Amac Productions

Hey there!

After last night’s episode of Supergirl aired I decided I would sleep on it before I posted my review. I wanted to let all of it sink in before I made any snap judgements.

In a way, I’m glad I did. In another, first impressions are usually the right one.

Also, I would like to note first and foremost I despise the fandom discourse and drama revolving around Supergirl since mid season two. It’s a TV show. I like to discuss and look for little things as much as anyone but at the end of the day it’s a TV show made by real people with lives doing a job. It’s not the end all be all and I don’t treat as such.

So this is me respectfully requesting it is kept civil here. Debates and differing opinions are things I live for but I will not tolerate rudeness.

With that being said let’s talk about 3×10 of Supergirl.

The introduction to Brainic 5 was perfect. Or Brainy as he is loving called by friends. He was charmingly clueless. I loved him fangirling over Supergirl when she opened the door. His looking for issues around the apartment to find out her mental state of health. Those odd tidbits to his character brought a little humor and light into the episode.

However, on the flip side I found it rather odd they choose to send in Brainy to Kara’s subconscious as he is the one person she doesn’t know. I understand his knowledge could be key to figuring out how bad her brain was affected in the fight.

But it left me wondering why J’onn himself couldn’t interact with her or play some gateway to introduce Brainy so she would know she was safe with her family. She took Brainy at his word he was there by way of Mon-el. It easily could have sent her spiraling.

As for Mon-el and Kara’s romantic storyline it felt like we finally reached a place where Kara is at peace with the cards she was dealt. After losing him so abruptly her lack of knowledge about his safety and whether or not she really saved him sent her into a depression. She confronted that fear and decided to believe she did. Then she was faced with finding him again, believing for one moment again she could have it all. Only to discover he’s married.

That’s a lot of hits one after another for anyone to deal with. Finally, however in last night’s episode Kara felt happier then she’s been since last season in the final scene with Alex and even in that small brief interaction with Brainy. Mon-el and Kara’s acknowledgement of the not forgotten past was perfect. They still love each other, it won’t go away, but it’s in the past.

Her brief moment with Brainy at the end was cute. It also hinted to the audience there could be another love on the horizon for Kara. Or it could just be a moment of woman enjoying someone’s company, remembering that losing one love doesn’t mean you will never find another. Brainy may represent a fresh start for Kara even if it’s not with him or Mon-el. Who knows what the future may hold?

I personally enjoyed Kara’s relationship with Mon-el last year. I enjoyed how happy she was. But I will enjoy it if she moves on too. I want her to be happy in whatever capacity she chooses. Even if it could be Lena Luthor or no one at all.

As for Lena Luthor and James Olsen’s relationship I have only one word to describe it: Flummoxing.

I’m sorry. I tried. I really honestly did. Honestly, this plot feels like they’re trying again to give James something relevant to the story to do. I think he’s importance is summed up well through how quickly he died in the last crossover and didn’t appear again. They have no idea what to do with him so they made him a love interest again. Only for Lena instead of Kara.

Which I could live with if it hadn’t all been so unbelievably sudden. Much like Kara and Mon-el’s too quick for my taste courtship and get together it hasn’t felt earned. Maggie and Alex had a better build-up between being friends and the time alluded outside of what we see they had been spending together. It felt natural for them to step into a romantic relationship.

Lena and James haven’t been shown or talked about onscreen until one episode ago that they had any infatuation with each other. It was briefly alluded to in episode one and then practically forgotten until 3×09. Making it feel rushed and mishandled like most of the romantic relationships on her save Sanvers. Although, they had one of the worst endings I’ve ever had the misfortune to watch. That is not at all how I would have chosen to end it, but that’s just me, and nobody asked.

On another note outside the romantic entanglements of these characters let’s talk about the fight scenes. If done well fight scenes can be highlight of episodes. If done badly, they are difficult to sit through and cringe-worthy or I spend my time yelling at the screen easy ways to take down enemies or why is that character missing and/or sitting there seemingly powerless. Unfortunately, Supergirl tends to fall into the latter when they involve or don’t involve other powerful characters.

Last night was a prime example. J’onn is a powerhouse rarely used. He finally got to go into battle last night but seemed ineffectual, as did Mon-el. I understood in season one J’onn hiding himself why he didn’t fight more. But over the last two seasons he still seems reluctant to step in and when he does half his power is missing. Why doesn’t he use his mind reading abilities? Just how strong is he?

Mon-el is the leader of the Legion but he did little in the fight. He was saved by Imra and Brainy and Supergirl took down Reign. I understood his hesitance to get involved but when he did he used zero of his superpowers. Also, why did he and Imra decide to fly? They just floated there.

The Supergirl writers have great action scenes or fights when it’s Supergirl on the forefront. If she has partners it’s almost like they don’t know what to do with them if the villain doesn’t match the power of her and her partners combined so they tone them down making it look ridiculous. Supergirl is too powerful and too unbeatable in her own right to always need help. So they give it when she doesn’t need it and take it away when she does.

Speaking of Reign I hope they have a plan for this hatched too soon plot. Reign was set up to be the big bad but unfortunately was set up all wrong for what they’ve done with her. I was looking forward to Sam’s slow descent into evil or at least more then a cop out Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde.

I dislike those plots because they feel like a cop out. Instead of making a likeable character the villain they write in a way out for them so we can keep the character and have a villain too. It doesn’t work. Part of the friend turned villain plotline that makes it so good is the struggle for the hero. See Bucky and Steve. See Clark and Lex from Smallville. See Oliver and Slade from Arrow. The hard part of it and built-in conflict is this is my friend trying to kill me, my family but how do I take down a friend?

Coping out so it’s not really them doing it removes the gravity of the situation. Lowers the stakes. Like playing with Monopoly Money.

As a writer myself, there has to be a level of understanding that all the characters are up for grabs, no one is above suffering, or being evil, or anything. On Arrow I was frustrated with the island blowing up last season and only one person dying. Everyone else survived even they suffered there is no way an island rigged with mines only killed ONE person. If you’re going to go big, you have to be prepared to GO BIG.

But that’s just me. I like it when writers, shows, movies, and books push the limits.

Well, those were my thoughts. If you have any questions or comments feel free to drop them on by. I love discussing or debating. I only ask for politeness. We can have a perfectly nice conversation!

Read on!