On this week’s episode of Supergirl, my hatred for Maxwell Lord deepens.
Not only does Supergirl find out she is being followed by drones, Kara gets stuck between the broken love of James and Lucy while having to look after Cat Grants son. Kara continues to stretch herself thin as she stops a building from collapsing, speeds a ticking bomb from the city, and is forced to choose between an airport bomb and a train bomb to stop from detonating.
The first three quarters of this episode really dragged as Kara jumped between work, DEO, and the field. There were some great moments of sisterly relationship advice and the writers are still playing on the crush Wynn has. However, they didn’t address the kiss on the cheek he gave Kara last episode. Minute, yes, but Kara obviously freaked a little. Why wasn’t it brought up?
The story really starts to gain momentum by the climax with Supergirl torn between a suicide bomber on a high speed train and a bomb planted at the airport Lucy Lane is leaving from. James immediately assumes she is going to save the airport (and Lucy). With how much James seems to be in love with Lucy by the episode’s finish, I can only assume he’s going to have some harsh words for Kara for not going to the airport.
By the episodes end it is revealed that all the bombs were planned by Maxwell (Douchebag) Lord to test Supergirl’s agility, strength, speed, and hopefully learn who she is. He is a man of science, which strengthens the lunacy behind his actions and makes him almost like what Lex Luthor was to Superman. However, if Alex and he get romantically involved, I am going to slap someone.
The audience also gets to see further development of DEO agent Hank Henshaw. So far, we know his eyes can glow and apart from finding the lock on your door at night I don’t think it would be helpful. This episode we find out he has abnormal strength as he tore the metal casing from a bomb. But Alex and Kara are realising he’s not all human. Kara catches him with glowing eyes as she dozes in and out of consciousness while Alex notices he disarmed the airport bomb that couldn’t be disarmed. As to who or what he is, there is a theory that he could be Martian Manhunter. There is a character by the same name in the Superman Universe and he is closely linked to Lex Luthor. Whether Henshaw is one of these options or not, it will be interesting to find out.
I use the word “interesting” as his character isn’t really intriguing. The close up of his face in this episode as his eyes glowed was disappointing and his swing from celebrating Supergirl as an “asset” to berating her isn’t working. The most fascinating reveal he’s had was that he once had a family but there has been nothing more on that.
In an interesting turn of events, we learn that Cat Grant also has family. Miss Grant has a son named Carter who is severely shy and intelligent. Kara quickly gets him to laugh and speak out. He even jokes with his mother, to her surprise. What’s awesome is that the actor, Levi Miller, is an Australian and will be playing Peter in the 2015 movie Pan. Keep an eye on this kid, it looks like he’s going places.
Overall, too much of this episode moved at a crawl. The flying is great, until there’s a close up on Supergirl. She hasn’t been blended with her background well at all. But it is good to see another villain creep up on Kara.
Quote of the Episode: Take that, friend zone. (Kara)
