Pagan Festival Shout Out: Diwali (Deepavali)

Nov. 3rd is Diwali : also called Divali,^[ Deepavali or the "festival of lights", is a five-day Hindu festival which starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin and ends on Bhaubeej, celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla paksha of the Hindu calendar month Kartik. Dhanteras usually falls eighteen days after Dussehra. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619. Arya Samajists, celebrate this day as Death Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. They also celebrate this day as Shardiya Nav-Shasyeshti.

Each day of Diwali has its own tale, legend and myth to tell. The first day of the festival Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the second day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees.Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the tyrant Bali, and banished him to hell. Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom. It is on the third day of Deepawali — Kartika Shudda Padyami that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu. The fourth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj) and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains.

10 Reasons To Celebrate Diwali. I am not Hindu. I consider myself a Polytheistic Neo-Pagan, I choose to incorporate various gods and rituals from many of the pagan religions much as the ancient Romans did. Diwali is one that I really like from Hinduism.

1.Goddess Lakshmi’s Birthday: The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.
2. Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day (Diwali day), Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali.
3. Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.
4. The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic ‘Mahabharata’, it was ‘Kartik Amavashya’ when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.
5. The Victory of Rama: According to the epic ‘Ramayana’, it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.
6. Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya was coroneted on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.
7. Special Day for the Arya Samaj: It was the new moon day of Kartik (Diwali day) when Maharshi Dayananda, one of the greatest reformers of Hinduism and the founder of Arya Samaj attained his nirvana.
8. Special Day for the Jains: Mahavir Tirthankar, considered to be the founder of modern Jainism also attained his nirvana on Diwali day.
9. Special Day for the Sikhs: The third Sikh Guru Amar Das institutionalized Diwali as a Red-Letter Day when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Gurus blessings. In 1577, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali. In 1619, the sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind, who was held by the Mughal Emperor Jahengir, was released from the Gwalior fort along with 52 kings.
10. The Pope’s Diwali Speech: In 1999, Pope John Paul II performed a special Eucharist in an Indian church where the altar was decorated with Diwali lamps, the Pope had a ‘tilak’ marked on his forehead and his speech was bristled with references to the festival of light.

‘Dracula’ Airs Tonight On NBC

‘Dracula’ is one of the coolest new shows on television (that is not CW created). I was impressed with the look and feel of this vision of the icon prince of darkness himself-Dracula. Tonight episode two, “A Whiff Of Sulphur” keeps the vision going. The show airs tonight at 10 p.m. EST on NBC!

Grayson takes Lady Jayne as a lover even as he investigates her lethal connections to The Order of the Dragon. Grayson helps Mina face a critical challenge at medical school. Van Helsing continues his quest to develop a solar vaccine to enable Grayson to conquer sunlight. Jonathan Harker strikes a devil's bargain with Grayson which has unexpected consequences.

Tonight ‘Grimm’ Continues The Treats With “PTZD”

‘Grimm’ is new tonight on NBC with the second episode in all new season 3. Titled “PTZD” has Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), Hank (Russell Hornsby), Rosalee (Bree Turner) and Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) tracking down a manic Nick (David Giuntoli) and do all they can to find him and reverse what's been done to him before he causes any more damage. Meanwhile, Captain Renard (Sasha Roiz) does his best to clean up the zombie fallout on all fronts - domestic and international. Elsewhere, the more time Adalind (Claire Coffee) spends with Stefania (guest star Shohreh Aghdashloo), the more disturbing things seem to get in her quest to regain her Hexenbiest abilities.

Official Trailer Released For “Death Walks”

“Death Walks” is an indie zombie horror directed by Spencer Hawken. The film stars Lucinda Rhodes, Scott Mullins, Daniel Smales and Joanna Finata. “Death Walks” is expected to be released in 2014 and was shot on a zero budget. Check out the official trailer and movie stills below.

“Death Walks” is a psychological horror movie in which zombies invade an East London shopping center. Shot entirely on location in Romford, Essex. Late one night a group of lone workers in a shopping centre are visited by a sinister force. Think you know the zombie movie genre? Think again, Death Walks... reinvents the zombie movie, and spins your beliefs on your head!

Trailer Released For Modern Fantasy Flick “Okora”

“Okora” is a modern day urban fantasy flick directed by Tracer Ital, Lyston Laurence and Lexx James. The film is being produced by LincPictures and is due out in 2014. “Okora” stars Anusha Prakash, Anthony Miles, Lexx James, Lyston Laurence, Dionne Alexandria, Lauren Scott Berry, Itoya Osagiede, Kaya cansfield, Laurie Brown and blends sci-fi, action-adventure with thriller, fantasy. Okora: The Prelude debuts at film festivals across the world , before making its way onto the internet later in the year.

