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ARROW: DAVID RAMSEY DISCUSSES DIGGLE'S WEDDING AND RE-TEAMING WITH THE SUICIDE SQUAD
"I like John Diggle the superhero."
24 MAR 2015 BY AMY RATCLIFFE
John Diggle (David Ramsey) and Lyla Michaels (Audrey Marie Anderson) have come a long way. They were married once, but they got divorced. They fell in love again years later and had a daughter, and now, they're getting hitched again. This week's episode of
Arrow, "Suicidal Tendencies," sees wedding bells ring and lots of smiles – an uncommon sight in Starling City. The happy moment doesn't last though because the Suicide Squad arrives with a mission.
Diggle, Michaels,
Deadshot (Michael Rowe), and new recruit Cupid (Amy Gumenick) have to head to the Republic of Kasnia to rescue Senator Joseph Cray (Steven Culp). It's not the most romantic of honeymoons. We talked with Ramsey about the wedding, Diggle working with Deadshot, the risks Diggle and Lyla take, and whether we'll see more of Joseph Cray.
IGN: Arrow isn't exactly a cheerful show. It has to be nice to film a joyous event instead of a funeral.
David Ramsey: I couldn't agree more. Particularly when it's my wedding. It's nice to have some smiles and some levity on Arrow, right? But it doesn't last long.
IGN: Of course it doesn't because the Suicide Squad shows up. And this is the first time we've seen Deadshot this season. How is John feeling towards Deadshot these days?
Ramsey: Floyd Lawton and John – I think they have a mutual respect for each other now. I don't think they're by any means friends, but Diggle's tuned into the human aspect of Floyd Lawton, his humanity. And I think Floyd has always respected John for his bravery and loyalty. They're both soldiers – which, by the way, you're going to learn a lot about Floyd Lawton in this episode as well. It's a big episode. Not only are you going to see the Suicide Squad in action again, but you're also going to have the Atom and Arrow face off and you're going to get a big backstory for Floyd Lawton.
IGN: In addition to those big things, Cupid has joined the Suicide Squad. What does she bring to the team and what does John think of her? She seems like a loose cannon.
Ramsey: That's the big thing, isn't it? I describe Cupid as even crazier than Harley Quinn – and she is – and but we learn something about Cupid as well in this episode. What I like about Arrow is they do take the time to delve into these characters and find a throughline of humanity in these characters. And you'll see some of that with Cupid and Deadshot in this episode. But Diggle's first reaction to Cupid is what it always has been: "This woman needs to be locked up and needs professional psychiatric help." But as it would be on Arrow, he's forced to work with her so that's going to very exciting for Diggle.
IGN: Now, the Suicide Squad is on a mission to rescue Senator Cray. He plays a role in the comics. Will we see more of him in the series or is he more of a one and done character?
Ramsey: I can tell you that they have told us they would like to see Cray a little more. This show tends to plant these characters and then they show up a few shows later or a season later. Like HIVE. For example, the organization that hired Deadshot to kill John's brother – you'll see them as big bad guys next season. So, stay tuned for Senator Cray. You're probably going to see a lot more of him.
IGN: Back to Diggle and Lyla, they're getting a happy ending of sorts. With Diggle having Lyla and a daughter, how has it affected the way you've played the character this season?
Ramsey: You see a lot more tenderness from Diggle in terms of his family, a lot more concern for other people besides Team Arrow. His family has extended to his child and now his wife. So you see that aspect of Diggle, but he has always been well-adjusted to this. He has the personal adjustment that Oliver is probably about 3 or 4 years [from having]. Diggle's had his crucible, and Oliver hasn't quite dealt with his yet. But they both want the same thing. They both want justice in the city, they both want to live a good life, they are both in love, and they both want to be with the people they're in love with. Oliver just hasn't figured out how to make that work with Felicity but Diggle has [with Lyla]. He doesn't have the same relationships challenges, the same mental challenges that Oliver has. He's much more reconciled with who he is.
IGN: Diggle is still risking his life regularly though, and Lyla is still working with Amanda Waller and ARGUS. Do they feel guilt over putting themselves in danger when they have a kid to look after?
Ramsey: There's a moment when we get into that in the episode. They both come face to face with the fact that they are facing mortal danger together and they have a child that they could orphan. I think Diggle really has to face that for the first time in this episode. I don't think he allows himself to think about that too much. Diggle doesn't allow himself to think of the gray too much – the gray area of working with a vigilante or the gray area of working with ARGUS and Deadshot. He sees the higher purpose. These are the gray areas that I don't think Diggle deals well with. He just tunes into the higher purpose and then becomes a machine and works for that.
IGN: Will we see Diggle wear a mask anytime soon?
Ramsey: Much of Diggle's appeal – and I think most people probably agree with this -- is that he doesn't have a mask and that he remains heroic without one. Once you put a mask on him, some of that accessibility leaves. I've come to understand that, and I like John Diggle the superhero.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03...wedding-and-re-teaming-with-the-suicide-squad
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