Supergirl Episode 9: Blood Bonds

Supergirl Episode 9, titled 'Blood Bonds', came out this week and was, in my opinion, the best episode of the season. This show has been slowly gaining momentum in my mind, finding its legs, working out plots, and playing up the chemistry between the actors on set. This episode seemed to be the culmination of all that, showcasing all the simmering plotlines, giving Melissa Benoist tons of powerful scenes, and adding some great action sequences. As old time comics used to boast, 'this one had it all'.

But, as always, the foundation of this show is the Supergirl character and Melissa Benoist's portrayal of her. I have marveled at the range and depth of emotions that Benoist has brought to Kara. Add to that a subtlety that I know am noticing and I honestly think she is worthy of an Emmy nod. I am noticing expressions and body language and intonations in her performances that make her remarkable.

Overall though, in this episode, I love the undercurrent of faith and love battling fear and hate. I love how there is feeling that civility and humanity can be scraped away if hate rules, that the ends can suddenly justify the means, and how Supergirl as a symbol can change that.

The episode opens right where the finale ended. Non and Supergirl battling in Maxwell Lord's site and even into the skies. Just when it seems as if Non has bested Kara, he tosses her aside, grabs Hank Henshaw and flies off.

I have to say, this is the one part of the plot that I had a hard part wrapping my head around. They 'allow' Astra to be captured to free up Non to attack Lord. Then, when things seem to be in hand, Non runs off after grabbing Henshaw. That seems odd. Especially when we later learn that Non grabbed Henshaw to trade for Astra. Why give her up if you then want to trade to get her back?

With Hank out, Alex is named Director of the DEO. And Maxwell Lord officially ends his partnership with Alex, demanding the DEO to get off his property. Hopefully, this means the feared Alex/Max relationship won't materialize.

 Back in the DEO, Kara asks her aunt why Hank was singled out. The scenes between Benoist and Laura Benanti are fantastic, both trying to be hard to the other while softening now and then because of their relationship. I loved that Astra says Kara is the 'true heir of the House of El' because Kal has gone native on Earth. She reminds Kara of the old saying 'blood bonds all'.

It leads to a great flashback to Krypton including a stunning flying sort of shot through a Kryptonian city. Zooming into a Kryptonian courthouse, we see Alura acting as judge, condemning her sister and brother-in-law's violent acts. Non acts very much like Michael Shannon's Zod, yelling as he is sent to Fort Rozz.

Astra says that Alura is weak because Alura clings to the idea that people are inherently good. Like mother like daughter.

So Maxwell Lord is becoming downright evil and the released prisoners from Fort Rozz are mobilizing. That would be bad enough. But there's more. Cat thinks Kara is Supergirl.

An overly nervous Kara vaporizes Cat's latte with her heat vision and begs James and Win to act 'normal, not super-normal, just normal'. Cat won't let go of a good story, interrogating Kara about her youth, and later telling her to quit CatCo so she can superhero 100% of the time. Cat talks of 'leaping a tall building in a single bound', having a 'plane to catch', and even 'truth, justice, and the American way.' When was the last time we actually heard the American part of that old saw.

I think Calista Flockhart's performance here was also strong. After a couple of episodes where we saw a softer Cat, this time we really see the claws.

At Non's headquarters, a telepath can't probe Hank. Troubled by this and to show his strength, Non kills the telepath. Henshaw quips that such a move doesn't make him think Kryptonians aren't savages.

Back at the DEO, General Lane has arrived and taken control. In a horrifying and uncomfortable scene, we see him torture Astra, holding her down and drugging her to drag information out of her. (I will say, I like that we learn that Lane's Xenophobia was born from viewing 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'.) Lane is no different than Non. Both are willing to cross a line to feel safe and advance their cause.

This was chilling, especially seeing Kara crying and trying to stop this from happening.

Astra gives up information and tells the DEO where Hank is being held. This is another great sequence where we see Kara flying along side the armored vehicles. Just gorgeous.

It is, of course, a trap. A bomb is where Hank is supposed to be hidden. In another great image, Kara uses the indestructible cape to shield Alex from the bomb blast. Just beautiful.

