tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post874380099880529906..comments2024-03-24T03:19:39.745-04:00Comments on Just About Write: Arrow 3x07 "Draw Back Your Bow" (Love Is A Dangerous Game)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-147421233333012252014-12-02T22:38:48.771-05:002014-12-02T22:38:48.771-05:00You're welcome for the comments about Oliver. ...You're welcome for the comments about Oliver. I think superhero TV series and movies (and ships, really) are quick to romanticize things. And I agree with you -- Oliver has some real issues that need to be worked out with heavy doses of therapy. It's not something to swoon at, really. I do love Oliver because he is damaged and imperfect and flawed but I think he desperately needs to get his emotions and feelings in check in order to be... you know, a functioning and less damaged member of society.<br /><br />I didn't necessarily like the therapist but a) I don't know that we were supposed to, since she was brash and a bit calloused and b) Oliver DID break and enter and terrify her so she may have been ruder because of that. However -- big however -- I liked her because Oliver responds better to harsh truths than he does ones that are gentler and sugar-coated. I liked that she immediately called him out on his flaws and she has been the only person in the series thus far to do that on a professional level.<br /><br />I really want Oliver to go to therapy, though. MAKE IT HAPPEN, SHOW. (Please.)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696902354009598893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-50207637341752019892014-12-02T17:19:47.754-05:002014-12-02T17:19:47.754-05:00Oh I totally agree about Cupid. I would love to s...Oh I totally agree about Cupid. I would love to see her back in a Suicide Squad capacity (I think such a Squad episode has been hinted at).<br />And thank you for pointing out that while Carrie is easily labeled as crazy and needing professional help Oliver's issues get dismissed, even romanticized. In superhero tropes, a good amount of dysfunction is expected and enjoyed. (Batman could never get therapy and become more mentally healthy because that would kill the momentum behind his character.) But Oliver is definitely full of issues, and not attractive romantic issues, but issues that are screwing up his life (even if an emotionally constipated, deeply isolated man is often considered attractive and masculine and strong in our social stereotypes).<br /><br />What did you think of the role of the therapist that had been counseling Carrie? I thought she was slightly unpleasant or maybe just too biting and condescending for my taste. Her snarky comment about his costume would make anybody defensive and even more likely to not ask for help. I don't know, therapy isn't cool or sexy and I understand why no one is super keen on the idea but PTSD and other issues are also no laughing matter and Oliver screws himself over in so many ways... He makes me tired and sad for him.<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts. Yay - Becca Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-20493900651060619122014-12-02T16:07:25.344-05:002014-12-02T16:07:25.344-05:00Anon, thank you so much for reading and commenting...Anon, thank you so much for reading and commenting on this review. I'm so glad you've been enjoying the site. :)<br /><br />I do like, as I said, that we're not expected to love Ray. I'm okay with the writers telling us that we can feel however we want to feel in regards to him and it's justified. And I do agree that his purpose seems to be essentially getting everything that Oliver wishes he could have at the moment. It's sad to see Oliver's company and girl slipping away from him, but maybe it'll be the kick Oliver needs to make some sort of realization. I've never really thought about the dinner scene, so that's a really astute observation!<br /><br />I want Cupid to return and I think her being on the Suicide Squad gives her leeway to in the future, which makes me happy. I do think that you're right in terms of Cupid's obsession -- it may not BE love, but she's driven from a place in which she believes she is in love. I think the most important part of the episode (and the message as a whole) was that Cupid was broken and flocked to Oliver because he was, too. Not only that but Cupid's form of "crazy" is easily labeled as something in desperate need of help, while Oliver's issues are in need of just as much help but are more socially (or at least in the TV world) deemed "acceptable."<br /><br />THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENT ABOUT DIGGLE. That entire scene rubbed me the wrong way and I'm glad Felicity called Diggle out on it. He essentially blamed HER for Oliver being in a bad head place, guilting her into "if something happens to him in the field, it'll be because he was consumed with thinking about YOU," which irked me. I know it came from a place of trying to play fix-it with Oliver/Felicity (evidenced by how he treated Oliver the entire episode), but it seemed a tad out of place for Diggle. Of course, he WAS right in saying that Oliver needed to get his crap together. And Felicity was right in saying that OLIVER needed to tell her how he felt, not passed along through a message from Dig.<br /><br />Again, thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. I love to receive well-articulated and argued comments on my site. :)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696902354009598893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-47800967007222592102014-12-02T15:03:40.227-05:002014-12-02T15:03:40.227-05:00Oh also, :)
