Arrow Arrow Season 3, Episode 5 "The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak" General Discussion

[Saitou Hajime]

My guess is that real killer implanted a false memory on Roy to sow discord on the team and throw them off track.

 

[Sterling Archer]

If they find out that the Mirakuru cure isn't permanent and that's why Roy killed Sara, that would mean Deathstroke is coming back. If this season is Arrow and Merlyn vs Deathstroke and Ra's Al Ghul that is going to be incredible.

 

[Herolee10]

Does anyone else feel like the actress that plays Felicity's mom looks like a older version of Emma Stone?lol

 

[Boy Scout]

Yep.

 

[mocomic]

Didn't they say Sara's killer wore a mask like Kimodo.

I don't buy the Roy thing though.

My pick for killer a brain washed Sinn. Sara was all what r u here for.

Merlyn,anyone in LOA, Kimodo would not be treated with a low threat level.

Sinn is disposable character.

One strange possibility, brain washed Nyssa. Her father is the demon.

 

[DigificWriter]

My review (cross-posted):
I liked "Goth" Felicity and the existential crisis that she was faced with after realizing that the virus she created was the same one being used for nefarious purposes. However, I don't think the writers did enough to justify intertwining that particular storyline with the other major Felicity-centric story in the episode, which was of course her interactions with her mother. The scenes between the two characters felt kind of superfluous and unnecessary (you could've found any number of different ways to force Felicity into having to help her ex-boyfriend carry out his plan), and even the resolution of that particular arc didn't really feel like it was worth the trouble of bringing the character of Donna into the story.

I've always enjoyed the Oliver/Thea relationship, even when it's been confrontational or tense, and so it's nice to see them reconnecting a little bit, even if it's inevitable that things are going to get hairy if/when the various secrets that they're both keeping are brought out into the open. Thea's new loft is freaking nice, though, and I hope Oliver does in fact take her up on her offer of room and board.

Going back to Felicity's primary story arc this week, I was reminded very much of the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Heart of Steel" vis a vis the whole "Brother Eye" thing with her ex-boyfriend deciding to go on a hacking robbery spree, although I do wish we'd gotten a little bit more explanation as to why he was doing what he was doing. It was neat to see her stand up to him and be the one to ultimately resolve the situation, though.

I'm not sure where they're going with this whole "Roy killed Sara" thing, but, unlike some other people, I don't think it's anything other than what it appears to be, which means that they've got a really fine line to walk between making it work and work believably and it coming across as being 'shocking for shock's sake'. I'm definitely intrigued by it, though, and will be tuning in next week to see what happens and how they further this particular plot.

Even if it ended up just making the situation worse, I liked Laurel telling that police officer to send in a 'riot squad', especially since it led directly to the scene between her and her dad where he briefly chastises her before going straight into 'dad mode'. Both Katie and Paul played the father-daughter aspects of the scene perfectly, and I liked that she later took his advice about opening up to someone and explained the source of all of her anger to Ted Grant.

I like Brandon Routh as an actor, but he's being wasted right now as Ray Palmer because the character really doesn't seem to have much purpose story-wise. Hopefully that will be changing in the future (preferably sooner rather than later).

I know this episode was originally titled "Oracle", and while "The Secret Origin of Felicity Smoak" is a bit too long, it's still better than the original title because it fits the thematic and narrative elements of the episode's primary story arc(s) much better.

Ratings-wise, I'm going to give this a solid 9. I had some issues with it, but, in the end, the positives outnumber the negatives, which is always a good thing.

 

[los pollos]

This episode was okay, but it was pretty much filler. I like Felicity a lot, but I don't buy that she was a gothic type super hacker, that just turned into the loveable, klutzy, genius we have now. Her drama with her mom also felt kind of weak since they didn't really show any instances of how mama Smoak used to act, either in the present or in flashbacks, to justify all of the rants Felicity had about her throughout the episode. It came off to me that Felicty was being a jerk, just trashing her mom for the pettiest of reasons. I know that wasn't the intention of the writers/director, but the execution of it was flawed.

