Sleepy Hollow: Oh, How I Love and Despise Thee!

So, Sleepy Hollow had its season finale on Monday, and I have to say that it was a doozy! There was a big reveal that was shocking. I definitely didn’t see it coming. And there were cliffhangers galore.

Sometimes I miss the old days when the season finale was a wrap-up of the season, and most things were resolved. But not nowadays. Noooo… We have to make sure viewers come back for the next season by hanging everyone over the cliff. (Oh, Buffy, how I miss your season finales.)  I believe that if viewers watch the season finale, it means they like the show enough to come back the next season. Unless you really mess things up.

Yes, I watched Sleepy Hollow’s season finale, and yes, I will be returning next season; not just because I want to find out what happens, and how my favorite characters get out of their current predicaments, but because I really like the show.

*** Possible spoilers ***

My other big beef with this show, and with other shows that deal with the supernatural, is that everyone seems to know what's going to happen before it happens except for the main characters. How the heck did George Washington know that Ichabod was going to be killed by the headless horseman and then rise 200 years later to stop an apocalypse? If he did, why didn't he just tell Ichabod, instead of giving him all of these cryptic hints. And... why the heck did Moloch need that map? Couldn't he already get to purgatory? Oh, I really could go on & on. But I won't, because in spite of these beefs, I still like the show.

Oh, and one more thing... Ichabod dated Betsy Ross. Hehe.

*** End of possible spoilers ***

Oh, September, you seem so far away!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: FZZT

Okay, I’m finally going to post a review of an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., because even though the show has started out slow, it’s finally starting to build up momentum. I’ve been hoping that it would get better, and it has.

I liked episodes 5 & 6, but I loved this week’s episode, “FZZT.” I have been waiting for an episode that had more of Fitz and Simmons, and this episode gave it to me – and now I love the pair. I was happy that the focus wasn't on Skye and Ward again. I like their characters, but when you have an ensemble show, you need to give the other members of the ensemble a chance to shine, so the audience cares about them.

I loved that the episode started with a scene that is so normal and then brought in the “paranormal.” A bunch of boy scouts are out camping, it’s night time, and the leader is telling them scary stories around the campfire. And then scary actually start to happen, including metal objects levitating. And then their leader ends up dead, suspended in the air. This is a death that Rick Castle would go absolutely bonkers for. *wink*

I loved the scene with Skye, Fitz, and Simmons imitating Ward. These are the kinds of scenes among characters where we learn who they are and if we like them or not. I like them.

Another great (and emotional) scene was when Coulson realizes that Diaz is going to die and he talks to him about “the other side” to try to help him deal with the fact. I just can’t imagine what it would be like to know you only had minutes to live. Scary.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a show where a character has to find a vaccine (or “anti-serum”) for an virus that they've been infected with (in this case, an alien virus) in a certain amount of time or they’ll die. Just watching Simmons trying to figure out how to save herself and the rest of the crew who will die also if she doesn’t find a cure, and Fitz watching helplessly made me emotional. And then when Fitz goes into the room where she has been quarantined to help her I just like him even more. It was so well written and acted. I love these two!

This episode was just chock-full of emotional scenes. When Simmons tells Coulson to tell her father first about her death because her mother would probably be able to take the news better if it came from him, I thought, how much more can I take?

Simmons’ rescue was great. I wish that Fitz would have been the one to rescue her, but it really wouldn’t have been true to his character to be able to jump out of a plane and know what to do, so it made sense that Ward did it, but it was a great save. And I loved Coulson reprimanding Simmons after they picked her and Ward out of the water. It was like a father scolding his child because he loved her.

I really hope that the series continues with great episodes and that we get to know the characters better, and it isn’t just about the “missions.” I love character-driven stories.

Arrow: Sacrifice

This was a great season finale. So much happened. And something happened that I was not happy about at all. I'm so glad that the show got away from just crossing the bad people off of The List, and focused on one main villain, leading up to this big event. I loved it!

Observations:

**Spoilers**

Oh,  how I despise Malcolm Merlyn, but oh, how I love John Barrowman.

I can't believe that Oliver is able to walk after dropping that hard to the ground like that, let alone fight a bunch of men. I guess that's why he's considered a "super" hero.

It's funny that when Detective Lance is on the phone with the Hood, Lance tells him that he has his "sidekick" right in front of him, and the Hood responds, "I don't have a sidekick. When I need help, I call you." But it's also kind of sad that Oliver doesn't ask Lance who it is he's talking about, because there's a big chance it could be Felicity, which of course it is. I'm sad that Oliver wouldn't be concerned that Detective Lance has taken Felicity down to the police station.

I wish we weren't back to the older, more mature Laurel. I really liked her in last week's episode in the flashback when she was full of life, and fun, and had more of a personality. I know that her life is so much more serious now, but if there were just some glimpses of some enthusiasm or (forgive the word) sparkle I would like her character (or maybe her acting) so much better.

Poor Tommy, having to listen to his mother's last words.

Felicity first says that the Glades is a "geologically stable area," and then she says that there is a fault line running below the Glades. Am I missing something here? Wouldn't a fault line make an area geologically unstable?

Moira has finally gotten the courage to speak out publicly about Malcolm. Very publicly. That's not going to bode well for her. Oh, and she uses Oliver's catch phrase and says she has "failed this city."

In the last scene with Malcolm and Tommy, Malcolm played the tape of Tommy's mother's last voicemail, and then it cut to another scene so we don't know what happened right after Malcolm played the tape. Now, we see them again, and they just happen to have the television on and they hear Moira making her confession and ratting out Malcolm. I wonder what happened between their last scene and this one that made them turn on the television. I know this is a strange and very random observation, but as an actor I think a character's motivation. Why would they suddenly turn on the TV? Did someone tell them to turn it on? Did Tommy say, "I can't deal with this right now, let's watch Jeopardy?" I know why the writers put the scene in. They wanted Malcolm to hear her telling the city about his plan so we could see his reaction and see what he does next. And also to show Tommy that his father really is a bad, bad man. At least we know why Oliver turned the TV on. Thea told him to.

Thea's response when Moira apologized to her and then said, "I love you," was laughable. She immediately said, "I love Roy." There is some good writing in this show and then there's some really bad writing, like this stupid response from Thea.

I understand that Moira called the press in so her confession would be broadcast to everyone, but did she also invite cops to the press conference so they would be there to immediately arrest her?

I love that Oliver asks Detective Lance to help in the dismantling of the device. I really like that Lance's character has changed through the season.

It's raining in the Glades, but it's a clear night above the "good" part of Starling City. Boy, that's some interesting weather.

Why does Oliver tell Tommy to get to safety when he's at Merlyn's office tower. He isn't leveling the good part of the city, he's leveling the Glades.

How did Detective Lance not see that device until he was right on it? It was pretty bright.

Aw. Thea is always there when Roy needs help.

And it's the good old stand-by when trying to disarm a bomb. You cut the wire thinking you've stopped it, but no. It takes four minutes off of the timer. Gotta build that suspense.

Even though some of Laurel's scene bug me, I did like the exchange between her and her father when he calls her after the timer on the device goes down to two minutes. It was very emotional. I like Detective Lance.

Roy is becoming a hero. How long before he becomes a "super" hero.

I really expected them to stop the undertaking. I didn't expect there to be another device. I also expected Oliver to save Laurel, not Tommy. And I definitely didn't expect Tommy to die. Dang it!

So, that's it until the fall. I wonder how Malcolm will be affected by Tommy's death. Will he blame himself, or blame Oliver? Or will he even care? He didn't seem to care about him when he beat him up to keep Tommy from shooting him. Will Malcolm still be the main villain next season, or will there be a new main villain? How long before Roy finds out that Oliver is the Hood, and will Thea learn the truth at the same time? Will Oliver ever tell Laurel his secret? And what's going to happen on the island now that Fyers is dead? I'll definitely be watching to find out.

Quotes:

Malcolm: I hope I didn't hurt you. But least I can properly thank you now for saving my life. If I only knew how you were spending your nights.

Malcolm: Not a day goes by I don't miss your father.
Oliver: You'll see him soon.

Diggle: I take back every joke I made about you sticking a tracking device in your boot.

Detective Lance: Not exactly a hardened criminal, are you?
Felicity: No, I'm not any kind of a criminal.
Lance: What do you call computer hacking?
Felicity: A hobby? That I do not engage in.

