Thanks to Koky for the heads up.
1. Oliver and Felicity's sexy hook-up
This week’s Arrow is significant for many reasons, one of which includes a big step forward for Oliver and Felicity’s romantic future, as you may have already seen in the trailers. “I think it’s the next step in their relationship,” executive producer Andrew Kreisberg told ETonline. “We root for characters to be together as much as anybody. You’re sort of the ultimate shippers when you’re creators of the show. I think the time has come for them – they’ve been dancing around it for a long time – to really declare how they feel for each other.”
Even so, their conversation leading up to that moment, who pushes them together and what takes place in the immediate aftermath is both surprising and heartbreaking considering their circumstance. Kreisberg offered these questions to consider: “What happens after that? Where does that take them?" If you've also been wondering why Felicity hasn't uttered those three magical words to Oliver yet, there's a very good reason.
2. Roy Harper’s return ties up loose ends
Team Arrow’s goodbye to Roy (and Arsenal) in last week’s episode had us shedding a few tears but thankfully, Oliver’s former sidekick will be back in the May 6 episode, “This Is Your Sword,” to wrap up some unfinished business.
“The thing we felt we owed the audience more than anything was some closure with Thea because [of] the circumstances under which Thea is in,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim said of Wednesday’s installment. “Certainly we owed the audience some closure for this three season-long love story between these two characters.”
This week’s Arrow is significant for many reasons, one of which includes a big step forward for Oliver and Felicity’s romantic future, as you may have already seen in the trailers. “I think it’s the next step in their relationship,” executive producer Andrew Kreisberg told ETonline. “We root for characters to be together as much as anybody. You’re sort of the ultimate shippers when you’re creators of the show. I think the time has come for them – they’ve been dancing around it for a long time – to really declare how they feel for each other.”
Even so, their conversation leading up to that moment, who pushes them together and what takes place in the immediate aftermath is both surprising and heartbreaking considering their circumstance. Kreisberg offered these questions to consider: “What happens after that? Where does that take them?" If you've also been wondering why Felicity hasn't uttered those three magical words to Oliver yet, there's a very good reason.
2. Roy Harper’s return ties up loose ends
Team Arrow’s goodbye to Roy (and Arsenal) in last week’s episode had us shedding a few tears but thankfully, Oliver’s former sidekick will be back in the May 6 episode, “This Is Your Sword,” to wrap up some unfinished business.
“The thing we felt we owed the audience more than anything was some closure with Thea because [of] the circumstances under which Thea is in,” executive producer Marc Guggenheim said of Wednesday’s installment. “Certainly we owed the audience some closure for this three season-long love story between these two characters.”
Source:
I really thought you made a mistake at first and meant E!Online. :')
ReplyDeleteWow that secret plane cargo is a scene between Ra's Nyssa and Oliver? What the ansdjkhaskdjhaskjdaksbd?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for this season to unfold seems GOOD!
Lot of spoilery goodness. I am excited for Ra's, Nyssa, Oliver new set scene. I hope it is Oliver and Nyssa kicking Ra's ass together.
ReplyDeleteI am glad Thea gets to meet Roy once more and get closure. Poor girl it will be sad.
I read somewhere Ray is going to be in Starling till the season finale. So he is not going anywhere.
I also want to know how Arrow can operate in Starling city after the events of last two episodes. Looks like we won't get an answer this season. My prediction might come true. Oliver decides to be Oliver Queen at the end of this season and next season premiere something will force him to put on the costume again.
On other news in Calgary expo panel David Ramsey teased he might get a mask or costume.
3d scan done of @david_ramsey face and body. #season4 #diggle will have something Diggle 2.0
https://twitter.com/SofaUnited/status/589866058917355520
Can it be Wednesday already?
ReplyDelete[insert mac-ish complaint about the ship scene being given an entire panel and way too much focus in this Q&A] (I'm tired of repeating myself, let's be honest here: if you don't see that shipping has taken over you're oblivious to it or condone it)
ReplyDelete- Glad that Roy's going to be back, I'm actually kinda hoping that he takes Thea with him. Don't get me wrong, I love the girl but her character has been through such drama in the past that I think a season off would do her some favours.