Okora: The Prelude focuses on seven young people suffering with identity and a past that mysteriously connects them with the seven deadly sins. Encouraged by a young exile from another dimension, they must work together to save all that is good by battling with their inner sin and virtue.


Okora Official Trailer from OkoraTheMovie on Vimeo.

Teaser Trailer Released For “Night Falls”

A teaser trailer has landed for indie horror “Night Falls”. The film is currently in pre-production stage but a pretty killer synopsis and teaser shows us just how beastly this flick will be.

When detectives Jack and Ashley embark on a murder investigation that immerses them in the ancient history of New Orleans, they discover that its Native American history is wrought with secrets. When the crime is linked to the Hamiltons, a powerful local family, the mystery deepens.

As they begin to work with Thomas, one of the sons of the Hamiltons who had separated himself from the family for 10 years, it becomes evident that they are dealing with something far beyond the typical murder investigation. Thomas begins human genome research testing with Professor Alastair Van Zandt. As more and more of the family’s history is unraveled, it becomes clear that their problems run much deeper than petty disagreements. Soon the deepest secret is revealed: that the Hamiltons are plagued by an animalistic curse that has affected them for centuries.

Latex Lovely Displayed In New Official “Nurse 3D” Poster

Check out the new look, for the naughty nurse, with this latex lovely featured on the official poster for horror film “Nurse 3D”. The flick is directed by Douglas Aarniokoski and stars Paz de la Huerta, Katrina Bowden, Corbin Bleu, Judd Nelson, Boris Kodjoe , Michael Therriault and Niecy Nash. It hits theatres and VOD on February 7, 2014.

By day Abby Russell is a dedicated nurse, someone you wouldn’t hesitate to trust your life with. But by night, her real work begins…using her smoldering sexuality she lures cheating men to their brutal deaths and exposes them for who they really are. When a younger nurse starts to suspect Abby’s actions and compromises her master plan, Abby must find a way to outsmart her long enough to bring the cheater you’d least expect to justice.

Check Out First Images From “The Last Showing”

The first images have landed online for “The Last Showing” starring Robert Englund. The indie film is directed by Phil Hawkins and also stars Finn Jones, Chris Geere, Keith Allen.

When a life-long projectionist (Robert Englund aka Freddy Krueger) is made redundant he looks to exact his vengeance on a generation that no longer requires his skills. He traps a couple inside his multiplex cinema and manipulates them into becoming characters in a horror film being captured by CCTV cameras.

Trailer Released For “A Grim Becoming”

Check out the new official trailer for “A Grim Becoming”. The film is directed by Adam R. Steigert and stars  Raphae, Melyssa Jade, Devanny Pinn, Jessica Cameron, Magoo, Bill Oberst Jr., Melantha Blackthrone and Lynn Lowry.

A Grim Becoming follows Raphael, a young and bitter executive who is on the verge of losing a multimillion dollar architectural deal with a large distribution company lead by the awkward Stanford brothers. Raphael suffers a sudden death in his family and has to immediately leave to go to the funeral in his home town of Metzburgh.

Seeing this as his big chance to get ahead is Wayne, a jealous co-worker who is in competition with Raphael. As Raphael returns to Metzburgh, he experiences a life changing event: witnessing a Grim Reaper taking a soul. This sighting results in Raphael becoming a Reaper and having to explore his own conscience and the lengths he will go to get his own life back. But Death or as he likes to call himself “Magoo” has other plans for the naive young executive.

Teaser Trailer Released For “The Quiet Ones”

The first glimpse into Hammer Films new horror film “The Quiet Ones” is here. The film is directed by John Pogue and stars Jared Harris, Sam Claflin, Olivia Cooke and Erin Richards. “The Quiet Ones” is apart of the exciting return of Hammer into the modern Horror world. Check out the teaser trailer below. The film hits theatres on April 25, 2014.

The Quiet Ones (inspired by true events) tells the story of an unorthodox professor who uses controversial methods and leads his best students off the grid to take part in a dangerous experiment: to create a poltergeist. Based on the theory that paranormal activity is caused by human negative energy, the rogue scientists perform a series of tests on a young patient, pushing her to the edge of sanity. As frightening occurrences begin to take place with shocking and gruesome consequences, the group quickly realizes they have triggered a force more terrifying than they ever could have imagined.

