Superman Homepage writer Michael Bailey reviews episodes from the “Supergirl” TV series, airing on The CW.
Check out his review of the 5th episode of Season 5 in which, on the eve of the worldwide launch of Andrea Rojas’s (Julie Gonzalo) VR contact lenses, Kara (Melissa Benoist) and William (Staz Nair) team up on an investigation that exposes a terrorist plot. Kelly (Azie Tesfai) and Alex (Chyler Leigh) celebrate an anniversary, but Alex’s safety is in jeopardy.
Originally Aired: November 3, 2019
WRITTEN BY: Rob Wright and Daniel Beaty
DIRECTED BY: Alysse Leite-Rogers
REGULAR CAST:
Melissa Benoist (Kara/Supergirl)
Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers)
Mechad brooks (James Olsen)
Jesse Rath (Brainiac 5)
Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor)
Nicole Maines (Nia Nal/Dreamer)
GUEST STARS:
Azie Tesfai (Kelly Olsen)
Andrea Brooks (Hope)
Staz Nair (William Day)
Phil LaMarr (Malefic J’onzz)
Nick Sagar (Rip Roar)
Julie Gonzalo (Andrea Rojas)
Patti Allan (Leviathan Agent)
Rating – 3 (out of 5): This episode was a real mixed bag. There was some good, but there was a lot of wonky scenes as well. It was weird. It’s like the episode couldn’t decide on a tone.
The scenes with Lena and Malefic were my favorite of the week. Part of that had to do with seeing Phil LaMarr in on camera work but the writing in those scenes was very strong and there was a neat cat and mouse game going on between the characters. Malefic seemed to think that he was the cat in the situation, but the final moments between the two towards the end of the episode showed that Lena was playing a longer game.
The rest of the episode was so weird. The forward momentum with William Day and his quest to unmask Rojas is great in theory, but there were scenes that played like an intriguing thriller and then some scenes, like the dream sequence where Day confronts Rojas, was way over the top. I get that these sorts of sequences are usually played at a broader level, but this sort of feeling permeated the rest of the episode.
The Kelly/Alex relationship is becoming more of a distraction. Up until this episode Kelly was played as a confident woman, so it was interesting to see another side of her as she broke down in the (apparently only) bathroom in the building and admitted to Nia that seeing Alex in danger brought back traumatic memories. The character that deals with PTSD experiences PTSD. It should have been a fantastic character moment, but the acting in those scenes felt so thin, like the actors weren’t 100% committed to the moment. It makes sense that this sort of conflict would come up Alex and Kelly’s relationship given the background of both characters. It just felt off.
Brainy was way too over the top this week. All around. It was annoying because I like the character.
Nia saving everyone was a good moment for the character. I’m just not sure it made sense that she would be powerful enough to do what she did.
Rip Roar was a sub-par villain trapped in a good plot.
J’onn and Kara doing the super-hero thing was great, but the dialogue was so bad in those scenes.
Leviathan is finally showing its head and the revelation that Andrea is connected to that group was not surprising, but I was leaning towards her being a major player and now I’m not so sure. This was a good example of why this episode was so frustrating. There is the potential for greatness in this season and they keep getting close, but it just doesn’t click in the end. I’m hoping that it will finally all come together and we may have to wait until Crisis is over for that to happen.
Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
The effects on this show are to the point of being cartoon-ish. Why would Jon be flying around not being in Martian Manhunter form? Lena’s makeup looks like she getting ready for a coffin. There’s too many sub stories going on and Dreamer is totally out of place. This show id becoming tedious to watch. It is obvious that this show is suffering from a budgetary stand point. They make Superman and Lois and it’s going to go down this same road. Are people really willing to see that? You really want to see Superman down graded to this level?… Read more »
Honestly I don’t trust a Superman show in the hands of the CW. I have no interest in seeing a Team Superman. Nor a continuation of this Superman. I prefer if the just rebooted everything on HBO Max.
Yes I want to see a Superman show, the ratings for the episodes that Superman showed up on shows a lot of people want a Superman show. Your question has been answered.
Well I guess there are people that would rather see Superman down graded to this level just to see “Superman”! You don’t care about quality or can easily over look it, then I’m sure they’ll deliver. As for the ratings. The moment it becomes a weekly series it won’t take but a few episodes to taper off.
I am sure you would prefer Snyder take over… then there would be no Superman show or any Arrowverse show for that matter. Quality is what keeps shows on the air and movies being successful..luckily WB/DC doesn’t listen to your opinion. Nor shall I.
I would give anything to have a big screen MoS sequel directed by Snyder. Henry back in the saddle as well.
I’m not sure you can describe what I’ve said as an opinion when it’s been happening in front of our eyes. There’s not one valid reason to expect that they would make a Superman/Lois series ANY OTHER WAY! And having the burnt out Lois angle would be nothing more than supplying weekly distracting side stories that’ll further add to the side of “less” Superman and more nauseating soap opera dramas.
And this is were your opinion comes in. I will agree there are to many side stories going on, but overall the stories have kept it interesting enough for each show to keep going from season to season. It is definitely an opinion you stated, and the Snyder directed anything DC is an opinion that cost us some great DC movies because his were not very good. Yes that is my opinion and by the numbers his movies brought in, the majority opinion. Which would be the same opinion that has kept the Arrowverse successful and could make for a… Read more »
Tyler makes a better Superman? Maybe on the TV screen. Cavill was a great Superman. But fortunately his role won’t be down graded by being on, “The Adventures of Domesticated Superman/Lois”. Which is exactly what the CW will crank out. SO…your right in that sense, in that Tyler is much more suited for barf like that.
Cavill could have been a great Superman, thanks to Snyder he sucked, all’s he did was mope around and grimace a lot. Maybe you should go hang out at the Snyder Fan club site, seems your more a fan of him Than Superman. last words.
When are you going to start reviewing Titans.
Good Question.
If someone would like to step up and review Titans for us, I’d definitely be interested. We’re always looking for volunteers to help out.