Superman Homepage writer Michael Bailey reviews episodes from the “Supergirl” TV series, airing on The CW.
Check out his review of the 20th episode of Season 4 in which Kara (Melissa Benoist) and Lena (Katie McGrath) head to Kaznia to hunt down Lex. However, Eve Tessmacher (guest star Andrea Brooks) sets a trap for the duo that could ultimately reveal that Kara is Supergirl.
Originally Aired: May 5, 2019
WRITTEN BY: Natalie Abrams and Katie Rose Rogers
DIRECTED BY: Shannon Kohli
REGULAR CAST:
Melissa Benoist (Kara/Supergirl)
Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers)
Mechad Brooks (Jimmy Olsen)
Jesse Rath (Brainiac 5)
Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor)
Nicole Maines (Nia Nal/Dreamer)
GUEST STARS:
Sam Witwer (Ben Lockwood)
Azie Tesfai (Kelly Olsen)
Graham Verchere (George Lockwood)
Andrea Brooks (Eve Tessmacher)
Michael Adamthwaite (Cooper)
Bruce Boxleitner (President Baker)
Rating – 4 (out of 5): Anyone out there besides me want to see Ben Lockwood get all spiky and have his skin turn gray?
You know…for old time’s sake?
(taps microphone) This thing on?
Anyway…
This was an amazing episode. There wasn’t a single scene that I wasn’t invested in on some level. This is the type of show I want to watch, and this is exactly how you ramp up the drama and intrigue and anticipation leading up to the season finale.
Kara and Lena were ostensibly the A plot of the episode and it was great seeing the two of them work together. They played with the secret identity trope in a way that I haven’t seen since Lois and Clark (I’d say Smallville, but Clark didn’t wear a costume until later in the series, so to me Lois and Clark is a better comparison), which made the scenes on the plane and towards the end of their stay in Kaznia feel old school, but still kind of fresh and new because it’s not something this show does often. It did lead to the one moment of the episode that I thought was a bit too retro (Kara not telling Lena about her secret because of a Smallville level guilt monologue made me wince), but it was a lot of fun. Andrea Brooks looked like she was having a ball playing the many and splendored Eves, and we got to see Kara in the suit for a fight scene, which made me happy.
Ben Lockwood went straight up super villain during this episode, which could have been silly, but they played it just right. To be honest, Lockwood getting powers doesn’t seem all that strange now that Jimmy is powered up. The part of this plot that worked the best for me wasn’t the fight with the Martian Manhunter (which was awesome), but the fact that his son has turned on him. I was concerned that the shift George Lockwood made last episode would be gone after the death of his mother, but Ben’s behavior ensured that this wouldn’t happen. It keeps the drama high and puts even more pressure on Ben as a character. More than anything I liked that they zigged when I thought they were going to zag.
The scenes with Alex and Kelly gave this episode the balance it needed. Not only do they have a great chemistry, but it was nice to get back to the fact that Alex wants to be a mother. It all happened so suddenly and then ended just as suddenly, which made it feel all the more real. Sometimes things like this happen in your life. A change pops up and you start rearranging priorities and expectations and the change suddenly seems like the best thing that could ever happen to you and then it’s just gone. Flat gone. And you are left with an emptiness that you can’t quite deal with. It’s one of the most human moments I have ever seen on this show, and it made me connect to Alex in a way I don’t think I have in four seasons.
It also gave me a sad.
With the exception of the previously mentioned scene where Kara almost but ultimately doesn’t reveal her identity to Lena, this was a perfect episode. It made me more excited for the season finale than I was before tonight and can’t wait for the next episode.
Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
Half of this episode was typical emotional out pourings. The rest,..not as bad. People getting powers?? Sorry…..too much for me. 2.5 out of 5.
Did not care for scenes involving Alex wanting to be a mother. Considered them filler. The other scenes were solid story telling and I look forward to the concluding episodes. Kara should also reveal her identity to Lena as soon as possible. They should not drag this out to the point where Lena becomes SuperGirl’s next major villain just because of trust issues.
Agreed……but certain people getting powers and what looks like on the same level as Supergirl is lame deluxe. Only the Martian Manhunter scenes are worth watching and I’m sure they’ll probably screw up his role as well.
Andrea Brooks nearly stole the episode as Miss Tessmacher. The whole Alex baby story was a soap opera bore that took away time from an exciting episode and came up with nothing. Nia is a total dud on the show and is hopefully sent away by the last episode. Ben Lockwood is a good villain, but I kind of felt sorry for him and his son at the end. It was a great Kara and Lena adventure. Alex has been killing the show for years. How much longer do we have to put up with her lackluster side stories that… Read more »
I’m not sure if we’re actually going to get anything “thrilling” out of this soap opera drama. I can’t stomach any more of Alex’s sniveling about wanting to be a mother. It’s as out of place as much as her stupid looking hair style. And your right about token statement Nia. What a waste of screen time. I hate to say it but Legends of Tomorrow is more entertaining to watch than this super turkey. This is EXACTLY why I don’t want a Superman series. It’ll disintegrate into the same crappy drama and totally ruin any desire to see him… Read more »