Amac Productions

Alright, where do I start?

I feel like Supergirl as a show is asking similar questions. Where do I start? How do we get from point A to point Z?

This episode felt like filler mixed in with some threads for the overall plot.

Let’s start with the trip to Fort Rozz. The bit about the blue star killing anyone with a Y chromosome felt like a contrived plot to make sure the only people going on this trip were woman. It felt like the show was shouting: Look! We’re feminist! 

Unfortunately, the set up for sending four women into space was poorly thought out. For a cast who has multiple females in it, only one main character went off on this journey. Alex was sidelined – understandably – due to injury. Lena Luthor, is the other main female and, to Supergirl’s detriment, has no clue about her best friend’s secret identity and therefore cannot help either.

Instead, they brought in Livewire, Psi, and Saturn Girl. Interesting combo, I must admit. I will also be the first to say I’m not expert when it comes to writing TV shows or books as I am unpublished. I speak firmly as someone who enjoys writing, and wishes to further her craft, but also as a fan.

Livewire is an excellent choice as even J’onn puts it, they have history. As an audience member I have history with Livewire too. And during her last showdown she proved to be more then a villain. Her return and ending fit perfectly into this group. Not just with history with everyone but as someone who nearly took down Supergirl. In season one she was credited with enough power to stop Supergirl’s heart. Also, due to her less then upstanding status in the community she is just as interested in stopping Reign as everyone else.

I do have one complaint about Livewire’s ending. I loved the idea of her stance changing. That in some twisted way, she and Supergirl are friends of sort. The same kind of respect between them as there is between Captain Cold and The Flash. The only compliant I have is the fact she died due to heat vision. Flashback to season one where she easily took Kara’s heat vision and used it for energy, making her stronger.

As for Psi, I understand her motive to help would fall under not wanting to die but at the same time I cared little for the character. This is a bad episode to get me to care about her as well. There are too many things going on to focus on Psi as someone redeemable like Livewire whose redemption shined in another episode. Psi felt a little out of place, but due to her extreme power I can understand wanting her along.

Last but most certainly not least the character who did nothing but open a door in this episode, Imra. Honestly, when the four of them walked off I said to myself I trust Livewire to have Kara’s back more then anyone else. For episode after episode we’ve watched Imra be nice, perfect, kind, somewhat heroic, and seemingly worship Kara. This was fine for her introduction because the writers wanted the audience to like her, to show she and Kara will not outright hate each other because of Mon-el.

However, the longer this goes on the more suspicious I’m becoming. Characters who seem sweet and wholesome on the outside for such a long stretch of time can go in one of two ways.

One: They are a boring stock character with no real purpose to the plot then to be a love interest, an obstacle, a character to be killed when convenient, or a quick one off.

Two: There’s more going on beneath the surface we haven’t seen come to light yet. Sometimes, the most seemingly innocent of characters have hidden motives.

With such a lack of development on Imra’s character with such an opportunity here in this episode to let her shine outside of being Mon-el’s wife makes me wonder what her purpose is.

This would have been a good time for Kara and Imra to bond or have a real meaningful conversation outside of their relationships with Mon-el. It would have been nice to see her struggle with something. See her struggle with being a hero and Kara talking her through it. See her save the ship. See her defeat someone in combat. See her come to Kara’s rescue. Yet none of those things happen. Instead she opens a door, gets hit by Psi, can’t fix the ship, and does nothing of substance.

She falls flat the whole episode.

Even during her psych off with Psi where the audience wonders for a moment maybe there is something it never comes to fruition. That moment bugged me. It seemed tossed in even if it does lead to something more it left me wondering if I’m reading too much into it or seeing things.

Psi seemed to lose control. For a telepath that strong, with such power, and so controlled the last time we saw her it seems ridiculous she suddenly lost control over her power. The whole scene which was never really addressed as in the character never got to the bottom of what happened. There wasn’t even a moment at the end where Psi tells Supergirl something cryptic. So, what happened in that moment? They both have similar powers. Is it like touching metal across a car battery? A spark? Or did Psi see something? Did Imra see something? Will this ever be addressed?

Will Imra ever be a real character or was she just tossed in to kill Kara and Mon-el? Or to be an obstacle for them? Honestly, I hope she gets something of substance and some character depth soon because I like any character dropped in to cause drama to at least be more then filler.

As for Ruby and Alex’s storyline involving bullying, exes, and babysitting it was very cute. I know I’ve seen some comments about why would Alex talk about an ex with child? Just because Ruby is a child doesn’t mean she can’t help or be someone she talks to. Alex discussed nothing inappropriate with her. An ex texted, it happens, and it put Alex in a funky mood Ruby picked up on and asked about.

Children are curious by nature and tend to see the world clearer then adults. Sometimes, they’re easy to talk to.  Anyway, regardless it was cute to see them bonding together.

The text from Maggie seemed rather odd. Why is she going out of the country all of a sudden? Vacation? Why didn’t she want to see Alex? Outside of the obviously not having the actress. It felt like it was forced in to remind us Alex has not healed completely from the break-up and is still getting used to her new normal. Also, could the people working on Supergirl get on the same page? The text clearly did not match the envelope Alex wrote. Something I caught without even comparing the two.

The day of babysitting with Ruby melded perfectly into Sam picking her up and realizing she’s rapidly losing time during her days. So much she’s even missed work trips. Her coming clean to Alex, a trusted friend, felt perfect because Sam is exactly the type of person who would confess she’s having a problem and needs help.

I wonder how long before they realize she and Reign are one in the same. If they can pull this plot together well enough the problem I talked about last week about losing the gravity of the situation might not be a problem. Knowing it’s Sam and not knowing how to save her might prove just as awful as a slow descent into evil. I hope they pull it off because right now they have me feeling for poor Sam who has no clue what’s really happening.

Last but not least, Brainy. In two episodes both Winn and Kara have out thought him. I know some people are probably wondering why. Watch Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory to understand sometimes the smartest people can be the dumbest. I do find him funny and a good addition but I’m still wondering the Legion’s true purpose here. They need to step up the reveal sometime soon or at least start dropping hints.

I would like someone to explain why we’re still having such significant Kara and Mon-el scenes if that ship is dead in the water. The end with the two of them bonding over being leaders felt weird because it should be over. For good. Why do they need to bond? What’s the endgame? If she’s supposed to be moving on for good the ending would have worked better with Brainy. Are they going to be friends now before he leaves? Aren’t they anyway? They still love each other despite everything? They’re already on good terms. Where are we going with this?

Lastly, Alex and Kara at the beginning were adorable. I also think Kara should not cast stones about bad babysitting considering her literal train wreck go of it during season one. At least, Alex didn’t forget to pick her up or leave on a train with a crazy bomber around. I would also love seeing the two wonderful actresses from earlier this season playing out that whole night with The Shining.

So, those are my thoughts on the latest episode of Supergirl! Let me know what you think about it!

Read on!