Superman Homepage reviewer T.A. Ewart (aka liheibao) reviews episodes from the “Supergirl” TV series, airing on The CW.
Check out his review of the 8th episode of Season 2 in which Eliza (guest star Helen Slater) comes to town to celebrate Thanksgiving with her daughters. Alex (Chyler Leigh) decides it’s time to come out to her mother; Kara (Melisa Benoist) is shocked when Eliza suggests Mon-El (Chris Wood) has feelings for her, and Winn (Jeremy Jordan) and James (Mehcad Brooks) consider telling Kara the truth about the Guardian. Meanwhile, CADMUS unleashes a virus that instantly kills any alien in the vicinity so Kara enlists an unexpected ally – Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath).
Originally Aired: November 28, 2016
WRITTEN BY: Jessica Queller and Derek Simon
DIRECTED BY: Stefan Pleszczynski
REGULAR CAST:
Melissa Benoist (Kara Danvers/Supergirl)
Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers)
Mehcad Brooks (James Olsen)
David Harewood (Hank Henshaw/J’onn J’onzz)
Jeremy Jordan (Winslow “Winn” Schott)
Ian Gomez (Snapper Carr)
RECURRING CAST:
Chris Wood (Mon-El)
Floriana Lima (Maggie Sawyer)
Brenda Strong (Lillian Luthor)
GUEST CAST:
Grant Gustin (Barry Allen/The Flash)
Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon)
Helen Slater (Eliza Danvers)
Robert Gant (Zor-El)
Rating – 3 (out of 5): I’m curious as to why Supergirl has trouble maintaining momentum after it does well. The opening episodes saw Supergirl interacting with Superman, a new status quo for Catco, Winn, Jimmy, and changes that actually improved the overall production quality of the show. Some of Supergirl‘s best moments have been the fully formed character rendered so well by Melissa Benoist, who embodies an assertive heroine, without being mired in message. When Supergirl shows up, she’s given the respect of someone her stature, no longer are there any pokes regarding her gender. However, for all of the great steps forward, and last episode was a very great step, this installment comes across nearly hollow in following it. J’onn’s malady was neatly wrapped up. The Medusa plot line was identical to the Myriad story, and with the same results. Alex and Maggie got together, for no good reason, other than it’s in the script. Benoist’s portrayal of Supergirl is easily the greatest aspect of the show, and her character does not even have an actual storyline this season. It squanders the strides made over the course of the season, and it’s confounding to say the least.
For those of you who tuned in for The Flash, well, this is why you don’t avoid adverts for fear of spoilers. I heard from more than one viewer on how they felt “took” by the small connection to “Invasion,” especially when that scene was shown on The Flash the very next night. Not quite bait and switch, but not very rewarding either. The mid-season finale just leaves me frustrated and confounded. Supergirl has such promise, and a lead actress that can back that promise, and it is as if the show is afraid of being successful.
Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
While I’m kinda disappointed that Supergirl’s episode didn’t have more to do with Invasion I went into it basically expecting that since I knew she’s being recruited from Earth S to help protect what I think of as Earth A (Arrow/Flash/Legends). IMO the episode was kinda weak overall but for me that owed less so to wanting to tackle a season with theme and a message and more to just weird pacing problems that seem to plague these DC CW shows. For example even though I didn’t really have any desire to see Cisco be bitter and spend the rest… Read more »
True, but at the very least, Flashpoint will be the touchstone for the season. Supergirl? No idea.
“It is as if the show is afraid of being successful.” In other words you are thinking the writers still feel they are doing it on CBS instead of the CW. Apples and oranges. CBS is an established network and though it owns the CW with WB, it has a little more leniant way of dealing with programs although two of their new entries are in jeopardy. If there was as we look at the midway point a dud of an ep it was the over-politicized Welcome to Earth (amnesty for illegal aliens? HEY WRITERS, I GUESS YOU HAVE NO… Read more »
I’m just catching up and I haven’t seen anything of the Invasion crossover yet– but I was absolutely appalled watching this episode. It was almost ineptly made even on a technical level. From camera angles, to editing, to the bloody script not having gone through a single necessary rewrite (or having gone through one too many). Dialogue was all over the place, the resolution to J’onn’s predicament is probably the biggest cop-out in the show yet, pacing was off, there was absolutely zero conflict or tension that didn’t feel wholly manufactured; both the alien genocide virus AND Kara’s “boohoo my… Read more »