- but where will they operate out of once season 4 comes along? Ray probably won't stick around into season 4 (given that the spin-off will probably be shooting this fall as well). Is he just going to be like "here, take my stuff, my girl and while you're at it: here're my balls"?
- I kinda want to see Ra's dead by this seasons end. He's not been a competent villain, in fact he's not been a villain at all. Wich defeats one major plot threat every show needs: a bad guy. Sure we had baddies of the week, Ra's and Malcolm. But the latter two are already walking a path of bad guys that are actually cool with the good guys. We need a real villain and whoever manages to kill Ra's and misuse the league in his/her favor will be perfect for that (and I kinda want it to be Nyssa)
- Katrina Law needs to become a regular, we already lost Colton Haynes this season and I'm pretty sure that we'll probably say goodbye to Holland, Blackthorne and/or Barrowman. I can't handle this show cutting characters and giving more potential screentime to the plot that must not be named.
- whatever you do writers: PLEASE introduce someone like Ray for season 4. Not because I liked that he was kind of a anti-shipper plot device but for what he made the fanbase become.
- keep Barrowman, I don't care...just do it
aaactually....
ReplyDeletethese things aren't just for masks: they did such stuff also for ragdolls to throw around instead of stuntmen plus they also did this for Claire Holt and Daniel Gillies on "The Vampire Diaries" to show their dead bodies without having the actors on set.
What that could mean is: Diggle gets thrown around, Diggles part will be reduced to a doll standing around in the background and saying nothing (so basically what we have now :P) or he gets a mask...or dies but I doubt that
I'm not gonna read this whole interview. I'll just stick to this.
ReplyDeleteI'm sooo waiting for that conversation it's not even funny. She needs to pour out her freaking soul, b/c iI can't take it anymore. This needs to be the best reason in the entire world. I can't keep speaking for her, I need her to speak now. And I'm ALL EARS! Felicity...you can do it!
I can't wait for Roy's return. I'm gonna go ballistic. I bet his entrance will be badass. Lol I'm hoping he'll hug Oliver. Lol
As for the season 4 layer it seems like it won't be neccessary in the begginig of the season, but that are just speculations for now.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ship that can't be mentioned can't wait for the show to introduce Connor and let him drive a knife in the shipper heart.
I agree Katrina has to stay and Thea could do vacatiom for sometime, she would certainly benefit from it.
Right??!!! I'm dying here. I need a webclip!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like R&O probably won't even meet, I heard he'll comeback just to make things right with Thea.
ReplyDeleteDoesen't matter if it's neccessary or not but a show always needs one fixed set to keep the viewer in a familiar setting (you don't have this from me but that's a very easy way to tie your audience to your show by giving them something they associate with "home" ^^)
ReplyDeleteDon't think Connor will drive a knife in their heart, it'll be like the two of them raising him as their own....I have to puke at the prospect but the way the show tells its stories its the only logical way.
Katrina has been so great in the past. Plus she has ties to all the major characters (or at least the characters I consider major). She has a semi-friendship with Oliver, a sisterly/sexually vibe with Laurel, a creepy-uncle RL with Merlyn and a weird in-law vibe with Lance :P
I would love her just to outright verbally assault him for what happened this season. Lord knows Felicity has been wronged horribly during the run of this show and I finally want her to tell Oliver what kind of a d*ck he's been in the past.
ReplyDeleteProbably not what you ment but I feel like Felicity needs to grow a pair and kick Oliver in his
So Roy is returning at May 6th episode and according to TVLine, the next wedding will take place at May 6th.. Roy and Thea?
ReplyDeletebetter Roy and Thea than any other ship on that show
ReplyDeleteLol. I hope this does not remain just talk and something substantial happens for Diggle next season.