This episode also has had a running issue that I've had with this season that I really hope gets corrected by next episode, and that is Roy. The guy hasn't really had anything interesting going for him so far this season. He's now the sidekick he was supposed to be, but his interactions with the group, and his underdeveloped personality leaves a lot to be desired. Seriously, we're 5 episodes into the season so far, and Roy just seems like hired help for the most part. Sarah was much better integrated into to Team Arrow, via quality interactions with Ollie, Diggle, and Felicity, not just taking orders like a grunt. Hopefully the next episode rectifies this problem, but as of right now Roy is the most forgettable main character on this show.

 

[dreammaster]

great episode

 

[Paradox1]

I thought the episode was okay. I can not buy Roy in some rage killed Sara all of the sudden. They weren't the best of friends last year but that seems out of left field.

They have been dropping a lot of brother eye easter eggs. The OMACS Palmer was looking into and now this. If this is brother eye version 1.0 good start if they never fall up thats gonna suck.

The training montage was neat then Thea says "i wonder how normal people wake up?" Then we cut away to Felicity struggling doing sit ups which was really funny. Mama Smoak was a fox but they got me wondering who was her husband.

Speaking of Palmer Brandon Routh owns every scene that he is in. Suit this man up and lets get his plot going already.

All the other plots going were good. Loved how Laurel's training tied very much into her plot. Thea/Ollie I'm glad they are moving in together with Papa Merlyn keeping a watch full eye.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Well Roy possibly killing Sara came out of left field for him as well.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I thought the episode was okay. I can not buy Roy in some rage killed Sara all of the sudden. They weren't the best of friends last year but that seems out of left field.

If Roy did kill Sara (which is still pretty up in the air) I think it's pretty obvious he didn't do it in a rage. He's being controlled somehow. The nightmares/not sleeping comments is leading to something, and his brain has been effed with in some way.

It's a nice twist. Either it's the true killers way of sewing even more dissension in the Arrow ranks (and Roy is a good pick, given that he was driven mad in a Miracuru rage last season), or someone used some form of mind control/hypnosis effects (possible Vertigo connection?) to use Roy as their "weapon" to kill Sara.

Either option is fairly interesting, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it leads.

On another note, man, is it just me, or is the guy playing Wildcat just bad? His lines are all monotone and oddly rushed. I'm not sure if that's directing or what, but it's been the case every single time. He's incredibly stiff. And unfortunately, Laurel just keeps being unlikeable. They're trying, but it's just rough with her character.

 

[zenith16]

They have interacted...quite a bit. DS is originally a Titans enemy noone can argue with that, but since Identity Crisis DC has tried hard to make him become GAs nemesys...because let's be honest: Merlyn in the comics isn't half as cool as the show's version (I'm speaking background, characterization and reason to be Ollies archenemy).
i know lots of people don't read the GA comics (or have just read Longbow Hunters and Year One)...but Ollie became a real badass after being resurected by Kevin Smith. Shortly before having to deal on a regular basis with DS he retrained himself and even Slade had to admit that - although he was not near his level - he had become very good.
Before Identity C. (Where their feud starts because Ollie stabs Slade in the empty Eye socket making him unprepared for the Leagues attacks) they had only interacted once as far as I know in a horroble tam up(this was during GAs weakest run) but after that DC has tried to present them as a pair quite a lot.
-Deathstroke was from then on featured a lot in GA comics
-In the Injustice commercials and Demos they are shown fighting against each other prominently (the GA reveal Demo featured a fight against DS)
-The toys for said game were sold in a double pack GA/DS (not DS Dick Grayson or DS Cyborg or DS Raven).
-Having DSs mask on the island in the pilot was not the writers idea it was suggested to them by Geoff Johns.
-In the N52 the two have not met yet but in the Futures End storyline it is made clear that they will become enemies somewhere in the future and DS kills Ollie (saying he would have done it for free when it comes to GA...therefore hinting at some deep hatred)

well I'll say this I'll take. the original comic Roy over what's happening here any time and huntress too. the one that's actually the same age as Roy hell I would have been happier if she was a love interest rival to thea since I think Cheshire will be a while befor we see her she becomes Roy's baby moma. the writing some times on this show . let's just say it can be way better

maybe they needed another villain beside malcome but they could have done alot with his time with being waller's forced assassin to do that have an enemy from his or one of his Argos agency trainer not the one with a family in china mind you, but another person just for the show with issues.

This is what been bothering me most other shows or media with the spy world they show case some one being taken in by a agency, that agency makes them better / improves on the skills they have and train's them in stuff they lack. from the what they have learnt prior.

