#arrowxflash

(Set 2 of 2) of banners from the #TheArrow portion of the ArrowXFlash Crossover that aired Wednesday, December 2, 2015.  I just love Barry x Oliver’s relationship.

(Set 1 of 2) of banners from the #TheArrow portion of the ArrowXFlash Crossover that aired Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Banners from #TheFlash portion of the ArrowXFlash Crossover that aired Tuesday, December 1, 2015

This week was the best episode of Arrow I have seen this entire season, and was a great end to the crossover event this season. Many of the reasons that the Flash episode wasn’t as good this week was because it was gearing up for this episode. The character development was fantastically balanced with the action and plot; it was so engrossing I barely wrote any notes for the episode.

The characters were great together as always, seeing Malcolm is fantastic and I am very interested to see why he took the ashes of Vandal Savage towards the end of the episode. Barry being the comic relief for the Flash/Arrow team works well and contrasts so well with his anxiety towards the end of the episode. Seeing Oliver’s subplot evolve in this episode was fantastic since we really got to see Oliver deal with some trauma unlike we have ever seen before. Personally I didn’t like his decision both times around, as I love Oliver and Felicity at the moment and I don’t want their relationship to become rocky again. I understand why the writers are doing this but I don’t like it. It does bring out the best of both Emily Bett and Stephen Amell though. Seeing Cisco and Kendra talk and work through the feelings was fantastic and I am so glad their relationship was ended cleanly but with enough subtext to be able to continue it if wanted.

The plot of this episode was absolutely fantastic. Right of the bat I was nto expecting the time travel sequence and it blew me away that they did it to begin with. Early in the episode though, the ancient Egyptian setup was well done and I enjoyed it immensely. The amount of budget that went these two episodes was enormous and well spent. I love seeing all the geeks together and it makes me happy to see people get so happy about things that I find interesting. I love Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s armor and weaponry and think that it looks great on them. Their fights between each other were great as was their dialogue, but during the scenes in ancient Egypt, their mannerisms did not fit the time period, but that was much of a muchness in the grander scheme of things. I loved the introduction of Nth metal and the way they explained it, it fit well with the path that the show was taking towards the Hawkman/Hawkgirl saga and I look forward to seeing if they develop it. I do miss that they are not Thanagarians. During the first final fight I was actually impressed by Laural’s scream (but only slightly) and I thought the fight scene went down well. As I said I did not expect the time travel moment but I like the way it was handled and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to seeing more of all of these characters in Legends of Tomorrow. I was hoping to see Riphunter this episode but there was enough in this episode to satisfy me.

I am for the most part a person of faith and logic. However, I do have some irrational superstitions. One of the being my parking location on my late days at work. In my head, if nab that elusive parking spot near the door, it is going to be a great day. Conversely, if I have my parking spot is at the other end of the lot causing me to walk some distance in the cold, it will be a bad day. Tuesday, I found a good spot. Wednesday, it snowed and I found a bad spot. Double whammy right there. It got worse from there. Work is always busy and I left at 7 with warm thoughts of cuddling up with my Arrow filled DVR. Except my DVR did not record last night for what reason I still can’t figure out. Then I texted my Flarrow girls who provided me with several links, none of which worked for me. Finally after 90 minutes, I found a link that worked with my computer, and that episode happened. I should have known when I got that bad parking spot.

I was going to attempt to type my review last night, but I was pretty angry, annoyed, and disappointed overall last night. And in my history that mood just leads to a huge ramble of irrational thoughts. Basically me banging my keyboard. Thankfully, my Flarrow girls to the rescue. We have a group chat and my friend Yasmin, in particular saved me by going step by step with me how to get the TV link to work and then provide me an alternative viewpoint regarding Oliver’s decision. She calmed me down for the 2nd time last night and so I am going to try and present both sides of Oliver’s decision to not tell Felicity about his son.

