Arrow has tapped Kelsey Grammer for what may be the perfect role for the superhero drama's 150th episode, but how he fits into the action definitely qualifies as unexpected. Here is what you need to know.
Arrow's 150th episode will feature a "documentary" as the central thrust of the action. According to the official synopsis for the episode, a camera crew will descend on Star City to conduct interviews for their doc. As anyone who has watched their share of documentaries knows, many have a narrator. This is where Kelsey Grammer comes in, per TVLine.
The man with the velvety pipes will lend his vocals as the narrator of this sure-to-be enrapturing documentary. It is aptly titled The Hood and the Rise of Vigilantism. Kelsey Grammer should have a lot of explosive things to narrate. The synopsis teases that Oliver and the team will go on the record to discuss their vigilante pasts for the doc.
That could take a while to delve into, and how candid Oliver Queen and the team get will be undoubtedly interesting to discover. By casting Kelsey Grammer, Arrow also lends an air of credibility to this documentary. All of which begs the question: how real will this doc feel?
In other words, will it be filmed like it is a part of a regular Arrow episode (i.e., the same camera filter, etc.)? Or will it be shot like a genuine documentary replete with all that entails? The latter option would be quite exciting. However, it would be difficult to make that congruent with a regular Arrow episode.
This is not a regular episode though! It is the 150th episode! That said, it sounds as though the installment will not feature the documentary as its sole plot, and that aspect that makes the ability to swerve from a real-style doc to a regular episode of Arrow difficult.
The official plot synopsis mentions Oliver dealing with William's return from boarding school and the rise of a new threat. While the documentary could cover that, it seems unlikely. Skipping from regular action and back to a documentary, styled like a real doc, could be a bit disconcerting.
It would be so cool if Arrow or any other superhero show shot an entire documentary episode with a real-doc approach. Arrow could be approached and explored with real-world implications that could breathe a sense of reality into everything. Sort of like found footage does for certain movies.
Having Kelsey Grammer take part in Arrow is beyond exciting. Popularly known by TV fans for his role as Frasier Crane, he stole the show in last year's Netflix dramedy Like Father. So, having Grammer on-board is an awesome development.
However, it goes down, it is a fun concept that should be entertaining for fans. Arrow returns Monday, January 21 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. The 150th episode of Arrow airs February 4 at the same time and place. The superhero drama is among many shows returning in the midseason.
