New Yolk Times: Thoughts on ARROW

We are almost done with our series countdown and for the second to the last, I will be talking about the fourth season of Arrow. Arrow has been my favorite TV series and I absolutely love talking about it here on my blog. If it weren't for this series, we would not have The Flash, Supergirl, The Legends of Tomorrow, and other DC TV shows going nuts around media.

Arrow and The Flash: Season Finale Discussion

Hey guys! I'm currently on finals week--which explains my two week disappearance--and that means I am almost done with my sem and in spite of the current marketing plan deadlines that I have, I still have enough time to write a good long post just for you.

The past two weeks, my fandoms went booming with fantastic news and current events. Supergirl Pilot episode leak, a sneak peak on the Legends of Tomorrow, and of course... Arrow and the Flash had their season finales. As much as I want to compensate for the long hiatus, I'd like to focus on the finales of Arrow and the Flash first, since I think it is time for me to let everything out.

Cinemablend

The Flash

Thanks to the finale, it has become a sure fact that The Flash has officially become the best Comic-based TV show in like, forever. And I can see why. In spite of the minor cliches--such as making Barry Allen a goofy, awkward,  Peter Parker-like character and the friendzone issues-- the writers somehow found a way to make the show, predictably unpredictable. Not only that, every episode had the best dose of emotional scenes, and the best part was not every emotional scene is not even romantic. The action scenes are even great; the effects are surprisingly really good and the fights are fairly consistent and are not all over the place (well technically, they still are, since Barry was just running everywhere, figuring out how to defeat each metahuman).

In the season finale, we see fairly good character dynamics. Fairly, because not everyone drastically changed for the sake of character development. However, we do notice that there are changes. In the very beginning, we all know how deep the bond Barry has with his father and Joe. In the last episode, we see that Mr. Allen is still Mr. Allen, whose only concern is to see his only son live a life. However, Joe gives us another round of him being the loving father that he has always been for the past season. At first, he urged Barry to accept Thawne's proposal, but in the long run he reveals that he actually doesn't want him to alter the timeline. As for the others... well, Cisco remained Cisco and Caitlin is now more fluid compared to the first time we saw her. Eddie is no longer the hot shot detective we expected him to be and Iris....oh boy, Iris. I want to say she is important but for some reason she just feels like an odd piece of the puzzle. I get that she is trying to be relevant in the story, but she still remains underwhelming. All she was to me in the series was just a love interest that needed protection. Apart from that, she didn't do much for this season.

Finally, we have Barry. What I appreciated most about Barry is that he has one thing that most awkward characters do not have; he's very sure of himself. Actually, he's too sure of himself, and he's not ashamed of his intelligence unlike most characters who are almost similar to him. As soon as he got his powers, he already figured out a goal and stuck to it until something or someone wavers his confidence. Grant Gustin, for me, did a great job at being the enthusiastic Barry. Not saying this because I'm biased. I have seen him in Glee, he is a good actor. Harrison Wells, though....wow. He is well-written for a villain. I love how his agenda is so simple, but he had to do major and devious things just so he can get what he wants. And the story was constructed in a way that understanding his back story would be so complicated. To think most of us were overthinking about who the Reverse Flash really is, when the answer was pretty much basic. Actually, it wasn't because I did not expect Eobard Thawne to kill the real Wells and take over his body like that. But wow, that was seriously cool.

As for the epic finale...it feels different. It did not really feel epic, because it was very emotional, just as the writers promised. The epicenter of this entire episode was the weight of Barry's decision, because his choice alone will affect everything. Not an ultimate fighting move, not the accelerator or any huge destructive weapon. Only the decision of Barry Allen will change things, then everything else follows. But wow, this episode was so emotional. I didn't really feel any awe, but everything in this episode was raw and heartfelt. Nora's scene with Barry was just beautiful and it was my favorite part of the episode. Eddie's sacrifice was something I did not really see coming but it was plain sad.

After the emotions, I felt excitement when Barry was going through the speed force. It revealed so many spoilers since most of the glimpses the Flash was seeing was the future. The image of The Legends of Tomorrow were there, KILLER FROST was teased, and not to mention Hawkgirl. Her appearance made my heart flutter. I wanted to enter the screen and give her a big warm hug for finally showing up in the TV universe after such a long time.

Overall, the grand finale delivered its promise, which I like most. It is a definitely emotional and it reveals a lot of teasers, making the viewers beg for more. Now the writers revealed that the plot in the first season was actually an alternate timeline. Meaning to say that the original timeline will be the setting for the second season. Perhaps it explains why Barry Allen's character will change from the awkward goofball to the cocky and confident speedster. I'm more interested on how they're still going to insert a new villain, now that we know Eddie killed himself just so Eobard would no longer exist. I guess this is where Flash will stop being a light-hearted TV show and it will now deal with much more complex stuff, such as the Speedforce and time continuum. And the ultimate ending of it all, felt like watching the first season of Arrow all over again. Just when things are becoming action-packed, they decided to cut it with a cliffhanger. Of course. Well played, guys.

