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 5th episode of Season 2 in which Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) must beat a ruthless new gang who has been armed with dangerous new alien technology. When Cadmus sends a video to the DEO, the team realizes Cadmus is the one staffing the criminals for a secret mission. Meanwhile, Kara (Melissa Benoist) gets Mon-El (Chris Wood) a job as an intern at CatCo, James makes an important decision and Lena (Katie McGrath) invites Kara to attend one her fundraisers.
Originally Aired: November 7, 2016
STORY BY: Gabriel Llanas & Anna Musky-Goldwyn
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)
Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor)
Floriana Lima (Maggie Sawyer)
Brenda Strong (The Doctor)
GUEST CAST:
Andrea Brooks (Eve Teschmacher)
Rating – 4 (out of 5): This story had it all, and would have received a “5,” if not for the needlessly messy adventure into Alex’s sexuality. The move to The CW, which prompted this critic to worry about the quality of the SFX, hasn’t diminished them in the slightest. If anything, they have been used more effectively and cleverly. A tight shot of Supergirl using her heat vision to sort out the villains, with cuts to the effects of her blasts, works with a great visual appeal, while having Supergirl actually use the super-speed she possesses, received a rare nod of approval. Benoist’s portrayal of Supergirl is incredibly competent. She’s learned the ropes, if you will, and hasn’t been fettered by the mundane restraints put on characters of her ability. In short, when Supergirl arrives, she’s capable, confident, and it’s safe to have great expectations from her. That’s a great feeling from the Superman Family, a feeling that should be spread to her DCEU counterparts. The episode wasn’t limited to Supergirl either, as Jimmy, Winn, even Mon-El, all helped to make it a very well-rounded and entertaining episode.
However, it’s not easy being a Mary Sue, and Alex is being given a tough time of it. Jimmy was slated to be Supergirl’s love interest, and even though the chemistry was there, there was a significant resistance to the pairing, and so it was wisely dropped. Jimmy, however, rather than being left to flounder was given the helm of CatCo, and will also be fighting crime in the form of… well, tune in and find out. Alex? She’s just discovered that she may be a lesbian because Maggie Sawyer has flirted with her. Alex had rendered onto us that she has dated men, but just wasn’t into the intimacy with them. Although that should have been a big, bright, red lightbulb going off in her mind, Alex didn’t seem to ever consider until Maggie Sawyer, who beds them Terran or Alien, so long as they’re female, came to town. Convenient? Definitely. Pandering? Doubtlessly. Entertaining? Not in the slightest. Alex has potential, but it’s been squandered by allowing her to be amorphous as water. She has no core. Alex takes the form of whatever she’s placed into and that is truly unfortunate, as all of the other actors and actresses have been able to define themselves by their actions, and not whom they may want to couple with.
Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
You can’t be serious! The only reason you gave this episode 4 out of 5 instead of 5 out of 5 was Alex’s storyline?!? Everyone else I’ve heard from has described her story arc this season and in particular this episode as thoughtful, heartfelt and well acted. Her final scene with Maggie in this episode depicting her inner struggle to come to terms with and express the truth about herself resonated with many viewers and tugged on more than a few heartstrings. If any characters story arc in this episode deserved to bring the score down it was Jimmy’s (and… Read more »
Everyone else I’ve heard from has described her story arc this season and in particular this episode as thoughtful, heartfelt and well acted. So I should fall in line with them? That said knowing where this story is headed the writing in this episode handled this development for his character extremely clumsily particularly in comparison to how they have been handling Alex’s character development. I’ve noticed that the moment someone needs to make a comparison in manner you’re doing, in order to support or defend a position, that position is usually a groundless one. You like Alex’s internal struggle. You’re… Read more »
First things first. SPOILER Alert! Do not read ahead if you don’t have any idea where Jimmy’s story is going and don’t want to know. I never said I had a problem with Jimmy’s story arc for this season and I don’t. Both Alex and Jimmy are on a journey at the beginning of this season. Alex is on a journey to discover something about herself she hadn’t realised until now – that she is gay. Jimmy is on a journey to become a street-level hero – The Guardian. The comparison I was making between the two wasn’t the journey… Read more »