Brazilian Action Horror-Sci-fi “Beyond The Grave”

Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro’s “Beyond The Grave” has won 6 awards and been the official selection for 70 festivals internationally. The film is still making a festival run but is currently available on VOD via  Netflix Instant for U.S. and Latin America. “Beyond The Grave” stars Rafael Tombini, Alvaro RosaCosta, Ricardo Seffner, Amanda Grimaldi, Luciana Verch, Leandro Lefa, Tatiana Paganella and Adriano Basegio. "Beyond the Grave" is a very unusual art-house horror that borrows influence from the spaghetti westerns and the experimental cinema from the 70's. It is the first feature by Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro who directed the short The Soul Detective, starred by David Lynch. Also in his filmography is the short film Back to Room 666, starred by Wim Wenders.

In a devastated post-apocalyptic world where the rules of reality are transformed by magic and madness, a vengeful police officer searches for a possessed serial killer. He finds in his way groups of survivors. Some violent, some struggling to get by in this new place full of mystical dangers where humanity seems on the brink of extinction.

Shooter and Nina, a couple of teenagers, are the first living souls to cross paths with the Officer on his quest for the Dark Rider, a mystical man who has cost the life of several. The Officer and the Teenage Couple bond and go forward in this empty world. Always following the Returners, the living dead, who travels toward the places where The Rider has been, they find themselves at the risk of slaughter.

The first signs of humanity they encounter are Franco, Adriene and Ashley, a trio that managed to survive in a school far from any civilization. The Officer, Shooter and Nina take place among the new survivors for a few days, until conflict arises between Ashley and the Officer and they decide to continue their quest for the Dark Rider.

They find the Dark Rider in a Psycho Ward. The battle that ensues is the re-encounter of two old enemies, The Officer and the Rider, settling old debts older than time. In a final duel, they fight a battle of the not-so-good versus absolute evil.

“Beyond The Grave” has received some pretty powerhouse reviews from the international community. Read some of the reviews below, then watch the trailer before heading to the film’s Facebook page to learn more. Stay tuned in the coming days for my personal review of “Beyond The Grave”.
“BEYOND THE GRAVE is an extremely inventive film. Like Jodorowsky, writer/director Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro fills his story will all sorts of colorful characters; (…) At times poetic. At times stoic. At times completely energized. BEYOND THE GRAVE is a unique experience in the theater of the weird.” (Mark L. Miller, Aint It Cool News)

"El Mariachi meets 'The Dark Tower' series. (...) the film itself is incredibly well shot in general.  2/10 Add in some choice music – edited again in a way that hits hard – and the film flows in such a manner that indeed makes it memorable." (Lauren Taylor, Bloody Disgusting)

"Zombies, demons, cowboys and indians, samurai swords and muscle cars, this film has f***ing everything. (...) It’s Dawn of the Dead, Stake Land, Fallen, Once Upon A Time in the West and Road Warrior, spliced together with scotch tape and soaked in LSD." (Annie Riordan, Brutal As Hell)

"BEYOND THE GRAVE is the stunning voyage through a mesmerizing world full of magical mysteries and strangely alluring places, created by a team of young, visionary and highly talented filmmakers. I loved it!" (Maynard Morrissey, Horror Movie Diary)

"Without the million dollar budgets of the US or UK films-- I have to say Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro (writer and director) created something pretty great, with stark and intimately filmed scenes and obviously patiently framed shots." (Dave Marks, Blog of the Living dead)

"Davi de Oliveira Pinheiro has come up with a movie that manages to hit marks and beats that others out there don’t. BEYOND THE GRAVE is an impressive, original and cautious movie that deserves your attention. After all, innovative horror from Brazil may rise once again." (Jason Meredith, CiNEZiLLA)

Pagan Festival Shout Out: Samhain

Samhain  is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. It is celebrated from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 1 November, which is nearly halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. Along with Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh it makes up the four Gaelic seasonal festivals. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Kindred festivals were held at the same time of year in other Celtic lands; for example the Brythonic Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall) and Kalan Goañv (in Brittany).

Traditionally, Samhain was a time to take stock of the herds and food supplies. Cattle were brought down to the winter pastures after six months in the higher summer pastures. It was also the time to choose which animals would need to be slaughtered for the winter. This custom is still observed by many who farm and raise livestock because it is when meat will keep since the freeze has come and also since summer grass is gone and free foraging is no longer possible. It is thought that some of the rituals associated with the slaughter have been transferred to other holidays.