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Arrow

Okay, where do I even begin...is it wrong for me to say I did not like the finale?

I mean, it was about to have a great buildup, but it ended...just like that. And in the end, I was like...Seriously?

The character dynamics were a mixture of bad and good. First of all, the writers went way overboard with Felicity's character. To the Ollicity fans, before you react...allow me to have my moment and explain. Just so you know, I am not bothered by the fact that she had a filler dedicated to herself. But her unending love for Oliver in the second half ruined almost everything for me. I understand that her feelings mostly clouded her mind, but she is just everywhere. It's like the show wants me to focus more on Oliver and Felicity because that is Arrow's so-called current unique selling point. The first half was just following its typical Arrow formula until Ra's Al Ghul shows up and boom. Ollicity takes the stage and pretty much drops the development of Black Canary, Roy Harper, and the bromance between John and Oliver has been completely minimized. It's like, "okay, I think John and Oliver are established bros now. I think we had enough Black Canary origins. Oh, and Colton's contract is going to be finished soon. So lets drop that and focus on Oliver's budding relationship with Felicity."

I love Felicity, I really do. Unfortunately, it annoyed me that she had to completely rub her love for Oliver every time she shows up. They even made Tatsu talk about her love for Oliver. Basically, Ollicity became the rock for this whole Ra's Al Ghul conflict for me. It made the show and its finale lack wholesomeness. What's worse, the only massive action I got to see was Nyssa and Laurel. That's it??? I didn't see enough development between the two of them. Nyssa was starting to become a very interesting character, but I didn't get much from her aside from the fact that she lacks and freedom and gender justice. Also, the fight between Ra's and Oliver was still a question of identity. Like how many times do we have to go through this. Oliver did more stunts in Flash crossovers, seriously.

Oliver's identity crisis could have been really good if he wasn't such a wuss about it. I had a hard time appreciating his character when he was slowly becoming disconnected from his group and started acting on his own. His inner conflict made almost made him flat for being the same old tortured Oliver Queen he was in the first season. And it really frustrated me. So I guess something good came out of this Ollicity ending because we will (hopefully) get to see a major attitude adjustment from Oliver. I mean, he's gonna spend most of the break being with Felicity. He's bound to get joke pointers from her, eventually...

Also, I have a question...what is CW and the term, "rebound"? Ray Palmer. Rebound. Linda. Rebound. Eddie. Rebound. And Felicity is the Rebound of the Rebound of the Rebound of the Rebound of the....ugh. This has been a season of rebounds. Perhaps my reason why I got so disappointed because Arrow had great finales, especially the second season. What made them so good were the teasers they pull. This season did not have much of those, either. In short, I was expecting that the third season's ending would be as good as the other endings we had for Arrow. But all we get is Oliver and Felicity riding away into the sunset, trying to give the Arrow a happy ending for a change.

I really do hope season 4 will redeem itself and keep the romance to the minimum. And to the Ollicity fans...we get it...you won. 

Till the next post~

Fangirl Moment! THE FLASH AND ARROW EPIC CROSSOVER PART 2

www.ibtimes.co.uk

AND WE ARE BACK! Now it's time to talk about the second half of the greatest DC crossover of all time!

In Arrow, we finally get to know Captain Boomerang, whose motive is to murder Lyla, the ex-wife of John Diggle. Team Flash decided to drop by for a visit and eventually decided to help them with their mission whilst fangirling over their stuff. Is there another rivalry in this episode? Not so much. This time we see a conflict between the Flash and Arrow. Now time to talk about what I enjoyed in this episode.

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1.) Cisco "I want to see the toys," said Cisco. He was just so freakin' adorable in this episode! He reminds you of this eager little boy that you would normally see in a toy shop, and Caitlin is like the mother who is willing to give him anything he wants. Cisco is my spirit animal whenever I watch my fandoms and I just love how he fanboyed over everything including Thea, surprisingly. Also, the brand new gear he gave Oliver was awesome right?!

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2.) The Contrast Between the Two Shows This is clearly seen when Barry questions the way Oliver interrogates people. Other than that, we see how overwhelmed Team Flash is with the works of Team Arrow. The two shows are almost complete opposites. Aside from the fact that they're both based on DC Comics, they have different auras. The Flash is the light, and Arrow is the dark. So far, The Flash has not revealed any tragic deaths and psychotic murders (but I will be expecting that very soon). And compared to Arrow, the metahumans they take down seem almost harmless. So it is amusing to see Cisco and Caitlin react to the terrors of Starling City. As for Barry, I applaud him for telling Oliver off. It is not the first time that this happened, but it still felt refreshing to hear a mini sermon gain from another DC Superhero.

