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:

But how have the fans been reacting on social media?

Some were sad

http://skyeward-otp.tumblr.com/post/142388855133/laurel-wasnt-my-favorite-character-when-i-first

http://alatarielle.tumblr.com/post/142389264048/i-havent-cried-that-much-over-an-arrow-episode-in

Others were angry

http://slayersandevilqueens.tumblr.com/post/142405789444/you-wanna-know-something-about-arrow-that-pisses

http://blackcnri.tumblr.com/post/142406962629/dinah-laurel-lance-deserves-better-than-this

Others noted a problematic trope

http://unxpectedstuff.tumblr.com/post/142390181008/arrow-writers-you-know-what-we-need-us-stop

A hashtag was even started in protest of the treatment of female characters

And yet others may be ready to quit the show as a result

http://inspecteurspacetime.tumblr.com/post/142389178022/my-review-of-arrow-4×18

But some are okay with it

http://nalla-madness.tumblr.com/post/142404246675

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.

How are you reacting to Laurel’s death on ‘Arrow’?