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"'''Welcome to Hong Kong'''" is the second episode of the [[Arrow (season 8)|eighth season]] of the American television series ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', based on the [[DC Comics]] character [[Green Arrow]], revolving around billionaire playboy [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]] as he returns to Starling City (later renamed [[Star City (Arrowverse)|Star City]]), after having been shipwrecked for five years, and becomes a bow-wielding, hooded vigilante who sets out to fight crime and corruption. It is set in the [[Arrowverse]], sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe. The episode was written by Jill Blankenship and Sarah Tarkoff, and directed by Antonio Negret.
"'''Welcome to Hong Kong'''" is the second episode of the [[Arrow (season 8)|eighth season]] of the American television series ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', based on the [[DC Comics]] character [[Green Arrow]], revolving around billionaire playboy [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]] as he returns to Starling City (later renamed [[Star City (Arrowverse)|Star City]]), after having been shipwrecked for five years, and becomes a bow-wielding, hooded vigilante who sets out to fight crime and corruption. It is set in the [[Arrowverse]], sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe. The episode was written by Jill Blankenship and Sarah Tarkoff, and directed by Antonio Negret.


[[Stephen Amell]] stars as Oliver, and is joined by principal cast members [[David Ramsey]], [[Katherine McNamara]], Ben Lewis, [[Joseph David-Jones]], [[LaMonica Garrett]] and [[Katie Cassidy]]. Main cast members [[Rick Gonzalez]] and [[Juliana Harkavy]] are credited but do not appear. The episode follows three storylines; in one, Oliver is asked by [[List of Arrow characters#Mar Novu / The Monitor|Mar Novu / The Monitor]] to capture scientist Robert Wong and runs into the [[Triad (organized crime)|Triad]]. In the second, [[Laurel Lance (Arrowverse Earth-2)|Earth-2 Laurel Lance]] asks her old colleague David Chin to get her back to Earth-2. In the third, set in 2040, [[Connor Hawke (Arrow)|Connor Hawke]] has a talk with [[John Diggle Jr.]].
[[Stephen Amell]] stars as Oliver, and is joined by principal cast members [[David Ramsey]], [[Katherine McNamara]], Ben Lewis, [[Joseph David-Jones]], [[LaMonica Garrett]] and [[Katie Cassidy]]. Main cast members [[Rick Gonzalez]] and [[Juliana Harkavy]] are credited but do not appear. The episode follows three storylines; in one, Oliver is asked by [[Monitor (Arrowverse)|Mar Novu / The Monitor]] to capture scientist Robert Wong and runs into the [[Triad (organized crime)|Triad]]. In the second, [[Laurel Lance (Arrowverse Earth-2)|Earth-2 Laurel Lance]] asks her old colleague David Chin to get her back to Earth-2. In the third, set in 2040, [[Connor Hawke (Arrow)|Connor Hawke]] has a talk with [[John Diggle Jr.]].


"Welcome to Hong Kong" first aired in the United States on [[The CW]] on October 22, 2019, and was watched live by 0.77 million viewers, with a 0.3/2 share among adults aged 18 to 49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics.
"Welcome to Hong Kong" first aired in the United States on [[The CW]] on October 22, 2019, and was watched live by 0.77 million viewers, with a 0.3/2 share among adults aged 18 to 49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics.
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{{expand section|date=October 2019}}
{{expand section|date=October 2019}}
=== Development ===
=== Development ===
On July 23, 2019, it was announced that the second episode of the eighth season of ''Arrow'' would be titled "Welcome to Hong Kong". The title of this episode references the last line from the [[Arrow (season 2)|season two]] finale "[[Unthinkable (Arrow)|Unthinkable]]" that is said by [[Amanda Waller (Arrowverse)|Amanda Waller]] after [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]] finds himself in Hong Kong and gets recruited by her. The episode was directed by Antonio Negret, and written by Jill Blankenship and Sarah Tarkoff.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/07/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-title-revealed-the-cw/ |title=Arrow Showrunner Reveals Episode 8x02 Title |last=Drum |first=Nicole |date=July 23, 2019 |website=Comicbook.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723205930/https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/07/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-title-revealed-the-cw/ |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
On July 23, 2019, it was announced that the second episode of the eighth season of ''Arrow'' would be titled "Welcome to Hong Kong".<ref name="Title reveal" /> The episode was directed by Antonio Negret, and written by Jill Blankenship and Sarah Tarkoff.<ref name="Title reveal">{{Cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/07/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-title-revealed-the-cw/ |title=Arrow Showrunner Reveals Episode 8x02 Title |last=Drum |first=Nicole |date=July 23, 2019 |website=Comicbook.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723205930/https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/07/23/arrow-season-8-episode-2-title-revealed-the-cw/ |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>