Whilst I thought both could have been written better I thought Alex’s storyline was and journey of self-realisation was much better executed than Jimmy’s. Sound. I believed the opposite. By comparison Jimmy decided in one episode that he wants to be a super-hero pretty much completely out of the blue with no build up to his character’s decision. Not true. Jimmy had made similar comments last season. This would be continued development based on what was expressed then. I actually had a similar problem when Kara dropped Jimmy before they even had their first proper date. The sudden change in… Read more »
“Convenient” Having to figure out what’s going with themselves is part of the process many gay folks struggle with. It’s not always immediately clear for them. It’s a process that can take years to figure out let alone be able to admit. “Pandering” Only in the sense that someone else who is gay watching the show might be able to identify with the character the way any of us might identify with a character who is straight. “Entertaining” Yes actually. Not in a spectacle way but in a human and character driven way. Also gives something interesting for Kara and… Read more »
We are different tracks here. You’re in line with the premise, the idea. I’m critical of the execution. Alex being a Mary Sue doesn’t help either, as they tend to be whatever the plot calls for, including a lesbian for no rhyme or reason.
Honestly, I’m getting a sense that the premise actually is a big problem for you. There seems to be a bit of bile in your reviews for it even being there.
Which would be convenient, as my criticism could be dismissed as such. However, I’ve been on record about Alex from season 1, and these events only add more to what I raised then.
liheibao, you wrote: She’s just discovered that she may be a lesbian because Maggie Sawyer has flirted with her. Alex had rendered onto us that she has dated men, but just wasn’t into the intimacy with them. Although that should have been a big, bright, red lightbulb going off in her mind,… . Maybe a red light bulb should have gone off in her mind. But, maybe she was thinking, “It’s probably because he’s not the right guy.” Same thing with the next guy and the next guy. A lot of people do not always think rationally or analytically when… Read more »
Condemn? Really? OK.
1) Definition of Condemn that I am using: . The word condemn has multiple definitions: . a) to express complete disapproval of, typically in public . b) To express strong disapproval of So, yes, you are condemning her. If you do not believe me, you can check the definition for condemn, yourself, and see if I have used the word correctly. . . 2) Are you going to reply to the rest? . It is interesting that you responded to only one word of what I wrote instead of to any of the questions, ideas, alternative perspectives, other people’s experiences,… Read more »
If that’s what you were about, I would have taken you on. However, this is the thrust of what you wrote:
“It really seems your point of view is based on lack of experience/knowledge of people in the LGBT community.”
If based on what I wrote, you can come to such a wild assumption, than you’ve taken my criticism personally, which renders any further discussion rather needless.
Yes, really.
Will that suffice? Sorry, if I disappoint you. 😉
T.A. I know from my own interactions with you that you’re capable of having a reasonable discussion. You’re just blowing the concern off.
Fair enough. What is your concern? I do believe my criticisms are fair, but I do not want to come across other than that, if only for lack of better explaining myself.
“The move to The CW, which prompted this critic to worry about the quality of the SFX, hasn’t diminished them in the slightest. If anything, they have been used more effectively and cleverly. A tight shot of Supergirl using her heat vision to sort out the villains, with cuts to the effects of her blasts, works with a great visual appeal, while having Supergirl actually use the super-speed she possesses, received a rare nod of approval. Benoist’s portrayal of Supergirl is incredibly competent. She’s learned the ropes, if you will, and hasn’t been fettered by the mundane restraints put on… Read more »
liheibao, you wrote: If that’s what you were about, I would have taken you on. However, this is the thrust of what you wrote: “It really seems your point of view is based on lack of experience/knowledge of people in the LGBT community.” If based on what I wrote, you can come to such a wild assumption, than you’ve taken my criticism personally, which renders any further discussion rather needless. . . 1) I used the word “seems”. . The definition for “seem” I am using is: . a) give the impression or sensation of being something or having a… Read more »