Laser takes down Supergirl. Photo/Cosmic Book News
This past week on Supergirl, Kara took the responsibility of integrating Mon-El into society by getting him a job and showing him how to act (and dress) more human. No easy task, he proves to be a handful with eyes only for idleness, partying, and Jimmy’s secretary.
If that isn’t bad enough, the dreaded Cadmus resurfaces to make things worse for the city by flooding the streets with alien weapons. Common criminals and deadly extraterrestrial technology don’t mix, turns out.
Action is aplenty to be had but ratings are sagging without Hoechlin’s Superman (and arguably without Lynda Carter). For Supergirl to thrive, the show can’t rely on guest appearances and gimmicks all the time and short viewers on humor, charm, and pathos. Stories and plot have to get moving and, fortunately, they are.
In individual character arcs, Jimmy Olsen is sick of standing on the sidelines so he wants badly to be a hero. To that end, he puts himself at risk and persuades friend and employee Winn (Jeremy Jordan) to build him a suit (which never goes wrong for the sidekick, ever).
And Kara’s sister, Alex, does some introspection over the nature of her relationship with Maggie Sawyer. The two are likely more than friends and Alex wants to be more open with herself.
These are the interesting storylines to follow and Supergirl is much stronger as a character-driven drama that winks at its loyal fanbase than as a program that tries to be topical. Social commentary is more of an afterthought and is held down because it only feeds the plans of the two-dimensional villain of the week/season.
We know what to expect from a Luthor, or a Cadmus, or a Phantom Zone escapee. There isn’t a lot of fresh terrain to tread there. When the show takes chances with Jimmy Olsen, Mon-El, and Alex Danvers on the other hand, it shines.
