The Tommy Merlyn Thread

[Syncer]

Since there wasn't one, I decided to make one. Discuss what you think will happen to the Tommy Merlyn character later on in the series!

[Human Torch]

Tommy doesn't seem to get much love around here, but I like the character.Hopefully he develops into an interesting version of GL's comic nemesis.

[Baramos]

I guess he'll be a villain but why he would take up archery and become Ollie's enemy I have no clue.

Yet another dumb change where they paint themselves into a corner, just like with making Ollie's sister be Speedy.

[Ultimatehero]

It's not a corner. These show runners know what they're doing. They know this character's progression season by season. They didn't just go, "huh, lets make him his friend." TV show creators absolutely need a 'bible' that they stand by and have written which fully explains how they view how each character will progress and how their arc will go. They know the ending, they know what got him there, now it's just the timing - if that.

[Deathstroke]

I'd like to think they know what they're doing but I can't say I care for the love triangle involving him.

[Baramos]

Originally Posted by Ultimatehero

It's not a corner. These show runners know what they're doing. They know this character's progression season by season. They didn't just go, "huh, lets make him his friend." TV show creators absolutely need a 'bible' that they stand by and have written which fully explains how they view how each character will progress and how their arc will go. They know the ending, they know what got him there, now it's just the timing - if that.

So have things changed since the LOST days when they just did things season to season without thinking them through in advance?

[HighFivingMF]

Originally Posted by Baramos

So have things changed since the LOST days when they just did things season to season without thinking them through in advance?

No. Nothing's changed. Most shows do it, LOST just didn't.

[gugumugats]

I'm curious to see if they'll have Merlyn pick up archery in the show. I think a Nolanized version of Vertigo (elitist aristocratic type) would've fitted better as Ollie's rich snobbish frenemy.

Then again they decided to adapt Vertigo as a druglord.

[Ultimatehero]

Show runners have always had a game plan. This isn't a "new" thing lol. I'd say LOST was the case of a show that ran on a bit too long probably thus forcing them to expand their mythology or spread their mythology out more than originally expected which resulted in it being muddled. Yet also every series deals with seasons as they come and figure out what to do with that season as sell as the pacing of the series as a whole (talking from the pov of a virtual series show runner for four years). So it's kinda a bit of both. Every show has a show bible, and working IN the industry, I've actually seen a couple. It's CRUCIAL to the pitch.

[DrCosmic]

I think Tommy should take a rival path to archery, like a more techy way of training or something.

[TheComicbookKid]

Now that you mention it. It would be kind of cool if Tommy's version of Merlyn was an anti-Arrow in that he uses a crapload of tech and some natural fighting ability.

[Fans of Reilly]

Originally Posted by DrCosmic

I think Tommy should take a rival path to archery, like a more techy way of training or something.

Do you mean He should use the equipment that Oliver used in Smallville like the Precision Shooting Equipment) and compound bow,

[herolee10]

I just hope that when or if he does become a villain in the show that it doesn't feel forced because right now, there isn't a hint of him having a potential to be evil/falling to darkness. Hell, I think even Lex from Smallville had at least shown tendencies towards having the potential of succumbing to his inner demons during the first half of season 1.

Right now, Tommy appears to a genuinely good person overall.

[Deathstroke]

I don't see too many hero and villain distinctions on Arrow, and I hope it stays that way. Most of the characters, including Oliver himself, are gray anti-heroes. They are committing crimes for supposedly the greater good... or simply revenge.

I think Merlyn will fall into the same group.


Smallville was too generic and basic in it's 'good vs evil' stuff.

[Deathstroke]

I'm starting to wonder whether Tommy Merlyn is actually the real Merlyn or not.

Wasn't the real Merlyn older than Green Arrow and more of a mentor figure to him originally?



He was Arrow's 'Ras'

[HighFivingMF]

He inspired him to take up archery, since Yao Fei taught him, it's clear that it's different.

New 52 was Tommy Merlyn, Ollie's archery teacher who was injured on the boat with him.

[The Sage]

After this week's episode, I'm wondering if Tommy's father, "Well-dressed man" is the real Merlyn.

[Deathstroke]

I doubt they're going to keep Barrowman on for the entire series. He's a guest star. Arrow will kill him. Tommy will take up the mantle for revenge. Green Goblin 2.0.

[riotgirl77]

Can't wait for more Papa Merlyn even though he's a guest star (although hoping that may change)...

[chamber-music]

Barrowman is on the BBC One Show and says his characters first name is Malcolm. Malcolm Merlyn.

[SpiderMan'sBoot]

I wonder if he might end up more like Rhodey in Iron Man.

One thing I did notice, the first episode when they were kidnapped - he wasn't unconscious when Ollie checked him. Eye opened pretty quickly after Ollie checked him. Do you think that might have just been a pilot thing? Initially setting him up to be Merlyn-Dark Archer before Barrowman's character? Or something in that?

[Justin]

They need to keep hold of Barrowman as long as they can because every single scene he has ever been in has been TV gold. Who would have thought the camp, over the top, flashy fun cabaret showman would make such an evil villain? He deserves a lot of plaudits. To me, I've not been so pleasantly surprised by a casting since they turned John Travolta evil in face off and Barrowman reminds me of that. He oozes evil-ness

As for Tommy.. it's very unpredictable. At some point Ollie will end up with Laurel, Tommy's dad will likely be dead at some point, I can see him turning.. into what, who knows? Also he could always turn good also, although I see maybe next season his life is going to get really hard.

[HighFivingMF]

Originally Posted by SpiderMan'sBoot

I wonder if he might end up more like Rhodey in Iron Man.

One thing I did notice, the first episode when they were kidnapped - he wasn't unconscious when Ollie checked him. Eye opened pretty quickly after Ollie checked him. Do you think that might have just been a pilot thing? Initially setting him up to be Merlyn-Dark Archer before Barrowman's character? Or something in that?

He was pretending to still be unconscious so the guys with weapons wouldn't hurt him.

[Syncer]

I'm wondering what will happen to Tommy in episode 10. We see him and Laurel in the fire, maybe he will get "burned"

[Sawyer]

I think if he turns out to be the comics Merlyn and essentially Ollie's enemy, there's potential for this to be even more tragic than Lex's descent to villainy on SV. With that series, his friendship with Clark was more or less a detour from the road to villainhood that he had been set on long before they ever crossed paths. Oliver and Tommy are genuinely best friends.