of abandonment. Clearly... You know, they might have, in a way, but it might have been for his own protection... We'll see." -- On her favorite Felicity outfit, EBR: "Pants. Or pajamas." -- On her favorite thing about being on the show, EBR: "Working with some of best friends every day." Spoiler -- LA: "You're sitting with me now while a lot of your co-stars are filming the crossover. Is Felicity in the crossover?" EBR: "She is in the crossover. I just happen to be here for the day." Spoiler -- LA: "What were your thoughts when you found out that Oliver and Barry are body-switching?" EBR: "So, my mouth, like, fell on the floor and then I had to, like,surgically get it put back on... I'm getting a lot of behind-the-scene footage." She then talked about how SA's GA stunt double, Will, was wearing the Flash suit, and he told her that people treated him differently when he wore the different suits: "The Flash suit, people want to hug me. The Arrow suit, they want to punch me... You get so hurt in the Arrow suit... I put on this one, people are like, 'I want to cuddle.'" She thought that GG looked "dope" in the Green Arrow suit. -- Leanne then showed video clips of "three iconic Olicity kisses": first Olicity kiss, Ivy Town kiss, and Yin-Yang kiss. On the first Olicity kiss, EBR said that they were more "work friends" back then and she didn't remember joking around as much. On the Ivy Town kiss, EBR didn't say much about it, other than they were "happy." On the Yin-Yang kiss, EBR joked that they then "humped." She said that, if you want to re-create that kiss, it's not that romantic because you have to get in that position. -- On whether we'll see "old Felicity," EBR just jokingly asked if she should be "old Felicity" or Meryl Streep Death Becomes Her Felicity. LA then pointed out that Felicity's mother (CR) looks great. Spoiler -- On whether she has more "fight or action scenes this season," EBR: "Yep... I have so much fun with that." -- On doing the salmon ladder, EBR: "The salmon ladder is, like, my nemesis because in my head, I'm like, 'I can do that.' And then I get up there and I can't." Spoiler -- On Katherine McNamara joining Arrow this season, EBR said that she has not shared any scenes with her yet and has not met her in Vancouver yet. -- Funny Story is premiering at the Portland Film Festival this weekend. -- On her Reborning play, EBR: "We might be traveling with it to New York in the summer. We've had some interest. We're just trying to figure out schedules." Spoiler -- More on the crossover: EBR said that Ruby Rose is on set, but she hasn't shared any scenes with her. She also said that "Cassandra Jean" (SA's wife) is on set, "which is very exciting for me." Spoiler -- LA: "What Olicity goodies can you tease, from when we will eventually get that reunion? We know it's coming." EBR: "The first kiss has some scars in it. Is that weird? That's weird." LA: "It's Arrow. There's lots of scars." EBR: "That's true. Scars and hearts... Scars and hearts, I think, should be the new title this year." Edited October 24, 2018 by tv echo 5 Link to comment
statsgirl October 25, 2018 Share October 25, 2018 5 hours ago, tv echo said: 2. WHY IS OLIVER'S BOW BURIED ON LIAN YU? That's a good question. (I wish I'd thought of it.) Does it mean that at some point Oliver gave up being the Green Arrow before he disappeared? And is Felicity leading William there a step toward William himself becoming an archer? Link to comment
SmallScreenDiva October 25, 2018 Share October 25, 2018 4 hours ago, KenyaJ said: Here's Emily's interview with Leanne Aguilera. If you're like me and you can't get enough of watching Emily watch Olicity kisses, Leanne said she'll be posting a video of Emily's full, unmuted reactions later. Her reactions to the first kiss were so adorable. 4 Link to comment
insomniadreams88 October 25, 2018 Share October 25, 2018 4 hours ago, Mary0360 said: There's so much to mock in this article: https://www.hypable.com/black-siren-needing-forgiveness-arrow/ Oh, I'm reading this now and... oh boy. 1. STOP BRINGING UP HAVENROCK. 2. We have no idea if Black Siren has actually done any work as DA other than give a press conference, considering she apparently put off some DA work, according to her first conversation with Dinah in 702. 3. You know what? I can't go on. I just can't. 8 Link to comment
KenyaJ October 25, 2018 Share October 25, 2018 (edited) Emily's PeopleTV interview. I don't think there are any spoilers in this one or even that much Arrow talk. But it was lots of fun. Emily has been extra delightful today. The interview starts at 15:47. Edited October 25, 2018 by KenyaJ 2 Link to comment
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