As far as the Cupid character goes I ...Oh also, :)<br /><br />As far as the Cupid character goes I thought she was delightfully creepy. "Lovers, Sounds creepy no matter how you say it"<br />I also think we have to be careful if we are going to say what she was experiencing was love. Stalking is horrifying and really not about love. To quote Giles from Buffy , "I know it's not love, it's obsession." I don't want to get all therapist but stalkers (attachment disorder etc) are not coming from a place of love. That's why they so often escalate into violence against the object of their obsession. It's why she says that old phrase "If I can't have you..." before trying to kill them both with a train. And the stalker doesn't have to know the person they are obsessed with, they often don't, because they have created an image in their mind that has very little basis in a real person. Obsession and possession without really caring at all about the person you claim to love or what they need, that's really scary and perfect for a villain. It's another reason why I was glad to hear Oliver say "I just want her to be happy." when talking to Diggle about Felicity. That is love. I think at that point Oliver honestly believes her happiness will be more likely away from him. Of course we know he's telling himself lies again but he does that well and in lots of different ways as we've seen his character progress.<br /><br />I was a little surprised at Diggle's conversation with Felicity in her office. When he talked about Oliver's head being messed with and that not being safe I felt he was straying a little into emotional manipulation territory(even Diggle is not perfect). I think it was coming from a loving place but that crossed the line and I'm glad Felicity called him on it. That scene immediately put me in mind of the conversation the two of them had near the end of season 1 when Felicity came to Diggle's apartment to mend the breach between the two men. If you watch those scenes back to back they are scarily mirrored. Both of them try to mend Oliver's bridges for him and both of them point out to the other that Oliver has to start that conversation himself. I think they are both such solid, emotionally mature people that they are trying to help by speaking for Oliver emotionally because he is so reluctant to do it himself (classic overfunctioning for an individual- Oliver- who doesn't do something well). And they are both right at the end of those two scenes (Diggle in 1x21 and Felicity in 3x07) when they say that if Oliver thinks or feels something that he has to be the one who says it. It actually doesn't help him to try and step into that gap and do it for him. He can learn that skill but he won't unless he has to learn it for himself.<br /><br />Anyway, that was long. Really enjoy your site and keep on with the interesting work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-42890591550552708362014-12-02T15:01:47.306-05:002014-12-02T15:01:47.306-05:00Really enjoyed your review! I love thoughtful rea...Really enjoyed your review! I love thoughtful reactions to story.<br /><br />I am totally happy with the Ray situation, or with what it is accomplishing in the plot. He has replaced Oliver in some very serious ways- owning the company, changing the name, saving the city (his way, an important way of creating jobs etc), spending loads of time with Felicity, working out on a salmon ladder, being attracted to Felicity, and having perhaps a fancier looking hero costume ;) In all these ways Oliver and his choices are being threatened and I think that's an important theme. <br /><br />I really think Felicity's little speech about Ray at the business dinner was very significant. She has obviously been impressed by him and I trust her judgement generally (even if he really hasn't won me over personally) but then she said something that I think could really be directed at us as the audience when she tells the mine owner that she is not surprised he doesn't want to sell his mine. She says this is understandable because "You don't know what his plans are." WE don't know what his plans are either. Of course we don't trust him. We have very little idea of who is he, what he seeks or what his plans are. Until then we are not going to feel comfortable with him. I think that was a writer's way of saying - pay attention because this guy has some interesting plans and then you might feel differently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-59940262373416474742014-11-30T19:52:59.196-05:002014-11-30T19:52:59.196-05:00Anon! Thanks again for your thoughtful comments an...Anon! Thanks again for your thoughtful comments and your lovely words about these reviews. I love few things more than I love analyzing television so I'm really glad that you have garnered something from them -- be it appreciation or even just incentive to think about a character in a different light (like Cupid). <br /><br />You are right about Ray though and especially astute when you say that he is her "perfect other" on Arrow: they've made it clear this season that Ray is essentially getting everything Oliver can't (or won't allow himself to) have. I have to say that I love Barry WORLDS more than Ray at this point but -- again -- I don't think the writers are even necessarily asking us to love him at this point anyway.