ReplyDeleteI know a layer is always great but introducing a new one in S04 and making it for all of them to work should be neat. So it's not only Ollie's. And come on they need one where Malcolm can't get in.
ReplyDeleteI doubt Connor will drive the knife directly but I hope he will push for his Mama and Papa to raise him and not Olicity. Which should be funny to see how Felicity will handle it. ^_^ I hope they choose that boy who played young Stefan in VD recently as Connor, he was so adorable.
I just hope if Katrina stays they avoid the sexual vibe with Laurel, that really isn't working for me. Besides that I really hope she stays and be kick as*, but with some prospect not like Malcolm. Wouldn't mind for her sister to come to town, maybe as part of HIVE.
I'm so with you on that, he's been criminally underused ever since season 2.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird, whenever the so called "Team Arrow" has a major conversation he and Roy are standing in the background looking concerned but saying nothing
Is there really a place the man can't get in though? :P
ReplyDeleteWell, the fans would push for them to raise him so little Connor would be out-voted by the more important people. Remember: child protective services are run by tumblr nowadays
I wouldn't mind that at all, Laurels comic counterpart had two major love interests: Oliver who is these days limited to Mrs. Mary Sue and her husband who they refuse to introduce.
Nyssa is better than both of them....unless they plan to add her into a Oliver/Felicity/Nyssa triangle
Well, Merlyn is really a glorified guest star, he doesen't have too many scenes to begin with. Nyssa should have more (he too for that matter next season)
"Remember: child protective services are run by tumblr nowadays" LMFAO!!!
ReplyDeleteLaurel and Nyssa would be hot, no comment there but fans would start bashing against it. Sara ans Nyssa were better and that whole drama. *dramatic eye role*
Even though it could be interesting to see how Sara or whatever version of CL will appear in the spin off would react to it. But for now it would just feel a s a forced way to keep Nyssa in the show.
I really hope Nyssa stays no matter in what capacity.
Agree with you 100%. From season 2 onwards Diggle hardly has anything to do. I want to laugh when people say Diggle is sidelined due to Laurel. Were you all sleeping during second half of season 2 when he went to fetch a file? Even team planning moments Diggle hardly gets one dialogue. Last episode Felicity went to uplink the transponder. Why not Diggle go or the horror let Diggle go with the woman who has no way to protect herself? The way they write cheesy scenes with no care for common sense is what makes me never take Arrow seriously. A little bit more care would make this show shine.,
ReplyDeleteOf course it would get bashed, everything connected to Laurel gets bashed. That's like an unwritten rule lol
ReplyDeleteI don't care how forced it would appear but keeping Nyssa and Malcolm on the show is a must for me.
I would totally watch a spin-off about these two (add Maseo and Tatsu and it'd be perfect)
I think Laurel would get bashed even if she shipped Olicity. LoL.
ReplyDeleteFor that spinoff kill Maseo and add Slade. New Suicide Squad perexcelance(or however it's spelled) ^^
Mac I have a question for you. I hope I am not offending you with this. I always get the feeling you are more bothered by what is happening offline in Arrow fandom than what is happening on screen. It bothers you when interviews, articles and a major part of audience concentrate on ships.
ReplyDeleteSo my question is had the fandom remained the same and Laurel became BC with less drama and jerky behavior fro Oliver and some things happen and those two decide to start a relationship or god forbid marry at the end of the season and then Connor is introduced next season and they raise the boy together would you be this bothered and upset about it? I know that you are a comic book fan too. That would be comic canon. Because honestly I cannot see how the show like Arrow can avoid romance? And at some point during the show the lead character has to have a period where he is content in a relationship.
That's the exact reason why I always start cringing when I hear people call Oliver, Diggle and Felicity the "original team Arrow". Because as far as I'm concerned the "original team" got completely screwed over the second the team had more than three members.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago some poster suggested that DR isn't too happy with the show these days, could that be the reason?
