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The Starling City Times: News and Media about Arrow

Grammaeryn

By Grammaeryn
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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

I also liked these quotes from Laura Hurley's 401 review for the Examiner...

 

Arrow S04E01: What worked, what didn't, and what needs to happen next
Laura Hurley   October 10, 2015
http://www.examiner.com/article/arrow-s04e01-what-worked-what-didn-t-and-what-needs-to-happen-next

Admittedly, part of the appeal of Olicity does come from the aesthetics of a pair of pretty people making out and mooning over each other, but the real meat of what set this couple apart in their official debut is just how healthily they were presented as a unit. They communicated openly. They had what is technically definable as a fight. They were willing to compromise on their definitions of “home” so long as wherever they lived was together. Oliver and Felicity were adult together in a way that they never accomplished in relationships with others, and the growth was believable thanks to the natural chemistry between the actors. “Green Arrow” neatly sidestepped all of the opportunities for a melodramatic breakup to show that their love for one another is paramount to everything else that could go wrong between them.
*  *  *
The smartest move that Arrow ever made may have been in casting Stephen Amell, but promoting Emily Bett Rickards’ Felicity from one-off computer girl to team member and love interest is pretty high on the list of good choices. “Green Arrow” went back to treating Felicity as a character rather than a plot device. She was never so enveloped by Oliver that she was lost in the process. The Felicity who spent two and a half years juggling two full time jobs wasn’t given a total personality makeover. This character has become more rather than less in her role as love interest to the hero, and the narrative treated her change in circumstance as a promotion to a plane of greater development than a demotion to exist in a vacuum of pretty dresses, golden curls, and makeout sessions.
*  *  *

The CW needs to release a series of webisodes about Felicity telling progressively more outlandish stories to cover for her secret work with Team Arrow 2.0 that Oliver is too moony to see through. Of course, she did have a perfectly reasonable excuse for skipping out on their boat to Positano. Honestly, who in their right mind would willingly board anything aquatic with Oliver Queen?

Edited by tv echo
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Morrigan2575
Morrigan2575

I always find it odd when people blame the writing for LLs failure. I'll give them that for Lauiver because of the whole cheating thing but, let's be honest if SA/KC had the chemistry that SA/EBR had,

lemotomato
lemotomato

Sorry, that argument rings really hollow when the show has had a history of killing off/mistreating other female characters without a peep of protest from those same "concerned" people. Moira Queen, S

ComicFan777
ComicFan777

I know that this is supposed to be Felicity's dark arc, but...Felicity desperately doing whatever she can to save people (damn the consequences down the road) doesn't make me think that she's losing w

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tv echo

tv echo

Alan Sepinwall stopped reviewing Arrow last season, but it looks like he's back with a review of 401 (sounds like he won't be reviewing every episode but plans to check in later in the season) - worth reading...

 

Season premiere review: 'Arrow' - 'Green Arrow': Has Oliver again failed this city?
By Alan Sepinwall  @Sepinwall | Thursday, Oct 8, 2015 9:43 AM
http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/season-premiere-review-arrow-green-arrow-has-oliver-again-failed-this-city

It's not fair to ask the show, or its hero, to get a personality transplant, especially since there are all the leftover issues from season 3 to deal with, but when the show is now introducing a flashforward structure (more on that in a moment) involving the future death of an unidentified character Oliver cares about, then any attempts at lightening the tone — even if that seems to play more to the strengths of virtually every actor on the show — are superficial at best.
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tv echo

tv echo

SoundonSight has changed to poOptiq, but still has Randy writing the Arrow reviews - here's his 401 review (overall negative)...

 

Arrow, Ep. 4.01, “Green Arrow”
Randy Dankievitch  October 8, 2015
http://www.popoptiq.com/arrow-season-4-episode-1-green-arrow/

After a mediocre season finale that neatly pressed the ‘reset’ button, “Green Arrow” was the first chance for Arrow to express itself creatively – unfortunately, what it delivered was mostly a carbon copy of previous season premieres, with a tacked on, laughably desperate ending to boot... (read more)
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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

401 review and grave speculation by Kelly Konda of WeMinoredInFilm...

 

ARROW’S “GREEN ARROW” (S4,EP1): A GOOD FIRST STEP IN A NEW DIRECTION
Posted on October 8, 2015 by Kelly Konda
http://weminoredinfilm.com/2015/10/08/arrows-green-arrow-s4ep1-a-good-first-step-in-a-new-direction/

-At long last, Oliver and Felicity can just be a couple.  This is likely a tough pill to swallow for those who prefer these characters as friends, but at least their conscientious coupling frees the show up to do something different with them.  No more endlessly dragging them through increasingly unpleasant and repetitive will-they-won’t-they machinations.  No more constant cry face for Emily Bett Rickards.  Now, when Oliver goes on about darkness or whatever main pain he wants go give into Felicity is around to slap him out of it in the most adorable way possible.