<br /><br />I am so glad that Felicity is being treated like the leading lady she is! (As a shameless plug, you should check out my character appreciation post of her on here if you haven't yet.) I love how layered and complex and strong she really is. And I love, as you said, that Felicity isn't just tied to Oliver this year and her story is obviously about him but more about HER and HER happiness and self-discovery. I like my ladies complex and dynamic and I'm glad Arrow has been doing pretty well with both in regards to her.<br /><br />Thank you again for reading. I'll be back with Flash AND Arrow reviews this week. Whew! Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696902354009598893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-43967059764204737772014-11-29T22:02:46.283-05:002014-11-29T22:02:46.283-05:00So first, thanks for responding but really -- your...So first, thanks for responding but really -- your review was marvelous and honestly sometimes I love reading the reviews more than the actual show. Plus you sold me on Cupid because I was kind of mixed on her (though she has some great lines -- her calling Oliver's "I need to be alone" as a lie, so perfect, and love is a slice of insanity for two). Sorry I didn't write my clapping furiously in support/agreement/fandom, I meant to! It's why I posted. <br /><br />Yes, I think you're right -- Ray does have red flags, but I think it's the writers overly making the point that Ray not only is into Felicity, he adores Felicity. You're also right, he's not successful in execution. But all the ideas are so great -- hire Brandon Routh (taller, movie Superman), play him as Felicity's perfect other (genius, dedicated to helping others) and then put him into play hard. He just seems like he's everything Oliver Queen (absent of the Arrow) wants to be and isn't. The perfect foil for Felicity's post-Sara identity and Oliver's-ongoing-identity-search. He's Barry 2.0 because if there's anything that gives Oliver growth, especially with Felicity, it's jealousy and struggle. <br /><br />Also, humorously, have you ever read the article "romantic comedy behavior gets man arrested" on the Onion. It's kinda Ray. Arrow just has really smart fans to see it. :)<br /><br />But yeah... I think I'm happy Felicity is finally being treated as a main character, with her own arc. I want the same for Diggle though he can't be in this season's theme because his identity is that of amazing. Whatever the case, it's so refreshing to see the ship be made second to character growth. Also to know that for these characters, the ship won't die because it can't. That feels true to me. It's a fun time to be a fan.<br /><br />Thanks again -- I'll be reading! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-8046559094668289802014-11-29T21:12:33.083-05:002014-11-29T21:12:33.083-05:00Hello there anon! First of all, thank you for your...Hello there anon! First of all, thank you for your well-thought out comment on this review. I'm approaching the character of Ray very cautiously. As you mention, he has an alter ego in the comics (that I am unaware of because I do not read them). But -- this is a big 'but' -- I feel you would agree that characters, while initially portrayed in comics need to be fleshed-out in the television counterpart for those who, like me, do not read the comics. The writers shouldn't rely on the idea of "well, he's not a bad guy -- just read the comics" in their show. I don't think they do that for Oliver or anyone else so I wouldn't expect they would for Ray. Which brings me, then, back to my problem with him: we don't know how we are supposed to feel about Ray yet. He's kind of this... floating plot point. And I think the problem I had isn't that I believe him to be evil or conniving (as I mentioned, I think he genuinely does care for Felicity) but that his methodology in attracting her attention was -- in the episode -- slightly red-flag raising. I mean, he essentially coerced her into the dinner with the promise of the dress and everything he does in regards to her seems a bit too forced to me and a bit too off-putting. I am sure there are women who swoon at him, but I'm not one of them. He is strongly pursuing Felicity, though, where Oliver is passively doing so (dangling maybes, etc.) so I do think you are right in the fact that this is what separates his character the most at this point from Oliver. Oliver doesn't know what he wants yet and when he did at the end of 3x07, it was too late. Ray KNOWS what he wants and knows how to get it.<br /><br />I do think that Felicity's exploration of happiness (and subsequently, her identity) will be very important in how her relationships with Ray and Oliver evolve. Ray is the kind of man who is not giving her ANY mixed signals and Oliver keeps doing so. It must be maddeningly frustrating for her to never get a straight answer from Oliver regarding his feelings. <br /><br />I do think the Oliver/Felicity dynamic is very complex and one of the more interesting ships on television right now because it's rooted in SO much more than just a will-they-won't-they. I am ready for Oliver to start thinking about who he is if he isn't Oliver Queen (or if he IS) and for them to grow together, not further apart (which is where they are at this moment because, you know, ANGST).<br /><br />Thanks again for your comment!