 While Kara battles Non and struggles with Cat, James Olsen decides to be 'Mr. Action' and, with Win's help, breaks into Lord Industries to find what Max is cooking up to fight all the Kryptonians. In what could be a throw away line, Max tells Jimmy that maybe Olsen wouldn't trust aliens if one had injured him. Is there an alien involved in Max's back story.

Max discovers Jimmy and goes about torturing him. In fact, Lord uses his fists to batter James before threatening him with one big old wrench.

Again, the similarities between Non, Lane, and Lord aren't subtle. There is evil all around here. And yet, all these people think their causes are noble and therefore their actions are justified. Brilliant.

 With her entire life unraveling, and learning that James was beaten up, Kara loses her cool. Her plan is simple ... break into Lord Industries and confront Max. It is clear she means to do this with violence.

In one of my favorite moments in the episode, Win steps in front of Kara, blocking her way from leaving. He tells her that she needs to be better than everyone else. She has to be better or why bother fighting the good fight.

Again, Benoist shines here. She talks about losing her life at CatCo, Hank, even the memory of her mother. Her life is in shambles and she feels powerless. James reminds her that heroes will always find a way.

 Reminded that there is a better way, Kara heads back to the DEO and reengages with Astra. She is ready to listen.

We get another great flashback where we learn that Alura believed her sister was right, that Krypton was dying, and that Alura would fight to save the planet. Alura always believed in her sister, a sign of faith in family.

These Benoist/Benanti scenes crackle. But this one, with both remembering Alura fondly, just grabbed me. There was serious feeling here.

It becomes clear that the only solution is to trade Astra for Hank. Kara takes control of the situation. Even when Lane orders his men to stop Kara, the troops defer to Supergirl. She is a hero. Her inspiration overwhelms his orders.

The switch happens without a major hitch. Non seems poised to doublecross when Astra, as general, takes control and tells all her troops to stand down. It isn't a truce; it's a start. Again, Kara's inspiration and optimism effects her potential enemies. Wonderful.

Hank heads back to the DEO and relieves Lane, reminding the general that idealism will save the world.

Then, Hank and Alex reveal his Martian identity to Kara. They didn't tell her because she can't keep a secret. Too funny.

But Hank's powers let Kara solve the Cat problem. Look, Supergirl and 'Kira'. J'Onn is Supergirl here and you can see how Benoist is sort of 'play acting' Supergirl like J'onn would, her hands on her hips, shaking hands strongly. The two Karas practically snicker throughout the whole scene. (I am pretty sure I called this.)

Kara tells Hank that her friends at CatCo keep her grounded. I liked that too.

The episode ends with two cool beats. One, we once again see Superman IM'ing Kara. This had to happen. There were 8 Kryptonians in the skies of National City in this episode. Someone would ask 'where is Superman'. So they needed to put this in to once again kick Superman out of the show. Kara tells him he isn't needed. She'll call when she needs him there.

And the episode ends with us finally seeing what Maxwell Lord is keeping in his Lab #52, a brain damaged young girl with no family being pumped full of some drug. It has to be BizarroGirl.

Seriously, this was one great episode from opening shot to closing shot. It was what a Supergirl story should be. It had action. It had an optimistic Kara. A fierce Kara. It had emotional punch and some humor. It was everything. This one truly had it all.

Such a great episode.

Supergirl Episode 4: How Does She Do It

Supergirl 'How Does She Do It' aired this week, the fifth episode of Supergirl aired was actually the 4th chapter in this season. This was the episode delayed a week given the tragedy of that occurred in Paris earlier this month.

This was another fun episode in this series, showcasing that this is still an inexperienced Kara learning how to juggle a secret identity and a life as a super-hero. It isn't easy. This is a Supergirl pulled in a number of directions and something's got to give. But the show makes a point to show that these are also the problems of non-super beings as well. Lucy, Jimmy, and Cat are all stretched to their limit and need to lean on others for help now and then. The inability to be everywhere at once, to save everybody all the time, is a lesson every hero needs to learn.