Lance: I swore to uphold the law because the law is steady, the law is unchanging, the law needed to be protected. But what are laws, rules, if they don't protect people?

Moira: Everything I have ever said or done has been to protect you and your sister.
Oliver: What about all those people in the Glades?
Moira: I'm not their mother.

Moira: Where are you going?
Oliver: Somebody in this family needs to put an end to this. Whatever the cost.

Oliver: I never told you what happened to me on the island.
Laurel: You didn't have to. I can see that it changed you.
Oliver: That's the thing. Laurel it didn't. Those five years didn't change me, they just... they scraped away all the things that I wasn't and revealed the person I always was, which is the person... That's who you always saw.

Tommy (to Malcolm): He said you wanted to nuke the Glades or something. It's funny, scotch doesn't make it anymore believable.

Oliver (answering Thea's phone call): Now is not a good time.
Thea: Yea. Understate much?
(Side note: Thea must be a Buffy fan. If you're a Buffy fan you'll know what I'm saying.)

Tommy: Is it true? Did you really kill all those people?
Malcolm: I did what I had to do.

Diggle: I thought Merlyn broke your bow.
Oliver: I have another.

Diggle: Oliver, you are not alone. Not since you brought me into this. (looks at Felicity) Us into this. Besides, Army regulations. A soldier never lets a brother go into battle alone.
Oliver: I'm out of bows.
Diggle: I've got my gun.
Felicity: I guess it's up to me to do the dismantling.

Slade: I should have figured you couldn't save the day without making a mess.

Fyers: Amazing. A two year operation undone because a young playboy happened to wash up on the shore. And now here you are - a killer.

Felicity (guiding Lance to disarm the device): Do you see a timer?
Lance: Seven minutes.
Felicity: Well, good news is, this is going to be a paperweight in three.

Roy: Did you come here to rescue me.
Thea: Yea.

Oliver: Thank you for teaching me what I'm fighting for. But my father taught me how.

Oliver: It's over.
Malcolm: If I've learned anything as a successful businessman, it's... redundancy.

Oliver: Open your eyes, Tommy. Open your eyes.

Arrow: Darkness on the Edge of Town

Arrow started out strong and then slid a bit in the middle of the season. However, it's making up for that slump as it gets to the end of the season. The episodes have become so strong. I love the characters, even the villain. (Do you hear that Once Upon a Time - fans can love the villain. But it doesn't hurt when the villain is John Barrowman).

Observations:

Malcolm Merlyn is a bad, bad man.

Do I want Laurel and Oliver get back together? I'm not sure. After seeing the flashback in the last episode, I like Laurel more, and it was nice to see that they really did have a relationship before. Side note: Is it strange that I want to call the couple "Stan" and "Hardy"? Does anybody get the reference?

I wonder what the reason was for Fyers' man to pretend to be a tied up and beaten the time that Oliver found him in the cave (in the flashback a few episodes ago). Was there a purpose for Fyers to have the man do it, or was it just a plot device the writers stuck in there to see if Oliver would believe the man or not. To create suspense and drama. I would guess the latter.

It's a good thing that Merlyn uses black arrows so that the police don't think that the Hood is the one who killed all of those people. I wonder why he doesn't want to try to frame the Hood.

Now we know Fyers' agenda. He wants to cripple China's economy.

Thea is sneaky.

And this episode was brought to you by Microsoft Windows 8. I wonder if the tablet is Roy's (and if he stole it), or if it's Thea's and she's letting him "borrow" it.

Now, Oliver. That's a pretty underhanded way to get information from your mother. At least he got beat up a bit for fooling his mom.

Malcolm Merlyn has a trigger. He should meet Regina Mills. They could compare triggers. *wink*

It's great to finally see what's going on with Fyers and Yao Fei on the island. It's all coming to a head. And we know that Oliver still has more than four years left on the island. What else is going to happen? Hmm.

And who is Fyers working for? Some woman with a nice pair of legs. Is it Moira?

I'm a bit glad that Felicity can't easily get into Merlyn's mainframe, simply because I just don't want to believe that it could be easy for a computer genius to hack into just any mainframe they want.

Felicity is getting into Merlyn's headquarters by delivering a Big Belly Burger to a security guy. I love it. I wonder if one day there will be a Big Belly Burger. Get the name while it's hot! *wink*

I love how Oliver got the guy out of the elevator. Poor guy.

If Oliver hasn't realized by now that Felicity has a crush on him, then he's really an idiot.

Did anyone else think of Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer when Diggle answered Oliver's question, "You got eyes on her," with "Five by five"? I know it's not a phrase made up by Joss Whedon, but that phrase will always remind me of Faith.

Poor Moira. Walter wants a divorce. However, I don't blame him.

Oliver thinks that he's going to stop Merlyn. If he stops Merlyn he thinks he can stop being the Hood. If he stops being the Hood he thinks he can be with Laurel.

Fyers is a bad, bad man.

Oh no. Merlyn knows. What will he do, now that he knows? We'll find out in the season finale. Great times!

Quotes:

Oliver: Why wouldn't she call him? They're old friends. We're all old friends.
Felicity: Are you okay?
Oliver: My mom and my best friend's dad are involved in a conspiracy that may have dire consequences for this city. And I'm pretty sure they murdered my father. I'm not planning on using the word "okay" again any time soon.

Felicity: The last time the vigilante paid your mom a visit, you got shot and I got to play doctor with you. Oh, my mind thinks of the worst way to say things.

Oliver: Laurel what are you doing here [at the club]? It's not even 7am.
Felicity: That's just after closing time, right?

Moira (to Walter): We've prepared a delicious brunch for you. All your favorites.
Thea: Oh, yum. English food.

Thea: Where did you even get that camera. Come to think of it, where did you get this car.
Roy: I borrowed it. Illegally.

Thea: Okay, I officially do not like that look.

Oliver: I'm just suggesting that maybe you were scared. That maybe you didn't mean for any of this to happen. But it was harder than you thought, and now you're barely keeping your head above water. Please, Mom, let me help you before you drown.

Thea: Did you find anything?
Roy: Lots.
Thea: Anything helpful.
Roy: No. Still looking.

Dig/Hood: If you don't tell me I can't stop Merlyn.
Moira: You can stop him. It's too late.

Moira: You know I would never willingly be a part of anything like this.
Oliver: I don't know anything anymore.

Felicity: You said you were going to pull your punches!
Diggle: I did.
Felicity (to Oliver): Let me get you an ice pack for... everything.
Oliver: I'm fine.

Oliver: I need you to dig up everything you can on Unidac Industries.
Felicity: Well, we know Queen Consolidated acquired them seven months ago. That's when we met.
Oliver: I need information on what I don't know.

Felicity: As I keep proving, people keep secrets - computers don't.
Oliver: Felicity, are you hacking into the Merlyn global mainframe?
Felicity: Hacking is such an ugly word. No. I'm... Yea, totally hacking into the Merlyn global mainframe.

Moira: Am I wrong?
Malcolm: Rarely.

Detective Lance: Since Queen's been back he's... different. I'll deny ever having said that.

Oliver: Anything?
Felicity: Just for the record, I will pump my fist in the air and yell, "yes!" if I get in.
Diggle: You can just say this isn't working.
Felicity: This isn't working.

Felicity: Unless I can waltz up to Merlyn's mainframe and plug in my tablet directly, there's no way of getting that location.
Oliver: Then we waltz.

Felicity: I have a super deluxe big belly buster for a Mr. Andrews. I think he's in security. He a good tipper?

Oliver: Mr. Andrews got his lunch?
Felicity: One belly buster with Benzodiazepine. Hold the mayo.

Oliver: Don't look down.
Felicity: Too late. I should mention that I'm afraid of heights. Which I just learned.

Oliver: Hey, Felicity.
Felicity: Huh?
Oliver: Hold on to me tight.
Felicity: I imagined you saying that under different circumstances. Very platonic circumstances.

Oliver: You all right?
Felicity: I'm fine. Yea, this is my "just about to hack" face. I always look like this when I'm about to, you know... hack.

Oliver: Dig, you got eyes on her?
Diggle: Five by five.

Oliver: I thought it was past time we talked.
Tommy: About what? Me leaving the club, you being a serial killer? We're not lacking topics.

Oliver: What exactly do you do here?
Tommy: I work closely with my father.

Felicity (pumps her fist in the air): Yes! Oh, I really do do that.

