SUPERGIRL - Season 4.2

REVIEW:  SUPERGIRL - SEASON 4, EP. 2 - "Fallout"

This season of the Maid of Might certainly isn't pulling any punches, and most certainly NOT going at a slow pace. After the premier last week had us tackling the issue of immigration involving the alien population of Earth, the introduction (finally) of Mercy Graves to the Arrowverse, and seeing just what in the hell they're doing in Kaznia with the Supergirl clone, and President Marsdin's identity as an alien exposed.  "Fallout" is definitely an appropo term for this installment.

Having been exposed, President Marsdin knows her sticking around would only make matters worse, despite Supergirl's thoughts, and she stoically resigns.  Leave it to Lynda Carter to portray the President with grace, dignity, and gravitas as only she could do (and goodness knows she got A LOT of practice as our Amazonian Princess).  While I feel it's a quick way to write her off the show...I feel this is NOT the last time we see her before this season ends.  

The political spectrum of immigration---illegal or otherwise---is a hot topic subject to tackle for a superhero show.  The verbal spats becoming physical violence is not anything we're not subjected to in our own country.  Pulling from actual reality can often be seen as a bold move by writers---but also seen as a way to politicize a show, and bring it down.  However, when looking at Supergirl---and SUPERMAN for that matter---it is shown that not only has a world ACCEPTED them as champions of truth and justice, but as an inspiration around the world.  Having them (and yes, Clark WILL get dragged into this as well---can't see how they can NOT at some point---even if only briefly), as the center piece trying to play peacemaker with all sides makes their task as heroes even harder tenfold;  they must remain vigilant in their quest for peace, but also show that all aliens aren't evil, as Agent Liberty, the Graves siblings, and those who are scared of the alien presence on Earth, and stamp out their brand of prejudice, fearmongering, and hatred.  It's fascinating to explore the fact that we hold these two heroes in high regard, yet they are, in the purest forms---illegal aliens.  I'm wondering if that issue will come up before season's end?  Again---"fallout" is going to be a key word running rampant through this season.

Nia standing up for Brainy in the pizza parlor gave us a glimpse into the hero we will know her to be.  Brainy thinking he recognized her is also something interesting to note.  It is, perhaps, they DO have a familiarity with each other.  We don't know much about Nia's past.  Speaking of Nia---her confession to James about her being transgender was well done, and Nicole Manies...being transgendered herself...draws upon her own experiences to deliver a strong performance.  You can hear her anger, fear, and frustrations in her portrayal.  Her insistence that James write an editorial, showing that CatCo is a place where the truth CAN be told---ugly or otherwise---and show the world there IS a better way.  Show that both sides, while having genuine concerns, can also come to a mutual understanding.  

J'Onn's investigative skills come into play in this episode, as he searches for his friend and support group mate, Fiona.  He manages to get into her apartment, and discover her laptop, where next to it, she had a series of numbers on a notepad.  J'Onn pulling up one---a cop---gives J'Onn a possible clue as to her disappearance.  (J'Onn...in his secret ID while on Earth in the comics, was a PI).  I believe she was doing her own investigating as to who some of the perpetrators to this sudden outbreak of prejudice and hate against aliens were, and she paid the price for it.  J'Onn did meet up with the cop in the bar--just to listen to him, and the cop sounded like he didn't like the direction the country was going, showing possible racial hatred towards aliens.  

Kara getting info about Mercy from Lena (and we get a Big Belly Burger appearance--yay!), and finding out that Mercy was like a sister to Lena leads to Lena finding out that Mercy hacked the L-Corp mainframe to mess with the facial recognition hardware (which is why Brainy's face got exposed when it went on the fritz, and Nia's subsequent rescue of him), and she managed to block Mercy from doing anymore damage.  Mercy then attacked L-Corp itself, and tried to destroy the mainframe from within.  With the help of Kara and her own assistant, Eve Tessmacher, Lena managed to prevent that from happening.  It WAS a bit comical to see how helpless Kara was to an extend when they were under attack, and she had to hide all the times she pulled her powers out, and faking a phone call from Alex, trying to find a way to escape to change to Supergirl.  Leave it to Lena, though, to push her out the door, while she battled Mercy with her own weapon.  Mercy did what she could to stir the pot this episode---and worked it to effect on Agent Jansen of the DEO..as he helped her not only escape after he found out Brainy was an alien, but managed to help her get a weapon to use the stolen Kryptonite she had managed to procure.  Mercy's hatred bleeds through, and she doesn't hide it either.  She's a chip off the old Lex---figuring that she can solve the Superman like issue to a greater degree than Lex ever could.  