For the record, I am not upset that Oliver has a son. I heard a lot of rumblings about this storyline in general, but I was taking a sit back and lets see how they handle it approach. We have known since last season’s crossover that Oliver has a potential son, and that sooner or later the subject would have to be approached. What I did not like was that the writers, in my opinion, took the cliche route to introduce contrived drama into Oliver and Felicity’s relationship. Look at some point Oliver and Felicity had to hit a bump in the road, and I was looking forward to that because that is what happens in real relationships. The fantasy lasts for so long. I hate that their bump was done at Oliver’s characters expense. Season 4 has been stellar up to this point because we have been witnessing Oliver meld his identity with the Green Arrow identity. He communicates his feelings, listens to others, and has been a team player. All of that growth has been fueled by his love for Felicity. Don’t believe me? Go listen to his conversation with Barry in part 1 of the crossover. He explicitly says that he is happy because being with Felicity has brought him peace. After watching 7 episodes of masterful writing portraying a mature relationship, I actually told someone that Oliver couldn’t keep a secret from Felicity for 2 seconds. That is how beautiful Oliver’s growth has been because I couldn’t say that for the first 3 seasons. And now he just took 2 HUGE steps back. And for what, so the writers can infuse some “drama” into Olicity? Guess what this is the oldest cliche in the book and you Arrow writers and producers are better than that, or so I thought.

I’m not a fan of lying whether it is by omission or by tongue. That is not to say, I am not guilty of it but it always sucks. Especially when I lie to my mother. I feel it tears a part of my soul each time I do lie to her. Oliver spent a good part of his life lying, cheating, and killing. Intrinsically he has a large heart and his capacity to love and protect is beyond what most are capable of. However, his soul was tattered as a result of all the lying, cheating, and killing and not until Felicity walked into his life did he think that was reparable. But with Felicity brought a new hope,different way of approaching life, and a restoration of his soul. That is the character growth I am speaking about and the reason I love Season 4 Oliver Queen.

Rather than having a cliche kid plot drama that requires said parent to hide kid from significant other; why couldn’t Oliver just be honest with Felicity and the relationship test be how Felicity will handle the news or how having a child impacts their relationship? My point being, at least the drama wouldn’t be rooted by a lie, and the relationship would still maintain a foundation of trust.

So here is the thing, Oliver lied in both timelines. The first leading to Felicity calling him out for not trusting her and walking away from him. This unnerved Oliver so much that the Central City was compromised by Vandal Savage. As Barry told him later in the 2nd timeline, his head wasn’t in the game. Yes, Oliver when you keep something from Felicity your head will never be in the game regardless of the timeline.

This is where my friend offers a different perspective. Her interpretation was that Oliver just discovered a huge bombshell and he needs time to process it. His intention is not hide this fact from Felicity in the long run. In fact in both timelines, he begged baby Mama, to allow him to tell her. I have no doubt in my mind that Oliver loves Felicity with everything he has. And it does speak to his growth that his first instinct is tell Felicity and not want to hide it.

My one comment for now is that Oliver and Felicity are in still a new relationship as a couple. Yes, Oliver has grown since being with Felicity, but certain parts of oneself are hard to change,if ever. They become intrinsic behaviors. Oliver’s comfort zone and instinct has been to keep things to himself. It’s his own contrived way of protecting people, especially when confronted with an intense situation or decision. This was my frustration with him Season 3. And finding out you have a son is a doozy. He doesn’t want to keep this from Felicity and internally it’s killing him ( and that thought in itself is a testament to his growth), however in his mind the alternative is a tad bit worse. He could lose his son and Felicity if he says a word. So he keeps silent, for now. Side note: Barry could have provided some context that Felicity was angry he lied, not that he had a son. But contrived writer drama wins.