Diggle: Let's go, Barbie. Your last new last name ain't gonna be Merlyn.
Felicity: But I love him! He's my man! [walk past security officer] You're my knight in shining armor.

Roy: No offense, Thea, but your brother's kind of a wimp.

Walter: You know, I read about people in forced captivity. Some of them said it was a simple thought that got them through the isolation and fear: returning to their loved ones. So I don't know really why I'm still alive, Moira. Because I didn't have that.

Oliver: My father, he told me that he failed this city. He asked me to right his wrongs, but I never knew what he meant until now. It's the undertaking. I promised myself that when I crossed all these names off the list that I'd be done, but taking out these people, it doesn't honor him. I was just treating the symptoms while the disease festered. I stop the undertaking, I wipe out the disease.

Hood: Malcolm Merlyn, you have failed this city.

Merlyn: Ironic, isn't it? Last Christmas I almost killed you. A few months ago you saved my life. And now you're here trying to kill me. You should make up your mind.
Hood: Fine.

Arrow: The Undertaking

It was great to see flashbacks from before the island. To see the relationship between Robert Queen and Malcolm Merlyn, and find out how this whole "failing the city" came to be. It was also great to see Oliver and Laurel before the sinking of the yacht. To see their relationship. But it made it sadder when we see Oliver go off on the yacht and you know that he's taking Sarah.

The show is really amping up toward the finale. The show has really gotten good. I love all of the characters (I even liked Laurel and Thea in this episode). I'm glad that the show has been renewed and will be back next season.

Observations:

Moira really does look five years younger in the flashbacks. And all it took was straightening her hair. *wink*

So, the "undertaking" was originally supposed to clean the city of crime by trying to rid it of those who were corrupting it, but Malcolm felt it was futile, and decided he wanted to just wipe-out the Glades, where most of the crime was happening.

It's so hilarious to see Felicity flustered. And she certainly got flustered when she met Laurel. Jealous much?

I'm so glad they finally have a lead to find Walter. It's about time. The whole reason Felicity agreed to join Oliver's "merry band" was to find Walter, and now the time is here.

John Barrowman is a great actor. You know that Malcolm is the villain, but you feel sorry for him. Sorry for losing his wife the way he did. You can understand his motive. That's the thing about villains - to them they're not a villain. They usually have a reason for doing what they're doing that can make sense, at least to them.

Felicity is trying to get that bromance between Oliver and Diggle back on track.

If Detective Lance ever found out that Malcolm sabotaged the yacht to get rid of Robert (and killed Sarah along with him), I wonder what he would do?

Malcolm apologized to Moira for taking Robert from her. But why does she say that she's really to blame for his death?

If it only takes straighter hair for Moira to look five years younger, it only take longer hair and a clean-shaven face for Oliver to look five years younger.

When Oliver and Laurel are talking in the flashback to five years ago, Oliver says that Laurel's dad threatened to tase Oliver when he closed the door to her bedroom. If he threatened to tase him then, wouldn't he threaten to kill Oliver if Oliver and Laurel moved in together? *wink*

Oliver found out that not only was Malcolm the one that had Walter kidnapped, but that is Moira has been in on it with Malcolm, and knew what happened to Walter all along. Poor Oliver. What a horrible thing to learn.

Don't get in the Hood's way when he's on a mission. *wink*

Yay! Walter is finally going home.

It's horrible seeing Oliver with Laurel right before he got on the yacht, since she doesn't know that he's cheating on her with Sarah.

So, Oliver decided to cheat on her because he freaked out about Laurel wanting to move in together.

Frank knew that Malcolm had sabotaged the yacht. Oh, Frank, Frank, Frank. It doesn't end well for you, does it?

Oliver is clean shaven in the present in some of scenes. I guess they shot those scenes after they shot the flashbacks and Stephen Amell didn't have time to grow his five-o'clock shadow again.

I'm so glad that Oliver went to Diggle to ask for his help. He didn't apologize, but at least he said he needs his help.

Quotes:

Hood: Harold Backman, you have failed this city.
Harold Backman: I'm only an accountant.

Backman: You think you scare me more than the people I work for?
Hood: No. They can deal with you.

Felicity: I wish someone would send me off to the Caymans.

Malcolm: How is Oliver?
Moira: Still in bed. It's only noon.

Robert Queen: Get lost trying to find the house?
Malcolm: You say that as if your driveway's not longer than most roads.

Robert: You've always had something of a "god complex," Malcolm. It's part of your charm. But even you can't create a natural disaster.

Oliver: "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, and she walks into mine."
Laurel: This coffee's terrible, Oliver.
Oliver: That's what you get for ordering coffee at a bar.

Felicity: I just totally walked in on a thing, didn't I?
Laurel:  I'm sorry, uh, who are you?
Felicity: Nobody. I mean, I'm not nobody. I'm someone, obviously. And so are you. You're Laurel, right? That Laurel. Gorgeous Laurel.

Felicity: How many arrows do you think you'll have to put in him before he gives up Walter's location? Say a lot?

Felicity: I can count cards. It's all probability, theory and mathematics. Have you met me?

Malcolm: That place took your soul, Robert.
Robert: Doing this won't give it back. It won't bring back Rebecca, either.

Diggle: What do you want?
Felicity: Is that any way to treat someone who just walked up six flights of stairs?
Diggle: No it's not. Where are my manners? Come on in.

Felicity: You gotta know that if it were your life that was on the line, and not just your... very understandable vendetta, he would be there for you. No hesitation.

Felicity: I know Oliver's religiously against admitting he's wrong. Truth is, he needs you.

Felicity: No slot machines. I mean, how do you call yourself a casino without any Lucky 7s?

Henchman: Get up!
Felicity: Oh, since you asked so nicely.

Felicity: You're gonna be really upset when you meet my partner.

Alonzo: I heard you never miss.
Hood: I don't.

Moira: You're a miracle worker, Thea.
Thea: Oh, when it comes to shopping it's not work, really.

Oliver: Dad! Do you have any cash? Jerk pizza guy can't break a $100.

Laurel: We can't hang out at my house.
Oliver: Why? Because you're father threatened to tase me the last time I closed the door to your bedroom?

Felicity: This is totally a family thing, isn't it?
Moira: I'm sorry, who are you?
Oliver: This is Felicity. She's my friend.
Walter: Mine too.

Oliver: Mom, let me keep Dad company.
Moira: Oliver, you're in school.
Oliver: Not really. I tried to tell you that.

Robert: Moira. Let the boy take the boat out with the old man.

Diggle: I guess you do know where I live.
Oliver: I've always known where you live.

Arrow: Unfinished Business

The Count is back. And so is Vertigo. Oliver is not happy to see the drug that almost killed Thea kill someone else.

Observations:

Verdant is in full swing. I'm sure it's raking in the bucks. Not that Oliver needs anymore bucks. What he doesn't need a a girl on Vertigo leaving his club, and then getting hit by a car.

Now Slade has a worthy opponent to practice fighting with. How long will it take before Oliver becomes a worthy opponent?

The Count escapes from the mental institution, and Oliver is now regretting the fact that he didn't take him out when he had the chance. Ah, drama!

How did superheroes ever save anyone before computers, the internet, smart phones, and GPS? *wink*

If you want a creepy person to stay away from you, it's kind of stupid to tell them that they're the "creepiest person [you've] ever met."

More Windows 8 product placement. I wonder how much Microsoft pays for that.

Shado is being Oliver's Mr. Miagi. But instead of "wax on, wax off," it's "hit the water." I like Shado. I look forward to finding out how she got off the island, and if Oliver is ever going to run into her again in the present.

Tommy was trying to protect Oliver's secret identity. Even though he's not happy that Oliver didn't tell him he was the vigilante, and he's shocked that Oliver would kill so many people, he still has Oliver's back.

There's a lot of tension between Oliver and Tommy, and Oliver and Diggle right now. I know that Oliver and Diggle will work things out, but I have a feeling that Oliver and Tommy are going to move farther and farther apart, and that makes me sad. I like Tommy. I don't want him to become Oliver's enemy. This relationship may play like Clark Kent and Lex Luthor in Smallville. Good friends become bitter enemies.

Quotes:

Oliver: I like how we've gone from throwing money at clubs to catching it.

Tommy: Having this much fun should be against the law.
Detective Lance: Oh, if wishing made it so.

The Count: I remember you. You are never far from my thoughts.