Agent Liberty is a mysterious one---hiding in a battle armor type outfit, and having an iron mask adds to the mystery of him.  But one thing is for sure---he's a shit stirrer.  He is the voice of the people who are afraid and angry at the alien population---and he feeds into that fear and hate with his impassioned speech towards the end of the episode, which J'Onn happens to catch.  I haven't seen any clues laid out YET as to who he really is.  But I feel it will be a couple more episodes down the road, before the groundwork gets laid, and the suspects pile up.  I just know it will HAVE to be someone familiar in the story...but that's me.  

Alex being the voice of reason in this episode, while also feeling the stress of dissent among the ranks of the DEO allows her to stay human, all the while consoling Brainy when he actually shows a little emotion in regards to his situation at the pizzeria earlier in the show.  Her dressing down of the team, and of Agent Jansen was cool, showing great leadership and strength.  With this political backdrop, I kind of wonder when Alex's own situation will come into play as well.  She IS a minority herself, in a way.

Kara, for all that's happening around her---tries her best to be the beacon of truth, justice, and peace in a world falling apart.  Her rescuing the rioters from the flagpole crashing down on them, and the heroic stance while making sure the Stars & Stripes stay aloft is a great picture, and very reminiscent of several shots of Superman dong the same thing.  Her insistence on believing in America, and standing by the new Administration, shows her willingness to bring peace to the country in a time it is starting to crumble.  Her passionate speech at the end of the episode was both uplifting and truthful.  It calls into the old Superman adage of "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" as he used to say.  But I feel she will be in a tight spot if the new Administration and President---played now by Bruce Boxleitner, will roll back whatever bills or laws that President Marsdin signed in.  And maybe it's just ME---but does the new President give you that funny vibe?  Like he's got more up his sleeve than we're to believe?  I'm pretty sure the story will go there, and I'm gonna go out on a limb and think HE might be involved in the conspiracy to incite the racial breakdown of aliens and humans.  I see another hard lesson for Kara coming, and I think it will test her faith in humanity.  It is here where Clark will be essential to the plot---as her voice of reason.  But before anything ELSE happens...with that little K-Bomb going off thanks to Mercy, Otis, and now Agent Jansen on their side...what's going to be the result of Kara being exposed...other than possibly dying?  The episode ends with her getting hit with the K-Gas (see how easy it is to abbreviate Kryptonite to just "K"?), and falling from the sky.  

Nothing new on the Kaznian Supergirl this episode...but I guess they're slowing building her up to attack at some point.  Right now, she isn't the focal point of the plot.  But I feel she WILL be used as a tool at some juncture.  We need a Supergirl vs. Kaznian Supergirl fight before the season ends, right?

I'm just gonna say this:  Agent Jansen is a prime example of someone getting caught up in the hatred without really knowing all the facts, and just taking everything at face value.  Most people like that are easily manipulated.  Mercy played on his fears to a T.  We'll see how long he lasts.

One thing I forgot to mention before in last week's episode:  Nice that Sam and Ruby got their happy ending.  Not sure we'll see them again unless Supergirl just happens to run through Metropolis again, but it IS nice that SOMETHING good came out of last season.

Overall, I enjoyed the episode.  They're moving at the right pace, not having too many dangling plots, and the villains' motives are crystal clear.  While they're isn't a lot of humor to be had right now, and there hasn't been TOO much "Supergirl kicking ass on the villain of the week" scenario, I feel they're building up to her big battle with her clone---and it will be epic.  We're also seeing the story from many angles:  Brainy's , J'Onn's, Kara's, and even Nia's...and we know SHE will have a much bigger role to play before this season is over.  We're getting more character depth, but it's not being done at a snail's pace, and no one side plot is dragging or slowing down the main plot in general.  The show's creators have to be careful though:  they're walking a VERY fine line this season, creating political drama, and need to make sure they're not shoving an agenda down everyone's throat, and making sure ALL sides---good, bad, or indifferent, get to have equal say.  Meanwhile, they also need to ensure they're also telling a good superhero story...it's pretty much what Supergirl is SUPPOSED to be about.  This show has endured enough controversy about it being too feminine, shoving the feminine agenda down the viewer's throats, and not being enough of a Superhero show.  Yes, we all like kick ass superhero action---but you GOT to have a story that's going to grab your attention.  And as far as the empowerment of women in leadership roles, or hero roles---Wonder Woman has been doing that for 80 years, people.  She set the bar---Supergirl is just another woman running with the baton.  It's a show that allows women to see that, they too, can be heroes, can be leaders, and don't have to take a back seat.  The female IS the hero...and a role model to many.  Gotta get over that.  Don't get too overworked by it.  Anyway, we'll see what happens next week, as Agent Liberty ups his game to ensure Supergirl doesn't stop him from creating anarchy in the streets, and the destruction of the alien population.

Up, up, and away!