 

ARROW SEASON 4: WHOSE GRAVE WAS THAT? 7 POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
Posted on October 8, 2015 by Kelly Konda
http://weminoredinfilm.com/2015/10/08/arrow-season-4-whose-grave-was-that-7-potential-candidates/

1) Felicity Smoak
 

Why It Could Be Her: Because of the way the six month time jump is edited, Felicity is the most obvious candidate to be six feet under.  We close in the present on her teasing Oliver for being wrong about needing to give in to the darkness to be a hero, but six months later Oliver tells Barry, “There was a time when I would have thought that this was my fault, that I brought this darkness upon us.  Now I know that it’s not my fault; it’s my responsibility.”
 

It’s not just the sequencing of scenes or call-back dialogue which suggests Felicity is the one in the grave.  There is also the Joss Whedon of it all, i.e., the idea that continued drama in genre TV derives from snatching happiness away from the characters right before their contentment makes for boring story lines.  There were plenty of live tweets during the season 4 premiere joking that Oliver and Felicity already seem like an old married couple, and while it seems delightful now it could theoretically threaten the show in the long run. They do like to mimic the Dark Knight trilogy, and killing Felicity would be like killing Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight.  Oliver’s end goal for happiness outside of crime fighting would be ripped away from him. Plus, whoever dies needs to be someone whose funeral Barry Allen would want to attend.

 

Why It Probably Isn’t: They wouldn’t seriously kill Felicity, would they?  Come on – she’s Felicity!  She’s so popular that the Green Arrow comics officially added her and Diggle as characters.  Plus, the fact that she’s the most obvious candidate might mean she’s actually the least likely to be in that grave.

Edited by tv echo
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BkWurm1

BkWurm1

They do like to mimic the Dark Knight trilogy, and killing Felicity would be like killing Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight.

 

It would mimic the Dark Knight only if Felicity and Oliver weren't together, she refused to be with him while he wore a mask, decided to marry Ray but then died before Oliver found out.  Worst parallel ever. 

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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

I've always thought that Tommy was the 'Rachel Dawes' on Arrow in terms of the hero journey.


Why 'Arrow' Can't (And Shouldn't) Kill Off Felicity Smoak

By: CAITLYN CALLEGARI

http://www.bustle.com/articles/116274-why-arrow-cant-and-shouldnt-kill-off-felicity-smoak

 

My favorite part:

This is a great article. All of the reasons stated are on point.  I also like "Felicity Is Oliver's Physical Manifestation Of Hope".

Edited by tv echo
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dtissagirl

dtissagirl

I can see how they flipped it to Tommy when he died, but I'm not sure the intention was to ~homage CNolan there.

 

I always thought Tommy's death a two-time inverting the trope moment -- they set up the Love Interest Damsel in peril [which is why Laurel was in CNRI saving manila folders] for Oliver to save -- but psych! Tommy shows up instead of Oliver [invert!], and then he's the one who dies to jumpstart the hero's no-kill mindset [double invert!].

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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

There's a poll at the end of this article...

 

Everyone’s Freaking Out Over The Season Premiere Of “Arrow”
posted on Oct. 8, 2015, at 6:11 p.m.  Zakiya Jamal
http://www.buzzfeed.com/zakiyajamal/who-is-in-the-grave#.dePen0rY0

 

I don't like Carissa, but fortunately she's not the only one speaking at this round table...

 

Arrow Round Table: Here Lies... WHO?!?
Carissa Pavlica at October 12, 2015 9:15 am
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2015/10/arrow-round-table-here-lies-who/

Edited by tv echo
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tv echo

tv echo

Some more 401 reviews...

 

‘Arrow’ Season 4 Premiere Roundtable: Discussing ‘Green Arrow’
OCTOBER 10, 2015
http://fangirlish.com/arrow-season-4-premiere-roundtable-discussing-green-arrow/

 

Arrow Season 4 Premiere Recap: Oliver Brings Light to the Darhk in Green Arrow
OCT 7 2015 Laurel Brown
http://www.docbrowntv.com/arrow-season-4-premiere-recap-oliver-brings-light-darhk-green-arrow/

 

The Lure Of Domestic Bliss — Recapping Arrow 4.1: “Green Arrow”
By Rich Epstein  Posted October 7, 2015
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/10/07/the-lure-of-domestic-bliss-recapping-arrow-4-1-green-arrow/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

‘Arrow’ Review/Recap: “Green Arrow”
Posted on October 8, 2015 Nora Dominick ‘17/
http://emertainmentmonthly.com/2015/10/08/arrow-reviewrecap-green-arrow/

 

Arrow 4×01 Review – Green Arrow
By: Alisha Bjorklund October 8, 2015
http://www.threeifbyspace.net/2015/10/arrow-4x01-review-green-arrow/#.Vhu6APlViko

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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

Queen Consolidated is #7 and Star Labs is #11...

