REVIEW: AVENGERS - ENDGAME

REVIEW:  AVENGERS - ENDGAME


I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  It's such an incredible place where our imaginations can wander into the fantastic, explore the unknown, see the fight between good an evil wage out....and get deep with our humanity.  Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and many, MANY others created a place where we could lose ourselves in the wonderful, yet still keep us grounded in real life....not letting us stray too far from the things that keep us grounded.  Watching this movie was an emotional rollercoaster, and it played on our hearts, as well as our hopes and dreams.  It kind of asks the question, "Can we go on when we've lost so much?"  It's a testament to the resiliency of the human condition, and what ANYONE is capable of when they refuse to give up.  

Watching this movie did ONE thing that I had NEVER done with a Marvel movie:  cry.  From seeing the look on Tony Stark's face as he looks upon his daughter, knowing that there's a chance he can lose his ultimate dream that he created:  a life with Pepper, with no more battles, in order to bring back those who were lost in "The Snap", his emotional encounter with his father Howard Stark, who'd just found out his wife was pregnant with Tony, and gaining much closure with him after all that years of tension.  Having felt so guilty and distraught over losing a young man he admired, and thought of not only as a protoge', but almost as a son in Peter Parker.    Tony's ride has been wild, hard, fun, and heartbreaking.  For HIM to be the one to end Thanos' terror, by using the Gauntlet, and thus sacrificing his life in the in process---Tony had finally found peace.  His absence from the MCU will be felt for a long time----but it seemed the most appropriate way to bid farewell to Tony Stark and to Robert Downey, Jr.  He carried this universe the last 10 years, and now we'll see who the torch is passed to---most likely our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.  

Speaking of Peter---I believe that when the MCU really kicks in again after this time of reset...it will be our favorite wall crawler that will carry the torch.  He IS the flagship carrier of the company, and it seems like the right thing to do to have him be the one to grow into the hero we know he will be.  FAR FROM HOME will be a great test for Peter, and we'll see what happens.  But for him in this movie---he comes back, joins the battle, and helps save the day.  I DID like the brief interaction between him and Captain Marvel---a nod to their friendship from the comics.  But Peter also suffers because losing Tony is like losing his Uncle Ben all over again.  Peter is the one that will be tested in the days to come.

Let's get to Cap---who's run as our Star-Spangled Hero came to an end as well in this movie.  We have seen a man out of time, trying to fit in the last 10 years,  trying to rally the team, keep them together---because, let's face it---it's the only family he has left.  He was a man in this movie with nothing left to lose----so any risk that needed to be taken---Cap was all in,  Him always having that reminder of Peggy Carter continued to pull at HIS heartstrings....especially when him and Tony were in the past getting the Tesseract.  Him returning things back, but not coming home was also a very somber, bittersweet end to Chris Evans' run as Captain America.  But they did a wonderful job of giving Cap something of a happy ending---knowing that now he is a man in modern time, at a modern age, ready to settle and move on.  I had a VERY strong feeling they were passing the Shield onto Sam----and it was also the right call.  Sam has been steadfast by Cap, been a strong hero, and I feel he can lead, and bring the MCU into an even better light.  Another nod to the comics, I like Anthony Mackie's performance, and look forward to seeing what he can do as the new Cap.  As for Bucky---I think he's content being WHO he is, and his approval of Sam is great.  I look forward to seeing these two continue to team up in our New Avengers (that's right...I said it!)

Some stories end well....some don't.  Tragic and heartbreaking, but also some happiness when it comes to Black Widow and Hawkeye.  These two have been joined at the hip pretty much from the beginning.  Again, strong performances from Scarlett Johanson and Jeremy Renner.  Natasha has never known any real family outside of Clint Barton and the Avengers....and knowing that she couldn't afford to let Clint lose his family, and a chance to save the universe, she made the ultimate sacrifice to get the Soul Stone.  Even those she was one OF them, she always felt somewhat apart---and considering her checkered past (which I feel will be the basis of her movie)---she wanted a clean slate.  Her dying achieved that end.   As for Clint----wow.  HE was the emotional ride through this whole thing.  From losing his family, thus losing his faith in humanity, and becoming the vengeance machine known as Ronin, Clint got put through the blender in a short amount of time.  But glad to had seem him come out the other side.  He got his happy ending....even at a small cost:  losing Natasha.