Wiccans celebrate a variation of Samhain as one of the yearly Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year. It is deemed by most Wiccans to be the most important of the four "greater Sabbats". Samhain is seen by some Wiccans as a time to celebrate the lives of those who have died, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died. In some rituals the spirits of the dead are invited to attend the festivities. It is seen as a festival of darkness, which is balanced at the opposite point of the wheel by the spring festival of Beltane, which Wiccans celebrate as a festival of light and fertility.

Wiccans believe that at Samhain the veil between this world and the afterlife is at its thinnest point of the whole year, making it easier to communicate with those who have left this world.

Sunset on Samhain is the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The old year has passed, the harvest has been gathered, cattle and sheep have been brought in from the fields, and the leaves have fallen from the trees. The earth slowly begins to die around us.

This is a good time for us to look at wrapping up the old and preparing for the new in our lives. Think about the things you did in the last twelve months. Have you left anything unresolved? If so, now is the time to wrap things up. Once you’ve gotten all that unfinished stuff cleared away, and out of your life, then you can begin looking towards the next year.

Samhain Rituals: (about.com)

Try one -- or all -- of these rituals to celebrate Samhain and welcome the new year.

• Celebrating the End of the Harvest
• Samhain Ritual for Animals
• Honoring the Ancestors
• Hold a Seance at Samhain
• Host a Dumb Supper
• Honor the God and Goddess at Samhain
• Celebrating the Cycle of Life and Death
• Ancestor Meditation

Face A Little Roid Rage This Halloween For Free!

Wicked Piss Films and Director Josh Mitchell would like you to feel the burn on this Halloween night. Enjoy a little roid rage with zombie satire “Roid Rage”. The film is being offered free to celebrate this festive day.

"Roid Rage" is about Billy Beck, a steroid dealer who gets a designer drug from The UK that is equipped with dangerous livestock products that morph bodybuilders into superhuman killer machines.

Watch it here - http://vimeo.com/picknroll/roidrage

Jack's Jacked Gym, the place that Beck sells his gear out of, is sponsoring a local amateur bodybuilding contest called "The Mega Muscles Contest" on Depot Island. Spectators take a ferry out to the island and enjoy shopping at the array of local vendors and sponsors.  It is supposed to be a fun family day.  But things are far from fun when Beck decides to inject the contestants with the experimental drug that he gets from England before the contest.

The handful of pumped-up hopefuls take the stage and strut their boldest and brightest poses.

Everything seems normal but then something happens...

The mad cow disease, mixed with the anabolic steroids, causes the ultimate roid rage and the hulking and angry contestants rush the crowd and begin snapping innocent spectators' spines like twigs. The DEA is on the island to make a big bust but they are forced to team with Beck and several rogue survivors to battle a small crowd of mutated muscle monsters. The film's action scenes and thrashing characters cut and illuminate like hatchet blades, inviting the innocent spectator into a world of truculent, flawed characters who live and die in a place that looks like Oz after dark.

Buy the "Roid Rage" novel here - www.amazon.com/Roid-Rage-Josh-Mitchell-ebook/dp/B005H93FS8

Friday Is Just A Day Away! Skip Ender’s Game

Tomorrow is the day to Skip Ender's Game and support queer geeks and their allies against Orson Scott Card's homophobia, which means that today is the day to tell your friends about it. Look below to find out more about our upcoming events in cities across North America, or read more about the campaign here: http://skipendersgame.com/

You can also help us out by joining our twitter campaign here:  https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/5812-skipendersgame-to-stop-hate
Here is a complete list of upcoming events
In New York, we’re going to be watching classic sci-fi film The Fifth Element at Bar-tini Ultra Lounge:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-new-york-city
In San Francisco, we’ll be getting together at the Lone Star Saloon for a night of Star Trek trivia and a special video tribute to George Takei.
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-san-francisco-fanboysf
In Chicago, Geeks OUT will be hanging out at Spin and screening of cult favorite Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, complete with the arcade brawler adaptation of the comic in all of its playable glory:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-chicago
In Toronto, we’re going to Glad Day Bookshop for an evening of conversation with queer and queer-positive authors:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-toronto
In Dallas, the Historic Texas Theatre will also be screening The Fifth Element for us, and proceeds will go to benefit the New Youth Program at The Resource Center Dallas:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-dallas-screening-fifth-element
In Austin, Gay Austin Geeks and GeekOut will be hanging out at Cheer Up Charlie's and watching X-Men:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-austin
In Orlando, we’re going to have a gaming and karaoke night at The Geek Easy:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-orlando-flame
In Seattle, there is a screening of another film of geek interest - The Gamers: Hands of Fate! The screening will take place at the Calamus Auditorium at Gay City:
http://geeksout.org/events/skip-enders-game-seattle

