Beacon of Hope

"Beacon of Hope"
Information
Episode number	86 of 170
Original airdate	March 30, 2016
Written by	Ben Sokolowski Brian Ford Sullivan
Directed by	Michael Schultz
Guest stars
Neal McDonough as Damien Darhk (special appearance by) Echo Kellum as Curtis Holt Emily Kinney as Brie Larvan Jimmy Akingbola as Baron Reiter Adrian Glynn McMorran as Michael Amar Elysia Rotaru as Taiana Venediktov Charlotte Ross as Donna Smoak Eugene Byrd as Andy Diggle
Chronology
Preceded by	"Broken Hearts"
Followed by	"Eleven-Fifty-Nine"

"Beacon of Hope" is the ???th episode of Arrow. It aired on March 30, 2016. "Beacon of Hope" is the seventeenth episode of the fourth season of Arrow, and the eighty-sixth episode overall. It aired on March 30, 2016.

Synopsis

Brie Larvan breaks out of jail and turns up at Palmer Tech threatening to kill everyone unless she gets the bio-chip that is implanted in Felicity's spine. When Oliver realizes that Felicity, Thea and Donna are trapped in Palmer Tech with everyone else, he looks to a surprising ally to help Team Arrow save the day.

Production

Preparation ran from January 21 until January 29, 2016. Shooting began on February 1 and ran until February 11, 2016.

Behind the scenes

• After Laurel sidesteps around using Felicity's name, Oliver claims that she's "not Voldemort", a reference to the main antagonist of the Harry Potter series.
  • Thea additionally makes fun of Oliver for actually having knowledge of Harry Potter. He claims to have read a few of the books, and is surprised that there are films.
• When Thea bursts in to Felicity's office just after the latter's mother, she claims that they are like Tribbles, creatures from the Star Trek franchise which are known for their often-excessive reproduction rate.
• When Curtis sees the Arrowcave, he exclaims "holy frak", a reference to an expletive popularized by the Battlestar Galactica franchise.
• Curtis compares the robotic bees hitting critical mass to "John Hurt in Alien", referencing the actor's character in the 1979 film, Gilbert Kane, who is killed by a chestburster.
• Curtis asks Laurel to use her Canary Cry by giving it "the full Mariah Carey".
• When Donna sees the secret elevator in the Palmer Technologies building, she likens it to the 2002 Jodie Foster film, Panic Room.
• Brie Larvan mentions her "favorite scene from My Girl", likely referencing a scene in which the character Thomas J. Sennett is fatally stung by a bee.
• The episode's title is mentioned a number of times later in the episode, referencing Team Arrow's need to be a beacon of hope for others, as no one else is.
• Felicity reminds Thea that they are in a "Die Hard movie with bees", referencing the film series that have been a favorite for Stephen Amell.
• After Curtis comes up with the idea to upload a virus to the collective of bees, Lance likens it to the 1996 film Independence Day, in which the characters upload a virus to the alien mothership, allowing them to implant a nuclear bomb (effectively decimating the enemy).
• Curtis punnily calls Larvan "Bea Arthur", a 1970s actress.
• When Paul goes to heat up soup for Curtis, he describes it as "terrific", referencing his comic book alter ego Mr. Terrific.
• The end of the episode includes info on the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation due to its subject on Felicity and Brie both dealing with paralysis. Following the airing, The CW released a special PSA from Emily Bett Rickards and a representative from the foundation.

Gallery

Arrow 4x17 Promo "Beacon of Hope" (HD)

Arrow Beacon of Hope Trailer The CW

Arrow 4x17 Sneak Peek "Beacon of Hope" (HD)-1

Arrow 4x17 Sneak Peek 2 "Beacon of Hope" (HD)-1459380526

Arrow 4x17 Sneak peek 3 Season 4 Episode 17 Sneak Peek 3

Arrow Inside Arrow Beacon of Hope The CW

Arrow Arrow PSA The CW