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696902354009598893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-5700019117208398112014-11-29T19:33:50.840-05:002014-11-29T19:33:50.840-05:00I really don't think the viewers are meant to ...I really don't think the viewers are meant to see anything sinister in Ray. If you read comics, you know where he's going. There's also the fact that in Arrow, Felicity is pretty much never wrong, and she believes in him. For Ray to fall or be a creepy stalker would throw the canon and Felicity out the window. <br /><br />I think the reason Ray is written over the top is because Ray is supposed to be the movie-like culmination of anything anyone could want. A devoted billionaire with a respect for fashion and jewels whose openly courting Felicity. Who is openly telling Felicity she shouldn't be a secretary pining away on random compliments and lingering gazes but someone who deserves to be called dedicated, a genius, with a corner office, a couture wardrobe and ten million dollar necklaces. What one would imagine Oliver Queen to be if he wasn't the Arrow and he had his billions back. Or, as I like to think of it, Oliver's worst nightmare because it wasn't just Felicity he gave up at the beginning of this season, it was Oliver Queen too. <br /><br />That's what I like about this season -- Oliver Queen gave up on Oliver Queen at the start of this season but Felicity followed suit an episode later. Felicity decided to openly flirt with Barry, to get a day job, to kiss Ray Palmer. Basically Felicity decided to put herself first, which is soooo not Felicity. It's not without it's struggles (she can't seem to ever focus completely on work, Barry ended with them both realizing they loved over people, Ray pulled away) or her hesitation -- she did ask Oliver if it was okay. Oliver is doing worse -- because (and this is why i love Arrow right now) he's just shocked it's not going to be his way. Laurel isn't going to do things his way. Ray isn't going to do things his way. And the hardest one, Felicity isn't going to do things his way. Felicity, to Oliver, is part of him. He doesn't really consider what job she should have just the job that makes her the closest to him. He doesn't really consider her, just how to keep her near to him. Terribly, he doesn't really consider her heart, just his own love for her and expects for her to live off that. All of that is gone now for Oliver and that's why the fern (I love the fern) was almost killed by lab equipment. The writing to get him to the kiss may have been clumsy but I cheered at that moment. Oliver. Had.It.Coming. <br /><br />In other words, right now Ray is right for Felicity. As Taylor Swift says "be that girl for a month" because Felicity needs to realize her love language is feeling useful (heir to the demon) and feeling wanted (this ep, Barry, her father issues) and that there is nobody on the show's planet that could replace Oliver in this. But she'll never realize that until she has the opposite of it, which is Ray. <br /><br />Felicity has her own identity arc this year. If they had code names in the Arrow cave (why don't they? I mean, so many people have caught them on mic's), it'd be Felicity vs. Oracle. Oliver vs. Arrow. They will always be together as Oracle and Arrow, that's eternal. But how they find themselves to Oliver and Felicity is a process both have to undertake. I think this is what was meant by off and on as well.<br /><br />Does that make sense? I hope so. The show still has its issues for me but god if this isn't the best character ship out there. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-17032238850674498072014-11-21T09:01:40.702-05:002014-11-21T09:01:40.702-05:00Thank you so much for reading and for your comment...Thank you so much for reading and for your comment! I'm glad I was able to express your own feelings about this episode. I'll be here all season so be sure to keep coming back! :)Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696902354009598893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-51089382062171817422014-11-20T23:51:29.911-05:002014-11-20T23:51:29.911-05:00Spot on review. I agree with everything you expre...Spot on review. I agree with everything you expressed and was extremely frustrated with my own inability to articulate why I have no problems with Felicity looking for love in all the wrong places. Now I can just send people here! Thank you!Jeanette https://www.blogger.com/profile/05742720503159244206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-14981412617200851762014-11-20T13:02:47.455-05:002014-11-20T13:02:47.455-05:00CONNIE. It really doesn't feel like a Thursday...CONNIE. It really doesn't feel like a Thursday until you've commented on my reviews. I'm going to have to find some way to watch the fall finale live while I'm in L.A. because I'm going to go crazy otherwise. So I feel ya, girl. I feel ya.<br /><br />I agree -- Felicity isn't walking completely away from her life in Team Arrow but (as you astutely noted here) she IS distancing herself from Oliver and from the team as a result of their fractured relationship. What still bugs me (and maybe we can chat about) is that Dig pretty much was like "hey, it's dangerous that Oliver is in the field while he's distracted," when it's not FELICITY's fault at all. And I loved that she called Dig out on that -- on the fact that, you know, OLIVER could talk to her himself if he wanted. And earlier in the episode he chose to tell her she could do whatever she wanted. Also interesting to note, which I didn't have time to discuss in my review, Dig is approaching Oliver like he doesn't know about the kiss at the hospital? Like, he kept telling him "tell her how you feel." But the thing is, Oliver DID -- indirectly at the hospital, at least, post-kiss. The whole reason they're not together isn't because Oliver is withholding his feelings for her. It's because HE KEEPS TELLING FELICITY HOW HE FEELS AND THEN PUSHING HER AWAY. The poor girl is being given emotional whiplash here.