 

These are the top 27 comic book businesses
by  Will Federman  OCTOBER 11, 2015, 1:17 PM EDT
http://fortune.com/2015/10/11/comic-book-businesses/

 

Fortune's 27 Most Fantastical Comic Book Businesses in 2015
http://fortune.com/most-fantastical-comic-book-businesses/

7.  Queen Consolidated 492898_20131122004143.jpg?quality=80&w=7

Internal politics and the death of the current CEO has left the future of this venerable family brand in doubt—but we're bullish about the company's long-term prospects as long as Arrow stays on the air
 

Strengths

  • The company is still dabbling in weapons, which have great profit margins.

Weaknesses

  • Its biggest shareholder spends a lot of company funds on trick arrows.

Opportunities

  • Maybe it's time for Oliver Queen to piggyback on the popularity of archers before the last 'Hunger Games' movie comes out.

Threats

  • Its biggest shareholder is only mortal, and probably the least liked member of the Justice League.
     

Company Information
Fortune Comic Grade Index (FCGI)   85
Good or Evil   Good
Founder   Robert Queen
Location   Star City
Industry   Multinational conglomerate
Publisher   DC Comics

Edited by tv echo
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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

HOLLAND DESCRIBES THE EVOLUTION OF SPEEDY IN NEW "ARROW" VIDEO
Posted: 15 hours ago 
http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/holland-describes-the-evolution-of-speedy-in-new-arrow-video

Willa Holland revealed how Speedy's origin was meant to debut much sooner and how glad she is with the way her character has developed in a new video for "Arrow."
 

"When I signed on for the show, the idea of the evolution was coming a lot earlier in the beginning, but the trajectory and the time that we've taken with it and building up a true reason for her to come to this place has actually been a little bit better for me, because I feel it would have been an injustice just to throw her into a suit at the end of season one or two without putting her through any tests at all," she explained.
 

"From the beginning, totally knew this was going to happen, but was waiting for it to be done right and it has been," she added.

Edited by tv echo
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tv echo

tv echo

(edited)

Pajiba's back with a 401 review and it's worth the wait (though it's short)...

 

'Arrow' Premiere Sheds the Darkness ... Until It Doesn't
By Craig Wack | DC Movies | October 8, 2015
http://www.pajiba.com/dc_movies/arrow-recap-green-arrow-sheds-the-darkness-until-it-doesnt.php#.VhaVNRxmqqk.twitter

Back at Team Arrow HQ, there’ve also been some changes. Thea has found shirts that cover her navel, Lawwrel has ditched that God-awful platinum wig and Diggle has taken up Boba Fett cosplay... (read more)
Edited by tv echo
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tv echo

tv echo

Arrow Review: “Green Arrow” (Episode 4.01)
By Mark Rozeman  |  October 8, 2015  |  1:27pm
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/10/arrow-review-green-arrow.html

... In a welcome reversal of the standard gender roles, we later learn that Oliver has embraced his new, tranquil lifestyle, whereas Felicity misses the thrill of their superhero-ing days.
*  *  *
... Already Darhk is a major improvement over Matt Nable’s underplayed Ra’s, who occasionally displayed the gravitas of an ancient warrior, but never really felt like much of an imposing, legitimate threat. McDonough, on the other hand, bleeds menace and charisma. He’s just the shot in the arm the series needs after last season.
*  *  *
... The episode ends before we see the name on the tombstone, meaning that the identity of the deceased is likely to be an ongoing mystery for the season—Felicity? Diggle? Laurel? Quentin? All are possibilities, although the show does cut to this moment directly after a cute scene where Oliver and Felicity embrace and Felicity comments that he doesn’t need to carry around a darkness to be an effective hero. Here’s hoping that this is not an indication that the writers are willing to kill off perhaps the show’s most beloved character to return Oliver to his Season One status, but we shall see. Death has never been a permanent fixture of superhero lore anyway, so who’s to even say that whatever tragedy did occur isn’t reversible?
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bijoux

bijoux

(edited)

Our 9 Favorite Olicity Moments from the ‘Arrow’ Season 4 Premiere

OCTOBER 12, 2015

http://fangirlish.com/our-9-favorite-olicity-moments-from-the-arrow-season-4-premiere/

 

This part made me laugh out loud. I imagine it delivered in Mrs Cooper's (TBBT) voice.