Slade: Where did you learn how to fight?
Shado: My father wanted a son.
Slade: He got one.

Shado (re: Oliver): Does he always whine this much?
Slade: This is one of his good days.
Shado: Can he fight?
Slade: I've tried. Never with success.
Oliver: Sittin' right here.
Shado: I haven't tried yet.

Felicity: Good, you're here. Of course you're here. Where else would you be? You clearly love it down here.

Felicity: My only experience with drugs was an encounter with a pot brownie my freshman year, by mistake, which could have been fun, except I'm allergic to nuts.

Detective Lance: Laurel, I am trying --
Laurel: To do your job? Yea, I know. And this is me, doing mine.

Shado: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Oliver: Confucius. Great. I'm beginning to see the family resemblance.
Shado: Lao-tzu, actually.

Oliver: My Mom does yoga.

Laurel: Well, if Prohibition were still in effect, you might actually have the basis of a criminal complaint.

Tommy: I run the club, Oliver. I don't tell you a lot of things.

Tommy: The next time that you decide to think the worst of me, imagine what I now think of you.

Diggle: Clear.

Oliver: What's next?
Shado: We teach you to shoot.

Detective Lance: I guess I owe your boyfriend an apology.
Laurel: He has a name, you know.
Detective Lance: Yea, I just can't seem to bring myself to use it. Baby steps.

Diggle: I thought he wasn't a priority to you.
Oliver: He's a priority to you. And you two have unfinished business.
Diggle: Where do we start?

Favorite Doctor Who Episodes: The Long Game

The Doctor picked up another traveling companion (in addition to Rose) in "Dalek," and it's Adam's turn to be "godsmacked" by the world the Doctor takes him to - well, the space station. This space station, Satellite Five, broadcasts the news to the entire universe. Quite the job.

I love how the Doctor lets Rose introduce everything to Adam when the Tardis lands on the space station. And I love Adam's response to seeing the Earth in the year 200,000.

The Doctor gets so excited when he senses that something is wrong. Rose says to him, "Trouble?" and he responds with a smile, "Oh, yea." The Doctor isn't content when everything is smooth sailing. It's not in his nature.

You know how badly you want that promotion? Well, if they tell you that your promotion will take you to floor 500, then you need to get a bit suspicious. Even if they tell you the walls are made of gold. Just sayin'.

It's interesting to have Adam traveling with the Doctor and Rose, to show how different Adam is from them. The Doctor travels to learn about other species. To help where he's needed. And Rose has learned that from traveling with the Doctor. Adam is all about Adam. He wants knowledge, but not for knowledge sake. He wants it for Adam's sake. (Ahh, too bad his name isn't Pete, that would have been funny sentence *wink*).

The end of this episode is one of my favorite moments. Watch it!

Quotes:

Doctor: He's your boyfriend.
Rose: Not anymore.

Doctor: Come on, Adam, open your mind. You're gonna like this fantastic era of history. The human race at its most intelligent. Culture, art, politics. This era's got fine food, good manners --
Rose: Fine cuisine.

Doctor: My watch must be wrong. No, it's fine. It's weird.
Rose: That's what comes from showing off. Your history's not as good as you thought it was.
Doctor: My history's perfect.
Rose: Well, obviously not.

Doctor: Here you go. Pocket money. Don't spend it all on sweets.
Adam: How does it work?
Doctor: Go and find out. Stop nagging me! The thing is, Adam, time travel's like visiting Paris. You can't just read the guide book, you gotta throw yourself in. Eat the food, use the wrong verbs, get charged double and end up kissing complete strangers. Or is that just me?

Doctor: Off you go! Your first date.
Rose: You're gonna get a smack, you are.

Cathica: The Face of Boe has just announced he's pregnant.

Editor: Something is wrong. Something fictional.

Doctor: Oi! Mutt and Jeff. Over here.

Suki: You're my lucky charm.
Doctor: All right. I'll hug anyone.

Adam: You'd rather be with him. It's gonna take a better man than me to get between you two.

Rose: Here you go, take the Tardis key, you know just in case it gets a bit much.
Adam: Yea, like it's not weird in there.

Suki: Say goodbye to Steve for me!

Cathica: You're not management, are you?
Doctor: At last! She's clever.

Doctor: Humanity's been set back about 90 years. When did Satellite Five start broadcasting?
Cathica: Ninety-one years ago.

Editor: Check him. Double-check him. Triple-check him. Quadruple.

Doctor: Rose is asking the right kind of question.
Rose: I thank you.
Doctor: Why is it so hot?
Cathica: One minute you're worried about the Empire and the next minute it's the central heating.
Doctor: Never underestimate plumbing. Plumbing's very important.

Editor: We all know what happens to non-entities. They get promoted.

Rose: Well, I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm missing out on a party. It's all going on upstairs. Fancy a trip?

Adam: How do I activate it?
Nurse: It's a personal choice. Some people whistle. I know one man who triggers it with "Oh, Danny Boy." But you're is on default for now. That's a click of the fingers.

Editor: Oh, you're full of information. But it's only fair we get some information back because, apparently, you're no one. It's so rare not to know something.

Editor: The Mighty Jagrefess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe. I call him Max.

Editor: Is a slave a slave if he doesn't know he's enslaved?
Doctor: Yes.
Editor: Oh! I was hoping for a philosophical debate. Is that all I'm going to get. "Yes"?
Doctor: Yes.
Editor: You're no fun.
Doctor: Let me out of these manacles. You'll find out how much fun I am.

Doctor: You and your boyfriends!

Rose: What do I do?
Doctor: Flick the switch!

Doctor: See you in the headlines.

Adam: My head opens.
Doctor: What, like this?
Adam: Don't!
Doctor: Don't do what?
Adam: Stop it!

Arrow: Salvation

I like Roy Harper. Yes, I've said it again. I'm glad, that after last week's episode with Helena, that we get to root for a new character, whom we like. After reading some blogs by people who are familiar with The Green Arrow comics, it looks like Roy may end up being Arrow's ally, and working with him to rid Starling City of the people who have failed it. However, they say that his alias is "Speedy" in the comics, and we know that is the nickname Oliver gave his sister, Thea. So, will there be a female Speedy and a male Speedy? I guess we'll have to keep tuning in to find out.

Observations:

How can Oliver hold himself up there like that? And how long did he have to do it while they were filming? Impressive! I love watching Felicity watch Oliver. When is this relationship going to happen?

Did Felicity quit her job at Oliver's company? If not, is she calling in sick everyday? She can't be working in both places.

Someone got to John Nichol before Oliver could.

Thea likes the "bad boy," but when she finds out he's going to do something "bad," she walks out on him. I think that she just wants to reform him. We'll see if that works.

If I remember right from an earlier episodes, Laurel said her mother left her and her father after Sarah died. She didn't say there was any animosity between her parents, so I'm not sure why she's not glad that her parents are getting along, or that they might possibly get back together.

This new villain's unspoken mantra seems to be "John Nichol, you have betrayed the Glades."

This new vigilante is doing the same thing that Oliver has been doing, except he's broadcasting it over the internet. And, Oliver hasn't killed all of the men he's confronted on The List. He gives them a chance to change. But, Tommy is right. Oliver does kill people. It's hard to justify what he's doing.

I wonder how many "bad boys" Laurel has dated.

Oliver certainly searched that building quickly. He said he searched every office of the building, and there were six floors! He is a superhero. *wink*

Poor Felicity. This is the first time she's been involved in something like this where she wasn't able to use her computer skills to save someone. And she saw him die right in front of her. Come on, Oliver, give her a hug.

Is the woman that Laurel found telling the truth? Is it really a picture of her? Why would she have a baseball cap from Starling City? Is she from Starling City?

Oh no! The vigilante has taken Roy. Good thing that he's dating the Hood's sister. He's as much as saved. Now it's just a matter of finding him.

Sarah didn't have that hat on when she was swept out to sea. If she's still alive, there's no way she could still have that hat.

I like it when a girl can defend herself.

Oliver didn't know that Starling City had a subway, but there's a big sign that says "Subway." What did he think it was, a sandwich shop? *wink* Or, maybe he just never got to that part of the city. 

Maybe what Thea said to Roy did make a difference. He's ready to die for "betraying the Glades."

I thought that Oliver was asking Laurel if she wanted to go out to dinner that night, not in the future. So, it was funny when she said, "sure," and then just walked away.