<br /><br />ANYWAY, back to your comments: LOVE LANGUAGES. I'm glad someone else understands these. Mine are toss-ups between words of affirmation and quality time. I don't care about gifts as much. But you're right -- we've seen that Felicity's love language to Oliver is always words of affirmation (and I think that is probably HIS love language). But I think hers is a toss up between acts of service and gifts. People tell her how great she is all the time, and I think she doesn't FULLY believe in herself until someone pursues her. And what Oliver is doing right now is NOT pursuing her, while Ray IS. I think that's what's making all of the difference. Also helping: Ray is far less complex in Felicity's mind than Oliver is right now. Girl's gotta simplify her life and I think this is a way she is trying to.<br /><br />I'm even more excited for the crossover and eagerly anticipating the fall finale (which I think is gonna break us all), too. And yessss the tensions between them all are going to be AWESOME. Okay, mostly I just can't wait for Barry and Oliver to be back on screen together, let's be real.<br /><br />Thank you! *curtsies* There's a total difference between all three of those phrases and I hate that people accidentally use them interchangeably. I don't think Marc meant to, but I definitely think he means "slow burn." <br /><br />HE TOTALLY LOOKED LIKE A GRUNGIER VERSION OF CHORD OVERSTREET. It was the face and the hair, I swear. I was kind of expecting Roy to walk in but I'm glad he didn't. (Instead, we got Oliver walking in and his poor crushed puppy face.)<br /><br />TWO WEEKS. TWO WEEKS! Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11696902354009598893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6678481478994191244.post-79834257295802670042014-11-20T11:33:19.323-05:002014-11-20T11:33:19.323-05:00I did everything I could to watch Arrow last night...I did everything I could to watch Arrow last night because 1. I needed to watch it during an annoying week and my fave tv shows of the season was guaranteed to make me feel better (you've seen my TV struggles tweets) and 2. I wanted to be able to read your review today hahaha. <br /><br />"what her death taught Felicity was that life is short and she should try to seek out whatever kind of happiness she could while she was alive because tomorrow has no guarantees. Felicity knew that if she spent her life waiting for Oliver to decide that he loved her AND wanted to be with her (because remember, at this point those two things are mutually exclusive in their relationship), she would spend her life wasted." Hmm and another key thing about this is that she knows life isn't guaranteed because she's still (for now at least) choosing to still work on Team Arrow. She's not walking away completely, because if she did, her life would be a bit safer lol. <br /><br />"And maybe Felicity's love language is "thoughtful gifts."" Ahh, I love love languages and talking about them and understanding other peoples'! (Mine are quality time and probably words of encouragement). She definitely gives words of encouragement as her outgoing LL, but we haven't really been able to see what her incoming might be--words definitely affect her (you will always be my girl, felicity *felicity swoons*) but then Oliver said "I love you" and other words of encouragement he didn't back up with actions, so she's perhaps also turning from her normal love language to see if she can find love with a new one? Does that make sense?<br /><br />Something I was thinking abotu yesterday is another reason why Oliver pushing Felicity away hurts all the more is that she missed out on family dinner at the Diggles. She was off reeling from kisses and, not that she wasn't invited, but she wasn't around to be with Team Arrow at dinner. For all that she *is,* as I stated, still with Team Arrow--rather than pulling away all together even though it would hurt less than being around Oliver as he constantly almost tells her he loves her like he did when she was listening over the comms--she's still being distanced from the others. Diggle had to go to her office to talk to her. Oliver's poor decisions are tearing apart the core of Team Arrow. For all the reasons why I cannot WAIT for the crossover (two weeks is sooo long), I also can't wait to see what the tensions are as the three of them head to Central City. There's the Olicity pain, the Raylicity that's happening, and I'm pretty sure Oliver's gonna find out about the Barrycity of it all as well. The tension is going to be so strong and come right through the TV at my heart lol. <br /><br />Haha I love your slow burn explanation and that I knew a show from every category. (using Castle as a reference gives me joy perfect slow burn lol) And yeah, I agree that he means slow burn rather than the latter two, especially because if it were the latter, they would be together right now with an impending break up. So clearly he means the former. <br /><br />Fake Chord Overstreet (perrrfect comparison lol!) is gon' get murdered by the Dark Archer if he's not careful. I wonder if Roy is aware of this dude yet and what his mindset will be, considering he's upset about other things at the moment. <br /><br />TWO WEEKS I'M GETTING MORE AND MORE EXCITED! Connie [@ConStar24]https://www.blogger.com/profile/11662778725868412944noreply@blogger.com