Astra is back, and she isn’t taking hostages. She’s becoming one!
Supergirl’s episode 8 has Cat Grant’s account being hacked and all her private information slowly being leaked to other media outlets. Winn, James, and Kara quickly get to work in finding the culprit. In addition to this, Supergirl has to face off with her Aunt Astra once again throughout the city skyline. Supergirl gets the upper hand and drags the unconscious Astra into the DEO where it is revealed Allura (Kara’s mum) used Kara to arrest Astra. The DEO soon realise that beating Astra was just a distraction while the other rebel Kryptonians break into Lord Tech. Winn, James, and Kara find Cat’s hacker but, in doing so, Cat learns a very big secret.
It is unfortunate to say that this episode has some of the worst fight sequences. Although in theory a great idea, Supergirl and Astra fight in the city skyline was poor. It pains me to say it, but I liken it to the tape recordings ‘90s children would get of them flying on a rug through the city. I may be further biased against the scene because I don’t like the portrayal of Astra. Although a General and stated as a warrior, every movement Astra makes is stiff.
It is disappointing when looking at the terrible flying graphics then seeing a nameless, one-shot villain seamlessly splitting in two. Yes, the graphics were amazing; the alien looked great. And of course it wouldn’t just be Kryptonians following Astra’s lead from the prison. But to create something aesthetically great with a character without lines is a poor choice of where to put visual effects money.
However, Astra did have some positive moments in this episode. We finally get to see Allura and Astra together, discussing their dying planet. Astra is shown to be affectionate rather than plastic, and passionate rather than cliché. And the response from Kara after realising she was a pawn in Astra’s arrest was phenomenal. The pure grief as Kara screams for answers from her holographic mother are beyond amazing, topped perfectly with an uncontrollable burst of laser vision.
Astra isn’t the only frustrating character within this series. It just so happens the rest are also Kryptonians. In this episode we get to meet Astra’s husband, Non. Non is just as plastic and cliché as Astra usually is. In fact, the biggest cringe worthy moment has Non surrounded by DEO agents. In an awkward attack formation that resembles a body pile up, Non uses his alien strength to throw them off him. This has been used in other shows, mostly cartoons, to show a characters strength. It’s easily a cliché and the execution of this was horrible.
On a positive note, Cat Grant continues to surprise. Kara and her once again have a heart to heart about abandonment. At a young age, Cat made the difficult decision to not be in her first son’s life. The choice clearly tears her apart, but when asked if she regrets it she doesn’t give a direct answer. Cat is passionate about her life, her career, and like she said before to Kara’s “How do you do it?” question: you work up to it. Cat has obviously lived and learned and is very intelligent as shown by her sudden recognition of Kara.
In one, split second, Kara lets it slip she heard a conversation from across the office space and that’s all Cat needs. So, with a glass of what looks to be classy scotch, Cat lays out the evidence: Livewire, Supergirl’s disappearance, Kara’s sickness, the personal aggravation at the name ‘Supergirl’. Kara was cornered in one of the best identity reveals ever.
I so desperately want to write glowing reviews for this show and there certainly have been some amazing things to come from it (thank you, Melissa Benoist). But there are points where the scenes produced are tacky, cliché, and visually poor. However, I’d keep watching it just for those highlights. Because those highlights are masterpieces.
Quote of the Episode: That handsome, little hobbit that has more cardigans than you do. (Cat Grant)
