The big lie. “The check is in the mail.” “I’ll respect you in the morning.” “Hi, Ollie.”
When ARROW went on winter hiatus, there was Katie Cassidy, in the bunker, giving hope to Black Canary fans that their 2nd favorite DC character (right after Catwoman) was making a return.
But cliffhangers being what they are, and ARROW fans being a bit jaded (green pun intended), were suspicious that it was no miracle, but perhaps a Mericle (as in Wendy) and company, who was bringing back their favorite songbird.
As weeks passed and clips came out, fans realized that Cassidy was returning not as Black Canary, but as Black Siren from Earth-2. And that was fine. While this earth’s Laurel Lance never had a chance to bloom into the comic book Canary persona, this was a chance to start over…to let Cassidy deliver her lines with the appropriate amount of snark that fit BC’s print image.
But, tonight is about deception. Star City D.A., Adrian Chase (Josh Segarra) offers to defend Diggle (David Ramsey) from military charges, but both men know that the General has a secret agenda.
Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), still reeling from Detective Malone’s death, is on the path to avenge him at any lengths, a possible ploy by Prometheus to trick Green Arrow into hurting those close to the emerald archer.
Curtis (Echo Kellum) tells Rene (Rick Gonzalez) that his work with the team has cost him the love of his life. Will a run-in with Black Siren be the final straw for Mr. Terrific?
And is this Mericle or miracle? It would be fabulous if the print-style Black Canary could end up as Ollie’s (Stephen Amell) love interest.
Cassidy is billed as a “guest star,” not a series regular. But guest stars sometimes can be more permanent than the billing implies (like Jim Beaver, Misha Collins, Mark Sheppard and Cassidy, herself, on SUPERNATURAL).
Case in point, actress Lexa Doig makes her ARROW debut tonight as Talia al Ghul, half-sister of Nyssa. Doig is listed as “recurring,” but it looks as if her character is in every episode in the near future.
For those keeping score on the SUPERNATURAL/ARROW references, the arrival of Talia makes three. Talia and R’as kidnapped the 2nd Robin, Jason Todd, in the animated feature, BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD. Jason was voiced by Jensen Ackles.
ARROW also stars Willa Holland and Paul Blackthorne, and guest stars Chris Furci and Mike Kovac. Tonight’s episode, “Who Are You,” was written by Ben Sokolowski & Brian Ford Sullivan and directed by Gregory Smith.
ARROW airs tonight at 8pm on The CW in the U.S. and on CTV Two in Canada.
