10.03 – Supergirl Review
by: Summers
I thought it was a solid episode, and a great set-up to “Homecoming”. Next week’s 200th episode will probably be one of the most pivotal episode in Clark’s journey in these past ten years. My favorite parts were:
Supergirl’s Arrival - I loved how she stopped the billboard from falling with a wink to boot! Seeing Kara in her Linda Lee Danvers disguise was far better on-screen than in episode still. I’m glad Kara didn’t die off, or go into the future just yet with the Legion. The mature Kara is actually great flow from “Bloodline”, however; my only complaint was they really really rushed things with her character. Don’t get me wrong I loved that she referenced the House of El, but I felt there were too many holes in my Swiss cheese. I would have liked to know how Jor-El contacted Kara, and the things she experienced. As Laura hinted that this episode “might” be Kara’s last appearance it makes me wonder if TPTB are scheduling things with ABC right now or soon during V‘s filming schedule to have Kara to return since we now know she is staying on Earth. I know some things were edited out, due to the writers’ tweets, so there will be great deleted scenes to watch on the final dvd boxset from this episode. Laura just looked amazing in this episode as well.
The House of El Cousins - My favorite scenes with Kara were with Clark. I loved their 2nd flying lesson, and it was quite different than the first time in “Vertias”. In “Vertias” that scene is still one of my favorites since it was covered with tease, banter, and support. In “Supergirl” the lesson had a complete different atmosphere to it. Kara talked to Clark without the playful teasing tone, and I loved how it helped Clark to block the world out. The tease of the flight was written great because we saw Clark at least literally try to fly. He wasn’t Kal-El of Krypton or in a Fortress of Solitude simulation, but actually Clark jumping off the Kent Farm’s memorable windmill. Clark falling into the barn, back first no doubt, was priceless. I don’t care how many times I seen this done, no matter the superhero, it never gets old.
That said I loved that she acknowledged to both Lois and Clark that she has flaws and is just as lonely as anyone else. That she isn’t of “pure of heart” (something Darkseid said to Lois in the church), and that she has issues as well. The moment she said that I truly wanted to know more, and it imply quite a lot on why she was mixed-up so much in the beginning of the episode with the present feud between Clark and A.I. Jor-El. There is a lot of stuff we truly don’t know about Kara’s journey this past year and half because the way she told Clark she is flawed just like him shows even though she is staying on Earth to help stop this “darkness” she knows how dangerous this is. That she could be possessed herself.
I do think there is a lot more things going on that aren’t being said. Perhaps Kara knows more than what she is letting on with A.I. Jor-El motives since she was trying to get Darkseid to go after her than after Clark. Hence plastering her face all over the place. On that line what if A.I. Jor-El is pulling a Dumbledore from theOrder of the Phoenix. Dumbledore didn’t really acknowledge Harry throughout the entire school year to protect Harry from Lord Voldermort. Even though it hurt Harry so much his character grew so much in that book. He stepped up his game. Inspired others from all of the four houses, and basically taught Dumbledore’s Army. That kinda reminds me what is happening with A.I. Jor-El and Clark the pass couple of episodes. If this isn’t some kind of reverse psychology I will be surprised. Having Kara admit her own issues shows Kara is quite close to her own Supergirl status. She’s not there yet, but she’s slowly but surely getting there.
Clois Reunion - Bumbling, stuttering Clark around Lois was just too adoreable. I didn’t know what to expect from the reunion, but I loved how they did it. It was awkward, referenced “Salvation” dialogue, Lois’ hatred for doing good-byes, and her letter. I enjoyed the support Clois gave for one another whether it be for their own safety, or Lois doing the very best she can in being there for Clark all the while keeping the secret hidden. Lois just kicked major booty in this episode from her journalistic thrive with nifty undercover costumes to giving positive support to Ollie, Kara, and Clark. Love that Lois is “pure of spirit” thus knocking out one option Darkseid can’t possess, but he already planted the seed of the Anti-Hero sentiment. All in the matter of three weeks!
Darkseid - Thus far I’m enjoying how they are doing this epic DC villain. Yes, it’s quite similar to Supernatural‘s demon possessing characters due to the black eyes and smoke or a phantom zoner from the show’s season 6 days. Other than that I truly enjoyed it because he was just plain creepy me out. The way he spoke to Godfrey’s publicist and to Clark himself was truly Darkseid. He’s that malipulative, ruthless, and we only seen tip of the iceberg with him. He truly did creep me out in this episode.
Oliver Queen is Green Arrow - I knew Ollie’s pubic reveal would not only remind me of Tony Stark’s public reveal in Iron Man, but also of Peter Parker’s reveal in Marvel’s Civil War when he showed his face to the world in New York’s Time Square. Where this Anti-Hero movement is going reminds me a lot of Marvel’s Superhuman Registration Act or Mutant Registration Act. That said I think it’s good to note that back in 1979 and 1987 DC Comics had their own unmasking act frenzy with the House Committee on Un-American Activities (an actual committee from the U.S. House of Representatives), Ingersoll Amendment, and later on the Keene Act (which has been mentioned in the Suicide Squad comics but more memorable in The Watchmen). The Keene Act basically outlawed non-government affiliated vigilantes. So even though these unmasking registration acts are far more associated with Marvel’s comic and/or movie universes DC Comics have also discussed it from time to time. That said no matter the comic universe these registration acts always always cause chaos. There is no way around it, and in the end sides are sometimes drawn and there is always something lurking behind the curtain that flourishs in this chaos. In this context it’s Darkseid.
Oliver Queen thought he had a rough road, but what lays ahead of him now is just going to get harsher. I hope the writers go in context of heroes that eventually do their public reveals. It’s never easy. Ollie already has one count against him, and that’s his wealthy status. No matter how one wants to look at its how much money one has is always ridculed first. Personally, I find Oliver’s public reveal storyline far more interesting than him going after Chloe (which btw I’m impressed on how they are handling this departure in regards to Clark and Lois’ reactions). The writers have a lot of potential here to the point of Oliver’s destiny in Star City. To slowly take away his money ways to a degree and get down and dirty. To place where you can see the man he will become in the iconic comic and Justice League Unlimited cartoon series with facial hair and all. I’ve always loved these registration storylines in my superhero stories, so I can’t wait to see how this story develops throughout the season.
References - Superman Returns nod . Instead of having Clark floating above the barn floor SV!Clark fell back first lol. Power Girl which is Supergirl’s Earth 2 counterpart and would later become it’s own character. “Maiden of Might” is one of Supergirl’s nickname. The Anti-Hero movement leading to DC and Marvel’s registration acts. Glorious Godfrey was of course one of Darkseid’s minions, and the writers kept true to this character’s main trait. Which is persuasion and leaving little seeds in the minds around him. I wonder if SV!Darkseid will be showing his host’s primary character trait, and the writers are merely using the name as a shout-out to the comics. Or will we eventually see see one of Darkseid’s minion without his possession. That they travelled via boom tube or whatever to help their boss in conquering Earth. Just curious on how they will play this out.
Overall, I thought the episode was solid and allowed a great set-up to “Homecoming” next week. I like that the writers did a solid foundation in the storylines from “Lazarus” to “Supergirl”. So when “Homecoming” hits and episodes after will give us some of the show’s most epic moments.
