SUPERGIRL - Season 4.5

REVIEW:  SUPERGIRL - SEASON 4, EP. 5:  "Parasite Lost"

Our Girl of Steel certainly lives up to her cousin Kal's values of finding the good in everyone---and everything, despite the opposite staring her right in the face.  This latest installment has some people questioning their stance on the current issue of alien immigrants, and their place in the world.  Some have ulterior motives, some are unsure, and we see that for her generous and caring heart---her tremendous strength and goodwill, for all her powers---Kara Zor-El still has MUCH to learn about the world around her.

When we last checked in, Lockwood pulled a Wrath of Khan by sticking the Parasite worm inside Agent Jensen's ear, thus giving Jensen the powers of the Parasite.  However, he soon finds out there's a time limit on those powers.  When he's spotted by the DEO and Supergirl, they find out that he's gotten those powers when he zaps our heroine, thus rending her powerless for a short time.  The DEO is now, for all intents and purposes, pretty much run by Col. Haley---who is now Alex's boss.  Surprisingly, they manage to work well together for the short term this episode, but we'll get to more of them shortly.  Anyway, Kara is getting healed, and they inform Haley about the Parasite worm.  They realize they need to find a way to neutralize him.  They decide that by creating a shield with plutonium, in hopes that it will keep Jensen at bay long enough for them to neutralize him.  

Jensen, after his encounter with Kara, finds his strength sapping, thus making him weak.  Liberty goes to work in finding a way to help Jensen maintain his powers for longer periods of time.  Thus, they manage to find the stone of an alien named Amadei..who's a healer, and a much respected being of the community.  He wishes to be able to not only heal the aliens, but normal humans as well.  Thanks to his ex-girlfriend (who happened to be broken hearted because he ended things with her, but not before she gave birth to their child, Elizabeth), she had become a member of the Children of Liberty---a group radicalized by Lockwood, to end the so-called "alien threat", (I'd use the term "roaches" as Elizabeth's mother did this episode, but I find it so derrogatory---which I guess means they got the point across to ME well).  Armed with the healing powers of Amadei, Jensen goes out to create havoc among the alien community again.  This time, the DEO manages to encompass the area in a shield, but it will not hold up long against Parasite.  Supergirl manages to perform a rescue mission to save many of the innocent bystanders before they get hurt and the shield goes out.  Alex---who was ordered to put Jensen down, manages to use her head, and logic, to convince Jensen that his way is wrong, and that he's doing more harm than good.  Alex manages to get get through to him, though he said, "they won't stop", before the removes Amadei's stone, and the Parasite power peters out, thus immobilizing him.  He's captured, the day is saved, and Amadei is saved with the stone back with him.  Later on, we see Haley and Alex having a one-on-one, with Haley saying that Alex needs to follow orders, but likes that she's in charge.  Turns out, Haley is just as anti-alien as the rest, what with her wanting J'Onn OUT as the the head of the DEO, and that they're "going back to basics"---meaning that they're going to CAPTURE aliens, instead of having them be allowed to have normal lives.  Alex takes offense to this, but says nothing, other than supporting J'Onn.  Haley expects Alex's loyalty.  Of course, we don't get to see Agent Jensen again, as he's whisked away to a secret location before Alex can question him.  Coincidence?  I think not!

The sad part of this tale thus far is that of Amadei.  A man who has become someone of great peace an importance in the community.  He is a healer who wishes to heal all, but cannot heal everyone---especially the humans who are prejudiced against him and the rest of the aliens.  Nonetheless, he preaches peace.  Kara and Nia feel that if they talk about the accomplishments he has made in the community, that it would bridge the gap between aliens and humans.  Kara had held a party, thinking that things had calmed down, and that they will get better.  What Kara doesn't understand is how naive that thought is---but that's what makes her our heroine---she sees the best in everyone and everything---even to a fault.  She and Nia go and do an interview with Amadei---the first he's had in 20 years, and then write the story up, praising his goodwill towards everyone.  However, it has a negative backlash when it turns out that the stone that's a part of him is stolen, thus hurting him and beginning to kill him.  Kara and J'Onn investigate his background (after J'Onn uses his powers to read Amadei's mind, and seeing the face of what would turn out to be his daughter, Elizabeth).  They seek Elizabeth out and question her, and she hasn't anything good to say about dear old Dad.  Her mother comes in and berates J'Onn and Kara.  Kara feels awful that Amadei would spurn his child.  While doing more digging, they discover that Liz's Mom is a part of a group called the Children of Liberty.  She was the one who got the stone off of Amadei, and wanted to kill all the aliens.  She hid all the letters that Amadei had written his daughter, and she prevented him from seeing her---making sure that her daughter would turn against her father.  After the day is saved and Amadei is safe once again, he is reunited with his daughter, and their healing begins.  Kara realizes that she must do better in telling the story of those aliens in the community who wish peace, but make sure to show their frailties and flaws as well.  Maybe with that approach, she feels, she can broker peace through her stories.  Nia agrees.