“Young, High And Dead” available on VOD this Halloween

The British Horror/Slasher film is now available worldwide through Vimeo On Demand to rent or download this Halloween. The film can be rented for 30 days for just $5.50 or you can download a copy for $9.99.  “Young, High And Dead” is directed by Luke Brady, Jonathan Brady, Thabo Mhlawtshwa and Daniel Fenton. It stars Hannah Tointon, Louisa Lytton, Philip Barantini, Matthew Stathers and Nigel Boyle. You can read my review of this indie horror from across the pond here!

To celebrate a recent engagement a group of five friends embark on a camping trip they will never return from. Deep in the forest the group pitch next to the grave of a local missing child. As the killer watches them it’s not long before a night of drink and drugs turns into a waking nightmare. When the group awake in the early hours, they find themselves shackled and chained to trees, will the group stick and work together in order to exit the situation and the forest alive? Or will the killer leave them all Young, High and Dead?

Young, High and Dead MK 1 Trailer - vod from Young High and Dead on Vimeo.

#AHSCoven Is New Tonight With “Fearful Pranks Ensue"

Tonight #AHSCoven is new with episode 4 “Fearful Pranks Ensue”. In the episode Fiona’s choices rattle a decades-long truce between the Salem witches and Marie Laveau. The Council of Witchcraft pays a surprise visit to the Academy with disturbing allegations.

American Horror Story: Coven tells the secret history of witches and witchcraft in America. Over three hundred years have passed since the turbulent days of Salem and those who managed to escape are now facing extinction. Mysterious attacks have been escalating against their kind and young girls are being sent away to a special school in New Orleans to learn how to protect themselves. Wrapped up in the turmoil is new arrival, Zoe, who is harboring a terrifying secret of her own. Alarmed by the recent aggression, Fiona, the long-absent Supreme, sweeps back into town, determined to protect the Coven and hell-bent on decimating anyone who gets in her way.

Tonight #Amellsday Ends With Episode 4 #TheTomorrowPeople

Tonight on what I have now coined “Amellsday”, the new super hot Wednesday we TV superhero fans close out the awesome viewage with #TheTomorrowPeople. Check out the cool promos and  for tonight’s episode titled “Kill Or Be Killed”.

When Ultra's most wanted, Killian McCrane (guest star Jason Dohring, "Veronica Mars"), resurfaces after years of being in hiding, Stephen (Robbie Amell) enlists John's (Luke Mitchell) help in tracking him down. John reluctantly agrees to help, but changes his mind when he learns that Killian isn't after Jedikiah (Mark Pellegrino) as everyone suspects. Stephen, wants to help, but Cara (Peyton List) explains that John's history with Killian, which brings back a flood of memories from John's past, making him do something he never thought he would do again. Meanwhile, Stephen's mom (guest star Sarah Clarke) is suspicious of his whereabouts, putting him in an awkward position.

Tonight Is All New On #Revolution

NBC brings the apocalyptic sci-fi with an all new episode of #Revolution tonight. Episode six is titled “Dead Man Walking” and has Charlie, Rachel and Gene questioning Monroe’s true allegiance, Miles himself is weary of his former friend’s intentions. Meanwhile, Aaron continues to have visions that lead to endless questions.

Are You Ready For Tonight’s #Arrow ?

Tonight on an all new #Amellsday (Weds.) #Arrow starts things off with episode 4 : “The Crucible”. Check out the promos below and the cool stills which feature Black Canary.

“Crucible” follows Oliver (Stephen Amell), who  discovers a man who goes by the name "The Mayor" (guest star Cle Bennett) is bringing illegal guns in to The Glades, so Oliver sponsors a "Cash for Guns" event to help clean up the city. Unfortunately, The Mayor crashes the event with his gang and seriously injures Sin (guest star Bex Taylor-Klaus). The Canary (Caity Lotz) is furious when she learns her friend is in the hospital and sets out for revenge. Meanwhile, Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) stuns Oliver with a bit of information about the Canary, Donner (guest star Dylan Bruce) asks Laurel (Katie Cassidy) to dinner, and Diggle (David Ramsey) reconnects with an old friend.