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3.) Captain Boomerang He may be a psycho, but I gotta hand it to him...he was so awesome in this episode! I love how he fights and how he acts! I never thought you could fight and kill people with boomerangs. This guy definitely pulled it off.

4.) "Sweetie" Finally after so long... DIGGLE AND LYLA ARE OFFICIALLY GETTING HITCHED! I ship them so much and I really hope nothing bad happens to any of them. May the gods forbid.

5.) The Arsenal Outfit receiving recognition Roy seriously looks like a wounded puppy in season 3. So it is really good to know that he's receiving some positive recognition for his suit. Not only that, I can see Roy improving here, even if it was just a little. Gosh, either way, I'm so proud!

www.digitalspy.co.uk

Now for the things I didn't like

1.) Laurel's appearance Seriously Laurel? You only approached Oliver just to ask if he was in Central City? That's it?

If you're seriously going to ask me which episode I like the best, then I am going to have to give it to Arrow. It sounds biased, but I can assure you it isn't. First of all, I got to appreciate all of the characters of Team Arrow and Team Flash. Unlike in the Flash, I did not get to see much of Diggle. Also, the conflict between Barry and Oliver seemed more personal in the Arrow crossover. At least, for me. Look at the bright side, Speedster viewers; Team Flash managed to own this episode. Not to worry though, the Flash crossover was still thrilling for me, and I adore the show as much as I adore Arrow. Overall, this 2-part epic crossover still feels like a dream. It's the best thing that has ever happened to my fangirl life, and I wish they will be able to make more of this. You hear me, writers? Make more of this, because it is too awesome!

Fangirl Moment! THE FLASH AND ARROW EPIC CROSSOVER PART 1

ap.ign.com

I am probably too late to express my opinions on the most epic crossover of all time, but I'm gonna say it anyway.

IT WAS AWESOME!

But let us take this one step at a time. Of course, let's begin with Round 1, The Flash vs. Arrow

Now both episodes involve a whole lot of teamwork and before watching the first part, the fact that they're going to team up against their baddies made me so excited (as usual). And most of the trailers was purely dominated by the crossover episode of The Flash. Articles even revealed the synopsis of the show ahead of time. Anyway, in this episode we see these two heroes go up against Rainbow Raider (a.k.a. Nyan Cat), who is a metahuman that has the ability to manipulate negative emotions and uses this skill to rob banks. I know, it sounds like every typical comic book story but there's more! So allow me to share what I loved in the first half.

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1.) The Superiority The tension between Flash and Arrow starts when Barry questions Oliver Queen during training. By this time, Rainbow Raider has already injected the feeling of anger into Barry's veins. However we see the question of superiority here; basically we start to wonder who is better than who. Up till now, I can't seem to answer that question. Barry has the superpowers that I would love to have, however he does not have the level of experience that Oliver has. Oliver, on the other hand, has the experience and the conviction, skills, and maybe the supplies come along with that. Although he seems to have everything (except Felicity), can he really defeat a Speedster with just trick arrows? 

2.) Iris Fangirling I don't know why but I found this incredibly adorable.

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3.) Eddie as the Quentin Lance of The Flash In the first season of Arrow, we had to deal with Detective (now Captain, excuse me) Lance chasing the Arrow and trying to stop him. I thought there won't be such a thing in The Flash, until Eddie Thawne expressed his uneasiness about the Scarlet Speedster. It's either because the writers cannot think of anything else better for him to do or perhaps this event will lead to a much more important element of the series in the nearby future (I can hear people yelling he's Professor Zoom from a distance). I'm not a huge fan of Eddie, but I appreciate the fact that he's slowly having substance. And if the writers has surprised me enough during the first two seasons of Arrow, then they can certainly whip up a huge surprise for Eddie Thawne. Plus, he has the same surname as Malcolm Thawne, who happens to be the twin brother of Barry in the comics, and Eobard Thawne, who is also known as.... gasp!

4.) Iris giving up on the Flash Okay, maybe a lot of you did not like Iris in this episode, but I did. For me, I think it is best for her to lay off for a while, because she is slowly turning into a Lois Lane clone (not that I have anything against the love interest of Superman, but come on...I want something new). I consider this as another way for her to be drawn to the Flash. Yes, her reasons for not forgiving the Flash may not be that justifiable but as much as we all hate to admit it, she genuinely loves Eddie at the moment. And I am sure if you have a hot boyfriend that you love right now, you would not be too happy if he gets beaten up by someone "you don't know" (I mean, Iris somehow knows The Flash, she just does not know it is Barry).

