SUPERGIRL - Season 4.1

REVIEW:  SUPERGIRL -SEASON 4, EP. 1:  "American Alien"

The new season of SUPERGIRL kicked off with much political intrigue, some back door dealing, and miscommunication between allies, and the reappearance of a villain...PLUS---two NEW villains to worry about.

The theme for this season has pretty much borrowed from what's been going on in our own country at this time, with the political backdrop of immigration being one of the main themes that will appear to run through the season.  We see J'Onn J'Onzz now at a support group for aliens looking to fit into regular society.  Some of them using special equipment provided by Lena Luthor's coproration to help make them fit better into a crowd, make them look and seem more "human".  Apparently, there has been growing dissension between humans and the aliens.  Something we find out that Kara is very ignorant of.

There's a new villian stirring up the dissent by the name of Agent Liberty.  He's acquired the services of former CADMUS agents and Lex employees Mercy Graves and her brother, Otis.  They attack a doctor named Rohan Vose, who happened to be alien, cut off his spikes that grew out of his arms to grab an EMP from his lab.  Supergirl shows up, but is taken out by Otis with a sonic device, and cuffs thrown at her by Mercy.  They make off with the EMP, as Supergirl stays behind to protect everyone from the bomb Otis planted.  Agent Liberty tells the Graves siblings to prepare for war.

Supergirl's conversation with J'Onn about the growing dissension between humans and aliens is a shock to her, considering all the work President Marsdin has done.  She doesn't understand how it is people accept her and not the others.   J'Onn has to explain to her that the balance now is beginning to crumble, and even SHE is subject to that.  Kara, always the positive one, refuses to believe.

Great to see Kara as a cub reporter for CatCo now, and mentoring a new reporter by the name of Nia Nall.  Nia is very ambitious and Kara encourages it...especially when it comes to her ideas about the fashion beat.  However, instead of taking the initiative, she shies away at the last moment, allowing another reporter to cover the beat.  We see Kara will have work to do to mentor her.  Also of note---interesting as how Kara is in the Presidential Reporting Pool for CatCo---she sure did a helluva lot to get that beat.  

Jimmy's still under indictment for his role as Guardian, and despite his asking Lena to NOT pull strings...she does so anyway, going behind his back to ask for her Mother Lillian (who says her heart has grown "two sizes" since her stay in prison), for information about who would threaten aliens, and a way to get Jimmy cleared of his charges.  Lillian is willing to spill the beans, and give info as to how to get Jimmy cleared, not knowing that Lena recorded the whole conversation until later when she heard a news report on TV.  Lillian had to smile---once a Luthor, you know.  This also flies into the "I'm a hypocrite" category, considering Lena's issues with Supergirl.  Willing to be helpful, but still doesn't trust Supergirl, she goes right ahead and deceives Jimmy to get him cleared.  There's tension coming for THAT relationship.  And how much longer will it be before we start TRULY seeing the dark side of Lena Luthor?

J'Onn wearing his Mars garb to honor his later father while at home is cool, but he refuses to suit up and fight the physical battle with Kara.  I feel it won't be long before J'Onn has no choice.

Great to see Alex back out in the dating world...taking it slow.  However, her missing Winn doesn't exactly look well when trying to work with Brainy.  They seriously need to get on the same page, and quick, before the DEO crumbles.  Her fight with Mercy was great, and it shows that both a well versed in hand to hand combat.  I feel a rematch is in the making.

And, I feel bad for President Marsdin, now that Agent Liberty and Mercy realizes she's an alien.  All her goodwill is going to fall by the wayside before this season is over.

And we finally get a glimpse of the "Kara" that has been in Kasnia.  We see her causing an earthquake to rattle a train, then stop it on orders of the soldiers monitoring her.  When will she be showing up and creating problems for the Maid of Might?

Overall, it wasn't a bad episode, and definitely puts some light on the big issue of immigration, albeit with a twist.  Also, we see other storylines developing for the supporting cast as well.  How long will Lena be able to keep her lie from Jimmy?  Will Alex and Brainy get along to keep the DEO chugging along, and will J'Onn realize he can't hide forever?  

SUPER FACTS:  The Supergirl of Kasnia is reminiscent of the "Superman: Red Son" limited series that ran back in the early 2000's for DC.  Also, Mercy Graves.  Anyone who remembers the comics, or for that matter, Superman: TAS knows  that Mercy was Lex Luthor's right hand woman.  Excellent hand to hand combatant, and stayed by Lex's side the whole time.  Very loyal to Lex.  Her brother, Otis, his name is a nod to Ned Beatty's character Otis, who was Luthor's dumb henchmen in the original Superman movie.  Was nice to get a Cat Grant shoutout...not sure WHEN we'll see Cat herself again, but would be a delight if we did.  It's also pretty cool when we can get Lynda Carter back on TV in a superhero show...even if she IS only President (Alien) of the U.S.  Also, great to see Brenda Strong back as Lillian Luthor---always providing great little sinister moments for the show.