Arrow Season 3: Scoop on Roy's New Role, Sara's Status, the Baby and zaidi 

Season 3 as it pertains to Oliver’s connection to the next Big Bad, Laurel’s awaited journey, Felicity’s imminent backstory, the big “date,” a “super” new frenemy and a flurry of foes.

Here, exec producer Marc Guggenheim shares a peek at what’s on tap for Roy, Diggle, Thea and a familiar face’s can’t-miss, quotable comeback.

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FULL ARSENAL | Guggenheim admits that one of Season 2′s shortcomings was the incorporation of Roy into Team Arrow, stop-and-start and scattershot as it was due to the Mirakuru mess. So going into the fall, “I’d love to see us stick the landing a bit better” with regards to Roy’s role among our heroes. “This year you really feel like he is a part of Team Arrow, in a very integral way.” That includes suiting Roy up (EW has a fun first look at Arsenal) as well as “exploring the repercussions” of his Mirakru’d rampage. “He went through this major trauma, and we always said that was necessary for him to become a hero,” the EP reminds. “But this is the year we get to play with all of that.”

BACK WITH A BANG | Seeing as Episode 2 is titled “Sara,” it should come as no surprise that Caity Lotz’s

days are not over just yet. And she still has some bon mots left in her quiver. “Her first line [upon returning] is one of my favorites…. She says something amazing. It’s like a movie trailer line,” Guggenheim effuses. “In fact, it may end up in a commercial or something.”

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much mayhem and destruction, Diggle learned that he’s going to be a daddy. “Diggle has some major storylines coming up — the biggest obviously being Lyla is pregnant,” Guggenheim notes. Specifically, the EP singles out Episode 3 as “very Diggle-oriented” (though perhaps not to the same degree as “Keep Your Enemies Closer” or “Suicide Squad”).

THE ‘NEW’ TEAM MEMBER | Guggenheim says it’s “a fun thing” to now have Laurel in on Oliver’s secret, allowing the writers to thus bring her into the Arrowcave as needed. “There’s a great scene between her and Felicity in Episode 3 that we never could do in the last two seasons. And she now can interact with Diggle in a separate way,” he observes. “It’s fun to see these colors mixing together that you’ve never seen before.”

of Oliver’s loved ones as Season 2 came to a close. Sister Thea — hurt by so many secrets and lies — climbed into her newly discovered “dad” Malcolm Merlyn’s limo, embarking for points (and a destiny) unknown. Guggenheim gets closed-lipped on this topic, other than to say: “At some point this season, we’re going to flash back to the end of [that finale], stay in the limo for their conversation and see what Malcolm said to her — and what she said to Malcolm.” (

, or for any other show? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.

I’m really trying to like Laurel. Please let her not come into Arrowcave not so bossy. Maybe. Just no messing with Olicity. No honestly I’ll enjoy this show better if I can stand her.

Laurel needs to accept that right now, she’s the junior member of the team and not treat Diggle and Felicity (and Roy) like they are beneath her the way she did last season. And please, producers, don’t use Felicity to prop her up. Both Felicity and Diggle need to be truth-tellers to Laurel because Oliver and Sara aren’t.

I’m glad they recognized that Roy’s story last season wasn’t well done, and that Sara’s back. I’m looking forward to more about Roy, Diggle, Thea and Felicity this season (even though, once again, there is no Felicity spoiler, cough, cough).

They’re so going to use Felicity to prop Laurel up. but yes, IA with you. Looking forward to the storyline of the other characters.

They use Felicity to prop up everyone they need people to like (Barry, Laurel, Oliver, Ray) and she’s even going to be in the fourth episode of The Flash. Hopefully she’ll get her own storyline too this season.

Sometimes I wonder what Arrow would be like without Felicity and I can’t imagine it. It would be terrible for sure. I know I wouldn’t be watching. I was thisclose to giving up the show until she arrived. They struck gold with that actress. Gold!

I watched the first 8/9 episodes of the first season and it was just lacking something so I stopped watching. I only started watching again when I found out Felicity had joined Team Arrow. Adding Felicity to Team Arrow really improved the show in my opinion.

She is not going to ruin Olicity. If anything, Olicity will ruin Olicity.

I’m still waiting for Thea to die…she is pretty useless and I find it unbelievable that Roy is in love with her. Kinda how I found it unbelievable that Jackson was in love with Lydia…

Gross comment. Come on, let’s not wish death on Thea because you think she “useless”. That’s messed up.

Thea has potential. I just hope it doesn’t go as woefully untapped as Lydia.

So that does mean we’ll see Laurel out kicking ass with Oliver seeing how she’s going to be Black canary. I heard the actress is training really hard for that. I can’t wait to see the iconic duo of GA and BC kicking ass together and taken out the bad guys as they should. I’ve been waiting for a live action version since the JLU cartoons. Hopefully all goes well this season.