5.) Team Arrow's goodbye to Team Flash I don't know why, but seeing them all together gave me chills. Just imagine me as an excited Cisco. His dopey smile has been my expression throughout the entire episode. Also, I find it amusing that Joe can still get along with someone like Ollie. And this is Ollie we're talking about, he's not so lucky with cops to begin with. And I found Oliver very endearing when he told Barry that he can talk to him about anything. Also this is a sign that this will not be the last time that they will be doing this.

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6.) Diggle's Reaction to Barry His face was super priceless. Words cannot describe with how amused I am with Diggle in this episode.

Okay, now lemme tell you what I did not like about this episode

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1.) Iris giving up on the Flash I liked at the same time disliked this part. What made this scene a bit off for me was the fact that she did not really hear what Barry had to say. Although there is the possibility that she does not have enough knowledge about the extent of Metahuman powers, it still does not change the fact that her reasons were not so reasonable. Also, this is another rip-off scene for me. I mean, if you are a Speedster viewer who has also seen Arrow, then maybe Iris finally seeing The Flash as someone dangerous is somehow familiar to you. To help you refresh your memory a bit, this starts with an L and she's one of the most hated characters in Arrow. That's right...this is almost like the scene in the first season of Arrow, where Laurel Lance (who is the primary love interest of Oliver Queen) saw The Arrow kill for the first time. This made Laurel look at Arrow (and eventually Oliver) in a completely different and terrified way. 

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2.) The Flash vs. Arrow Sorry! I was sort of disappointed with this scene. The fight felt like a round of Injustice: Gods Among Us minus the part where Joe and Dr. Wells come in with the van. The fight between Arrow and Flash was somehow personal, since Rainbow Raider can somehow release your inner anger and in this case Barry seemed to be expressing all the anger he's been trying to keep for so long. But I think it lacked the extreme factor that I was looking for. Although watching the teams take sides was funny, I wished the fight had a little bit more thrill. Heck, their training seemed more exciting than this.

3.) Dr. Wells Knowing Everything Ooooh! He knows the Arrow's real identity, woooh!!! What else is new?

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4.) The Appearance of Ronnie/Firestorm Thanks to Robbie Amell's posts about him being Firestorm, I am not that surprised anymore. But I can't wait for him to make an official appearance in the show, though.

And that is all I have for the first part of this epic crossover! I will post about Arrow tomorrow, and let's see if there is such thing as a "better" episode (and who really won in this Flash vs. Arrow crossover). Till the next post~

Fangirl Moment! Arrow Season 3 and The Flash

This week has been amazing because....

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of Flash and The Arrow!!!

warning: spoilers ahead

That's right! The Flash and Arrow Season 3 showed their very first episodes this week, and both of them are... "cool" (those who watched the pilot episode of The Flash will probably understand). I don't know where to begin, so I think it would be fair to talk about Barry Allen since his show came out first.

I like how it is not so red. (source)

Barry's forensics abilities are superb (source)

Overall, I was satisfied with everything I saw in the first episode of The Flash. For almost a decade, I have been waiting for him to have his own show or movie and lo and behold, this came out. My dream has finally come true, and I don't know what level of happiness I am experiencing right now. Call it a fangirl's mere "feels" explosion, but it is more than that (even though it is just a mere fangirl's mere "feels" explosion). In short, I am just so so SO happy that Flash has his own show. 

Stop acting cute. (source)

There are many things I liked in the pilot episode, and one of them is the deep friendship between Iris and Barry. First off, I'd like to say that it was a bold move for CW to give Iris a completely different appearance. In the comics and some cartoons, Iris is originally a ginger (yes, she is meant to somehow resemble Barry's mom). Most fans would be irritated with changes in appearances, but this is probably the first time I am actually okay with such changes. Perhaps because I was so distracted with the sweet chemistry going on between Iris and Barry. Come on, they look adorable. Even as friends. I just want to tape them together so they can just continue hugging all day long. Apart from that, I am appreciate the appearances of Cisco and Caitlin. For Caitlin...can I just say that she should totally grab some coffee with Helena? As blunt as it sounds, I can totally imagine them talking about their dead fiances. And Cisco is just the cutest thing! Carlos Valdes can be the perfect Leo Valdez because he has completely nailed his character. I can't wait to see more of the two of them. Last but not least, let us not forget Barry's interaction with Oliver. This scene was pretty overwhelming for me because it shows a whole new side of Oliver Queen, and it is awesome! He is so awesome that he deserves a big round of applause. Praise the heavens for such a great scene. But the scenes with Barry Allen in it can certainly top that. Since this is just the first episode, it is hard to say if Grant will be able to complete pin down the character of The Flash. He almost resembles the character of Peter Parker (specifically the one Andrew Garfield is portraying at the moment), however I do not find him too awkward, I just find him hyper and adorkable, which I really like. AND WHEN HE RAN AROUND THAT TORNADO??!??! AWESOMESAUCE! 