Thor and Hulk were pretty much comic relief in this film, though there IS some drama to their lives at this point.  We see that, somehow, Banner and Hulk have merged, and Bruce is getting adjusted to being one whole person now, and it's an interesting adjustment.  While still one of the strongest beings in the MCU, he's lost that edge, and that's the Banner in him.  While we thought at one point HE would be the one to save them with the Gauntlet, it turns out he manage to keep most everyone alive while Thanos destroyed the Avengers Compound.  Him holding up the rubble was a nice nod to one of the issues of the original Secret Wars from the 1980's, where he practically held up a mountain to save everyone.  I'm curious as to what direction---if ANY---they go with the Hulk in the future.  There ARE stories to be told---if done RIGHT.

As for Thor---he is leading what's left of Asgard...but feels like a God without purpose.  He is the one with the MOST guilt in this movie---because he didn't decapitate Thanos the first time.  He bears the weight of the universe on his shoulders, and it eats him alive---allowing him to fall into depression and dispair.  His weight gain and...let's face it...FEAR, put him in a state of sulk.  It takes travelling to the past and having one last encounter with his mother, that allows Thor to come to his senses.  Now...while he was able to be a huge factor in helping take down Thanos, we see at the end that Thor now has nothing to do---he vanquished the villain, and is now a man without a true purpose.  Passing on leadership of the Asgardians to Valkyrie allows Chris Hemsworth to take Thor in a NEW direction---seeking adventures with the Guardians of the Galaxy.  I have a feeling the next Guardians movie is going to be yet another hoot---especially if you add Thor.  Hemsworth has AMAZING chemistry with the the cast, and I can't wait to see what happens. 

Nebula is the one "Guardian" who had some redemption in this movie---and we finally got to see more humanity out of her.  She mourns the loss of her sister, Gamora (as we all do---such a shame we don't have Zoe Saldana back), and has taken a bigger role in the MCU.  She will be the anchor ( and pretty much babysitter) of the ragtag group going forward.  

Ant-Man got a nice big role in this movie, and, as always, we can count on a great performance from Paul Rudd.  He really has made Scott Lang his own.  His story now has an interesting twist, what with a grown up daughter now, along with his extended family of Hank, Janet, and Hope.  He and Hope will be terrific members of the New Avengers going forward.

Finally...what can we say about Thanos?  Josh Brolin brought A LOT of depth to this character.  While still being the most dangerous being in the MCU (thus far), he also kept an even keel for the villain---being very matter-of-fact.  You felt him as a threat.  He was intelligent, calculating, and always seemed just ONE step ahead of our heroes.  But I felt it, again, appropriate that the man to take him down was Iron Man.  It felt right.

Outside of that, I LOVED Captain Marvel's appearance in this movie---showing how bad ass SHE was by going toe to toe with Thanos and not even blinking.  I feel that IF there is another Avengers movie, she's going to be used sparingly.  She's the most powerful hero in the MCU, and I think Marvel doesn't want to gild the lily...so I don't expect a TON of appearances by Carol Danvers.  

Overall---this movie moved me to cry.  It took me on a ride that I'll never forget.  It felt epic, and yet---also felt like closure.  The OG's....the original team...is now allowed to step aside, and let the new guns take over, and push the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the next ten years.  This last 10 has been nothing short of stellar.  As I said---I love this place---and can't wait to get back to it----starting July 2nd.  But I congratulate Marvel Studios on an incredible 10 year run.  It's difficult to translate a lot of things from page to screen----they went above and beyond.  And while every movie wasn't the greatest of all time, they helped move this universe along, and they carefully crafted this epic tale as best they could.

That's all for me, and I hope to see you guys back here again when I have something new to blog (and trust me---the Professor WILL have something to say---about SOMETHING).  I hope you guys subscribe, comment---lemme know YOUR thoughts---let's have a dialogue!  And pass the good word around....I would appreciate it!

Until next time!  

DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - Season 4.16

DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - SEASON 4, EP. 16:  "Hey World"


We’re going to do something VERY different with these reviews, starting with the final two ARROWVERSE season finales we have here on the docket.  For this whole season (and I appreciate ALL of you who’ve tagged along for the ride), I have given a blow-by-blow recap AND review of the show---but I feel I’ve been short changing you.  Not enough ME, and more about the happenings of the episode itself.  Starting with these last two blogs (and all of next season), we’re going to be more about our thoughts and feelings ABOUT the show, instead of a straight recap.  It’s been a long journey to get here, but I’m glad I did it.  But for now, let’s get some thoughts out about the season finale, the season itself, of our Wacky Time Travelling heroes.