But here cause it's waller he's not being improved cause of how she well using him. well that and he's resisting for good reason. I'm aware that part alot is off.

This reminded me when death stroke in the show was out thinking Ollie tactically & strategically. then after he defeated death stroke they said ollie was taken in as operative /assassin that was what bugged me. If he was with an agency that should never have happened cause he would have those skills & slade /death stroke wouldn't have out maneuvered him like that.

let's just say every time I see some one from the fan base say Ollie should train someone like Roy, Helena or anyone it bother's me. he's not at the level he should be, not in tactic's , strategy or detective work even with stuff after Sara death on the roof with Dig, no he's(Oliver) not there yet he shouldn't be training others.


Oh that was the very thing that made Roy cool in the comic's the CBI agency that took roy in after ollie wasn't the best guardian to him made him a way better fighter and trained him in stuff Ollie didn't pick up til most of his kids adopted or blood related surpassed him at skill wise. Roy actually had detective skills. Ollie really should have had a CSI or forensic person look at Sara's body to find out height of the killer . from where the arrow's hit her.


Yeah in a way it's sad they (most of his side kicks or kids ) passed him in certain area's of skill, but it did help to define some of the characters from each other . And it let them each have different skill set's they were each masters of or specialist in.


Best of all they learned it from, other people.

 

[JC00]

lol at people actually biting on Roy killing Sara. He wasn't brainwashed either. He is having guilt nightmares from going nuts and killing the cop. Guessing their were some effects from the mirakuru or the cure.

You really think they are revealing who killed Sara in a Felicity centric episode? Come on.

 

[Primal Slayer]

The biggest problem with Roy is that he doesn't have much personality I think. He is either woe is me over Thea, or woe is me over the drug. I want him to have a more fun and mischievous personality in contrast to Ollies personality.

 

[DigificWriter]

@JC00: You don't specifically and clearly 'telegraph' something more than once (which is exactly what's happened with this Roy thing) if it's not heading somewhere specific and is just a 'red herring'.

 

[Arrowshieldfan]

It not Roy because A) I pretty sure Sara was killed by a bow and arrow......and B) we never saw him says Hello Sara line......it seem like PTSD from the Mirkaru

 

[Human Torch]

TBH I hope the heck it WAS Roy that killed her in some drugged out haze. It's the only way I'd buy that **** poor death scene.

 

[Human Torch]

BTW we've never heard Roy use a voice changer, have we? Although I imagine he has one

 

[Sterling Archer]

I want it to be Roy just so this dumb mystery plot can be over already.

 

[Boy Scout]

But making it Roy might make the whole thing even dumber than it already is.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Anyone else feeling underwhelmed by this season so far? Not saying it's bad, just feels inferior to what it was before. Maybe the focus of Greg and crew is now on the Flash? Hope it picks up, I love this show.

 

[combocaz]

another great episode arrow team

 

[dude stannis]

Dat ending.

 

[Nathan]

I have to say, I'm totally fine with Roy being the killer, if that's really their intention. And he probably did it suited up and with a bow. But the repressed memories resurface in a different way. The Mirakuru enraged Roy is probably just a visualization of him not being in control during that moment.

And I still can't enjoy any Laural moments. How often do we need to see her angry, or doing wrong judgment calls? This entire arc they have planned for her, should have taken place during season 2. Instead of the pills and booze and going on an Arrow manhunt, the pain over loosing Tommy is what should have put her into the ring. Training, trying to vent and control her anger. Instead we get her angry at the world most of season 2, and during season 3 she wants to put everyone into the ground, who is a suspect in her sister's murder.

 

[Tv's Phil]

I liked this episode well enough but it may have been the first time I'd agree with the complaints about the "CW drama" drifting into the show.
It's not the reasons behind the emotions were wrong, it just felt a bit overbearing on the episode as a whole. The pacing I guess was off.
We need the storm of angst hanging over from the end of last season and from Sara to clear enough that they don't need to spend more time on "Are you okay?" scenes involving Sara and we can get to the main villain's arc.

That could be flawed thinking on my part that a season needs to fit into a box and doesn't have to follow the mold of last season.
But, they do need to make a little progress on the murder or give us a little insight into Palmer's goals to grab people.