AWESOOOME!!! (source)

But what made me love Barry Allen is his witty and cheerful personality, so I am expecting to see more of that in the upcoming episodes. But at least I got to see one trait of him that I see in almost any Flash cartoon, is his capacity to love. For those who have seen the episode, if you haven't felt the slightest thing during his heartfelt conversation with his father, then I feel very bad for you. I think that scene totally defined who Barry Allen truly is as a hero...heck, as a person. It's the scene that makes him separate from any other DC character. His capacity to love is huge and the length of his faith can just go on forever...just like his speed. 

Harrison Wells (source)

Professor Zoom

Now the things I did not like in the Pilot episode... I guess I have to start with Detective Pretty Boy? Not because he stole Iris from Barry, but simply because  he seems too predictable for me. I mean, the moment I saw him, I could already tell that he was going to make a move on Iris at some point, despite the fact of her being a detective's daughter (the father is pretty cool, btw). But one of the major rules of DC is to not ignore any character. So I am still going to watch out for him. Also, I do not like  Professor Zoom Harrison Wells! I may not be a professional actor or theater person, but I think his acting needs a bit more work? Seriously! You discourage Barry from being a hero, then all of the sudden you come back right in and give him the pep talk that Oliver already gave him??? Is that a way to convince the characters that you are not a total party pooper? Aside from that, I think the writers are dropping the plot twist bombs too soon. DC fans who have seen the episode most likely have a good idea on what is going to happen next. Like the newspaper he was viewing in the very last scene. If you are a DC fan and you watched the Pilot, then there is a chance you already know that it is not an ordinary newspaper. (Flashpoint Paradox)

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OKAY TIME FOR ARROW!

You have failed this city (source)

The way I understood, nine months (thank you Diggle's ex-wife) have already passed since the second season. I have to admit, I had a really hard time containing my feelings during the first three minutes of the show because everything seemed so perfect and wonderful and I wanted to cry. Not only that, everything is slowly becoming a bit more accurate. Oliver is slowly regaining his jokes (even though they are still not that good), Laurel is hinted to become a part of Team Arrow (sorry haters), and Olicity is just at the margin, but not quite (sorry Olicity fans, but they were never really canon). Call me a fangirl with "feels" explosion, but this episode is too perfect words!

My bae <3 (source)

The things I love about this episode? Probably everything. My favorite scene will always be the very first scene when they took down the bad guy (whoever he was, I can't remember). From Roy's back flip to the random appearances of Team Arrow that intimidated the baddies, seeing them work together is truly a bliss. Heck every fight scene in the  show were incredible. So badass, so awesome. End of story. Like all the positive and ecstatic feelings were being mixed right inside my stomach and reached up till my heart to the point I almost lost my ability to breathe. And Katana's appearance nearly made me squeal! AND RAY PALMER!

Devon Aoki as Katana (source)

Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer (source)

Seeing them completely destroyed my grin because the muscles on my face could not handle the growing width of my smile. I cannot wait to see more of them in the upcoming episodes. Then there's John Diggle's baby girl! She is so adorable, she is like a human chipmunk that I want to cuddle for the remainder of my days (#DaddyDiggle)!!! And at first, I grew so nervous for Diggle because he had a screaming match with Oliver. So I thought maybe he would be leaving Team Arrow at some point. But everything turned out okay, he finally said Oliver was right and that's a first. A major first. And of course, there are the Olicity scenes. I am sure the date has been a scene that every single Olicity fan has been waiting. Also I'm certain that the writers were fully aware of that, so to tease the emotions, they had to cut the date short. Thank you, CW! As of now, I am in the middle of this whole Olicity thing. They were never canon to begin with and I am honestly a hardcore Black CanaryXGreen Arrow shipper. But I also want Olicity to happen, because in this series, Felicity seems like a much better match for Oliver rather than any other girl at the moment (ehem, Laurel, ehem). So as for the conclusion they had, I am actually very happy it ended that way (for now). Because it's realistic, at the same time it pulls on your feels, which I truly enjoy (and don't enjoy, at the same time). But after that episode I am not sure where my shipping loyalties in Arrow lie at the moment. Why? Well let's move on to the only thing I did not like about the episode.

