Supergirl Episode 313: Both Sides Now

Supergirl episode 313, titled Both Sides Now, aired this week and continued to do a fine job of both propelling the Reign storyline as well as building up the internal theme of humanity, that is being humane, as being a strength required in these days.

This time the focus of the story is on Purity, the second of the World Killers, and how more in tune she is with her human side. Throughout the story we see a struggle between those halves, about who is in control.

And we also see how anger and fear and feeling worthless can lead someone down a path to being a monster. This time the magnifying glass is on Alex. In a sort of turnaround, it is Kara who is espousing the importance of reaching out and being human now. And it is Alex who is acting the cold, calculating, cruel agent. That is not what we saw in the early episodes of the season. Of course, Kara is healing now. And Alex is was with Maggie then. I suppose this is a way the writers can show that we are complex creatures with complex feelings. And it is only through love and support that we will remain compassionate, lifting each other up as we all stumble through life.

Not that this episode was all just a philosophical exercise in love and hate. There was a ton of action in this episode that kept things brisk.

Lastly, I must sound like a broken record by now but Melissa Benoist and Chyler Leigh continue to crush it week in and week out. In this episode in particular Chyler Leigh shows us the hardened soldier who is denying her feelings as she metes out what she thinks is justice. Just powerful.

On to the show.

The episode starts right up into the action as we see that the DEO has discovered where Julia (Purity) Freeman lives, in a nice quiet suburb.

The squad shows up and breaks down the door to try and find her, only to find Julia sitting down, listening to music with her earphones in, singing 'Stay' by Lisa Loeb.

When she sees the DEO crew, she is initially scared and Supergirl tells the agents to stand down. But Alex isn't taking any chances. She points her gun at Julia and demands she freezes.

We learn a little about why Alex is so quick to action from an emotional standpoint later in the episode. But I suppose seeing her sister nearly slaughtered by the last World Killer might put her on edge and quick to act.

I did love this mobilization of the team. I mean Supergirl, J'onn J'onzz, and Mon-El? That's a tough team even without Alex and the agents. But there is something sort of cool about this entrance! 

Alex's sudden threat kicks the Purity part of Julia to take control.

As Purity, she has a mix of sonic powers. When she concentrates, almost like when Saiyans power-up in Dragon Ball, waves of force seem to emanate from her, tossing people and things around. And she also can actual scream, like Silver Banshee, to more discreetly pick people off one at a time.

In a nice use of teamwork and powers, Kara uses her breath to create an ice wall as shield. And then J'onn phases through the wall to slap power-dampening cuffs on her. We actually get to see J'onn use intangibility twice this episode! Hurray for us! But that was good teamwork.

Back at the DEO, Alex is crowing about how easy it was to take down Purity. But Kara is concerned. After all, in her human persona, Julia was asking for help. And that is what Kara wants to do ... help people. But Alex thinks it is all a ruse. She's a world killer, after all a Kryptonian cache crystal was found in Julia's home.

In what I think are the best scenes in the episode, we see Kara and Alex basically play good cop/bad cop as they interrogate her in the DEO, vying for Julia/Purity's trust or information.

Kara calls the prisoner 'Julia, humanizing her. She says she wants to help her. She knows there is good inside her. She reads all they know about Julia ... hoping to reach her. How she is allergic to milk, majored in music, had a roommate, saved her friend. It all shows that she isn't a world killer. She isn't a murderer.

But dispersed, even when Kara seems to be reaching something on the inside, Alex steps in and is just brutal. She calls Purity a bug under glass, meat and bones that people are eager to dissect. She says how the imprisonment will slowly wear down Purity's bravado until Purity feels like she'll be ready to peel off her own skin. It is about as over the top as you can get. But it is said with such cutting venom that it doesn't sound camp. Chyler Leigh really sells it.

In the end, Kara and Alex confront each other on their respective interrogation techniques. Kara continues to state that she has hope, that she thinks she can reach Julia. But, in something which sounds extremely cold ... even from Agent Danvers, Alex says she is cynical because cynicism is what keeps humans alive. This sounds harsh from the woman who earlier this season was telling Kara to grasp her humanity and open herself up to feelings. So this is a switch.

We get a peek behind the curtain of this change in attitude when they confront Purity again. This time Purity says she can see into Alex's soul and see how damaged she is since leaving Maggie. There is a 'hole' in her. Alex feels weak. She feels rage which is based on loneliness. Alex let her chance at happiness walk away and now she is angry.