Shado knows what Fyers plans are. This could be very helpful. I just hope Yao Fei is okay.

Moira is horrible. She betrayed Frank so Merlyn wouldn't find out that she was the one who ordered Merlyn's death. At least she wants to try to save Frank's daughter.

Moira has a "Lady MacBeth" moment. "Out damned spot."

Well, Oliver didn't give Felicity a hug, but it was sweet of him to tell her that she could tell him about her day. Although, he would probably pretty much know everything about her day anyway. But, it's the thought that counts. And Felicity is smitten.

Quotes:

Felicity: He was just gone?
Oliver: No, not gone. Taken.
Diggle: It looks like Nichol was on somebody else's list too.

Felicity: You went over there to be all "Grr, stop being bad or I'll arrow you," and now you want to rescue him?
Oliver: I don't like the idea that somebody dangerous is out there. Somebody else. Because, typically, they don't show my level of restraint.

Roy: You know, some of us actually have to answer our own doors.
Thea: Oh, the horror.

Thea: Why do you have a gun?
Roy: Because I'm no good with knives.

Diggle: You're hungrier than I thought.
Oliver: Are you waiting for me to finish before you give me the lecture?
Diggle: Oliver, you've been spending a lot of time under that hood the last couple of weeks.
Oliver: It keeps my ears warm.

Diggle: You've been home eight months, Oliver, but I don't think you've left that island yet.

Oliver: Well, use that [air-magnet] thing you said ---
Felicity: Oliver! No offense, but do I tell you how to sharpen your arrows?

Diggle: You gonna hood up?
Oliver: It's the middle of the day!

Fyers: The circuit board. Where is it?
Oliver: Somewhere safe. So get us to the boat and then we'll tell you where it is.
Fyers: And, of course, you'll be honest about its location.
Slade: Well, I wouldn't be, but this one's got some strange hang-up about principles and integrity.

The Hood: You kill this kid, you'll never give him the opportunity to change. You can give him a second chance.

Dinah: I gotta get going to the airport. That red-eye to Central City. Should be home in a flash.
(Side note: Haha. I looked it up. The Flash lives in Central City.)

Laurel: I heard Thea's friend was okay.
Oliver: Yea, that worked out okay. This Roy. He's more than just a friend, isn't he.
Laurel: Bad boys. They'll hook you every time.

Oliver: Laurel. Could we go out to dinner. Or coffee? I don't know.
Laurel: Why?
Oliver: I don't want to be on a island anymore.

Favorite Doctor Who Episodes: Dalek

The Doctor has had to fight many villains in his 11 regenerations. However, the Daleks are his worst enemy. And they always seem to come back. There are many episodes in the classic Doctor Who oeuvre (yes, I love that word) featuring the scary aliens. "Dalek" was the first episode in the reboot that featured the Daleks. For a villain, they don't look very menacing, but to those familiar with Doctor Who lore, there is nothing worse than a Dalek. I'm sure the fans who watched the classic Doctor Who were terrified when they saw that the Daleks were back.

Observations:

A signal draws the TARDIS off-course, and the Doctor and Rose land in an underground bunker in Utah in 2012. Being from Utah, it was cool to me that the first episode (of the reboot) set in America is set in my home state. Of course, the 11th Doctor will have a stronger tie to Utah, and those episodes really were filmed in Utah, unlike this episode, which was probably filmed in Wales.

The idea of a human collecting extraterrestrial artifacts is really cool. It gives us a chance to see a stuffed Slitheen arm, the milometer from the Roswell spaceship, and the head of a classic Cyberman (they are redesigned when they appear in a future episode), another one of the Doctor's adversaries.

I had never seen a Dalek before I saw this episode. I didn't know what it was, so I had no idea of the Doctor's history with them. However, when I saw the Doctor's reaction to it when he heard its "voice," I knew that he was terrified by it. Christopher Eccleston's performance was spot-on. His performance is especially great because he's acting against a "metaltron," as Van Statten's people call it. These are the kinds of scenes that really made me love Eccleston as the Doctor. He has so many emotions in this one scene.

The Dalek downloads the entire internet. It now knows everything. And half of the information it knows now is wrong. *wink*

When the soldiers get in position to fire on the Dalek in the hallway, it reminds me of the rebel soldiers at the beginning of Star Wars (A New Hope), getting in position to prepare for the arrival of Darth Vadar on the spaceship. It's pretty funny.

Quotes:

Rose: What is it?
Doctor: An old friend of mine. Well, an enemy. The stuff of nightmares, reduced to an exhibit. I'm getting old.

Rose: If someone's collecting aliens, that makes you Exhibit A.

Van Statten: Wipe his memory. Put him on the side of the road someplace. Memphis or Minneapolis. Somewhere beginning with an M.

Van Statten: So, the next President, what do you think, Republican or Democrat?
Diana: Democrat, sir.
Van Statten: For what reason?
Diana: They're just so funny, sir?

Diana: We don't know how they got in.
Van Statten: I'll tell you how they got in. Intruder window. (pause) Intruder window? That was funny.
[Courtesy laughter]

Doctor: I really wouldn't hold it like that.
Diana: Shut it.
Doctor: Really, though. That's wrong.
Van Statten: Is it dangerous?
Doctor: No, it just looks silly.

Van Statten: We're hidden away with the most valuable collection of extraterrestrial artifacts in the world, and  you just stumbled in by mistake?
Doctor: Pretty much sums me up, yea.

Van Statten (to the Doctor): Quite a collector yourself. She's rather pretty.
Rose: She's gonna smack you if you keep calling her "she."

Va Statten: And you claim greater knowledge?
Doctor: I don't need to make claims. I know how good I am.

Rose: Blimey, you can smell the testosterone.

Van Statten: You, English. You look after the girl. Go and canoodle or spoon, or whatever it is you British do.

Van Statten: You, Doctor with no name, come and see my pet.

Van Statten: Doesn't know what he has. Doesn't know what it can do.

Doctor: If you can't kill, then what you good for, Dalek? What's the point of you?

Dalek: I am alone in the universe.

Adam: The thing is, it's all true. Everything the United Nations tries to keep quiet. Spacecraft, aliens, visitors to earth. They really exist.
Rose: That's amazing.
Adam: I know it sounds incredible, but I honestly believe the whole universe is just teeeming with life.
Rose: I'm gobsmacked, yea.

Rose: So, how did you end up here?
Adam: Van Statten has agents all over the world looking for geniuses to recruit.
Rose: Oh, right. You're a genius.
Adam: Sorry, but, yea. I can't help it. I was born clever.

Doctor: The Dalek race was genetically engineered. Every single emotion was removed, except hate.
Van Statten: Genetically engineered? By whom?
Doctor: By a genius, Van Statten. By a man who was king of his own little world. You'd like him.

Van Statten? Broadband? Roswell.

Doctor: What is the nearest town?
Van Statten: Salt Lake City.
Doctor: Population?
Van Statten: One million.
Doctor: All dead. If the Dalek gets out, it will murder every living creature. That's all it needs.
Van Statten: But why would it do that?
Doctor: Because it honestly believes they should die.

Doctor: Aim for the dome, the head, the eyepiece. That's the weakest spot.
Soldier: Thank you, Doctor, but I think I know how to fight one single tin robot.

Diana: That would take a genius.
Van Statten: Good thing you've got me then.
Doctor: You want to help?

Doctor: If you want orders, follow this one - kill yourself.
Dalek: The Daleks must survive.
Doctor: The Daleks have failed. Why don't you finish the job and make the Daleks extinct? Rid the universe of your filth. Why don't you just die?
Dalek: You would make a good Dalek..

Doctor: Broken. Broken. Hairdryer.

Doctor: You in a fight? I'd like to see that.
Adam: I could do.
Doctor: What are you going to do, throw your A-levels at them?

Rose: Adam was saying that all his life he's wanted to see the stars.
Doctor: Tell him to go and stand outside then.

Doctor: Rose, he's a bit pretty.
Rose: I hadn't noticed.
Doctor: On your own head.

Adam: Doctor, what are you doing standing inside a box?

Favorite Doctor Who Episodes: Rose

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who, I will be blogging about my favorite Doctor Who episodes (I have not seen many of the classic Doctor Who episodes, so my list will only include episodes since its return in 2005). There are, of course, episodes I love more than others, but I had a hard time putting them in any order of preference. So, I've decided blog about my favorite episodes in order of their airing, starting with the premiere of the ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston.

