Ah, redemption. When innocents fall prey to the siren call of the dark side, it’s the only lifeboat we can send them. For “Arrow's" Black Siren, that raft will stay tethered in choppy waters for the foreseeable future.
After all, it’s not OG Lauren Lance (Katie Cassidy) who needs to shed the guise of villainy. No, it’s Earth-2 Laurel who, as far as we know, might not even deserve a chance to claim her Earth-1 reputation.
Tasked with determining Black Siren’s fate, showrunner Marc Guggenheim previewed the character’s future at July’s San Diego Comic-Con.
Redemption for an ‘Arrow’ favorite?
Black Siren has her own story to tell and, for the moment, that tale will not conjure memories of the Black Canary that was.
“We talked a lot about whether or not we should redeem her [and] how we should do so, but, again, one of the advantages of having a show – knock on wood – that you know is staying on the air [is that] you can have a long con,” Guggenheim explained to Seat42F, referencing how William’s season introduction is only now paying dividends. “That to us is the thing that excites us as writers. We really like planting seeds that don’t come to fruition for many seasons.”
How can “Arrow” even begin to contemplate Black Siren’s redemption when we hardly know who she is?
We feel like we have insight into her psyche courtesy of four seasons worth of Earth-1 Laurel but, aside from a basic framework, the new meta remains a mystery. Season 6 will give the series a chance to flesh out the character before weighing her soul.
In fact, peeling back the layers might even elicit a modicum of sympathy for the breacher.
“Yes, I think the more we learn about her backstory and what her life was like with Oliver, absolutely,” Cassidy said, according to Comic Book. “I think it will make sense in the end and not necessarily make her as bad of a person."
Next on ‘Arrow’
Oliver (Stephen Amell), Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), Diggle (David Ramsey) and the rest of Team Arrow was left in dire straits as Lian Yu collapsed into rubble during the finale.
When the premiere picks up, viewers will land in the present day. The series’ signature flashbacks, however, will transport the cast back to the immediate aftermath of Prometheus’ deadly machinations.
Titled “Fallout,” the season 6 opener will be followed by “Tribute” and “Next of Kin.”
“Arrow” will return to The CW on Oct. 12 at 9 p.m. ET. Click the video below to see a preview for the fall season, including a look at Lian Yu as never before.