The Canary's Appearance in Season 3 (source)

I understand that Sara was never meant to be The Canary in the first place, but did she really have to be killed off??? I actually love her and she was actually my number one choice for Oliver (besides Felicity). Up till now, I am still trying to process the fact that she died, and that I will never see her in Arrow ever again. A lot of theories has stirred up, regarding who killed her. Many said it was Ra Al Ghul, others said its Malcolm Merlyn, and this just in, someone said it could be Thea (who I am expecting to see in the next episode, by the way). Well whoever killed her, I want Nyssa to wipe the floor with that murderer. Because the killer of Sara Lance is truly an enemy that I will never have sympathy for. Unless its Thea. Oh well. Still, killing her off was not cool. Even if it is for the sake of making Laurel the Black Canary, since she is after the original Black Canary! First the writers made her go back to the League of Assassins, which made me so upset because a part of me knew she will never be on Team Arrow again Then they brought her back and that has given me a small light of hope. But no! They killed her off!!!! The foreshadowing of Sara giving Laurel the leather jacket was better than her murder. Now I don't know if I will be able to recover from this tragedy. She was such an amazing character. 

I guess I went a little overboard with the feels, but now is time to end this post. Before I do, I would like to do a little promoting. Currently my major class is handling a community blog revolving around tourism in the Philippines, and guess what? I want you all to pay a visit! Simply click here  and explore all the beautiful islands of the Philippines. Yes, I am a contributor to the blog and my posts are still under the username Tama-chan. I even have an individual blog called Tama Travels for this project, so you can click there for more detailed posts. The links will soon be available on my sidebar so stay tuned. So that is it and see you on the next post!

8 Moments that Defined Arrow Season 2

WARNING: The following posts contains spoilers

The premiere of season three is upon us and I am very excited. The ending of season two has definitely brought me to the edge of my seat and ever since I watched the ultimate ending, tons of theories and predictions for the show came exploding in my mind.

Now that the third season is three days away, all of my favorite scenes in the last season have come flooding back in my mind and I would like to share these certain moments right here in my blog. Personally, these scenes totally defined Arrow and perhaps DC. These scenes are the reason why this show (and DC) is truly epic and awesome. I know there were a lot great scenes in that show, but the scenes I am going to talk about still linger in my mind. In other words, they created a huge impact to me. And yes, this is my way to keep everyone excited and very well anticipated for the brand new season!

For the nth time, stop asking if she's okay (source)

1.) Laurel's antagonistic moves

Her character pissed most of the viewers off. She tried to be her father and attempted to capture Oliver because she was blaming him for the death of Tommy. Then she thought Tommy's death was her fault and started drinking and acting like a total jerk. But let's focus on how she tried to put The Arrow in jail, shall we? Like I said several posts ago, she's not a completely bad character. She can be a badass anytime she wants, irregardless of how right or wrong the situation is. I guess this was not her season, and just like any other human, she turned to a very dark path for a little while. It happens. Hopefully, Laurel will be back on her feet in season 3. But her antagonistic tendencies proves that she's not to be taken too lightly. 

Watch this on Youtube

2.) Dr. Ivo making Oliver choose between Shado and Sara and Slade Wilson repeat of the same dilemma

I had no choice but to merge these two scenes into one because they are not only related to each other, but they are very intense. I'm sure no one wants to go through what Oliver has experienced, especially this one. I guess these scenes show that humans cannot love everyone equally, which is a cold truth. You can divide your love among people, but deciding who gets the bigger piece is a tough choice. 

Deathstroke (source)

3.) Deathstroke randomly killing Sebastian Blood's henchmen

He did not just kill them for any plausible reason. He killed them because he's pissed. And he had to wear his Deathstroke outfit. That's how much of a dangerous badass he is.

Roy Harper (Source)

4.) Roy Harper's bipolar attitude towards Oliver 

Like Laurel, the second season was not Roy's season. He had random fights with Thea, he got punched and arrested a few times, he had the Mirakuru in his system and went on a rampage for a few episodes, then he had to leave Thea but Thea eventually left him...yeah. However, all the things he had to go through had to happen, if he has to be in Team Arrow. But his impatient attitude is so Roy Harper, which I adore. So I give kudos to the writers for making his character spot on! 

They're bringing sexy back (source)

5.) The Canary vs. The Huntress

I am so glad that this episode finally happened! The fight between the Birds of Prey was not only sexy, but it was awesome! It was even accurate because Black Canary and Huntress always had a rocky relationship. I wish it was not their last episode together and hopefully next time, the Birds of Prey will finally be complete.

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6.) Moira Queen's death

Never underestimate a mother's love. Never.

