Arrow Arrow General Discussion Thread

[Nathan]

Really excited for a new episode tonight.

It's been a week already?

 

[Savage]

To be entirely honest, I really hope the show doesn't go down the sidekick route. I find the entire idea pretty hokey and more often than not, it undermines the original character. The entire practice started as a way to appeal to young comic book readers; serving as an escapist character/audience surrogate for them to self-project into so as to imagine that they too could take part in the superhero's adventures. Very often, it's not until they graduate from their sidekick status and start becoming their own, separate individuals independent of the their respective mentors that they start becoming interesting.

In a show like Arrow, there is no such reason for such a tactic. Rather, I hope that the show will instead continue with the route they have initially started on with Huntress. That if there are to be other heroes featured, they are independent operators doing their own thing and with their own agenda/motivations. I feel that it helps broaden the show's universe a little.

While I understand this, I like the evolution of eventually having a field confidant or partner as opposed to just someone who knows the secret. Other heroes showing up every now and then is nice but that's totally different from havig a regular partner to strategize with and converse with on the field. I liken it to characters like Buffy who weren't really superheroes but still had sidekicks like Willow and Xander on the field fighting. Or how Angel had Gunn and Wesley. I think there is a stigma that comes with sidekicks that isn't necessarily true. I think a sidekick in the future can actually enhance th show and mean not just someone for Oliver to converse with in the mansion but while on the field slinging arrows. Someone who gets it. A Watson to his Holmes, as it were.

 

[mr. peasant]

While I understand this, I like the evolution of eventually having a field confidant or partner as opposed to just someone who knows the secret. Other heroes showing up every now and then is nice but that's totally different from havig a regular partner to strategize with and converse with on the field. I liken it to characters like Buffy who weren't really superheroes but still had sidekicks like Willow and Xander on the field fighting. Or how Angel had Gunn and Wesley. I think there is a stigma that comes with sidekicks that isn't necessarily true. I think a sidekick in the future can actually enhance th show and mean not just someone for Oliver to converse with in the mansion but while on the field slinging arrows. Someone who gets it. A Watson to his Holmes, as it were.

My issue with sidekicks is in how they are very often a junior facsimile of their mentor in abilities. In short, they don't enhance the existing skill set; in contrast to the example you gave with Willow and Xander. In Buffy, the other Sxoobies contributed by bringing something different to the table. In contrast, superhero sidekicks generally don't.

 

[jaymes_e06]

Yeah a gang is different than a sidekick IMO. Former being more of a ensemble and the latter being more of a offset to the hero.

 

[ChickenScratch]

My issue with sidekicks is in how they are very often a junior facsimile of their mentor in abilities. In short, they don't enhance the existing skill set; in contrast to the example you gave with Willow and Xander. In Buffy, the other Sxoobies contributed by bringing something different to the table. In contrast, superhero sidekicks generally don't.

I see where your coming from but I feel different about sidekicks. To me a sidekick is learning under a mentor with an eye towards aiding him or eventually replacing him. In this the sidekick will be like the mentor, will have learned his methods, and probably even costumed in a similar way (you can rationalize that with it being a uniform or left over parts from other armors etc.)

 

[KingMadness]

The Huntress is her own character, an individual hero. Speedy is Arrows sidekick. What is this dude rambling on about?

 

[Midnight Black]

I don't think they should make his sister or Laurel superheroes in anyway. I don't want to see her become Speedy the sidekick and Black Canary. I'm perfectly fine with those two not becoming superheroes for this show.

Maybe they can give Laurel the title of Black Canary somehow, but now as a crime fighter, much in the way Harvey was given the nickname 'Two Face' before he became a criminal because of his work in I.A.

Bring in a male speedy sidekick/confidant and just call him Arsenal.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

I think they should have his sister wind up dying and introduce mia dearden later on, remind him of his sister he calls her speedy, and just introduce roy as arsenel. I think that would be the best way

 

[Deathstroke]

I don't think they should make his sister or Laurel superheroes in anyway. I don't want to see her become Speedy the sidekick and Black Canary. I'm perfectly fine with those two not becoming superheroes for this show.

Maybe they can give Laurel of title of Black Canary somehow, but now as a crime fighter, much in the way Harvey was given the nickname 'Two Face' before he became a criminal because of his work in I.A.

Bring in a male speedy sidekick/confidant and just call him Arsenal.

Agreed. I think the 'Speedy' thing was just a nod to fans and a joke. Since Thea was doing drugs.

 

[Savage]

I see where your coming from but I feel different about sidekicks. To me a sidekick is learning under a mentor with an eye towards aiding him or eventually replacing him. In this the sidekick will be like the mentor, will have learned his methods, and probably even costumed in a similar way (you can rationalize that with it being a uniform or left over parts from other armors etc.)

Pretty much. Plus it would be nice to actually see Green Arrow banter with someone during missions and talk about the mission itself with them. I don't know what having any of his family members finding out about his identity would add to the show but I certainly think he should have someone on the field someday who knows. His family finding out would just result in more worrying on their part. A partner would offer a whole new dynamic. Like Nikita and Alex, if we're going to compare it to another CW show. I love that student and mentor relationship.

