Arrow Arrow Season 4 Episode 11: "A.W.O.L"

[DigificWriter]

I strongly suspect they did kill Waller because of the embargo ( even if its not an absolute embargo, but merely a restriction in usage ). Nonetheless, I applaud. She totally deserved it, sitting their smug in her belief in her own invincible *******ry, only to be killed precisely because there is no point trying to manipulate the compassion of a soulless monster.

Like I said, they could've just not used the character again until the restrictions were lifted (as they will inevitably be).

It's easy to sit there and complain about story decisions being driven or altered by a set of restrictions that were very clearly put in place BY REQUEST, but the argument falls apart when you're dealing with a situation where killing the character really wasn't the only way for the writers to be in compliance with said by-request restrictions, as is the case with this Waller thing.

 

[mr. peasant]

Like I said, they could've just not used the character again until the restrictions were lifted (as they will inevitably be).

It's easy to sit there and complain about story decisions being driven or altered by a set of restrictions that were very clearly put in place BY REQUEST, but the argument falls apart when you're dealing with a situation where killing the character really wasn't the only way for the writers to be in compliance with said by-request restrictions, as is the case with this Waller thing.

Unless there is a time limit on their accessibility to the character. Bear in mind that DC is likely hoping for Suicide Squad to be a success - meaning, sequels. So, restrictions on the use of SS characters will likely continue (or at least are being planned to continue) long after the movie's left theatres.

That said, I agree that this is pure speculation given what little we know.

I strongly suspect they did kill Waller because of the embargo ( even if its not an absolute embargo, but merely a restriction in usage ). Nonetheless, I applaud. She totally deserved it, sitting their smug in her belief in her own invincible *******ry, only to be killed precisely because there is no point trying to manipulate the compassion of a soulless monster.

That said, at least she's consistent in her principles. She may be a heartless B, but at least her priorities are on point. To a degree. She died protecting her secrets.

 

[Mikelus]

Well they haven't killed off Boomerang as of yet, though given where he's currently at the moment, it might as well be considered the same thing since I doubt that we'll ever see him again.lol

Honestly, I'm not really sad about seeing Waller go in the present. She's the most one dimensional character in the entire series.

Yeah, even Smallville's Waller had more personality, Arrow did a very poor job with the character. The episode was decent, the best so far for the Diggle bros, we'll see what they do with them next. Hopefully, Arrow is not going to ruin everything by having Andy jealous of John & Carly sexy times!!

On the whole killing characters appearing on the movies, I agree with the opinion that it doesn't make sense if the idea is to let the writers have more freedom, Geoff Johns said and I quote:

We have our TV universe and our film universe, but they all co-exist. For us, creatively, it’s about allowing everyone to make the best possible product, to tell the best story, to do the best world. Everyone has a vision and you really want to let the visions shine through.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jarettwieselman/the-man-at-the-center-of-dcs-tv-multiverse

WB is schizophrenic!

 

[Mike Murdock]

Deadshot
Waller
Katana (I believe she shows up in an upcoming episode)

Warner Brothers making them kill off all the characters in the Suicide Squad movie. So much for Geoff Johns saying "both universes can co-exist"


Actually kind of worried about Barry now, especially with them bringing Wally West in.

I'd actually be more concerned about the show in general than Barry Allen. But we have a long time. I agree it's not a good look, though. At least Deadshot had an ambiguous death. This one was crystal clear.

I feel the opinion of this episode, in many ways, depends on your willingness to accept the hallucination. I just barely was able to do so, so I found it pretty enjoyable overall.

So Shadowspire should return? I mean one episode is not enough to wrap up loose end like is there a mole? Who order the hit? Is the Baron revenge for sending Oliver Queen for destroying his plans?

Well, it's tied to Oliver's flashbacks, so I imagine they'll have some role.

First Deadshot, now Amanda Waller?
Screw DC/WB. I'm protesting against this.

How? By skipping the Suicide Squad movie?