Isn't this awesome? (source)

7.) Team Arrow and League of Assassins

Come on. It was so cool. Words cannot describe the emotions I had whilst watching this very scene. Nothing beats seeing two (maybe three, including the Suicide Squad, somehow) epic organizations work together.

You are not done fighting. (source)

8.) Felicity's pep talks

This is probably the first time I've seen a comic superhero who does not need a kiss from a very pretty girl to feel energized and encouraged. All it takes for Oliver to move on is Felicity saying that she still believes in him. Heck, that's all he ever needs to hear because almost everyone was looking down on him at this point. So it is good to know that we have the "Bitch with Wifi" who not only threatens and interrogates people using her computer, but also knows what are the right words to say to a man she really cares about. Rejoice, Olicity fans, rejoice!

So what were your favorite scenes in the second season of Arrow?

Related:

Fangirl Moment: Arrow Season 3: High Speed Chase Trailer
What to Expect this October!

OTPs that I Tolerate

There are couples that we ship till the ends of the Earth and there are also canons we do not approve at all. But there can also be ships we rate as, "okay". These are the couples from random fandoms (haha, that rhymed) that I actually tolerate. I don't really love them as much, but at the same time I don't really hate. I'm sure you've experienced that whenever you watch or read any of your own fandoms, right? And if you disagree with the content of my post, then that's fine. Not everyone has the same taste. So let's get started. 

WARNING: The following post contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

1.) Aang and Katara (Avatar: The Legend of Aang) 

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We all knew that from day one, they were going to be the it couple. Although romance has been subtle in this show, most fans can't help but ship Katara with other male characters--particularly Zuko. But I have to admit, they make a pretty decent couple. Aang is the childlike wonder while Katara has a motherly nature. Quite unusual but very compatible, I must say. And if you think about it, they have a very harmonious relationship all throughout the series. Whenever Aang goes Avatar mode, Katara is always there to calm him down. In other words, they complement one another. So it is not surprising if they had an everlasting marriage (as implied in the Legend of Korra). I think what makes them less interesting is that there weren't too much complications between them. Sometimes, it's the reason why we love a certain couple so much; the obstacles they have to face keeps us to the edge of our seats. Unfortunately, Aang and Katara didn't show much of that. Their development was pretty much smooth sailing. Sure, there were hints of jealousy here and there, but it wasn't enough to trigger the feels. Zutara had a bigger chance to be a much more interesting couple because they had a little spice, or a complication. They hated each other at first, and Zuko is much more aggressive compared to Aang. Imagine Katara calming--cooling him down--and let's see if that scene will make you squeal or not. So yeah, Aang and Katara's relationship was simple and pleasant… but it was too simple and pleasant. 

2.) Jace and Clary (The Mortal Instruments) 

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No it's not really because of the assumed incestuous relationship. Call me a sadist, but I enjoyed the struggle they had in the first three books. It was depressing, but it somehow drove me to read on. But when they finally became a thing and then City of Fallen Angels came out… yeah. Let's just say there was too much passion between them.

Sure, they had another obstacle to face, but Clary kinda reminds me of Anna from Frozen. A little annoying but too stubborn. My only problem with her is that I am not sure where her priorities lie. She's a lover and a fighter, but sometimes I wish she should just shut up and calm down for a minute. She can be too intense and her emotional state tends to overwhelm me. As for Jace, I still find it hard to believe that he fell for Clary in just a snap. But at least he explained that at City of Lost Souls, which I find very satisfying. For a couple, their passion is off the charts (but hey it's YA Fiction. What could you ask for?).  Basically my only issue is their compatibility. They just have too much similarities, and there's not much to add up to their chemistry aside from passionate make-out sessions and cheeky arguments. Both of them are stubborn, both have a temper, and both are actually too emotional (even if they won't admit it). If you think about it, them together will be too chaotic. But then again, that's what brings out the feels between these two right? Perhaps it's also another reason why I tolerate this ship; they're just another typical couple and they live in a world that does not really approve the both of them together. But at least there's a decent reason: they're just too explosive. 

3.) Oliver Queen and Laurel Lance (Arrow) 

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Yes, rejoice Ollicity fans! I ship Oliver with Black Canary! Haha, I'm kidding. 