I don't think they should make his sister or Laurel superheroes in anyway. I don't want to see her become Speedy the sidekick and Black Canary. I'm perfectly fine with those two not becoming superheroes for this show.

Maybe they can give Laurel of title of Black Canary somehow, but now as a crime fighter, much in the way Harvey was given the nickname 'Two Face' before he became a criminal because of his work in I.A.

Bring in a male speedy sidekick/confidant and just call him Arsenal.

See at that point I'd feel like they might as well have named the character something else if there's no intention on making her Black Canary. That's like putting on Bruce Wayne as a regular where he's just one of Oliver's rich, Ivy League school friends, and never Batman. Ever. Just some dude with a weird nickname. Laurel's mother is out of the picture so I'm hoping Laurel's father reveal's to her that her mother was the original. Search out Ted Grant and he can train her if she chooses to go in that direction.

 

[Midnight Black]

Agreed. I think the 'Speedy' thing was just a nod to fans and a joke. Since Thea was doing drugs.

Did I miss something was Oliver's sister doing drugs in one of the previous episodes or are you referencing the comics?

I think it was a joke and nod to fans too though. I wouldn't want to see his sister 1. become a sidekick and 2. die. Keep her on. There is no need for her to die. Maybe the mother if she is truly in on the conspiracy to kill the father, but not the sister.

See at that point I'd feel like they might as well have named the character something else if there's no intention on making her Black Canary. That's like putting on Bruce Wayne as a regular where he's just one of Oliver's rich, Ivy League school friends, and never Batman. Ever. Just some dude with a weird nickname. Laurel's mother is out of the picture so I'm hoping Laurel's father reveal's to her that her mother was the original. Search out Ted Grant and he can train her if she chooses to go in that direction.

I see you're point but it's been done before. Did they ever get around to calling Clark Superman in Smallville lol??? Having characters in a show and not calling them their comic book names or secret identities is not uncommon. In fact they haven't even called Olliver 'Green Arrow' yet have they? It has either been hood or just Arrow right?

I have no problem with Laurel not becoming Black Canary. I don't mind if her mother was a vigilante in the past that got killed and that's why her father is so overprotective of his daughters. Maybe he even met her by arresting her or something, but at this point I really don't see Laurel becoming Black Canary for any good reason.

Maybe they will have her save GA/Olliver and have her dress up in all black, but I don't se her becoming a full-time or even really part-time hero.

 

[Midnight Black]

Okay. Scratch everything I just said LOL. This episode just ruined my whole argument!!!!

 

[Kar]

There was a post a few pages back about someone hoping Laurel doesn't take self defense classes and take down a guard.

They called it.

 

[Donut]

I see you're point but it's been done before. Did they ever get around to calling Clark Superman in Smallville lol?

The only time Clark was called Superman in Smallville was more of a nod type of thing. Lana pretty much asked Clark if he was man or Superman early on in the seasons. Thats the only time he was called it

 

[flickchick85]

So...where were those skills last week? Not gonna complain though, this is exactly what I wanted for Laurel.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

The only time Clark was called Superman in Smallville was more of a nod type of thing. Lana pretty much asked Clark if he was man or Superman early on in the seasons. Thats the only time he was called it

yeah and even then it was just a Nietzsche reference.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Of course I had to look away the exact moment Laurel pulls a punch..lol go figure.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

So...where were those skills last week? Not gonna complain though, this is exactly what I wanted for Laurel.

I'm pretty sure there's room between punching a rich playboy in the kidneys and dodging bullets that self-defense classes don't cover.

But I did squeal when she started kicking him!!

 

[flickchick85]

I'm pretty sure there's room between punching a rich playboy in the kidneys and dodging bullets that self-defense classes don't cover.

But I did squeal when she started kicking him!!

Well, she did more than punching a playboy in the kidneys, but that's a fair point nonetheless.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Now why the hell would you kill off Deadshot in his first episode? Deadshot is to cool to be killed in his first appearance.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

I don't think he's dead.

Oliver left a guy bleeding in the eye to save Diggle.


Loved that IT lady's Hamlet observation. "We didn't study Shakespeare in any of the four schools I dropped out of." lol

 

[solidsnake86]

Now why the hell would you kill off Deadshot in his first episode? Deadshot is to cool to be killed in his first appearance.

Don't think they killed him.

 

[Human Torch]

I'm not sure that Deadshot is....well....Dead,but I'm hoping we'll get some more backstory/interaction with the villains in the future.It was the same thing with China White.Introduce them and brief fight scene.Although,I'm sure Deathstroke will get more than that.

Kinda getting sick of the soap stuff.I know to expect it from the CW,but less who slept with who,and more focus on the weekly villain wouldn't hurt.

 

[solidsnake86]

I'm not sure that Deadshot is....well....Dead,but I'm hoping we'll get some more backstory/interaction with the villains in the future.It was the same thing with China White.Introduce them and brief fight scene.Although,I'm sure Deathstroke will get more than that.

Kinda getting sick of the soap stuff.I know to expect it from the CW,but less who slept with who,and more focus on the weekly villain wouldn't hurt.

They need to develop the characters and that involves some human interaction, its not necessarily soap stuff. If the show is just action and villains origin it would get boring fast IMO.

 

[HighFivingMF]

Sooooo. Nobody mentions the Bludhaven reference?