November 23, 2016: “Supergirl” Episode Review – S02E07 “The Darkest Place”

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 7th episode of Season 2 in which Guardian tries to clear his name after being accused of a murder committed by another vigilante, and Supergirl heads out on a solo mission to rescue Mon-El who has been captured by CADMUS. While fighting to free Mon-El, Supergirl comes face to face with Cyborg Superman.

The Darkest Place Originally Aired: November 21, 2016
WRITTEN BY: Robert Rovner & Paula Yoo
DIRECTED BY: Glen Winter

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:
Dean Cain (Jeremiah Danvers)
Sharon Leal (M’gann M’orzz)
Victor Zinck Jr. (Phillip Karnowsky)

5Rating – 5 (out of 5): “Great so far, Pee-wee. Action-packed!”

Quite the installment this week. Every player saw some light – Correction, every player saw ample light. Jimmy and Winn were in the lurch to clear Guardian’s name. Martian Manhunter learned the truth about Megan, and himself in turn. Mon-El was exposed to lead, finally, and Jeremiah Danvers made an appearance to save Supergirl. On top of that, the debut of Cyborg Superman, played by Mr. Harewood, who now has the dual role to contend with. I’m certain he’s enjoying every minute of it. Supergirl faced a foe that seems more than a match, in Cyborg Superman, and that may make for better challenges for her the remainder of the season. All this comes with a cost, of course, as viewers aren’t given much in terms of story arc for Supergirl herself. She’s become the straight man, allowing the other characters to play off of her. This will surely infuriate some, but Supergirl, like her cousin, is such a well developed character on Supergirl, she provides the stability and leadership needed with so much action and change being about. Hopefully there will be more for her, and not the boring budding romance between her and Mon-El. No chemistry whatsoever.

There are always shortcomings to any episode, no matter how high the rating, and it’s the niggling and needless left untied. Cyborg Superman names himself as such, leaving viewers to only guess at why his nomenclature is what he says it is. Cyborg Superman is able to override the security of the Fortress of Solitude with Kara’s blood, however, shouldn’t Kelex know that isn’t Supergirl just by observing what’s right in front of him?! Why are secret IDs verboten? The set-up of Winn and Jimmy having the secret of Guardian, was poised to yield excellent dividends, if only by the interplay of the early alien barroom scene. Still the secret is divulged, and divulge to the resident Mary Sue of the show, Alex. Alex, who must be involved in every aspect of the show, even if for no good reason. Maggie Sawyer was brought on the show for what purpose? Maggie Sawyer of the comics is an excellent police officer, heady woman, and very close to the hard-boiled, two-fisted Pis a la Mickey Spillane. Maggie on the show has done little more than be a jerk. A complete and absolute jerk. Why Alex desires friendship with someone who left her high and dry, in the worst way, is beyond me… and possibly beyond the writers of the show. Romance tropes and social agenda don’t always mix, and in this case, the lurch forward for these two is painful to watch. Lastly, when she had the chance, why didn’t Supergirl use her speed when she was released? Why didn’t Supergirl just use her speed, overpower everyone, snag the keys and amscray with Mon-El? Jeremiah easily removed the bullet; it’s doubtful that anyone else would have had difficulty doing the same.

Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.

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NcKryptonian
NcKryptonian
November 24, 2016 1:23 am

The reason why she didn’t use her speed or over power anyone is because she was still de-powered from the earlier solar flare. It wasn’t until after being put under the sun lamps at the DEO and then back at home that her powers had finally came back.

andramus
andramus
November 24, 2016 1:31 am
Reply to  NcKryptonian

I’m pretty sure T.A. means before she did her solar flare when they let her out of her cage to put the helmet on. This is the typical sloppy writing I’m accustomed to with these Berlanti-verse shows. It’s why I don’t think Alex is a Mary Sue when she takes what should be a lethal blow to the head from Metallo because all the writing/fight choreography in these shows is like this. FLASH Season 2 Spoiler Warning!!! I actually thought this was a similar type of plot induced stupidity to Flash giving his speed to Zoom AFTER Zoom gave up… Read more »

liheibao
liheibao
November 24, 2016 10:46 am
Reply to  andramus

I’m pretty sure T.A. means before she did her solar flare when they let her out of her cage to put the helmet on.

Correct.

Flash Season 2? That was terrible, but both examples of poor decision making, on Supergirl and Flash, are just ttropes that can’t be escaped in hero stories. BVS did the same with Superman’s mother being kidnapped, and it seems that every hero or heroine loses their respective mind when faced with a hostage situation.

NeoRanger
NeoRanger
November 29, 2016 3:45 am

I enjoyed the episode a fair deal, but I’ll admit, I’m actually kind of disappointed Jeremiah didn’t turn out to be Cyborg Superman instead. They clearly retooled their plan for Hank Henshaw early last season (and turned him into J’onn) and it wouldn’t be the first deviation from the comics. Especially since since the New 52, Cyborg Superman is Kara’s dad, which would make former Superman Dean Cain kind of perfect for this. I don’t hold it against the episode or anything, it just would’ve been cool. Overall fine installment, I’m glad I’m not the only one that noticed Supergirl… Read more »