The series keep on telling us that Oliver will forever love Laurel and Laurel will forever love Oliver. But that's kind of hard to believe when there are other eligible single ladies in the series. Not to mention the chemistry they emit whenever they have at least one scene with Green Arrow. But let's face it: Laurel Lance is not entirely a sucky character. In fact, she's pretty badass. She's a lawyer who managed to make guys shit their pants the moment she starts intimidating them. Laurel is a strong woman and I can understand what Oli and Tom (may he rest in peace) see in her. I mean, she's managed to face actual danger a lot of times and she was able to roll with it even though she was completely aware about the possibility of dying! Put her next to Mary Jane Watson, she's the real deal. However, that's the thing. I see her as an independent woman who doesn't really need a guy. She becomes a much more impressive character if she can be badass in her own way. And again, there are other female characters who are much more shippable with Green Arrow in my opinion. If ever he still chooses her in the very end, all I can do is simply nod. They would make a good couple, because I think Laurel can handle anything that Oliver has to go through because she definitely knows how to keep her shit together. 

4.) Batman and his ladies (DC)

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We've seen Bruce Wayne with Thalia. We've seen him with Selina Kyle. We've also seen him with Black Canary and Wonder Woman. But in the end, I still can't find a permanent ship for him. I'm not saying that he deserves to be forever alone. In fact, I want him to settle down with the right girl. But then again, he's the Batman and his enemies are dangerous and psychotic and they're not afraid to break you physically, mentally and emotionally. If you think you can handle that kind of commitment, then I salute you. But the fact that he can't have one permanent girl kinda proves that his Bat identity is hindering him from having a social life. 

5.) Ron and Hermione/Harry and Hermione (Harry Potter)

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The best thing about the entire series was Rowling's definition of love. It's unconditional, and it is seen between family, friends, colleagues, and even among enemies. I've noticed we fans tend to ship our hardest when the fandom's romance department is at its lowest. And ever since Rowling confessed about her pairing decisions for the book, Potterheads around the globe turned--as the British would say---bonkers. I honestly did not keep track on the pairings as I read the books. I simply enjoyed the adventures the golden trio had. The love stories (or quarrels) they were experiencing were just bonuses for me. If you ask me who I ship in the Harry Potter series, then it would be most definitely be James and Lily. And if you want to know what's my say on the whole, "Hermione should've been with Harry" issue, then here it goes. 

Well, I agree with Rowling. Harry and Hermione seems more idyllic compared to Hermione and Ron.  I actually enjoyed the times when Hermione would help Ron with his school work troubles because it was proof that they don't completely hate each other. Realistically, Ronmione will not be able to work out. If you've read the book or at least watched the movies, you would be able to notice Ron's fatal flaw which is jealousy. And when he's jealous, he tends to throw fits. Furthermore, he covers it up with his manly pride and it is evident whenever he argues with Hermione in the first few books. In case you still haven't noticed, he also harbored jealousy towards Hermione and not just Harry (note: most people will most likely focus on the jealousy he feels towards Harry because of "chosen one" issues, if you know what I mean). I mean, she nailed almost every class and she tends to correct Ron all the time. And apparently, Ron is not and won't get used to being corrected considering the initial development he had in the beginning of the story (ex. always being bossed around by his older brothers, and all). Furthermore, he showed another jealousy tantrum in the last book. He may have calmed down till the end, but there's no guarantee if he was able to get rid of that fatal flaw or not (fatal flaws are just terrible habits that are hard to break). So if he managed to swallow his pride and envy, then that's great. But if he didn't? I can hear shifting of divorce papers in the future. And signs of their attraction or infatuation was somehow a surprise. For me, I'd like to know how one falls in love with the other and the series didn't show how they became officially attracted to one another. They were just arguing and arguing until the next thing you know, they already have feelings for each other. I'm sure there were scenes where they were getting along, but I wished there were more of those, that way I was able to see how they would be like as a couple. I think that's what the ship lacked, I guess. 

Harry and Hermione do get along better, but I'm not sure what Rowling meant when she said she preferred Hermione with Harry. If it was her initial plan for Harry and Hermione to happen, then I guess she could have changed their interactions in the books a little bit differently for the sake of a little chemistry. As friends, they are great together. They support each other and when they have a disagreement, the scene becomes adorable (especially when Hermione educates Harry about girls). So yeah, I have to admit, they have the potential of becoming a great canon. However, my only issue is that it would be too little predictable if they do end up together. Harry is the leading man and Hermione is the leading lady, and it would be too obvious if they do become a thing. 

Personally, I think Krum would make a better match for Hermione. He admired her just as she was.  He didn't have to deny it or anything. It was straightforward but different. Plus, she somehow supported him and maybe (just maybe) brought out the best in him. In the book, he was always at the library of Hogwarts. I guess that made him feel a bit lonely. Luckily for him, Hermione enjoyed going to the library and that's how they got to connect and develop. 

So once again, if you don't agree with me, then it is more than fine. The following post is just a series of my thoughts and opinions regarding, OTPs, ships, and canons. It is not my intention to persuade all of you to agree to my words. Anyway, I hope this post was engaging and I'll see you in the next post!