“Supergirl” Episode Review – S04E04 “Ahimsa”

Filling in for Superman Homepage writer Marc Lax, Steve Younis reviews this week’s episode of the “Supergirl” TV series, airing on The CW.

Check out his review of the fourth episode of Season 4 in which, when Supergirl needs help, Alex asks Lena and Brainiac to team up. Meanwhile, J’onn questions his decision to quit the DEO. However, after running into Manchester Black (guest star David Ajala), he realizes there are a lot of ways to help his fellow aliens during this tumultuous time.

Originally Aired: November 4, 2018
WRITTEN BY: Eric Carrasco, Katie Rose Rogers and Jess Kardos
DIRECTED BY: Armen V. Kevorkian

REGULAR CAST:
Melissa Benoist (Kara/Supergirl)
Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers)
Mechad Brooks (James Olsen)
David Harewood (J’onn J’onzz)
Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor)
Jesse Rath (Brainiac 5)

RECURRING CAST:
Sam Witwer (Ben Lockwood/Agent Liberty)
Nicol Amber Maines (Nia Nal)
Rhona Mitra (Mercy Graves)
Robert Baker (Otis Graves)

GUEST STARS:
David Ajala (Manchester Black)
Justice Leak (Hellgrammite)
Sasha Piltsin (Kasnian Soldier)

Rating – 3 (out of 5): This was an interesting episode. In many ways it felt like a filler episode, in that there wasn’t a lot of story progress over all, but there were some important factors that did take place that will have an impact to this season moving forward.

With knowledge that this and the previous episode were filmed first to give Melissa Benoist the time off she needed (I believe due to her time on Broadway in the Carol King musical), the suit protecting Supergirl from the Kryptonite in the atmosphere was really a device to allow a body double to step in to the role, cutting down the time Melissa was needed on set.

Having said that however, the suit played an important role in the story, giving the villains a slight advantage with Supergirl not at full power for the majority of the episode.

The introduction of Manchester Black wasn’t as I expected. His turn from good guy to someone not so wholesome was expected. Although I have to say I wasn’t entirely clear on what his girlfriend died of. She seemed fine, and even told him she was fine when J’onn managed to contact her telepathically. She didn’t seem to have any injuries. So that was a bit strange.

This episode didn’t really focus on any one member of the cast. They all seemed to have an even share of the spotlight, which was well played and balanced out nicely. I actually liked the effect of being inside Kara’s mask, with all the computer readouts and displays working nicely for those close-ups. I also thought the twist at the end of how Guardian’s involvement was being portrayed on social media was intriguing. I didn’t see that coming… and obviously neither did James.

Brainiac, J’onn, Lena, Nia, James… they all had their roles to play. If anyone had the lion’s share of the spotlight, it was Alex, who struggled on a number of levels. The weight of being in charge of the DEO, along with being a sister to a depowered and critically ill Supergirl, while feeling pressure from the new President of the USA… It all tooks its toll on Alex this week, and if there’s one thing Chyler Leigh does well, it’s portraying stress and emotion. You really feel for her in this one.

The villains aren’t as believable, with Mercy and Otis becoming even more annoying. It looks like they may be done with after this episode, and that’s probably for the best. Sam Witwer is a much more palatable actor, and his role is really starting to grow. I look forward to seeing where his character takes the story.

We also finally get an update on Supergirl’s Russian double, who perhaps may come to the fore now that the Mercy and Otis Graves part of the story is done with.

All in all this wasn’t a bad episode. As I said, it felt like a bit of a filler. Other than how things have turned for James and Guardian, and the possibly demise of Mercy and Otis, not too much else of import happened this week.

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