This final episode concluded an arc that gave us some interesting points in history to visit---not just from a historical aspect in and of itself, but for some of our main characters---along with magical beings, and the eventual “big bad” in the dark force of Neron.  The team had been in incredible disarray all season, and REALLY started fraying at the seams when Neron came into the picture, as well as Ray’s possession at the end.  But as I have said about Ray Palmer----he truly IS the heart and soul of the group, and without HIM…comic relief or as The Atom…the team truly suffers as a whole.  This was also a major arc for Ray, who had spent so much time this season trying to save Norah Dhark, and eventually getting through to her, to sparing one of his big loves---his friendship with Nate, even if it meant sacrificing his soul to Neron to do it.  This is DEFINITELY a far cry from the Ray Palmer that I have read in the comics as a kid.  But, this is also a show that has thrown away all conventions of these characters to create something watchable and entertaining.  Like I have said repeatedly---this is the one DC show that is the wink of the eye to the audience.  

This was also John Constantine’s journey to SOME sort of redemption this season.  All his missteps from his own past show, to joining the Legends, John has been PLAGUED by bad ju-ju throughout his existence in the Arrowverse.  Not being able to save the girl Astra, to failing Norah Dhark, to sending his boyfriend Desmond to hell, to not being able to initially rescue Ray….John has been a stew of messes up and down.  But, having to finally vanquish Neron, to save Dez, Ray, AND Norah, gives him a  check in the win column.  Astra, however, is another problem.  And a problem she will be as next season starts.  I don’t expect John to change in the least----wouldn’t suit him…but not sure HIS story is to truly continue here.  I could be wrong, but I could see him MORE suited moving over to DC Universe’s  SWAMP THING.  But hey…that’s just the comic kid talking.

We saw Sara Lance finally become a true leader---and lighten the hell up a bit.  Sara needed a find bit of tuning, and we got SOME of that last season, but this season…with the addition of Ava has her love interest, it gave someone for her to bounce off of that wasn’t Mick, Ray, Nate, or anyone else on the ship.  We got to see that Sara wanted a little more out of life, and Ava provides that.  Plus, they’re a great counter balance.  Ava is orderly, and by the book…Sara is spontaneous.  That came in handy during this season, and especially in the season finale, as they had to come up with a way to show the world that monsters weren’t always as scary as we seem.  For them to dance, and sing, and perform, allowed the actresses to stretch and show off their other talents.  And hey…had Melissa Benoist NOT been cast as Supergirl…I’d have given Caity Lotz a shot.

We were also introduced to Gary and Mona this season…the C-3P0 and R2-D2 of the team.  Total comic relief.  Gary’s nipple came back to haunt him…AND the team…towards the end, and all we got to see from him was wanting acceptance---to feel like he mattered and contributed.  And despite has apparent fear of most anything, he did make a contribution.  Acting as a ringmaster, and helping the team rescue the crowd when Tabitha was having Wexley attack them.  He’s still a goof…and will continue to play the part…but I’ve no doubt he’ll have SOME nugget of SOMETHING to help the team in the future.  Mona was more comic relief, though she DID gain magical powers towards the end.  Her powers WILL come in handy in a pinch, but much like Gary…she’s there for comic relief.  She did provide a lot of help at the end of this season.

Nate’s story was rather bittersweet.  All this time that his dad Hank play him by making a deal with Neron to get magical creatures, it was all to build an amusement park based on his son’s ideas as a kid.  Nate and Hank’s relationship was rocky, with Nate constantly looking for his father’s approval.  But as we saw…the park was Hank’s tribute TO his son…his gift.  Hank was proud of Nate, and the final episode after Nate’s death…where they got to have one last chat…was beautiful.  It gave Nate a chance to close that chapter of his life, and look towards the future….which is now muggy considering his now lost relationship with Zari.  But he gets her brother.

We met Zari as a refugee from the future who was an ancestor to the original Vixen.  With her gone to her past, Zari now filled that role on the team.  She was stern, rather cold, and didn’t want to really be a part of the team dynamic.  But as the season grew, she discovered she had a family.  She also somehow became the nurse den mother to this crazy group, having to keep everyone in line.  It was really nice to see her come into her own, and the budding romance between her and Nate was just starting to take off…bonding with the dragon…until it was snuffed out thanks to her stepping off the Waverider to tend to him.  Now, time is reset and it is HER that is gone, and now we have her brother.  An interesting dynamic to explore next season.

