Warning: the following article contains some spoilers from last night’s episode of Arrow, “Suicide Squad”.
In a lengthy interview with
Collider, writer and executive producer Marc Guggenheim talks more about what to expect from the rest of
Arrow Season 2. Firstly, he reveals that more people will learn that Oliver Queen is the Arrow.
“I would say that that number is going to go up, before the end of the year. By the finale, more people will know than currently do.” Fans have also wondered why Detective Lance has yet to discover this secret, and Guggenheim had this to say regarding that topic.
“Episode 19 pretty definitively answers that question, as far as Lance is concerned. And the answer to that will surprise you. It’s not something that you would expect.”
Guggenheim then talks in detail about The Huntress’ return in next week’s episode, “Birds of Prey”. While saying that the episode will end the current chapter for Helena and start a new one, he confirms that there are plans for her to return once more in the third season. “We definitely have an idea for a Season 3 episode with The Huntress. So, you’ll just have to tune in to Season 3.” As for more Birds of Prey storylines, Guggenheim expresses his wish to see Canary, Huntress, and Felicity teaming up in an episode. He also mentions that he talked with DC about doing a Huntress comic series, covering her adventures during her one-year absence from Starling. “One of the things we would love to do, at some point, is an episode where you’ve got Black Canary, Felicity and The Huntress working together. That’s on our show bucket list. One thing I’ve talked to DC comics about is doing a Huntress series that covers the year that she spent, between Episodes 117 and 217, from her perspective, traveling the world and hunting for her father. All things are possible.”
Talk then turned to Roy Harper. Guggenheim affirms that he will not become “Speedy” despite being called that nickname, and will instead take on the “Arsenal” name – when the time is right, of course. “We did it because we want to keep inching Roy towards an Arsenal place. One of the runnings gags is that he keeps getting called Speedy and says, “I don’t like that nickname. Come up with another nickname for me.” When the time is right, eventually the nickname that will stick will be Arsenal, but the time has to be right.” Guggenheim then teases a major development for Thea in S2E18, “Deathstroke”. “As always, things happen sooner rather than later on Arrow. Thea learns something pretty massive in Episode 18 that will cause a tectonic shift in her relationship with Oliver. Thea is in physical danger and emotional danger. The bit that’s being held over her in Episode 18 is a double-edged sword, in that it’s both physical and emotional. I can guarantee that, by the end of Episode 18, one of those edges is going to cut her.” This is speculation on my part, but could Thea be among those who will learn Oliver’s secret identity? Or will she finally discover that Malcolm Merlyn is her biological father? Or, could both happen?
When the promo for this week’s episode, “Suicide Squad”, was release, many have speculated that Harley Quinn will debut in the Arrow-verse in this episode. Sure enough, Ms. Quinzel did make a delightful cameo – she was barely seen, but Tara Strong once again provided the voice for the character. But what does Guggenheim say about the early rumors? “For one thing, we didn’t expect it to end up in the promo, so we were caught a little off guard, on that front. Andrew was very much like, “I totally knew people would lose their minds.” And I was like, “Really?!” I did not expect people to lose their minds the way they did, but I was very glad. So, Andrew was a lot more prepared than I was.” He then discusses how much access they have to the Batman universe, especially with Gotham in development. “That’s part of the ongoing relationship and discussions that we have with DC. Things have not really changed with Gotham. It’s the same thing that it always is, which is that we have an idea, we go to DC, we talk about it, and we find out where the lines are and which characters are available or not available. I want to manage expectations with respect to Harley Quinn. She was always intended to be an Easter egg. I don’t want people to go in with incorrect expectations and walk away from Episode 16 disappointed. But there is an element to the Easter egg that was not spoiled by the promo, that I think people will find a lot of fun.” That element was likely the fact that Tara Strong return to voice Harley.
Finally, Guggenheim looks ahead to Season 3 and beyond. He comments on planning out the recently confirmed third season to the second, and lightheartedly discusses using flashbacks in future seasons. “We know exactly what we’re going to do. I think we have more clarity on what’s going to happen in the flashbacks for Season 3 than we did at the beginning of Season 2, for Season 2. We have a very cool storyline in mind. One of the things that we’ve started to talk about is, with him being on the island for five years, what do we do if the show goes past Season 5. By that point, we probably will have run out of money, so the flashbacks in Season 6 will be flashbacks to Episodes 101, 102 and 103. We’ll flashback and do a clip show, and we’ll save money that way.”
For much more from Guggenheim – in which he discusses Slade Wilson, the birth of the Suicide Squad and more – head over to Collider by clicking the source link above.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WOBAM! Entertainment.
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