Superman Homepage writer Michael Bailey reviews episodes from the “Supergirl” TV series, airing on The CW.
Check out his review of the 10th episode of Season 6 in which Kelly (Azie Tesfai) meets Joey (guest star Aiden Stoxx), a young orphaned alien boy, who is acting out in foster care because he fears there is something wrong with his brother Orlando (guest star Jhaleil Swaby), who is incarcerated. Kelly asks Kara (Melissa Benoist) to help her investigate and they stumble upon abuse at the prison. Meanwhile, Nyxly (Peta Sergeant) crashes one of Nia’s (Nicole Maines) dreams and asks her for help.
Originally Aired: September 7, 2021
WRITTEN BY: Jess Kardos
TELEPLAY BY: Nicki Holcomb & Jen Troy
DIRECTED BY: Jesse Warn
REGULAR CAST:
Melissa Benoist (Kara Danvers/Supergirl)
Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers)
Jesse Rath (Brainiac 5)
Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor)
Nicole Maines (Nia Nal/Dreamer)
David Harewood (J’onn J’onnz)
Staz Nair (William Dey)
GUEST STARS:
Julie Gonzalo (Andrea Rojas)
Peta Sergeant (Nxylgsptinz)
Aiden Stoxx (Orlando Davis)
Kate Burton (Isabel Nal)
Kari Matchett (Councilwoman Rankin)
Rating – 4 (out of 5): While I didn’t like this episode as much as I did the previous one, this episode was still solid and enjoyable. The socio-political commentary was heavier handed this time out, but not as soap box standing as it has been in the past.
The only part of the episode that I would consider weak was the speech Andrea gave about social media. It felt like someone that had a kind of/sort of handle on what social media is but vastly over-estimates its place in the world. Nothing she said was technically wrong. Social media is a powerful tool and can be a force for change, both good and bad. But it still sounded like an old person trying to explain something that the kids these days are doing.
I could be wrong about this.
Supergirl’s end of the episode was a great play on the idea that as powerful as she is sometimes it’s a regular person that can make a difference. The issues that the episode discussed are real and, in all honesty, they didn’t go into it as hard as they could have. There is a housing crisis in the United States right now and the idea of a big tech company buying up an apartment complex and making it inaccessible to lower income people is not some far out concept. I’ll give the episode credit for trying to give both sides of the issue, but Rankin’s side was played a little more two dimensionally, though, to be fair, she sounded like your average politician that is far more interested in her legacy and looking like she is doing something rather than actually serving all of her constituents. Once again, the ending of the council voting against the project was the most unbelievable part of a show where there is a woman from another planet that flies and shoots lasers out of her eyes. I buy the idea that Supergirl exists more than politicians actually helping the common man.
Jaded? Probably.
Nia getting to see her mother one more time was emotional, and the show is finally dealing with her learning how to interpret her dreams better. This show has been great about making her a powerful character with visually interesting abilities, but it all started with her dream powers, and they took way too long to get to this point. Having her release Nxyly gave the whole scenario more emotional weight and I liked that her mother didn’t shy away from telling her how wrong that was. The writing made it clear that Nia had her reasons and that mistake made me like the character even more because it’s a very human thing to do. The only issue I had is that they glossed over the horribly transphobic thing her sister said to her when it came out that Nia was the one with the powers. I felt like that should have been addressed because forgetting that makes Nia look like the one not reaching out.
Again, a fun episode. Kelly’s training is coming along exactly like I thought it would be played out. I’m glad the show didn’t fall into the trope of having Alex being hard on her and the two having issues because of it. J’onn didn’t have much to do this time out, but I was glad to see him. The ending with Mxyzptlk showing up was fun and I like how the show is having the final moments of the episode lead into the first moments of the next episode. It’s giving the final season a more serialized feel.
Check out the “Supergirl – Episode Reviews” Contents page.
I’m genuinely a positive person, and I really wish that this episode was one that I liked, but I have to be honest. I didn’t like it. I have to give this episode a 2 out of 5 rating. There were just a lot things in this episode that I think needed work. For starters, a lot of politics. I understand that these are topics that are important to some viewers, but I feel that the politics on Supergirl have taken over her show. I look at this final season and compare it to the first season and I can’t… Read more »
I agree with your thoughts on this episode. 2 out of 5 is what I would rate it as well. Supergirl really does feel like a supporting player in her own show right now. And just like you, I tune in to see her and her adventures, not the superfriends. It feels very much like a bad team-up show, with a heavy focus characters I’m not particularly interested in. Also not loving the heavy does of superficial politics. I’m a firm believer in keeping politics out of creative storytelling. Good writing focuses on characters, plot, and conflict. Unless it’s specifically… Read more »
Yeah, it kinda feels like Supergirl already had her series finale when she was freed from the Phantom Zone and reunited with her father. This kinda feels like a first season of the Superfriends show at this point. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a Superfriends show planned after Supergirl concludes. There’s just a lot of evidence that points in that direction.
As for politics for Superman in movies , shows, animation, or comics, personally I don’t want to know what his politics are or be told what his politics are. I think it’s better for the fans to decide for themselves on what those politics are. What one fan thinks of what Superman’s politics are may not be what another fan thinks. For his politics to be in the unknown prevents any exclusion I think. That way it prevents the“ well Superman wouldn’t agree with your politics” kind of talk if he doesn’t say what those politics are. And some fans… Read more »
Since I had mentioned Superman earlier , I wanted to tell a brief funny but true related Superman story that happened to me today. So I went to my local dollar store to see if by chance they had any movies that I could buy in their small movie aisle. I came across a horror movie called the Domestics. I decided to buy it because it starred actor Tyler Hoechlin. When I got home I realized that his costar is Kate Bosworth. So do you know what this means?………..
Its Superman and Lois!
😀 lol
Brainiac gets a hair cut, the rest all social drama. So far this season feels like the last three. Reduced flying effects to “woshing” sounds then camera cuts and shes standing there. Too much ‘woke” for me. Thought maybe this last season they might shelve socialist/liberal drivel. Could never stand her new suit as well. Oh well!!