Mick was…well….Mick.  Though we DID get to see his “softer” side.  Mick wasn’t too much a major player this season, outside of this book, and seemed like he was on the sidelines most of the season, but when the chips were down…he stepped up.  It’s growth…for him.  Charlie as a new addition as well, having taken the place of Vixen…and her form.  She was the reluctant hero…and magical being herself, but she, much like Zari and Mona, proved to be a valuable asset---especially rallying the monsters and saving Mona in the final episode.  But she was also used by Tabitha and Neron as a catalyst  for their big scheme to scare and destroy the populace.  

This episode pretty much packed all it could into 40 or so minutes.  Action, some drama, the end of a wild story arc, and even an appearance by the Monitor---who showed up in EVERY show this season, thus laying the groudwork for CRISIS coming up.  I’m still wondering just HOW Plamer Tech became ground zero for Neron’s plans….yet the building was under attack from the Ninth Circle and Emiko Queen over on ARROW.  Someone’s going to have to explain that one to me still.

Either way, it was yet another fun episode, and a pretty crazy season at that.  This show has taken off in the last couple seasons in a COMPLETELY different direction than the ones we witnessed in the first two seasons.  Whether this arc continues, or we get another course shift with the appearance of the Monitor and the CRISIS remains to be seen.  In any case, we were treated to a season of adventure that didn’t take itself too serioiusly, and gave us a wonderful ride not only through certain aspects of history, but the history of our heroes themselves.  What time holds for our Waverider crew…who’s to say?  But for now…the adventure is over, and it’s time to take a break.  
Thanks for sticking with me this next season, and we’ll see what the future holds.  Don’t forget to subscribe and pass the good word along, and leave a comment…I’d love to hear it.


Until next time….

SUPERGIRL - Season 4.22

SUPERGIRL - SEASON 4, EP. 22:  "The Quest For Peace"

At the start of this season, I truly did believe we were going to get some HUGE politically charged drama with Ben Lockwood as the “big bad”, and I had WORRIED that this season would be dragged down because of it.  And after the first initial 10 or so episodes, I thought his story was waning thin---and the nature of the topic would send viewers to the hills.  Much to my surprise---this turned into perhaps the best season of the Girl of Steel EVER.  This last episode gave us all the goodies we wanted from a Supergirl show---drama, action, and best of all---Lex Luthor.  

His presence….over the entire season, mind you---without us even knowing---was sheer brilliance at the hands of the writers.  Kudos to them for giving us a story that had some serious build up, and a payoff that blew our socks off!  This is the stuff superhero shows are made of.  

Oh…and an interesting nod from the writers to name this last episode in honor of, perhaps, one of the WORST superhero movies ever made, and was one that perhaps caused the death of the genre until 1989 (it WAS the WORST Superman movie EVER…trust me on that).  This one hour episode ALONE destroyed that 2 hour garbage pile of celluloid.
Jon Cryer’s Lex….need we say more?  Damn, did he play this character to the full tilt---sadistic, maniacal, insane, calculating, intelligent---everything that Lex IS as a character, Cryer brought it full bore to the front.  He was entertaining as hell, and what with the Monitor reviving him, though Lena shot and killed him?  Yes…bring us more Lex.  We can NEVER get enough of him.  Cryer honored EVERY man who played the role WELL (except Jesse Eisenberg…who still sucks).  EVERYONE is expendable to Lex…and that’s what makes him such a great villain.  And the use of his cronies:  Eve Tessmacher, Mercy & Otis Graves…brilliant.  Sadly, we need more Mercy, but Eve served her purpose well, as did Otis.  
As for Eve…I have NO idea what more trouble SHE is in, now that she helped foil Lex’s plan for…the Monitor?  I’ll say this for that man…sure as hell knows how to play BOTH sides like he does in the comics.  Not sure what HIS game is with Eve, her old lady “handler”, or even J’Onn’s brother, but we’ll see as we approach the CRISIS.  

We got introduced to new characters this season:  The Dreamer, Kelly Olsen, Ben Lockwood, and…to some extent, Brianiac 5.  Lockwood was just a political and narrow-minded activist who THOUGHT that his beliefs were right, and that by committing terrorist acts, he’d be a hero of the people.  He was the prime example of how people can use the media, and various other platforms, to influence those who are easily led to fear by an idealism.  He gained that from his father, and then passed it along to his son…but the more he dragged his son into the fire, the more his son George saw that his father’s actions were NOT right, and that, even though they were aliens, doesn’t mean they were evil, or out to destroy the Earth.  George showed the TRUE maturity at the end of this episode.  Ben’s actions showed how an idealism backed by terrorist and radical acts, can come back to destroy you.