You’ve been seeing that with BC and GA all last season. Just with Sara in the role. Laurel as BC is not going to make anything better.

Yeah, Caity Lotz is great in the role. There must be a ‘Dinah’ in Sara’s name somewhere.

There already was some great GA and BC ass-kicking scenes in season 2! That scene where they switched weapons during a fight was epic.

When I read the title, I thought you meant Oliver’s baby which Moira never told him about. Slightly disappointed!

Maybe (hopefully) they’ll forget they did that, I don’t see it going well lol

Ditto!! Nothing against Katie Cassidy but Caity Lotz is my one and only Black Canary!!!

i wish they’d put sara as a series regular, she grew on me so much last season…

Big NO to Laurel in the Arrowcave. She’s the least interesting character on the show — she brings down every scene she’s in.

I’m here for Team Arrow: Oliver, Diggle and Felicity with Roy as their sidekick. That’s it.

If you mess with this dynamic, show, I’ll stop watching.

Agree. They are getting better and better at this though. In season one (at least at the start), Thea, Laurel, Tommy, Moira and even to some extent Oliver (except when kicking ass) were not that interesting. Then they also introduced Roy who wasn’t all that interesting. Now two of those characters are dead, Oliver is awesome, and the other three are heading towards arcs which could really change how interesting their characters are.

I agree, if anything it should be Oliver out in the field, with Diggle and Felicity in support roles, with Roy as the occasional sidekick, with Sara appearing randomly. Anything more than that would be detrimental to the series. Oliver is the main hero and shouldn’t have his role lessened.

Yes, this. The show is called ARROW. Oliver should be the focus. Everyone else should come behind that.

I’m excited for all of the things that are coming to season 3. I’m hoping Laurel knowing about the group and Oliver’s secret will really help her character be more likable. I like Katy Cassidy and want to like her character, so don’t mess this up writers. I can’t wait to see what’s up with Thea!

Cool. love the Arsenal suit. excited to see laurel evolve. I’m still wondering if Thea will become a version of Cupid or Speedy? can’t wait till the hiatus is over.

So they’re going to use Diggle and Felicity to prop the character of Laurel? She needs to stay away from these two.

Laurel hate/bashing/whinging – Here we go. It’s the one thing constant in a majority of Arrow comment threads.

Why the fraking negativity always? Part of this fandom is screwed up.

Sometimes I feel like the only person who has no interest in Laurel becoming BC. I just don’t care about what she does so that storyline is not ‘long awaited’ for me. I don’t feel like she’s earned a place on the team either just because she knows Oliver’s big secret now. Yawn. I’d rather she becomes someone else because Sara will always be BC in my eyes.

Sara isnt an accurate BC either I don’t remember BC ever being so gungho to kill lm guessing Sara might get herself killed that way. Its pretty clear that whilst shes changed shes still a killer.

Laurel doesn’t strike me as someone who would kill easily she untainted in that way , perfect for a superhero.

I love Laurel and Saras relationship as sisters its complicated but they love each other so much l loved their heart to heart and hug in episode 22.

I have been a major online and offline cheerleader for this show, and I love the fact that Felicity is FINALLY getting a backstory AND flashbacks, and that Diggle will get some excellent development. I am also over the moon thrilled for the continued development of Oliver and Felicity’s relationship. All of this news that has been coming out has been making me hopeful for S3.

HOWEVER, I am NOT supportful of this “new team member”. The Lair is full and if this story in ANY WAY over shadows Felicity’s story or Diggle’s I will ROAR quite loudly. I had my fill of the Lance sisters last season — particularly “Super Sara” who dominated the second half of the season. I don’t CARE for Sara’s sister AT ALL, and if ANY of the original Team Arrow are dumbed down in ANY WAY to prop up her intrusion, I will drop this show faster than the CW can say BUDGET CUTS! I love this show, but I’m not going to stick around to be played with and watch some excellent actors get short-sheeted.

The same goes for Olicity. First sign that the fan base is being “Toyed with” by the EPs so they can stick with their “original plan,” I AM OUT. I am getting some not-so-good vibes here having been burned by HIMYM and i will DROP the planned for subscriptions for the Arrow comics Felicity is being added to, as well the Arrow 2.5 coming out.

As a consumer, with children who like comics, I am NOT here to be messed with and I know I am not alone here. There are too many other things I am willing to devote my money and time to.

Give us Sara as BC. She is far more enjoyable, and recurring only. The other option is NOT ENJOYABLE.

In the meantime, give us more Oliver, Diggle, Felicity and Thea as well as Malcolm and Roy. You devote your screentime on these characters as well as that excellent Bamford action, you can’t go wrong. Loving all THAT news.

On board with most of your thoughts Thomas!

I don’t dislike Laurel but I don’t want her to be on the team. I’m fine if she works on the legal side of it but Team Arrow for me consists of Diggle and Felicity, no one else. Not even Roy.