It shakes Alex. We know it's true. Even Winn can sense that Alex needs some support and runs up and hugs her. I love how all these characters are there to support each other and truly love each other. This was a quick moment but so powerful for me.

There is a B plot. Lena has returned to LCorp and basically forces Sam to take a leave of absence. She reminds Sam that she knows Sam is a hard and brilliant worker. But the ongoing situation requires Sam to take care of herself and Ruby.

Look, you can't have someone with day long blackouts running a billion dollar organization. From a business perspective, this has to happen. But from a personal perspective it has to as well.

Sam picks up Ruby for a day of fun. But while off ice skating, Reign kicks in and Sam abandons Ruby. Not knowing who else to call, Ruby calls Lena who picks her up from the rink. Here we learn that Ruby has recognized what is happening to her mother. She knows about the blackouts. It has to be scary for her. 

In the end, Supergirl's faith in tuning into Julia's humanity is shaken. The two speak Kryptonian to each other, talking about defying each other. The language sounds very rough and guttural, almost Klingon-like. I always thought Kryptonese would be mellifluous and musical.

At that time, Julia's Kryptonian crystal (which the DEO has been trying to decode) explodes, sending out an EMP. Suddenly Purity is free from her power-dampening cell. With a sort of cat-like, determined, scarily assured manner, she strolls through the DEO. She blasts Kara and all sort of agents before flying off.

Serious kudos to Krys Marshall, who plays Julia/Purity, for so effortlessly and wonderfully slipping in and out of the two personas. Purity is outright scary.

There is another subplot which I found a little annoying to be honest.

The Legion ship needs an energy boost from the battery J'onn has in his car. Mon-El doesn't know how to link it all up. When Imra asks him to help he is very cold to her.

Ummm ... isn't there a 12th level intelligence roaming around somewhere who could probably do this in his sleep? Where is Brainiac.

Later, J'onn decides to have a little father/son chat with Mon-El. While sipping Martian moonshine, Mon-El reveals that his marriage to Imra was a political one to bring Titan into the United Planets. But after years, the two learned to love and respect each other.

But now, around Kara, all the wild, passionate love he felt when with Supergirl is back. He is conflicted. And he is hiding those feelings from his wife (albeit pretty badly). Ultimately, J'onn tells Mon-El that he can't hide things from his wife.

Winn creates ear plugs that will blunt the effect of Purity's scream. Reign is told by the dark priestess to find and bring Purity to the Fortress to teach her.

The DEO finds Purity on a subway and a brawl ensues in the train station. Realizing her powers won't work completely given the team's defenses, Purity tries to take down the roof of the place. While J'onn holds up the ceiling and Alex escorts out the civilians, Purity goes hand-to-hand with Kara and Mon-El. Mon-El is easily dispatched. And Kara is on the receiving end of a modified Scorpion Deathdrop/Atomic Backbreaker and ends up in a choke hold. Basically Supergirl loses.

It is only when Alex reaches out to the Julia side of things that everything calms. Julia isn't a murderer. Just like that Julia is back in charge and asking for help.


But then ... Reign shows up! Alex is about to get stomped to death when Julia steps up. She'll leave with Reign if Reign spares Alex. It works.

Nice to see Alex turn around.

But I'll be honest. I'm a little irked that Supergirl keeps being defeated on her own show. She keeps needing to be saved on her own show. I need a victory ... and soon.

Nothing left but the wrap-up.

In the DEO, Supergirl says maybe they aren't supposed to defeat the World Killers. Maybe they are supposed to save them.

Julia is still in control of her body. But my guess is Reign and the others will be working her over to get Purity back.

Sam almost becomes Reign in front of Lena when angered. But Lena thinks she knows what is wrong with Sam and how to save her.

Mon-El confides in Imra that he is confused by the emotions he is feeling. She then drops a bombshell saying that the Legion is actually on a secret mission in this time, one Mon-El isn't aware of.

And finally, the sisters have a nice meeting at the bar. Kara reminds Alex of a few things. One, Kara is healing. Two, Alex is stronger than Kara and so she should heal as well. Third, Alex is will have all the things - love, marriage, children. It is a wonderful scene reminding me of the easy chemistry these two have together.


But those are big cliffhangers! And we are entering a 9 week hiatus while DCLOT takes over the timeslot. Such a shame as this season was really picking up steam. Overall this was a very good episode building on the foundation of  what has come before. But now we have to wait 2 months for more!! I still disagree with the CW's decision here.