I was NOT on board with Colonel Haley at the start of the season…she was VERY by the book, and had a hardline stance on how the DEO should be handled.  But over the course of the season, we see her lighten up, and she ends up doing more in digging for the truth, eventually helping to exonerate Supergirl.  Her and Alex DO make a good team…so I’ve warmed up to her.

Brainy and Nia Nall were interesting this year.  Brainy trying to balance his Spcok-like emotional thing, while actually having feelings for Nia provided some humor. Nia herself was the one huge balance for this alien/human issue all season---since she was both.  On top of that, being a transgendered woman on top of that crazy sundae, and it made for a huge challenge for the character to step out into her own.  But she did---and she flourished.  She is now an essential member of the Super Friends, and we’ll see how her relationship with Brainy is going forward.

Alex was a mess this season.  Leading the DEO, having to face down Washington, Haley, Lockwood, and eventually Lex Luthor, she never had time to grieve her relationship with Maggie, never seemed to find her rhythm, and when she did…she had to give up her knowledge of Kara’s ID as Supergirl to save her.  It hampered her until she got her memory back.  Now even though she lost out of the adoption, we now have a new romance blooming between her and James’ sister Kelly.  Kelly will give her balance in a world where that is precious to begin with.

This season was a spiritual journey for J’Onn, as he tried to make peace with is father, his own soul, and his purpose in the universe.  It took him quite awhile being on the sidelines for a bit, but Manchester Black was a terrific catalyst to get him back into the game.  And when he finally was able to come to terms with his own identity, we got the Martian Manhunter we have been craving this entire series for.  It will be great to see him as the hero we KNOW he is going forward.  He was essential in making sure Lex’s final plot to destroy Argo was nixed, and he will be a character of strength and wisdom yet again, having found that balance in his life.

Thus, this brings us to Kara.  Our Girl of Steel endured many, many challenges this season, including getting her ass handed to her by her clone TWICE.  Having to deal with being public enemy #1 to entire planet, and having to go it alone against Lex  himself, while Kal was off planet on Argo with Lois worrying about the upcoming superbaby that will be in our midst.  But I will say this---the writers did a great job of showing the resiliency of her character---both as Supergirl AND as Kara, as she had to navigate avoiding telling Lena her secret ID, dealing with Lockwood, fighting Lex’s master plan, and getting close to throwing in the towel.  Her friends and family stuck by her, and she showed that she truly IS in the same class as Superman as far as being Earth’s defender.  Supergirl earned her big girl superhero stripes this season, and she also proved her intellectual mettle as Kara Danvers, in uncovering Lex’s mater plan when she couldn’t act in her superhero guise.  She showed great maturity, and has earned the respect of EVERYONE in the superhero community.  The Red Daugher may have beaten her physically, but NEVER mentally…AND, she never gave up on the Red Daughter---who’s story seemed so intriquing at first, only to find out she was nothing more than Lex’s puppet, to be disposed of later.  But, as predicted, she made the ultimate sacrifice to save Kara from Lex….learning her mistakes.  

The tragic figure in all of this season is Lena Luthor.  A woman who’s heart and idealisms were in the right place:  to right the wrongs of the family, and make the Luthor name respectable.  And she did that, to her greatest ability.  But sadly, as Lex showed her after she shot him---that she had been played and betrayed by all her friends----though they did it with, what THEY felt, was the noblest of intentions, only to make her feel the fool…the one dagger and card Lex HAD to play….hoping that she would “see the light”, and join the family.  Whether or not that truly worked is another story entirely.  However, it’s safe to say for this point in time, she is utterly destroyed, and emotionally distraught.  I feel she will be playing this close to the vest for now, but do NOT be surprised if she goes full Luthor next season, to exact revenge for their betrayal.
Okay…my ONE HUGE GRIPE about this season, and would’ve made it THAT much better had we gotten it:  is a Cat Grant appearance.  I don’t care if had been for 5 seconds….this show NEEDS at least ONE episode with some Cat Grant in it.  She is STILL an essential part of the show, even in the background.  There NEEDS to be more of her…at least ONE appearance per season…just to give us that influence.  


Overall, this season was a huge success, and if they can keep THIS kind of stuff up---NEXT season won’t be any different…but what with the CRISIS coming up…who knows what the fate of our Girl Of Steel will be.  After all….if you read the original min series in the comics---you KNOW the fate of Kara Zor-El (as well as Barry Allen).  So, I guess let the speculation begin!
Guys---it’s been a fantastic journey this season, and I’m so VERY glad you stuck by me through all this.  I appreciate all the subscriptions and any comments you may have on these episodes.  And remember, expect a different style of review when we reconvene in the fall.  
Until next season…Up, up, and away!