Felicity is going to eventually find out about it going to hit her like a ton of bricks. I know that there are a good number of people who were annoyed at Felicity’s persistence with Oliver and Barry to uncover what the hell is going on. I am about to get personal here for a moment to explain why I feel Felicity was justified. We know that Felicity has her own set of insecurities about relationships that originate from her father leaving the family. We got a taste of that in 4×06. I understand that because I have been there, and I was an adult when it happened. I won’t go into detail, but to say that fortunately I have a better relationship with my father. But it has scared me from getting into any relationship and commitment for that matter. The minute I perceive someone getting too close, I run  the other direction. I understood Felicity not wanting to lose herself in a relationship because losing that control, as exhilarating as it maybe, is scary as hell.  I have trust issues like you wouldn’t believe. I know that if I did know someone inside out like Felicity knows Oliver, and gave my 100% to the relationship, I would question them right away when something is up. Hell, I do that with my family members now. The truth of the Oliver’s situation may hurt Felicity, but the omission and perceived lack of trust will gut her. They have worked so hard to get to this point, and that is why this story line sucks even more. It is completely unnecessary and will set back not only Oliver’s growth but Felicity’s as well. Once again, Oliver can have a son, but it would speak volumes to Felicity’s growth if she had to come to terms to accept his son and become a step parent. The great part is that they would be doing that together.

Baby Mama, I get the need to protect your son. But you know Oliver is not the same person he was 9 years ago. In addition, he wasn’t asking you to introduce his son to Felicity. He was asking that he can let her know because you don’t keep secrets from your significant others. That right there should tell you what kind of man Oliver has become and what kind of father he can be to William. However, for the sake of contrived drama, Oliver was shut down.

Listen, speculation is Oliver proposes to Felicity in next week’s winter finale. I will not be okay with this if Felicity does not know about Oliver’s soon. When two people decide to make a commitment to one another, it should be with all cards out on the table. That person is accepting every knowingly accepting every facet of the other persons life. I understand that Oliver is terrified of losing Felicity. It is literally his greatest fear. But Oliver, Felicity was your champion in your crusade after you killed people. She would be your champion through fatherhood also. All this being said, maybe Olicity breaks up and that sucks because that is easy TV drama. I really hope they stay together just experience some major angst. However Oliver and Felicity are endgame. An Epic couple that reminds of a quote from Logan Echolls of “Veronica Mars” “I thought our story was epic, you know. You and me. Spanning years and continents. Lives ruined and blood shed. Epic. No one writes songs about the ones that come easy.” 

Stephen Amell acted the hell out of this episode. His nervousness when confronting Babay Mama was so nuanced and believable. And his first timeline scene with Felicity emotionally gutted me. Bravo to Emily Bett Rickards and Stephen Amell. I need to end this with this cuddling pic because as mad I was at Oliver, this right proves that he is scared little puppy and he Felicity is the love of his life.

  The rest of the episode:

In quick summary–the 1st timeline Vandal Savage wins and everyone else dies. Barry time travels and in the 2nd timeline, Vandal dies and everyone else wins with the help of some meteor rocks. I couldn’t follow with that explanation.

There were so many great one liners, but my favorite goes to Cisco for calling Oliver Cupid when telling him to talk to Kendra.

Since when is Oliver not a hugger? He has hugged Barry before. And Dig, Lance,Laurel, Tommy. That was just weird.

The whole episode was weak for me and at times I thought we were in Earth 3.

Laurel had 3 lines, one of which she patronized Felicity. And I  yelled at her to go back to her mom’s house.

Where was John Diggle?

  Sorry if this was not the review you were looking for. However, this was an important development or rather setback in my opinion, for Oliver. And I wanted to talk about. Please let me know what you think!!!

FLASH/ARROW HEROES JOIN FORCES Big Questions & Moments

The Flash and Arrow courtesy The CW and DC Entertainment The Flash/Arrow crossover event: Heroes Join Forces introduced super villain Vandal Savage and his eternal rivalary with Hawkman and Hawkgirl and set the stage for Legends of Tomorrow. On The Flash Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) met the passionate warrior/lovers Kendra/Hawkgirl (Ciara Renee) and Carter Hall/Hawkman (Falk Hentschel). The Flash…