=== Writing ===
The title of this episode references the last line from the [[Arrow (season 2)|season two]] finale "[[Unthinkable (Arrow)|Unthinkable]]" that is said by [[Amanda Waller (Arrowverse)|Amanda Waller]] after [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]] finds himself in Hong Kong and gets recruited by her.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Unthinkable |episode-link=Unthinkable (Arrow) |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |network=[[The CW]] |date=May 14, 2014 |season=2 |number=23}}</ref> [[Stephen Amell]], who plays Oliver Queen, said that just like the season premiere was an "ode to season 1", the second episode would be an "ode to season 3",<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/07/17/arrow-final-season-cover-story/ |title=How 'Arrow' saved the TV superhero — and why it had to end |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=July 17, 2019 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> which explores Oliver's time in Hong Kong.<ref name="Title reveal" />


=== Casting ===
=== Casting ===
Main cast members [[Stephen Amell]], [[David Ramsey]], [[Katherine McNamara]], Ben Lewis, [[Joseph David-Jones]], [[LaMonica Garrett]] and [[Katie Cassidy]] appear as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow, [[John Diggle (Arrowverse)|John Diggle]], [[Mia Smoak]], [[William Clayton (Arrowverse)|William Clayton]], [[Connor Hawke (Arrow)|Connor Hawke]], [[Monitor (Arrowverse)|Mar Novu / The Monitor]] and Earth-2's [[Laurel Lance (Arrowverse Earth-2)|Laurel Lance / Black Canary]]. [[Rick Gonzalez]] and [[Juliana Harkavy]] are credited as main cast members but do not appear in this episode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1686948/arrow-8x02-welcome-to-hong-kong/castappearances |title=Welcome to Hong Kong&nbsp;– Cast Appearances |website=TVmaze |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.ph/KeRdc |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Despite the "special appearance" bill, Cassidy is still considered part of the main cast.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tvline.com/2019/10/16/the-flash-earth-two-destroyed-arrow-season-8-premiere/ |title=Arrow/The Flash: Burning Qs Answered About Earth-Two, the New Hood, Canaries Spinoff Set-Up and More |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=October 16, 2019 |website=[[TVLine]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191023053322/https://tvline.com/2019/10/16/the-flash-earth-two-destroyed-arrow-season-8-premiere/ |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> The guest cast includes [[Audrey Marie Anderson]], [[Rila Fukushima]], [[Kelly Hu]], Andrea Sixtos, [[Charlie Barnett (actor)|Charlie Barnett]] and Lou Ticzon as [[Lyla Michaels (Arrowverse)|Lyla Michaels]], [[Tatsu Yamashiro (Arrowverse)|Tastu Yamashiro]], [[China White (Arrowverse)|China White]], [[Zoe Ramirez]], [[John Diggle Jr.]] and David Chin respectively. Additionally, Derek Lowe co-stars as Robert Wong.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1686948/arrow-8x02-welcome-to-hong-kong/cast |title=Welcome to Hong Kong&nbsp;– Guest Cast |website=TVmaze |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.ph/NmQfh |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Although uncredited, [[Emily Bett Rickards]] appears in the episode as [[Felicity Smoak (Arrowverse)|Felicity Smoak]], in archive footage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://telltaletv.com/2019/10/arrow-review-welcome-to-hong-kong-season-8-episode-2/ |title=Arrow review: Welcome to Hong Kong (season 8, episode 2) |last=Martinez |first=Brianna |date=October 23, 2019 |website=TelltaleTV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028094522/https://telltaletv.com/2019/10/arrow-review-welcome-to-hong-kong-season-8-episode-2/ |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