Side note: If I end up blogging about more than 50, I'm sorry. Unless you love Doctor Who as much as I do, then I won't apologize to you, I'll just say, "Enjoy!"

"Rose" is one of my favorite episode mainly because this is the first Doctor Who episode I saw (except for some bits and pieces of the old Doctor Who on PBS when I was growing up). This is where I, along with Rose, met the ninth Doctor for the first time. Christopher Eccleston was my first Doctor, and because of that, I have to say that he's my favorite Doctor. I think David Tennant and Matt Smith are wonderful too; I have nothing bad to say about either of them as the Doctor. However, Christopher Eccleston will always be my Doctor. I love the moment when we first meet him, how he grabs Rose's hand right as she is about to be attacked by a dangerous, animated mannequin (or Auton), and tells her to "Run!" It's a great introduction to the Gallifreyen Time Lord.

However, before we meet the Doctor, we first meet Rose Tyler. She's a London girl with a mundane job at a department store, who lives with her mother in a small flat. She doesn't seem extraordinary in any way, but her life is about to change, drastically. I would say that Rose and Donna Noble are tied as my favorite companion. They are so different, yet there are so many things about each of them that I love. They are both very tenacious. They bring the Doctor "back to Earth" when he gets a bit too big for his britches. They aren't afraid to face danger to help the Doctor save people in danger, and even save the Doctor himself a few times.

I love how the danger in this episode is from an object that most of us have seen many, many times. And just like Rose, we don't expect to see one move. The writers take a common object, vilify it, and make you just a little freaked out the next time you see one for real. The moment the first mannequin moves his head is so creepy. And then it starts moving toward Rose. It's creepy in a very absurd kind of way. Just like Doctor Who should be. And then more and more mannequins begin to move toward her, until she is cornered. Then suddenly our hero is there, grabbing her hand and saying, "Run!"

It's great to see Rose walking around the streets of London, dazed after meeting the Doctor, with a plastic arm in her hand, wondering what to do next. And then, after a huge explosion on the roof of the department store, Rose runs past a blue Police Box. Our first glimpse of the new Tardis.

I love the comedy in the show. It doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a great scene when Rose is making tea in the kitchen, talking away, and behind her the Doctor is being choked by a disembodied, plastic arm. And Rose is totally oblivious. He tries to get her attention when she walks into the room, but she still yaks on and on. Great comedic moment.

One of the things I love about Christopher Eccleston's version of the Doctor, especially in this first episode, is that he has so much joy. It feels like he just enjoys life, even though danger follows him (or he follow danger). He finds joy discovering new things. He finds joy in saving people. He finds joy in traveling. You know that there is some sorrow deep down in him, but when he smiles, you just want to smile with him.

The first time the Doctor describes who he is to Rose, it is so eloquent and poetic. I love it. See the quote below (*) This is the way I like to think about the Doctor. Yes, he's an alien. Yes, he's a Time Lord. Yes, he can travel in time and space. Yes, he's from the North (*wink). Yes, he's the last of his kind. However, that first answer he gives to Rose when she asks who he is fits the Doctor to a 'T."

Mickey drives a yellow Bug. Cool people drive Bugs. Well, cool people and Mickey. *wink*

When the Doctor is in Rose's flat, and he looks in the mirror, the remark he makes makes it seem like he just recently regenerated, but he's already been a few places (and times) since the regeneration. Kennedy's assassination, the Titanic, the coast of Sumatra.

Okay, I've seen the inside of the Tardis many times, in its many regenerations, so I know that it's bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside, but I still love to see the wonder and absolute disbelief on Rose's face when she realizes that there is something strangely wonderful about this blue wooden box.

I love that the Doctor wants peace for the universe. He doesn't want to just kill the bad guy, and he does all he can to reason and negotiate with the alien trying to take over Earth. However, when that doesn't work, and the danger to the inhabitants of Earth (well, mainly London) becomes imminent, the Doctor's got to do what the Doctor's got to do, and so does his companion. Rose is the perfect companion. She doesn't break down in the face of danger. She acts.

The villainous alien is a bit ridiculous, and the special effects are not the highest quality, but it's not so much about what the villains look like, or the greatness of the special effects, or even the danger they're in. It's about the relationship between the Doctor and those around him, particularly his companion. It's about the wonder the companion feels in discovering new worlds, and going back in time to see historic places and people. That's what I love so much about the show - the characters. They make you care, and when you care about the characters, you are willing to go on a journey that can be scary, funny, ridiculous, dangerous, fun, and uniquely "Doctor Who."

Quotes:

Doctor: Run!

Rose: You pulled his arm off!
Doctor: Yep. Plastic.

Rose: Who are they then, students? Is this a student thing, or what?
Doctor: Why would they be students?
Rose: I don't know.
Doctor: Well, you said it. Why students?
Rose: 'Cause, to get that many people dressed up and being silly, they've gotta be students.
Doctor: That makes sense. Well done.
Rose: Thanks.
Doctor: They're not students.

Doctor: I'm going to go upstairs and blow it up, and I might die in the process, but don't worry about me. No. You go on. Go and have your lovely beans on toast.

Doctor: I'm the Doctor, by the way. What's your name?
Rose: Rose.
Doctor: Nice to meet you, Rose. Run for your life!

Jackie (Rose's mother, on the phone): I know. It's on the telly. It's everywhere. She's lucky to be alive! Honestly, it's aged her. Skin like an old Bible. Walking in now you'd think I was her daughter.

Doctor: What are you doing here?
Rose: I live here.
Doctor: What do you do that for?
Rose: Because I do.

Doctor: I must have the wrong signal. You're not plastic are you? (knocks her head) No. Bonehead. Bye then.

Jackie: I'm in my dressing gown.
Doctor: Yes, you are.
Jackie: There's a strange man in my bedroom.
Doctor: Yes, there is.
Jackie: Well, anything could happen.
Doctor: (pause) No.

Doctor (looks in the mirror): Ah. Could have been worse. Look at the ears.

Doctor (throws the arm at Rose): 'Armless.
Rose: Do you think?

Rose: Hold on a minute. You can't just go swannin' off.
Doctor: Yes, I can. Here I am. This is me swannin' off. See ya!

Rose: Who are you?
Doctor: Told ya. The Doctor.
Rose: Yea, but, Doctor what?
Doctor: Just the Doctor.
Rose: The Doctor?
Doctor: Hello!
Rose: Is that supposed to be impressive?
Doctor: Sort of, yeah.

Rose: So, what you're saying is the entire world revolves around you.
Doctor: Sort of, yeah.
Rose: You're full of it!
Doctor: Sort of, yeah.

Rose: Really, though, Doctor. Tell me. Who are you?
*Doctor: Do you know like we were saying, about the earth revolving? It's like when you're a kid, the first time they tell you that the world's turning and you just can't quite believe it 'cause everything looks like it's standing still. I can feel it... [takes Rose's hand] ...the turn of the earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a thousand miles an hour. And the entire planet is hurtling around the sun at 67,000 miles an hour. And I can feel it. We're falling through space, you and me, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world. And, if we let go... [let's go of Rose's hand] That's who I am. Now forget me, Rose Tyler. Go home.

Rose: Hello. I've come to see Clive. We've been emailing.
Boy: Dad! One of your nutters!

Clive: The Doctor is a legend woven through history. When disaster comes, he's there. He brings a storm in his wake, and has one constant companion.
Rose: Who's that?
Clive: Death.

Rose: Open the gate! Use that tube thing. Come on!
Doctor: Sonic screwdriver.
Rose: Use it!

Rose: You can't hide inside a wooden box.

Doctor: The assembled hordes of Genghis Khan couldn't get through that door. Believe me, they've tried.

Doctor: Where do you want to start?
Rose: Um. The inside is bigger than the outside?
Doctor: Yes.
Rose: It's alien?
Doctor: Yep.
Rose: Are you alien?
Doctor: Yes. Is that all right?
Rose: Yea.

Rose: If you are an alien, how come you sound like you're from the north?
Doctor: Lots of planets have a north.

Doctor: Fantastic!

Doctor: I'm not here to kill it. I've got to give it a chance.

Doctor: Can we keep the domestics outside? Thank you.

Doctor: I am talking! This planet is just starting. These stupid people have only just learned how to walk, but they're capable of so much more.