 

[Jedi Arrow]

I'm officially declaring this the best episode since S2. Guys, this was a seriously great episode on all parts. Laurel/Oliver's interactions were a standout, the Diggle Brothers were on point, Felicity finally getting a codename is great...and her and Oliver's relationship has seriously developed to a mature, adult point that makes me happy for both of them. Seriously, great episode on all parts. Keep this up!

 

[Gintoki]

How? By skipping the Suicide Squad movie?

Yup. If they gonna make dumb decisions, might as well not give them my money. I can just watch it by other means.

 

[Mike Murdock]

Don't do that. Stick to your principles, but don't break the law so you can have your cake and eat it too. If you want to skip the Suicide Squad movie, actually skip it.

 

[Gee]

With that ending I think someone in the Diggle Family is going to die

If that happens, I'm going with Lyla.

 

[Wheels]

Goth Felicity is embarrassing.... I'd make for a more believable goth than Emily Rickards.

 

[the dmg]

Good episode, I liked the focus on the Diggle brothers, it gave a little bit of back story and a good current one, Shadowspire feels like a group we will see more of given they tie into the Island flashbacks as well.

The story had a bit of a Die Hard tip of the hat to it and was well executed with some decent action as the importance of Felicity's role from ops was showcased perfectly, Ollie's entrance into the ARGUS control room was badass!

Felicity - "Overwatch?" Ollie - "Oracle was taken."

I liked the way Felicity's insecurities and doubt were visually portrayed with Goth Haluccolicity, and the scenes with her and Oliver were well done, they actually talk to each other and avoid the same pitfalls they have both stepped into before, especially with Ollie's need to be at fault for everything bad that happens.

There were a couple of good scenes in there for Laurel as well, her training scene and talk with Ollie, and her CSI scene where she verbally countered the stroppy cop with a nice jab.

Next up, The Calculator!

Pretty much sums up my feelings on the episode, although I didn't care for them taking out Waller in that fashion even if that's how she would go out. They could have just written her out of the show and she was barely being used as is.

 

[metaphysician]

If that happens, I'm going with Lyla.

I doubt it. They've all but set up for Lyla to be the new director of ARGUS.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I doubt it. They've all but set up for Lyla to be the new director of ARGUS.

Also, if they did go with Lyla (someone who, audience-wise, would be a very minimal death) it would be akin to the giant let down that last season's "Oliver's dead" thing was. All this buildup for a supposedly huge event only to be like, "nah, JK bro, he's good. He's just tough."

They certainly seem to be setting up that this is a major player who's died, and if it turns out to be a smaller supporting character like Lyla...that would be pretty annoying. For me personally, it might even turn me off the show.

 

[p4poetic]

Yeah, even Smallville's Waller had more personality, Arrow did a very poor job with the character. The episode was decent, the best so far for the Diggle bros, we'll see what they do with them next. Hopefully, Arrow is not going to ruin everything by having Andy jealous of John & Carly sexy times!!

On the whole killing characters appearing on the movies, I agree with the opinion that it doesn't make sense if the idea is to let the writers have more freedom, Geoff Johns said and I quote:



WB is schizophrenic!

I don't even remember Smallville's Waller. Her characterization may not be perfect but Arrow Waller is still by far the best live action Amanda Waller.

Well they haven't killed off Boomerang as of yet, though given where he's currently at the moment, it might as well be considered the same thing since I doubt that we'll ever see him again.lol

Honestly, I'm not really sad about seeing Waller go in the present. She's the most one dimensional character in the entire series.

You can't fault Arrow's Waller for being more on the one dimensional side when they hadn't been given the chance to develop her character.

They could have easily done so in an episode this year giving her at least a backstory. I was really anxious to see a storyline like that. Complete missed oppurtunity, unless E2 Waller appears on The Flash.

 

[metaphysician]

Eh, giving Waller backstory really wouldn't matter. The problem with Waller wasn't that she was flat, the problem was that she was incredibly heinously evil. A backstory that explains why she finds collateral damage to be fun wouldn't mean a lot.