Main cast members [[Stephen Amell]], [[David Ramsey]], [[Katherine McNamara]], Ben Lewis, [[Joseph David-Jones]], [[LaMonica Garrett]] and [[Katie Cassidy]] appear as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow, [[John Diggle (Arrowverse)|John Diggle]], [[Mia Smoak]], [[William Clayton (Arrowverse)|William Clayton]], [[Connor Hawke (Arrow)|Connor Hawke]], [[Monitor (Arrowverse)|Mar Novu / The Monitor]] and Earth-2's [[Laurel Lance (Arrowverse Earth-2)|Laurel Lance / Black Canary]]. [[Rick Gonzalez]] and [[Juliana Harkavy]] are credited as main cast members but do not appear in this episode.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1686948/arrow-8x02-welcome-to-hong-kong/castappearances |title=Welcome to Hong Kong&nbsp;– Cast Appearances |website=TVmaze |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.ph/KeRdc |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Despite the "special appearance" bill, Cassidy is still considered part of the main cast.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tvline.com/2019/10/16/the-flash-earth-two-destroyed-arrow-season-8-premiere/ |title=Arrow/The Flash: Burning Qs Answered About Earth-Two, the New Hood, Canaries Spinoff Set-Up and More |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=October 16, 2019 |website=[[TVLine]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191023053322/https://tvline.com/2019/10/16/the-flash-earth-two-destroyed-arrow-season-8-premiere/ |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> The guest cast includes [[Audrey Marie Anderson]], [[Rila Fukushima]], [[Kelly Hu]], Andrea Sixtos, [[Charlie Barnett (actor)|Charlie Barnett]] and Lou Ticzon as [[Lyla Michaels (Arrowverse)|Lyla Michaels]], [[Tatsu Yamashiro (Arrowverse)|Tastu Yamashiro]], [[China White (Arrowverse)|China White]], [[Zoe Ramirez]], [[John Diggle Jr.]] and David Chin respectively. Additionally, Derek Lowe co-stars as Robert Wong.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/1686948/arrow-8x02-welcome-to-hong-kong/cast |title=Welcome to Hong Kong&nbsp;– Guest Cast |website=TVmaze |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.ph/NmQfh |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> The episode marks Fukushima's return to the series after she was last seen in the [[Arrow (season 4)|season four]] episode "[[Unchained (Arrow)|Unchained]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/08/08/arrow-season-8-katana-rila-fukushima/ |title='Arrow' brings back Katana for season 8's second episode |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=August 8, 2019 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> Although uncredited, [[Emily Bett Rickards]] appears in the episode as [[Felicity Smoak (Arrowverse)|Felicity Smoak]], in archive footage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://telltaletv.com/2019/10/arrow-review-welcome-to-hong-kong-season-8-episode-2/ |title=Arrow review: Welcome to Hong Kong (season 8, episode 2) |last=Martinez |first=Brianna |date=October 23, 2019 |website=TelltaleTV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028094522/https://telltaletv.com/2019/10/arrow-review-welcome-to-hong-kong-season-8-episode-2/ |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>