 

For the minor sect of people who aren’t happy with Oliver and Felicity being together (y’all need to find Jesus)

Edited by bijoux
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arjumand

arjumand

(edited)

This article finally articulated what's pissing me off about they way they're treating Oliver this season:

 

Why Everyone Needs to Start Treating Oliver Queen Like the Hero He Is

 

Be warned: there's mention of something that could be considered a spoiler - at the end of the new Flash trailer there's a little scene between Barry and Oliver, which she's discussing as it's kind of symptomatic of the general attitude towards Oliver.

Edited by arjumand
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apinknightmare

apinknightmare

(edited)

The way Oliver is talked about over on The Flash is terrible, especially considering the same people who talk shit about Oliver continue coddling Barry WHEN THE RESULT OF HIS SELFISHNESS OPENED A GIANT BLACK HOLE IN THE SKY.

And I'll give Diggle a pass since he's not the one who went to ask Oliver for help, but Laurel and Thea standing there gaping at him when he tells them what to do kills me. Especially when Laurel then looks at Diggle to, you know, tell her what to do. LMAO.

Edited by apinknightmare
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wonderwall

wonderwall

And I'll give Diggle a pass since he's not the one who went to ask Oliver for help, but Laurel and Thea standing there gaping at him when he tells them what to do kills me. Especially when Laurel then looks at Diggle to, you know, tell her what to do. LMAO.

 

THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT. FFS. It was so weird. So LL is okay with taking instruction from Diggle but not Oliver? Even when what Oliver was saying was completely the right course of action? smh Either way LL was taking instruction (aka not the leader) so I don't understand why it mattered who the instructions came from. That was utterly ridiculous and wasted time. 

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wingster55

wingster55

The way Oliver is talked about over on The Flash is terrible, especially considering the same people who talk shit about Oliver continue coddling Barry WHEN THE RESULT OF HIS SELFISHNESS OPENED A GIANT BLACK HOLE IN THE SKY.

And I'll give Diggle a pass since he's not the one who went to ask Oliver for help, but Laurel and Thea standing there gaping at him when he tells them what to do kills me. Especially when Laurel then looks at Diggle to, you know, tell her what to do. LMAO.

Well it's just Joe..and I think that's way overblown because how dare someone have a negative opinion of Oliver.

As for Oliver..they asked for his help not his leadership.

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calliope1975

calliope1975

As for Oliver..they asked for his help not his leadership.

 

Did they only ask for a hired gun? It seemed like Digg/Thea/Laurel had no idea how to defeat the Ghosts. Thea even said they were in over their heads meaning they didn't know what to do. In that circumstance, when someone interrupts your swank suburban life and asks you to return to your crappy city, what should Oliver's role have been? 

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lemotomato

lemotomato

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(edited)

Well it's just Joe..and I think that's way overblown because how dare someone have a negative opinion of Oliver.

As for Oliver..they asked for his help not his leadership.

Everyone has a negative opinion of Oliver. He not only gets trashed by everyone on his own show (except Felicity), but constantly shaded on Flash too. (Shut up, Cisco.)

 

So they showed up at his house, begged him for help, made him travel across the country, and then they put conditions on what he could do to help? "Oliver, you're just an extra body. Don't tell us what to do. Oh wait. We don't know where to start finding these guys, or what their grand scheme is, or how to stop them. But we don't want to hear a word out of you."

Edited by lemotomato
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EmilyBettFan

EmilyBettFan

(edited)

Yeah if they want to get things done they enlist Oliver and Felicity. We were told Felicity was helping them and that just tells me they are not a well oiled team. Which is what the producers kept telling us. They were trying to lead us to believe that they were doing this all on their owns. Which they really didn't.

Edited by EmilyBettFan
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Primal Slayer

Primal Slayer

The producers were wishy washy when talking about how TA was dealing without Oliver. They've said that they are able to handle saving the city to they are getting their butts kicked, constant back and forth. But from what I remember, they always talked more about the team handling things without Oliver then they ever did with Felicity. 

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bijoux

bijoux

I think part of the point is that they didn't do those things they could have done without him. Had they actually given him any information, it would have painted them as a competent team.

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wonderwall

wonderwall

All the things Oliver told them to do were things they could have figured out themselves. So no...they didn't need Oliver immediately taking the reins. And Felicity volunteered..I doubt anyone asked her.

 

So then the question is, if they were competent enough to figure it out themselves, why would Laurel/Thea feel the need to take Oliver out of Suburbia (a place where he was clearly happy)? This is another issue I have with them going behind Diggle's back (great teamwork guys)... Obviously they felt like they couldn't handle it. THey should've discussed it with Diggle. And if it REALLY was a democracy, then Diggle should've capitulated.

 

Imo B-Team was a failure. They weren't shown to be a well oiled machine. I didn't see a sense of camaraderie there nor did I see any trust or faith in the team. The way they were written, it just wasn't a good team. 

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