Doctor: That's not true. I should know. I was there. I fought in the war. It wasn't my fault. I couldn't save your world. I couldn't save any of them.

Mickey: There's nothing you can do.
Rose: I've got no A levels. No job. No future. But I'll tell you what I have got. Jericho Street Junior School under-sevens gymnastic team. I've got the bronze.

Doctor: Now we're in trouble.

Jackie (answers her mobile phone): Rose! Rose! Don't go out of the house. It's not safe.

Rose: You'd be dead if it wasn't for me.
Doctor: Yes, I would. Thank you.

Doctor: This box goes anywhere in the universe. Free of charge.
Mickey: Don't! He's an alien. He's a thing.
Doctor: He's not invited.

Doctor: What do you think? You could stay here. Fill your life with work and food and sleep. Or you could go, uh... anywhere.
Rose: Is it always this dangerous?
Doctor: Yea.

Doctor: By the way, did I mention that it also travels in time?

Rose (to Mickey): Thanks.
Mickey: Thanks for what?
Rose: Exactly.

Arrow: Dead to Rights

Another strong episode! Thanks, Arrow, for proving me wrong when I said the series was going downhill with "Muse of Fire" and "Vendetta." I realize now that the reason I didn't like those episodes were pretty much because of Jessica De Gouw as Helena/The Huntress. Unfortunately, it looks like she returns in the next episode. If that episode is bad, we'll know why. However, I'm thinking that it will be good as long as we still see the characters we've grown to like so much (i.e., Dig and Felicity). And, I hope we get more information about the shocking revelation we learned from Laurel's mother, Dinah (played by Doctor Who's Alex Kingston), when she showed up unexpectedly at the end of the episode.

Anyway, on to this episode. We know that Moira has hired the Triad to kill Malcolm Merlyn. Oliver just happens to learn about the hit on Merlyn when he crosses another name off of The List - the assassin hired to kill Malcolm. It takes a little bit of hacking of the assassins cell phone to find out who he was hired to kill, but when Oliver finds out who it is, he rushes off to try to save Merlyn. The episode was tight, well-paced, had plenty of action and some great comic moments.

Observations:

Isn't that nice - Diggle is teaching Felicity how to defend herself. Is she slowly being trained to eventually be a superhero herself ? Hmm.

It's funny to see Oliver struggle to do a chin-up on the island, knowing that in five years he will be able to do multiple chin-ups as well as Slade, and much, much more.

I love that current shows today are still making references to Gilligan's Island. It's such an iconic, classic TV series.

It's Tommy's birthday and the only people at his party at Laurel's house are Laurel, Oliver, and Oliver's date, McKenna. Tommy really needs to go out and get more friends. But then his Dad shows up with a gift in a Tiffany's box (I wonder what's in there), and it gets a bit awkward.

Can't Oliver even make his own reservation at a restaurant? Who does he think Diggle and Felicity are, his personal assistants?

I wonder who raised Tommy from ages eight to ten? What a truly horrible thing for an eight year old - to lose both his mother and his father at the same time.

Laurel gets a call from her Mom, and she ignores it. I wonder why. What's gone on with them, other than she left after Sarah died?

China White in a dark wig. Should we call her China Black?

I wonder why Oliver's on a date with McKenna when he knows that the hit is supposed to happen that night. He isn't trying to find out who the victim is himself. He's just waiting for a call from his "personal assistants," Diggle and Felicity. Why set up a date when he know he'll just have to bail on her eventually. And I'm surprised that McKenna is pretty understanding when Oliver does tells her he has to cut the date short.

Why do the members of the Triad who are posing as waiters start killing other people when Malcolm is pretty wide open? Why are they relying on Deadshot to kill him?

I'm glad that Malcolm thinks first about his son when he sees that there is danger. So, we know that Malcolm truly loves his son and cares about his safety.

Everyone is leaving the building pretty calmly. What do they think is happening?

And the wig comes off (as opposed to the gloves). *wink*

Tommy is seeing a side of his father he never knew about. We really haven't seen it either.

Deadshot hit his target. Poor Tommy. Could it really be that easy? Nope, it wasn't.

I wonder how many times Oliver will get to show Slade how much he remembers from that one book he read in college (The Odyssey)?

Oliver actually called Diggle "John."

During the two years Malcolm was gone he met a man who helped him make sense of things, to find a purpose for his life and make Starling City a better place. So, why isn't Starling City a better place? Who was that man, and was he a good man or a bad man?

Oh no! Did Oliver just make an enemy of Tommy? I don't want them to be enemies. I like Tommy.

Laurel's mother is back, and she has a lot of explaining to do.

Everyone in this show has parents who have made mistakes.

Sarah may be alive! Shocker!

Quotes:

Guillermo Barrera: You have quite a reputation.
The Hood: And you should have stayed overseas.
Barrera: I thought about it, but then I remembered, I've got a reputation too.

Diggle: The trick is to keep your weight evenly distributed .
Felicity: The trick is to avoid getting into fights.
Diggle: You know, Starling City isn't the kind of place where you can talk your way out of trouble. Besides, if you're going to be working with us, I'll sleep a lot easier knowing you can handle yourself. At least a little bit.

Diggle: It may not be a good idea to fall for the cop who's hunting you down.
Oliver: Well, it's slim pickings for us vigilantes.

[Oliver is trying to do a chin-up]
Slade: Four.
Oliver: Well, I'm more of a runner.

Oliver: We can't just sit here and wait for Fyers to come and kill us.
Slade: I do have one idea. If you go into the forest and gather as much bamboo as you can find...
Oliver: Yea.
Slade: ...we could build ourselves a boat like they one on Gilligan's Island.

Slade: You should be training, for the inevitable fight that's looming.
Oliver: I think I have a better chance of making the radio to work.

McKenna: How are you, Counselor?
Laurel: I'm well, Detective.

Deadshot: Hey, we all gotta die sometime.
China White: I need someone to die at the right time, and no one does it better than you.
[I know that "it" is supposed to mean he can make people die at the right time, but the "it" in this sentence sounds like he's best at dying at the right time.]

Malcolm: We won't fail this city.

Felicity: Code breaker is my middle name. Actually, it's Megan --

Oliver: It seemed like he was trying to act a little bit "Dad-like."
Tommy: Dad-like? That sums up my father perfectly.

Oliver: Check please.

Laurel: You look handsome.
Tommy: I try not to. It just keeps happening.

Moira: I've been living this lie for five years. Five more minutes won't matter.

Malcolm: I haven't done enough for this city. I have failed it.

Tommy (to the Hood): Why should I trust you!
Oliver: Because you always have.

Arrow: The Dodger

Arrow just continues with great episodes. I'm glad that Felicity was a major player in this episode. I'm also happy that a new character has been introduced that may help make Thea a little more likable.

Observations:

Felicity said she didn't want to join Oliver's quest, but it looks like she's in even though she said it was only to help find Walter.

What's with Felicity's lipstick color? Is it just the lighting in the IT department, or is it really that purple? It's not very flattering.

Why would Oliver and Dig make their plans in such a public place? It isn't like people can't hear them, just because they're in a booth. *wink*

Felicity is quick to get sucked into the "not very legal" methods of vigilanteism.

I'm so glad that Dig got up the courage (or allowed himself to be forced) to ask Carly out.

Very cute purse snatcher.

That purse snatcher's chain was caught pretty far over from where he actually went over the fence.

It's a good thing that McKenna left her cell phone right there on her desk so Oliver could easily "slip said tech" onto it.

I like how Oliver stammers when he asks McKenna out for dinner. It's cute and quite endearing.

Oliver always tells people that he was on a "deserted island." We know that the island wasn't deserted. Well, at least when he got there it wasn't. So, why does he say it was deserted? Will we find out why Oliver specifically wants people to think he was the only one on the island?

It's really rude of McKenna to grill Oliver about what happened on the island, when it's clear he doesn't want to talk about it. If someone had a traumatic experience (for five years!), it's not a very nice thing to try to force them into telling you all about it. And then she thinks Oliver was rude to her. Annoying!

The Dodger runs funny.

It's nice to see Felicity dressed up, but a dress that short shouldn't have a slit in it. It's funny that she suddenly doesn't need glasses. Or does she always wear contacts when she goes to charity auctions?

It's a good thing Oliver puts the motorcycle helmet on, since it does double duty to hide his identity from the Dodger, and protect his head in case of a crash. *wink*

McKenna is kind of a jerk for telling Oliver he was a jerk for not telling her what happened to him on the island.