I also feel like Olicity fans are being played with just to get more interest in the show because a lot of people love that pairing. But people are so invested in them now that if they went back to he original plan of Lauriver, I will stop watching. They’ve created a truly awesome love story with Oliver and Felicity and if that is dropped just because of some original plan which has been proven doesn’t work, I will drop the show asap. I’m not here to be messed with.

I liked Sara as BC. She was kick-ass! Why make her BC and then later Laurel. I just don’t understand.

Makes no sense at all and just proof that they won’t hesitate to mess with the fans. I was all for her assisting with the legal side, but saying she is part of the team is total bs.

I like the Olicity pairing and was not as fully vested as I’ve seen others, but all of this news prior to the premier has everyone happy, but on edge. When you can’t trust the EPs with something as simple as dealing with the weakest link, how can you trust them to drop their original plan?

I completely agree. Oliver, Diggle and Felicity should be the main focus, Diggle and Felicity were neglected for too much of last season.

They’re going to have to sell me on this Thea arc. As far as I’m concerned, bringing back Malcolm was a horrible mistake (probably more because they liked the actor than the character) which made Oliver and Diggle look absolutely idiotic. Did they not make sure that he was dead? On top of that, I don’t buy Thea accepting a mass murderer, who also happened to kill her brother. This is going to be a hard sell for me.

I’m curious to see what the pregnancy does to Diggle. Will he be less willing to put his life in danger now? Will he be more willing?

As far as Laurel goes, I’m hoping that her being in on the secret will allow her to become a more fully realized character. Considering the fact that she couldn’t interact with most of the cast, or at least interact with them on any real level, it’s no wonder that she wasn’t a much liked character. I hope that allowing her to interact with different members of the team will allow her to be fleshed out as a character, and give her more layers to play in her personality.

As for Roy… I wonder how long he can stay on the series. Oliver always has to be the main character, so with someone else dressing up and fighting crime by his side, how long is it before they have to have Roy leave town, just to keep the focus on Oliver?

He likely won’t use Roy in the field in every case, and likely would call upon him when he needs some backup. Oliver comes across as a character that wouldn’t let him join him in some cases.

The thing with comic book sidekicks (which Roy is, moreso than Diggle or Felicity) is that they usually grow up and require their own room to expand. Roy Harper did this in some pretty major ways. There’s always a point when the sidekick needs to go… so while it will be cool to see Arsenal on the show, I’m not sure it’s the best news for Colton if he expects to be on the show until the end.

I agree, I think if Malcolm wasn’t played by John Barrowman, he wouldn’t be a regular this year.

Laurel will never be part of Team Arrow. Plain and simple. They have a dynamic that works. She is such a useless character she’s always bringing the show down.

Says the person who has no idea how Laurel will work as part of the group.

I’d be fine if people were reacting to something that we’ve actually seen on screen, but going into something like this with feet planted, arms crossed and an unwavering pouty face is just silly. For all you know, Laurel will be your favorite character a year from now, because she can actually interact with the rest of the cast now.

Look, I’m totally skeptical about the Thea storyline that they’re going into. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not hoping that it turns out for the best.

I couldn’t agree more. What exactly can she bring to the team except her very own brand of Laurel drama and tears. This will not end well.

I’m excited about all of this (even Arsenal, and I’m not a huge Colton Haynes’ Roy). I can’t wait for Laurel and Felicity to interact in a team way. I’d love to see those two become friends. I’m glad Sara will be back, and I’m really really excited for the Michaels-Diggle baby! My favorite thing may be Thea though. As much as I dislike Malcolm, I’m happy Thea will actually have a story line this season. The show hasn’t really given her much to do, and hopefully that’ll change.

GO DINAH LAUREL LANCE! THE TRUE AND ONLY BLACK CANARY!!!

Great scoop. Can’t wait to see trailer for season 3.

I knew with all of this glorious good news, there would be a catch. The the other shoe would fall. Team Arrow will always be Oliver/Felicity/Diggle. They are the perfect trifecta. Others are welcome as visitors, but I will also watch for these three. And I’ll never accept the presence of anyone that doesn’t value & respect John Diggle and Felicity Smoak’s role on Team Arrow or in Oliver’s life…as his people. “The only two that matter”. If you treated them as if they didn’t mater in the past, because they were merely “the help”, don’t expect me to think they’ll matter to you now. Having said that, I can’t wait until season 3 to enjoy more Original Recipe Team Arrow. Because at the end of the day, these are the three that have stolen the hearts of Arrow fans and made us excited to tune in each week watching them maneuver together in perfect unison to take on the baddie of the week.

I agree. I’m fine with other characters (Roy, Sara, Laurel) occasionally helping the team, but Team Arrow imo is only Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity.

I hope they don’t focus as much on (any) Black Canary this year, there are a lot of other characters on the show that deserve further development (Felicity, Roy, Thea, Diggle) first.

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