=== Filming ===
=== Filming ===
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Allison Shoemaker of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' rated the episode B, saying, "I must say that the first two episodes of Arrow's eighth season move with a level of confidence and momentum that haven't often been seen in the show's later seasons. There have been glimpses—a few moments here and there in season seven, fewer in season six—but Arrow hasn't had this kind of palpable energy, at least not consistently, since its excellent fifth season."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tv.avclub.com/a-confident-arrow-knows-exactly-what-it-s-doing-even-i-1839227030 |title=A confident Arrow knows exactly what it’s doing, even if Oliver doesn’t |last=Shoemaker |first=Allison |date=October 23, 2019 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.ph/yT3Tc |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Delia Harrington of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' rated the episode four out of five stars, saying "plenty of old timey ''Arrow'' memories" and "dizzyingly good close combat". She complimented the women's role in the episode stating "it means something, never mind the fact that that's not even all of the women characters in the episode or the show right now."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/go/284009 |title=Arrow Season 8 Episode 2 Review: Welcome to Hong Kong |last=Harrington |first=Delia |date=October 23, 2019 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028074950/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/284009/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
Allison Shoemaker of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' rated the episode B, saying, "I must say that the first two episodes of Arrow's eighth season move with a level of confidence and momentum that haven't often been seen in the show's later seasons. There have been glimpses—a few moments here and there in season seven, fewer in season six—but Arrow hasn't had this kind of palpable energy, at least not consistently, since its excellent fifth season."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tv.avclub.com/a-confident-arrow-knows-exactly-what-it-s-doing-even-i-1839227030 |title=A confident Arrow knows exactly what it’s doing, even if Oliver doesn’t |last=Shoemaker |first=Allison |date=October 23, 2019 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.ph/yT3Tc |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Delia Harrington of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' rated the episode four out of five stars, saying "plenty of old timey ''Arrow'' memories" and "dizzyingly good close combat". She complimented the women's role in the episode stating "it means something, never mind the fact that that's not even all of the women characters in the episode or the show right now."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/go/284009 |title=Arrow Season 8 Episode 2 Review: Welcome to Hong Kong |last=Harrington |first=Delia |date=October 23, 2019 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028074950/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/284009/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>


Jesse Schedeen of [[IGN]] rated the episode 7.3 out of 10, noting that Laurel's ark is a big step forward for her character but that the organic flowing of the story doesn't seem very promising.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.ign.com/welcome-to-hong-kong/140816/review/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |title=Arrow: Season 8, Episode 2&nbsp;– "Welcome to Hong Kong" Review |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=23 October 2019 |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023070053/https://in.ign.com/welcome-to-hong-kong/140816/review/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref> Chancellor Agard of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said, "Overall, I loved Laurel in this episode more than anything else. The exploration of Laurel's grief over the loss of Earth-2 is some of the best material Cassidy has ever had on the show and yields one of her best performances."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |title='Arrow' recap: Grieving the destruction of an Earth |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=October 22, 2019 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025194449/https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
Jesse Schedeen of ''[[IGN]]'' rated the episode 7.3 out of 10, noting that Laurel's ark is a big step forward for her character but that the organic flowing of the story doesn't seem very promising.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://in.ign.com/welcome-to-hong-kong/140816/review/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |title=Arrow: Season 8, Episode 2&nbsp;– "Welcome to Hong Kong" Review |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=23 October 2019 |website=[[IGN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023070053/https://in.ign.com/welcome-to-hong-kong/140816/review/arrow-season-8-episode-2-welcome-to-hong-kong-review |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref> Chancellor Agard of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said, "Overall, I loved Laurel in this episode more than anything else. The exploration of Laurel's grief over the loss of Earth-2 is some of the best material Cassidy has ever had on the show and yields one of her best performances."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |title='Arrow' recap: Grieving the destruction of an Earth |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |date=October 22, 2019 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025194449/https://ew.com/recap/arrow-season-8-episode-2/ |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 06:38, 30 October 2019

"Welcome to Hong Kong"
Arrow episode
Episode no.Season 8
Episode 2
Directed byAntonio Negret
Written by
  • Jill Blankenship
  • Sarah Tarkoff
Original air dateOctober 22, 2019 (2019-10-22)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Starling City" 		Next →
"Leap of Faith"
Arrow (season 8)
List of episodes

"Welcome to Hong Kong" is the second episode of the eighth season of the American television series Arrow, based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, revolving around billionaire playboy Oliver Queen as he returns to Starling City (later renamed Star City), after having been shipwrecked for five years, and becomes a bow-wielding, hooded vigilante who sets out to fight crime and corruption. It is set in the Arrowverse, sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe. The episode was written by Jill Blankenship and Sarah Tarkoff, and directed by Antonio Negret.

