Arrow season 4, episode 18, “Eleven-Fifty-Nine,” saw the death of a core member of Team Arrow. And fan response was mixed to say the least.
Since the Arrow season 4 premiere when the show teased the death of a character important to both Oliver and Barry, fans have speculated about just who it could be. In answer to that question, “Eleven-Fifty-Nine” featured the death of Laurel Lance, aka the Black Canary, after a confrontation with Big Bad Damien Darhk. Darhk stabbed Laurel after declaring that it was because her father betrayed him.
It initially seemed like Laurel would pull through as she made it through surgery and was brought into recovery. She shared a final, emotional scene with the members of Team Arrow. She then spoke with Oliver, calling him the love of her life and asking him to make her a promise — though we won’t find out what that was until season 5. However, shortly after this, Laurel had a seizure and died. Captain Lance arrived at the hospital too late to see Laurel, and he collapsed when he realized he’d lost her.
Though some fans have speculated that Laurel’s death was faked, executive producer Marc Guggenheim said, “We made a creative choice and we’re sticking to it. We make the creative choices we feel benefit the show as a whole and the story we’re telling overall.”
He added, “[W]e are telling our own version of the Green Arrow mythos. But it made the most creative sense for us going forward despite the fact that we love Katie [Cassidy]. Every time we’ve killed off a character on the show, it’s really been for the effect on all the characters left behind.”
Actress Katie Cassidy, who portrayed Laurel, tweeted:
"Life is tough, but darling so are you" #longlivelaurellance
Article Continues Below— Katie Cassidy (@MzKatieCassidy) April 7, 2016
An incredible ride, a beautiful journey, Laurel will always be in my heart. Thank you! @ARROWwriters @mguggenheim @AJKreisberg @GBerlanti
— Katie Cassidy (@MzKatieCassidy) April 7, 2016
But how have the fans been reacting on social media?
Some were sad
Omg… I'm not okay. I am so not okay. I can't believe…. I can't believe Laurel died. ?????? #Arrow #LaurelLance #BlackCanary
— Ashley Myles (@msashmyles) April 7, 2016
RIP Lauren Lance ?? #Arrow pic.twitter.com/x5LdpHYGoj
— Tanya (@luxuxurious24) April 7, 2016
#Arrow pic.twitter.com/iJOV1muGIH
— Pauline. (@colfersheaven) April 7, 2016
Others were angry
Historically, canaries were used as a sentinel species, dying quickly in toxic environments. How appropriate. #Arrow pic.twitter.com/n1ldQM8IU9
— Eobard Thawne (@darththawne) April 7, 2016
Others noted a problematic trope
Oh. #Arrow pic.twitter.com/xbsQij35Ro
— Alison in Wonderland (@mitzy247) April 7, 2016
With the way the CW has been going, I half-expected this week's death to be Curtis. But hey, they decided to fridge Laurel instead. #Arrow
— Megan Buxton (@megsofthedregs) April 7, 2016
A hashtag was even started in protest of the treatment of female characters
Strong women don't get their own happy ending. They get to be someone else's happy ending or they get a slow painful death. #TheCWHatesWomen
— Sarah (@sarahliz1925) April 7, 2016
Why is a healthy/positive storyline so radical? Why is death our normality? #THECWHATESWOMEN
— Natasha Morgan (@tashmmorgan) April 7, 2016
THIS IS THE UGLIEST GOODBYE EVER AND THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING!!! Ughhhh! ? Poor Laurel Lance…#TheCWHatesWomen pic.twitter.com/gJyLbwD28T
— alex (@DeactivatedStar) April 7, 2016
What kind of screwed up message is the CW sending its largely young, female audience when they're killing so many women???? #thecwhateswomen
— Kalyn||Reshop Leksa (@lexaslegacy) April 7, 2016
CW: Let's market to women.
CW: Then let's kill all the great women characters off.#TheCWHatesWomen pic.twitter.com/FfZNw6QiBi— twistedelegance (@twistedeleganc6) April 7, 2016
And yet others may be ready to quit the show as a result
If what happened tonight is legit, then good for the writers learning to stick to decisions, but I might be done with this show. #Arrow
— Robert~ (@WintersBite27) April 7, 2016
Like, I'm so pissed off. I think I'm done with the show. What's the point now? There's a reason The Flash is superior to #Arrow
— Jasmine (@theladymarvel) April 7, 2016
They killed Black Canary on #Arrow?! Yup. Done with this show.
— Nimjaneb (@OverBenthousand) April 7, 2016
But some are okay with it
I think it was very bold of #Arrow to firmly place itself apart from the comics tonight. The writers are telling the story they want to tell
— Markelle Grabo (@MarkelleGrabo) April 7, 2016
@CTV_Television @StephenAmell @EmilyBett such a great #Arrow ep, very emotional and amazing performances, so excited for what's coming ????
— StarlingCity Journal (@StarlingCityJ) April 7, 2016
#Arrow 11:59
Great epsiode & so well written. The performances by Stephen Amell, David Ramsey and Paul Blackthorne were outstanding. Bravo!— Tina Kawooya (@T_kawooya) April 7, 2016
Of course, there are countless more responses across social media, ranging from rage to grief. But one thing is for sure: Laurel’s death will be a turning point for many Arrow fans.
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