I am against the original team Arrow agenda of fans too. But I have to say the writers are the reason for it. They refuse to integrate any fourth person who comes to the team. Sara was one who even got a chance. Roy hardly said a word to Diggle and two scenes with Felicity. All his major scenes were with Thea and Oliver. They still won't include Laurel in plans made by the team. Why blame audience when in the show the new members act like strangers.
ReplyDeleteWould I be bothered if it was Laurel instead of Felicity being your question?
ReplyDeleteF**k yes.
Let me explain:
Romance is a neccessary plot element, it's a motivator due to the purity of the feelings this plotline creates. However there're some pieces of media that loose their focus, some like Arrow. Some that start to stop focusing on the villains and are more concerned with finding bigger plot threats for the romance than the show (Ray has been this season big bad for shippers and he's been better developed than Ra's so far). If this show would've gone down the same road only with Laurel instead of Felicity and shippers would have stormed the gates on this show the same way I would be here saying the exact same things except instead of Felicity I would be bothered by Laurel. I like both characters. Felicity was quirky and fun while Laurel was annoying in the early days of Arrow and grew more bearable as the show continued. The problem I have is that Felicity got dumbed down, from someone with her own head and a quirkly humor to a lovesick drama-queen. This isn't the Felicity I fell in love with. If they would've done the same to Laurel I would probably be even more annoyed (season 1 might've had the tiangle but it was actually far less distracting than what we have now, to me at least).
The biggest question I ask myself is: if I didn't interact with other fans, how would I react to ships then? If I didn't know about the people actively trying to turn this show into Days of Our Lives...how would I see this show then?
Because audience influence is clearly playing a big part for the writers these days.
ReplyDeleteThey listen to their fans....and this is not to be taken positively
Your last part was exactly my question. How would you react if you do not have to see the over eagerness and ugliness of the online media? Also I agree the romance factor has taken a forefront this season. But I do see why they went there. It was not about Felicity at all. It was all about Oliver and his man pain. That is what makes me sad about this season. Oliver was annoying last season with his man pain woth Shado's death and Slade last season. He is still annoying with his relationship woes this season.
ReplyDeleteI still do not think lack of focus on Ra's is the issue this season. It is a part. What do you think about Sara's death, Thea's role and Malcolm's motivation for the same. Are you satisfied with that arc? That is what bothers me the most this season. Everything looks so fabricated. Even if they show us by the end of the season Malcolm had some grand plan for why he did the stuff he did, it would still annoy me.
Then they are morons and I can't see myself tuning in for this show for long. My frustrations are mounting.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's just something I have no answer for, the online fandom has really managed to break my view of a perfect TV landscape. I decided to ignore the "Community" fandom two days ago when I found out that this show too had annoying as hell shippers.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about Malcolms villain plot is that last seasons motivation was even more confusing. I scratched my head more than once on Slades weird as hell reasons and the means he had to get where he ended up. How did he survive? HOW DID HE BECOME A BILLIONAIRE? Even more unsolved questions.
With Malcolm having Thea kill Sara they actually went into a direction that was true to the character: he's a coward that uses everything given to him to escape death.
Now I was annoyed that they took 9 episodes to solve the mystery but that wasn't on the motivation but actually on the writers.
They clearly pulled the sollution to her murder out of their a** last minute.
I know that it's not Felicitys fault, in fact I'm just really pissed how she's dragged into all this.
We had a likable, fun,quirky and simple character in her, someone to like and love. And they just HAD to go down the romantic aspect with her.
Her character has been changed from a upbeat persona with her own will to a rather bland sex-doll with a quirk. I don't see Felicity in that character but the person some fans want to be.
And it hurts to see shippers supporting this character-destroying route.
Def. Not what I meant. And you would. Seems you'll have to wait longer for that. Don't hold your breath.