Stephen Amell stars as Oliver, and is joined by principal cast members David Ramsey, Katherine McNamara, Ben Lewis, Joseph David-Jones, LaMonica Garrett and Katie Cassidy. Main cast members Rick Gonzalez and Juliana Harkavy are credited but do not appear. The episode follows three storylines; in one, Oliver is asked by Mar Novu / The Monitor to capture scientist Robert Wong and runs into the Triad. In the second, Earth-2 Laurel Lance asks her old colleague David Chin to get her back to Earth-2. In the third, set in 2040, Connor Hawke has a talk with John Diggle Jr..

"Welcome to Hong Kong" first aired in the United States on The CW on October 22, 2019, and was watched live by 0.77 million viewers, with a 0.3/2 share among adults aged 18 to 49. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

The episode follows a nonlinear narrative. The events are told in chronological order.

Oliver Queen / Green Arrow wakes up in a room with Mar Novu / The Monitor who tells him his involvement in Earth-2's events had resulted in the destruction of the Earth. The Monitor sets him to bring him a scientist named Robert Wong. Once Oliver and John Diggle escape alongside Earth-2 Laurel Lance and they realise they are in Hong Kong. Laurel, refusing to believe Earth-2 has been destroyed, leaves to find an old colleague that might help her return home.

In a café, Oliver and Diggle are attacked by the Triad and rescued by Tatsu Yamashiro. She reveals she knows who the Monitor is and she knows how to find Wong. Oliver, Diggle and Tatsu team up to get Wong but are interrupted by China White and she lets Wong get away. Meanwhile, Lyla Michaels finds Laurel breaking into her old colleague David Chin's apartment. She asks Chin to get a way back home but Chin tells her that Earth-2 has been destroyed.

Meanwhile, Oliver breaks into a Triad facility and discovers that Wong has recreated the Alpha/Omega virus that killed Tastu's son ten years ago. Oliver plans to exchange the virus for Wong but the deal goes sideways when White brings Wong with an explosive vest that can only be controlled by a remote detonator. After Oliver and Diggle get Wong and the virus, Tastu and White fight for the detonator. Tastu gets stabbed but Laurel blasts White off the roof. In the aftermath, after talking with a healing Tatsu, Oliver plans to get more answers about the Monitor at Nanda Parbat. Elsewhere, Lyla is revealed to have been working with the Monitor as she delivers Wong to him.

In 2040, William Clayton works on repairing a device obtained from the Deathstroke Gang while Mia Smoak, Connor Hawke, and Zoe Ramirez head to a black market where John "J.J." Diggle Jr., the leader of the Deathstroke Gang, plans to make a sale. When the Deathstroke Gang arrives, Connor and J.J. enter a parley, though the former's group is forced to let the latter leave when he reveals that he had his men raid the Arrowcave keeping William hostage.

Production

Development

On July 23, 2019, it was announced that the second episode of the eighth season of Arrow would be titled "Welcome to Hong Kong".[1] The episode was directed by Antonio Negret, and written by Jill Blankenship and Sarah Tarkoff.[1]

Writing

The title of this episode references the last line from the season two finale "Unthinkable" that is said by Amanda Waller after Oliver Queen finds himself in Hong Kong and gets recruited by her.[2] Stephen Amell, who plays Oliver Queen, said that just like the season premiere was an "ode to season 1", the second episode would be an "ode to season 3",[3] which explores Oliver's time in Hong Kong.[1]