Quotes:

Slade: You're not going to last an hour out there.
Oliver: I guess you'd better hope I get back in 45 minutes, then.

Oliver: You know, not all the people I target are on The List. Every once in a while I make an exception. Hostage-taking jewel thieves, for example.

Felicity: Is this really how you guys figure out how to get your target? Over burgers and shakes?

Felicity: Why don't I work up a little tech You distract her with a little flirty-flirt, slip said tech onto her phone. It'll turn into a micro-transmitter, and boop! we'll learn everything she knows.
Oliver: Hmm. It's not typically how I get my information.
Felicity: How do you typically do it?
Oliver: I find the person and then I put the fear of God into them until they talk. But we can try your way.

Oliver: I don't know if you heard that I was on a deserted island for five years, and I'm totally out of practice in this whole...

Oliver: I'm lingering. I gotta go.

Thea: What's up with the fancy fancy?
Oliver: What? Oh, I have a date. Contrary to popular opinion, I do have a life.
Thea: Then why do you seem nervous?
Oliver: Is it obvious?
Thea: Just be your charming and brooding self.

Thea: Hey, Laurel. Does your Dad still, like, arrest people?

McKenna: I haven't had a conversation with a guy in a while without it resulting in me reading him his rights.

McKenna: Saved by the cell.

Dig: She says we have no lives.

Dig: You really have no idea how rich his family is, do you?

Felicity: First time anyone's been grateful for traffic cameras.

Thea: You must not know the value of a vintage purse.

Slade: Tastes like an ashtray. Does the job.

Arrow: Betrayal

First of all, I have to begin this post to say that it's been announced that Arrow has been renewed for a second season. I'm glad. The show is finally getting good. Also, Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak) will be a regular next season. Yay!

And now, on to "Betrayal."

A new villain is introduced. One who looks a lot like Dr. Whale from Once Upon a Time. *wink* Diggle grows suspicious about Moira's involvement in shady dealings, and becomes her designated driver to spy on her. Detective Lance puts Laurel in danger trying to catch The Hood. Laurel is angry when he finds out. Surprise!  Old Oliver find his Mr. Miyagi on the island, only he's Australian, and his name is Mr. Slade Wilson. Laurel is kidnapped by an evil Dr. Whale... sorry... an evil Cyrus Vance, so he can catch The Hood. Oliver finds time in his busy schedule to look for an executive chef for the new nightclub. Thea starts her many, many, many hours of community service. And The Hood says, "You have failed this city" to a new "villain."

Observations:

George doesn't make a sound when Vance stabs him. He just stands there with a shocked look on his face. Now, that's quite dramatic, but not very realistic. If you were stabbed, you'd make some kind of noise.

I wonder who is going to have the horrible job of removing the body and cleaning up the blood. You don't want to have to see that every time you leave or come into the house.

It looks like Oliver is on the same island as the castaways on Lost. *wink*

Detective Lance is certainly finding it hard to believe that The Hood isn't a hero. He's made up his mind, and nothing or no one is going to change it.

It's very convenient that there was a blazing fire in the fireplace where Moira could throw the book.

Diggle and Oliver are at odds with each other about the innocence of Oliver's mother in all of the crime going on in Starling City. This is sad. I don't like to see them fight. *wink*

I'm glad to finally have the mystery of The Hood's cell phone cleared up. So, I guess The Hood (Oliver) gave the cell phone to Detective Lance just in case he wants to contact him. Guess I was getting a soda when that happened in an earlier episode.

Oh oh. Detective Lance is finally using Laurel to catch The Hood. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop when Laurel finds out.

I like Laurel when she's happy and joking around with Tommy. I don't like her so much when she's serious or angry. Maybe I just like happy people.

I'm surprised Detective Lance would try to capture The Hood when he knows that Laurel is going to be there. It seems like there would be a pretty good chance of Laurel getting hurt, even if he threatened all of the police officers not to let her get hurt. Does he really think Laurel would be perfectly safe in that situation?

I wonder what Diggle did to Ricky, the driver, so he could drive Moira around and spy on her.

Lance took a pretty hard fall. I'm surprised he's able to get up and run after that.

And the other shoe drops.

I thought that Laurel was going to break the cell phone.

Vance has a very interesting way of eating cereal. I'm not quite sure why he made that face. I guess it was a reaction to the news on the TV, but it was hilarious.

Vivian, Vance's girlfriend, has a friend inside the police department who is giving her inside information. I wonder who it is.

How does Oliver know about Top Chef? The show would have been on only one season when he disappeared. Would the old Oliver have been interested in a reality TV cooking competition on Bravo? I think not. 

Oliver is now giving sage advice to Tommy. He's starting to learn from Diggle.

Why would Laurel think that the person at her door is Tommy, just because she was leaving him a message on his cell phone? And she's a cop's daughter - why doesn't she look through the peephole before she opens the door? However, she is quite the fighter. So, when does she become a superhero from the comic book?

It's funny that Laurel is able to knock out Vance's cronies, but she just stands there when she comes face to face with Vance, and he's able to just taser her. Why didn't she try to hit him? He could have blocked her punch, then taser her.

Lance figures it out pretty quickly that there's an "informant" on the force who ratted out Laurel being close to The Hood. I guess that's why he's a detective, right? *wink*

Why is Moira's voice pretty clear on the recording, but Malcolm Merlyn's voice is distorted? I guess it's still too early for Oliver to discover that Merlyn is a bad guy, but come on!

It would be a horrible thing to hear undeniable evidence that your own mother may have had a hand in the death of your father. Especially when you were on the same boat that was sabotaged.

Where did Vance get all of those men? Especially since The Hood took out quite a few the first time he came for a visit.

It was clever writing to have The Hood taking out Vance's men as Vance describes how the house if fortified. I liked it.

The Hood hit Vivian? Oliver hit a defenseless girl? Not that I liked Vivian, but that's not very chivalrous.

Isn't it nice that The Hood stopped Lance from shooting Vance. (I just realized that those two names rhyme. Sorry, got sidetracked.)

And the other shoe drops, again. Will father and daughter ever get past this? We'll have to stay tuned and see.

Okay, I wasn't annoyed this time when The Hood said, "You failed this city." Now the show is really getting interesting.

Quotes:

Diggle: I understand why you would believe your mother over your stepfather. But I tend to believe the innocent party is whoever's missing, or presumed dead.

Slade: You have ten seconds to tell me something I believe before I cut out your voice box.

Thea: So, this is really happening. Four hundred ninety-eight hours of community service to go.

Laurel: Four hundred and ninety-nine. Orientation doesn't count.

Anastasia: Unless you have access to some private police force, Vance will stay free to roam the streets.

(Side note: I guess Anastasia doesn't know that Laurel's Dad is on the police force.)

Tommy: How does a night with me and a dozen chefs sound?

Laurel: Like an episode of the The Bachelor.

Laurel: This is going to be fun. I even wore my fat pants.

Tommy: I don't want to know what those are, do I?

Laurel: Nope.

Laurel: You sound like my father.

Tommy: Well, I hate to break it to you, but he's right.

Laurel: Are you seriously taking his side? He's been lying to me for weeks.

Tommy: Yea. It feels like crap, doesn't it?

Vance: Interesting. Using deception and intimidation to make a name for himself. This guy stole my move.

Oliver: I'm going over resumes for the chef's position at the nightclub. This guy looks pretty good. Won Top Chef, season six.

Tommy: At this point it is a culinary requisite to be on that show.

Tommy: Can I talk to you about something?

Oliver: Tommy. Every time you want to talk to me about something, and that something is Laurel, you look like you're going to tell  me you have terminal disease.

Tommy: I just can't believe that Laurel, of all people, would lie to my face. I guess that's the way with the people you're closest to.

(Side note: Bam! That's gotta hit home, doesn't it, Oliver?)

Oliver: I know.

(Side note: See, I was right. *wink*)

Slade: You have no training. No skill. No strength. To say you fight like a girl would be a compliment.

The Hood (after stopping Lance from shooting Vance): I'm the vigilante. You're the cop.

Laurel: I'm a big girl. I knew the risks.

The Hood: Now I know them. And I'm not willing to take them with you.

Laurel: What does that mean?

The Hood: It means goodbye.

Slade: You were going to find yourself a weapon. Have you considered a sword? I like swords.