This episode also did a good job in pushing forward a couple of the brewing subplots, revealing more of Hank Henshaw's secret and introducing a new, fascinating villain. Some of this borrows or homages some classic scenes in comic book/superhero TV, something that always makes me smile.

Lastly, I have to say, the effects on this show continue to impress. The action sequences are thrilling.

As always, this isn't perfect. But my quibbles are minor and will be shared throughout the episode.

Remember, this episode was supposed to air after the Reactron episode. Supergirl is feeling pretty confident about herself at the end of that show, with even Superman telling her she is doing great.

So it isn't surprising that this episode opens with Kara saying that she can have it all, she can do everything.

That reverie is broken when she notices that a drone is following her. After a bit of a chase, more difficult than I would anticipate, Supergirl destroys it. It reminded me greatly of an early Byrne Superman issue where Luthor has a flying camera drone trying to trail Superman to discover his secrets.

Kara assumes that this is the DEO trailing her but Henshaw says it isn't from them. And the tech is highly advanced but not alien.

Meanwhile, at CatCo, Kara learns that Cat has won the prestigious Siegel Prize for women in media. This is the first time Cat has beaten Lois. But Cat can't go to accept the award because no one is around to watch her son Carter. Kara agrees to babysit. I like that Cat assumes Kara is doing it to have Ms. Grant owe Kara something. Now you would think that Cat could afford a high priced nanny service or bring Carter with her. So this is just a bit contrived. But just like that, Kara is on babysitting duty.

Off to fetch lunch, Kara runs into James and Lucy at the restaurant. We learn a bit about Lucy here. She works for the military JAG office. She calls James 'JImmy'. And we learn that Lucy broke up with him. Jimmy says it is because Lucy put her career over their relationship.

So we see that Lucy can't 'do it all', at least from James' point of view.

There isn't much time for chitchat. A bomb goes off in the city, gutting a building. Kara sweeps in, holding the building up, welding the steel infrastructure with her heat vision, and blowing out the flames with her superbreath.

This is a great action sequence and very classic. How often have we seen Superman do this welding trick to save a building or a dam. I love it.

What Kara doesn't see is another drone taking in the whole scene.

The building was a high tech lab with a connection to Maxwell Lord. Alex and Hank will pose as FBI agents (they have nifty switcheroo DEO->FBU badges) to investigate.

But that rescue and debrief at the DEO delay Kara from her other charge, taking care of Carter. She has to fly to his school to pick him up.

It is a cute scene as Carter is a shy, nerdy sort of kid. I think he is meant to remind us of Kara, having us get behind him and his little journey.

As always, Melissa Benoist is just a delight. She has this little character quirk of adjusting her glasses when embarrassed or caught in a little lie. Here she futzes with them after saying how much she liked school because it taught her about this 'new planet'. She is truly wonderful.

Kara drops Carter off at CatCo but can't watch him for long.

At Lord Industries, Alex interviews Max. He is a rather charming, independent mogul. But he tells a backstory of wanting to change the world. He doesn't trust the government or anyone, revealing his parents died in a lab accident when safety regulations failed. All this comes out in the silkiest of ways as he seems to be wooing Alex.

But their talk is interrupted by the discovery of a bomb in one of the lab's at Lord's building. Alex calls Kara in for the rescue forcing Kara to leave Carter with Winn. Again, we see she is being pulled away from one responsibility to deal with another.

In another great sequence we see Kara swoop in and fly the bomb out and up, away from the city. Waiting until the last second, she takes the brunt of the blast, falling into the ocean.

Kara is revived in a concentrated sunbath at the DEO. But in her haze, we see that Kara sees a red-eyed Hank. Hmmm ...

Those schematics could be cyborg eyes. The images definitely look like a head CT scan. Maybe Hank is looking at his own anatomy?

We then get some character building before the big finale.