Casting

Main cast members Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, Katherine McNamara, Ben Lewis, Joseph David-Jones, LaMonica Garrett and Katie Cassidy appear as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow, John Diggle, Mia Smoak, William Clayton, Connor Hawke, Mar Novu / The Monitor and Earth-2's Laurel Lance / Black Canary. Rick Gonzalez and Juliana Harkavy are credited as main cast members but do not appear in this episode.[4] Despite the "special appearance" bill, Cassidy is still considered part of the main cast.[5] The guest cast includes Audrey Marie Anderson, Rila Fukushima, Kelly Hu, Andrea Sixtos, Charlie Barnett and Lou Ticzon as Lyla Michaels, Tastu Yamashiro, China White, Zoe Ramirez, John Diggle Jr. and David Chin respectively. Additionally, Derek Lowe co-stars as Robert Wong.[6] The episode marks Fukushima's return to the series after she was last seen in the season four episode "Unchained".[7] Although uncredited, Emily Bett Rickards appears in the episode as Felicity Smoak, in archive footage.[8]

Filming

Preparation ran from July 12 until July 22, 2019. Shooting ran from July 23 until August 2, 2019.[9]

Reception

Ratings

This episode first aired in the United States on The CW on October 22, 2019, and was watched live by 0.77 million viewers, with a 0.3/2 share among adults aged 18 to 49.[10]

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating for the episode, based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 7.93/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "'Welcome to Hong Kong' gives Team Arrow time to grieve over global annihilation, resulting in an hour of heartfelt performances and exciting callbacks."[11]

Allison Shoemaker of The A.V. Club rated the episode B, saying, "I must say that the first two episodes of Arrow's eighth season move with a level of confidence and momentum that haven't often been seen in the show's later seasons. There have been glimpses—a few moments here and there in season seven, fewer in season six—but Arrow hasn't had this kind of palpable energy, at least not consistently, since its excellent fifth season."[12] Delia Harrington of Den of Geek rated the episode four out of five stars, saying "plenty of old timey Arrow memories" and "dizzyingly good close combat". She complimented the women's role in the episode stating "it means something, never mind the fact that that's not even all of the women characters in the episode or the show right now."[13]

Jesse Schedeen of IGN rated the episode 7.3 out of 10, noting that Laurel's ark is a big step forward for her character but that the organic flowing of the story doesn't seem very promising.[14] Chancellor Agard of Entertainment Weekly said, "Overall, I loved Laurel in this episode more than anything else. The exploration of Laurel's grief over the loss of Earth-2 is some of the best material Cassidy has ever had on the show and yields one of her best performances."[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Drum, Nicole (July 23, 2019). "Arrow Showrunner Reveals Episode 8x02 Title". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  2. ^ "Unthinkable". Arrow. Season 2. Episode 23. May 14, 2014. The CW.
  3. ^ Agard, Chancellor (July 17, 2019). "How 'Arrow' saved the TV superhero — and why it had to end". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ^ "Welcome to Hong Kong – Cast Appearances". TVmaze. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  5. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (October 16, 2019). "Arrow/The Flash: Burning Qs Answered About Earth-Two, the New Hood, Canaries Spinoff Set-Up and More". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  6. ^ "Welcome to Hong Kong – Guest Cast". TVmaze. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  7. ^ Agard, Chancellor (August 8, 2019). "'Arrow' brings back Katana for season 8's second episode". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  8. ^ Martinez, Brianna (October 23, 2019). "Arrow review: Welcome to Hong Kong (season 8, episode 2)". TelltaleTV. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Beth Schwartz [@SchwartzApprovd] (July 23, 2019). "🏹 #ArrowFinalSeason" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Welch, Alex (October 23, 2019). "'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' and World Series adjust up: Tuesday final ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  11. ^ "Arrow – Season 8 Episode 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  12. ^ Shoemaker, Allison (October 23, 2019). "A confident Arrow knows exactly what it's doing, even if Oliver doesn't". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  13. ^ Harrington, Delia (October 23, 2019). "Arrow Season 8 Episode 2 Review: Welcome to Hong Kong". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (October 23, 2019). "Arrow: Season 8, Episode 2 – "Welcome to Hong Kong" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  15. ^ Agard, Chancellor (October 22, 2019). "'Arrow' recap: Grieving the destruction of an Earth". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.

Category:Arrow (TV series) episodes

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