ReplyDeleteI still can't get over Malcolm killed Thea so that Oliver would fight Ra's thing. That just does not make sense for a brilliant guy like Malcolm. Now if Malcolm wanted both Oliver and Ra's dead. Then that would make sense. I hated Slade's motivation too. He lurved Shado... But then they had Mirakuru to fall behind on last season. Him being a rich guy does not bother me. Villains usually becomes rich faster than heroes. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat I wanted for Felicity was some depth in the character. So I was over joyed when I heard Ray Palmer was coming to town. I wish all her scenes with him was not reactionary to Oliver's drama and we got know more about her character. But she got out of the cave and interacted with more than two people.
Now you know I will not agree with you on her being a drama queen. I do not see it that way at all. When situations happens as it happened this season I can't see her remaining the quirky fun girl. Also no character can remain being just a comic relief through the course of the show unless it is a CBS mind numbing prodedural. People died this season and it is a dark and depressing season on the whole. It would be stupid for Felicity to remain her sunny self when all this happens.
I always understand what you say. I just don't blame the shipping community for it. If the writers don't have the spine or talent to do good story lines it is their fault. The truth is even most of the shippers called out MG and co for the horrible way in which they treated Roy's induction to the team last season. He acknowledged those complaints too. Now they are doing the same this season with Laurel. I blame the writers for it. Even though there were few who was annoyed by Laurel/Felicity small bonding scenes there were tons of appreciation for the same scenes from fans on twitter and tumblr and there were demands for more. Then why are they not showing us that?
ReplyDeleteYou`re right, it didn't make much sense but at least was in line with his character wich I'm kinda fine with. Now, there could've been dozens of better ways to resolve her murder: Ra's having her killed since she found out that his claimed immortality was just a lie fabricated by him to keep his followers. Or Sara having been killed by Quentin who went crazy over the thought that his daughter died long ago and the Sara he has now is just the monster that inhabits her body. Or hell, Oliver after finding out that the League sent Sara after Thea for hanging out with Malcolm and Sara being hellbent to finish the job.
ReplyDeleteBut it's better than what we got last year as far as motivation goes.
I too was hoping that she would go on a journey to find her long missing father and finding out that he's the one behind HIVE and had Andy killed and now was targeting Oliver and Diggle for threatening the grip he has over Starling. In the end Felicity would choose Olivers side but in the same breath would renounce him as a romantical partner for having killed her father in the final act. Working together but never having a fling.
Of course she shouldn't remain her sunny self however several aspects of her character were changed: Olivers return should have made her happy, the fact that she later blew it all up to his face starting with Malcolm and continuing over how he still isn't ready to bang her.
That's not character-evolution but devolving from a good character to fan appeasement
I blame the shipping community for abusing the power given to them through the weak minds of our writers.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen that and I agree that there certainly are shippers that care more about the show than their ship, however I only interact with other fans here and on the TVD wikia. I don't have the time to check out other places.
I love everyone here but there are indeed people I think care more about the ships than the show and I'm bothered by that. I can't even say that I'm not in the wrong because I certainly am. But I can't help it.
All power to shippers that want a good storyline for their ship, because if the storyline they were given would be good I'd actually condone it.
I'm not generally a romance hater, I hate when romance is blown out of proportion.
There're actually a few well done couples I do enjoy watching (Sara/Nyssa were actually heartbreaking, Hayley/Elijah are nuanced and very well tied into their shows concept and a few others)
The problem with Olicity is that I wasn't convinced at the end of season 2, it should've been the writers to job to convince me. But what did they do? They jumped right to the romance starting overboard in the season 3 premiere and didn't slow down the pace.
Is the ship the only reason I'm bothered by this season? No. But it's one of the most significant problems that stick out like a sore thumb
I think this is the difference between liking a character and being a fan of them makes a difference. You can accept Malcolm's motivations because you are a fan of the character where as I can't and I get annoyed because I just like the guy. At the same time I can understand why Felicity reacted the way she did when Oliver returned. She was extremely happy for a moment then he mentioned Malcolm and she was disappointed with his decisions. So for me since I am a Felicity fan I can accept that scene and the way the character behaved. Even though I agree that scene should have happened later in the show after a talk between the two where Oliver explains his reasons. You cannot accept it because you only like the character and not a fan of her as I am.
