Kevin Alejandro
as Sebastian Blood in Arrow
We’ve mentioned a few times that Kevin Alejandro, of Southland, True Blood, and most recently the late CBS series Golden Boy, has been appearing as Brother Blood, the “big bad” on this season of Arrow, Wednesday nights at 8P on the CW. But we had no IDEA how horrible the character was…
We haven’t made much noise about it in general because it’s another instance of a very talented Latino actor playing a non-Latin role. At least that’s what we thought. Brother Blood’s civilian identity is a polished, charismatic and decidedly Anglo (come on, his name’s “Sebastian Blood”) political leader who’s about to become mayor, but who–in secret–is your basic evil, demon-worshiping leader of a secret hyper-violent army. Bits and pieces of his mysterious (and no doubt hideous) past have been dropped here and there throughout the season…but with the January 22, we not only see the true depth of his evil–he actually has his own mother killed to keep her from spilling the beans about his bloody past–we found out his other awful secret: he’s secretly Latino.
“…probably the best “comic book” drama since Smallville,
and getting better all the time.”
“Blood” has been keeping an older woman in a nearby asylum–that we knew. But when he finally visits her, we realize the madwoman has a Spanish accent…and when “Blood” finally visits, he calls her “Mami,” and speaks with her in fluent–and evil–Spanish. It’s true: not only is Blood a murderer. Not only is he planning and taking over Starling City in a bloody coup. Not only is he planning to kill the Arrow himself. No, more: he’s not even Anglo. He’s evil and Latino.
Actually, it’s a fun show; probably the best “comic book” drama since Smallville, and getting better all the time. But in SeFija’s ongoing search for U.S. Latinos playing Latino roles on the tube…do we score this a ‘win’ or a ‘loss’? Yes, he’s Latino. But he’s so…so bad.
You can catch up on Arrow or just catch the most recent episode here, and join the fun.