Another interesting backdrop of this episode was Jimmy.  As last episode showed, Lockwood was using his website to bolster Jimmy's identity as Guardian, making him the "hero" everyone needs---the HUMAN hero.  Jimmy isn't down for that, and feels he should be going after the Children of Liberty site, but Lena assures him that making this speech at this media gala.  There, Jimmy and Lockwood meet, and immediately lock horns.  As fate would have it, though, Parasite's attack on the city causes issues, and Lockwood uses this chance to further his cause using Jimmy as bait.  It works, as he feels it's time for the Guardian to step in and help out, before innocents get hurt.  Jimmy does head out, and saves some people from falling debris, while Parasite battles the DEO and Supergirl.  Though the battle is short-lived, it somehow causes Jimmy to start re-thinking his stance on the issue.  He calls Lockwood to arrange a meet, and discuss things (maybe, perhaps, Jimmy is going to use HIM in much the same way Lockwood is using Jimmy).  You can tell Lena ISN'T thrilled with the idea.

I enjoyed this episode because everyone had to find alternate ways to get their respective voices across.  Lockwood continues to manipulate behind and in front by using his Liberty identity to stir up the radicalism, and using people like Jensen to create terrorist attacks against the citizens and the alien population to stir up his message, all the while using his actual identity to spread his word in a "peaceful" manner---earmarks of a good villain.  He's certainly a terrific puppet master in his role, and he's only getting started.  It will be interesting to see the chess match between him and Jimmy, as we see whether or not Jimmy is truly swayed by Lockwood's words (which I doubt---if Jimmy needed ANY true thought on the subject----there's always a phone call he can make to Clark in Metropolis), or how well he plays Lockwood to expose him.  This will be a test of Jimmy's skills as a reporter AND a hero to expose the truth.

I've known from the start that Colonel Haley was a "By the book" soldier, who will put country first above all else, but ISN'T afraid to hide her own prejudices against the alien races...especially in the wake of former President Marsdin's exposure as an alien herself.  And I'm NOT totally unconvinced that she's a part of the "Children of Liberty" much like current President Tron there (sorry...what else am I going to call Bruce Boxleitner in this series?).  So, I expect more machinations from them two, and seeing how well Alex can play ball before she just ups and quits.  I will hand it to Alex, though---SHE was the true hero of the week by finding a non-violent way to stop the Parasite.  By appealing to Jensen's own morality and humanity, it was great to see her get through to him.  Shows that NOT every problem has to be resolved with a gun--much to Haley's dismay.  This tug of war I feel may tear the DEO apart, and at some juncture, Haley and Alex will go at it.  But Alex was truly the smart one this week, and props to her---that's freakin' leadership.  And with Haley's anti-alien bias---wonder how long it will be before she figures out Brainy is one?  What will THAT do to the dynamic?

Kara...as much as we love her, and she IS the hero of the show...shows her true naivety with her article.  True, her heart will ALWAYS be in the right place, but she is still learning "on the job" so-to-speak that not everything can be sunshine and rainbows---much as she wants it to be.  Nia and her working together is awesome to see---and hopefully, at some point, we not only see Nia embrace her hero self as Dreamer (she has demonstrated her powers---unbeknownst to most of us---by her premonitions.  IF you pay attention), but that she will finally reveal her true self to Kara as a transgendered woman.  She may very well become a huge focal point of this conflict before it's over.  Her gender and, of course, her powers, will bring her into the limelight before this season is out.  But this combo will find a way to bring a sense of balance back---at least, so we hope.

It was sweet to see Amadei reunited with his daughter.  That was a painful reminder about parents who cannot get along, using their children as collateral damage in their disagreements.  It's heartbreaking that children---regardless of age---have to become victims in their parents' struggles.  They're the ones that suffer the most, and have the worst psychological consequences because of it.  But thankfully, Elizabeth and Amadei have a chance to bond and form that loving relationship between father and daughter.  It was a shame Elizabeth's mother's hate for Amadei because of simple heartbreak (trust me, not trying to trivialize heartbreak--I know just as many of you out there how crappy hearbreak is), but to use that to further a terrorist agenda isn't the answer---and preventing your own child to know the other parent is just wrong on so many levels.  That truly got to me this week.

The one humorous part of this episode---because there wasn't really any---was the interaction between Brainy and Nia.  We see romance on the horizon, but I find it funny how Brainy is still stuck in half Spock mode, suppressing his emotions, but I feel Nia will find a way to get through to him, and bring it back out.  It was the one sweet moment we had in an episode that was, while good, was also sad and heartbreaking in its own way.  But the story is fleshing out just fine, and I do like the way the writers are doing their best to present a very balanced story for both sides.  

That wraps up this week's review.  I do appreciate you all viewing, and, as always, please don't be afraid to comment---I appreciate the feedback!

Until next week...Up, up, and away!