ReplyDeleteSo both of us are biased and the show is actually faulty on both accounts.
I would have liked it so much if Malcolm wanted Oliver dead too so that he can keep Thea for himself then the whole season would have made more sense for me. I wish they had given a sidekick for Malcolm. Someone with whom he could talk about his devious plans and mental state. They can easily kill the guy by the end of the season. But then I would not have to wonder why Malcolm did what he did.
And I blame the writers for giving them that power in the first place. There is no need to appease to a part of the fandom. You cannot open yourselves to public opinion and suggestions and not expect people to rally for what they want to see.
ReplyDeleteI say about Laurel/Felicity bonding scenes because there were some asks complimenting MG on tumblr for those scenes and asking for more. Hundreds of people liked those posts just like any other Olicity related post too. So I don't understand why he is not integrating Laurel more into Team Arrow every single episode.
Well the story line is not good according to you but it might be good for them. Its a matter of preference. To each their own. Just because you and I don't like it does not mean someone else can't enjoy it. That clearly does not mean they are in the wrong. You liked Laurel's substance abuse story line last season. Clearly you think it was well done. I disliked it a lot and I found it completely unnecessary for the character. Neither of us are wrong.
I agree about season 3 first episode. It was like they were showing 3 episodes only on fast forward *rolls eyes**We have to finish the happy part soon so we can have the shocking death and plunge the show into depression mode*.
But if you only complain about shippers. That too again and again like a broken record. You never mention any of your other concerns for the show. As if the show would be perfect if the romance did not happen.
I think the problem was not that they got them into a relationship/romance, which I don't care if they did, it was how it was implemented.
ReplyDeleteThey were trying to use this season to explore or have Oliver explore who he is, what he wants and his place in the world. The problem is it became a myopic focus that left characters like Felicity without any agency but to bolster that through line. She became more shallow and you are right, they should have done more to convince you instead of pulling "we all knew this is how he felt all along" string on the horses reins.
I do have some cautious optimism that it might come around for S4 and the story with her father and not just this seasons paramour.
(hell, laurel had more chracter growth this season then Felicity, she had a better story in season one and romance)
I have to disagree with that. Roy was really integrated this season.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I'm not a huge fan of discussing this season with a lot of people. I like season 3 quite a bit, but there are a lot of flaws. But blaming the romance angle as that one thing that without it the show would be this near opus is a bit much.
ReplyDeleteI owuld like that but wouldn't doing so tie Roy more to the show and he just left.
ReplyDeleteThey throw Ra's out the back of the plane.
ReplyDeleteLet me explain myself better. Was Roy an integral part of Team Arrow this season. Yes. Was he important in all their missions. Yes. His relationship with Oliver improved and solidified this season. As much as that good bye between Roy and Team Arrow painful and sad we never got to see a personal closeness developing between Roy/Diggle and Roy/Felicity. A scene where they plan to hang out later would have been enough. They don't even have to show the real stuff. There is an attachment between Diggle and Felicity even without Oliver. But there was not such friendship shown between him and others. Sara had that connection.
ReplyDeleteI like season 3 too. Not at the first viewing of most of the episodes. But later when I try to see why they did what they did I get the direction they are going. There is a lot of plot holes and plot conveniences in season 3. I wish they had a tighter script.
ReplyDeleteWell we kinda got that with the dinner Roy and Oliver went to, or Roy asking for Felicity's help in Guilty. I'd like that more too though. Hopefully when Roy returns or guest stars at some point (he'll apparently be back in four as a guest at times) we can get that.
ReplyDeleteBut that was just scraps. Sara with her limited episodes had more connection with Felicity. They need to concentrate on such bonding. I hope they do it at least for Laurel.
ReplyDeleteAnd he falls directly into a Lazarus pit and comes back next season to assault them all.
ReplyDelete