Winn says he is dying every day as he pines for Kara. #PoorWinn

Lucy tells Kara that she may have left Jimmy but that was because Jimmy had checked out of the relationship. He always chose being Superman's Pal over being her boyfriend. It shows that James can't do it all either. It also sets up a bit of a Rashomon feel to their relationship. Who was at fault? Probably both? And Lucy is already jealous of Supergirl as a potential rival for Jimmy's love. Are these the seeds for Superwoman?

We learn that Carter is semi-obsessed with Supergirl, enough to sneak out to the Lord magnetic train maiden trip, in hopes of seeing Supergirl there.

And we learn that the likely bomber is a Lord ex-employee named Alexander Knox. Knox was fired, divorced, and dealing with a sick daughter.

Things take an interesting turn when a bomb scare is called at the airport, exactly as Lucy is heading to catch a flight home. Meanwhile, Winn, while trying to find Carter, sees Knox on the train, with a very obvious bomb poking out of his coat.

So there are some problems here. One, you would think that security would be high enough to not have this guy get on the train. But how could no one else see this thing?

Second, Carter is escorted onto the train by Lord. Lord assumes Carter has been separated from parents. So that was a bit too contrived a way to get Carter on the train.

Third, at the airport, we see Lucy helping an elderly woman out of the terminal. It is clear that the creative staff doesn't want us to dislike Lucy. So she is given a sympathetic angle to the Jimmy romance. And we see her helping someone in the most trite manner. I don't mind us liking Lucy. But that felt a bit too obvious.

Regardless, with two bombs, Kara has to make a decision. She can't be everywhere. She can't do it all. She has tells the DEO that she'll deal with the train. They have to take the airport bomb.

At the airport, Henshaw sends everyone away. And then, all red eyed, he rips the bomb apart and disables it.

If he was the true Cyborg Superman, able to communicate with devices, he could shut it down in a less physical way. But maybe he is just a cyborg without the other powers.

Of course, this also could easily be the Martian Manhunter as well, showing powers in J'onn's repertoire.

To explain how he defused the bomb, Henshaw claims it was a dud.

On the train, Kara confronts Knox. She tries to talk him down in the most Supergirl way possible and I love it. She says she'll help him. She says she knows what it is like to feel pulled in many directions. She calls upon his love for his daughter, a sick daughter who needs her father. She doesn't go straight to fisticuffs.

But Knox doesn't seem demented or enraged. He says he wasn't expecting to blow up the bomb. But he couldn't face his daughter if caught. He activates the bomb. Supergirl can fly it or Knox away. If the bomb is removed from the train it will automatically detonate.

The only thing left for Supergirl is to save the rest of the train. With Knox in the front, she disconnects the locomotive and stops it, allowing the bomb to detonate further down the track.

Get it ... more powerful than a locomotive, even an electromagnetically propelled one.

The episode really sticks the landing though as the last scene is brilliant.

Supergirl puts it all together that Maxwell Lord was behind the whole thing. The bombs, including the one at the airport, had a kill switch. Knox's daughter was being kept alive by a grant from Maxwell Lord. Lord was behind everything but was never in danger because he could have stopped the bombs remotely.

Lord basically confesses, stating that the drones and bombs each tested an aspect of Supergirl's powers. And her choosing to save the train over the more populated airport perhaps means she had feelings for someone there. Lord was evaluating Supergirl; he wants to have all the information on her ... to control her? Kill her?

Regardless, it's all nefarious. And Peter Facinelli, as Lord, is perfectly smarmy and here oozes some malevolence.

It ends with Supergirl saying she'll be watching Lord closely. It isn't over.

We have seen a similar scene between Lex and Superman many times. Whether it is Superman floating outside of Lex's office on the animated series, or Dean Cain questioning John Shea on Adventures of Lois and Clark, we have seen this. But it worked so well here. This is Supergirl confident in her abilities.

There were more bits. We got more of Cat Grant throwing down wisdom of going slow in life, gaining skills and doing more as you learn. We see Jimmy and Lucy back together, thrown into each others' arms by the airport threat. But that ending with Lord was fantastic.

So overall another fun episode with Supergirl. Melissa Benoist is a star, as usual, running the gamut of emotions in Kara. And the subplots of the show continue to move forward, making this more than a monster of the week.