THE FLASH - 5.22

THE FLASH - SEASON 5, EP. 22:  "Legacy"


We have reached the finish line for Season 5 of our favorite Scarlet Speedster.  It has been a rollicking rollercoaster ride that featured new Rogues, old ones, new additions to the family, and the return of Barry's deadliest enemy.  Throw in a surprise from his and Iris' future daughter, and you have the makings of a season that put the series back on track, and has given us quite a stir.  Now, we see what Eobard's Master Plan is, and what is the fate of Cicada and our own dear Nora?  Let's dive in and find out!

We left off in the heat of the battle, where Cisco had tossed Cicada's dagger towards Barry, who was using the gun to destroy it, thus destroying Cicada.  Ralph, however, discovered Thawne's plan, and jumps in front of the knife, while taking the hit from the gun, thus inverting his body.  But not before he managed to reveal that Thawne had a master plan.  Cicada flees, taking the knife with her, thus ensuring her reign of terror continues.  All this happens during a Nora voice over.

They go over what happened, and they're not sure why Ralph took the bullet, but they know they DID save countless metahuman lives, but Barry and Nora know more work must be done.  Barry notices a wooden fragment left behind, and he and Nora go to figure it out.  Meanwhile, the team is working on a way to try and restore Ralph.  Cisco is also having his continued personal crisis in regards to Camilla...as to whether or not to reveal his Vibe identity to her.  

Sherloque eventually cracks the code and figures out  that Ralph had solved the mystery, and showed that it was the Reverse-Flash pulling both Cicada AND Nora's wings, so that he could get the dagger to stay alive.

Cicada is having her little conversations with Uncle Orlen in her head, and she knows that she can use the time sphere to go back in time to the particle accelerator incident to stop all the metahumans.  Back in 2049, we're about to see Eobard get his just desserts.

The team knows that if they destroy the dagger in the past, Thawne will survive in the future.  Sherloque asks what do they do?  Take down Grace?  Or stop Eobard.  Barry will have none of it, as he feels he can stop them both.    Nora, meanwhile, is wracked with guilt.   As the team prepares, Cisco goes to tell Camilla the truth about himself.  Not surprisingly, however---Camilla completely accepts Cisco as Vibe and gets it.  One road paved for the future.

Barry walks in on Nora sulking....they are VERY much alike, father and daughter.  Barry asks her what kind of hero does she want to be...one that takes the easy do-over?  Or one willing to live WITH the consequences of her actions?  

Back at the lab, Caitlin and Sherloque are still trying to figure out how to get Ralph bak to normal.  Just as you would have it, Sherloque tells Cisco to blast him with his powers...jolting him back together.  It works!  And just in time as the team gets an alert.  They've discovered where that piece of wood shard was located, and thus have figured out Cicada's location.  Nora says she has a plan to stop both Cicada AND Thawne.

The team splits in two with Sherloque, Iris and Cisco at the lab, as the rest of the team are on the hunt in the woods, hoping to give little Grace the choice to take the cure on her own.  Nora is the focal point, as the older Grace is caught in a force field, as Nora tries to appeal to the youthful side of Gracie.  The shield is buckling as Grace is fighting back against Nora and two versions of her Uncle in her head.  But Nora manages to get through to her.  Grace takes the cure, just as the Older Grace shows up and takes everyone out.  She's about to kill Nora when all of the sudden, Cisco vibes the gun to Flash, who blasts the gun.  The dagger is destroyed, and the older Grace is erased.  However, it's too late to stop Eobard from freeing himself and regain his power in the future.

Eobard begins his killing spree in the future as he plans to make his escape.  And when we see Eobard about to don his Reverse Flash outfit, time shifts in reverse.  Flash and  XS arrive, and reveal his plan, including when they travelled back into the past and Nora revealed Cicada's name to him.   Then, the race is on.  Battling all over Central City.  Eobard tells Nora that she can't save her father, no matter what she does.  Just as he lunges to attack, Iris, Ralph, and Cisco appear, ramming the time sphere into Eobard, and slowing him down.

The battle is on once again, as Team Flash uses fancy team work to defeat Thawne.  Just as Nora is about to deliver the killing blow, they stop her.  Just then, Nora starts to disappear.  Eobard says the new time line has set in, and Nora is going with it.  Eobard said that the only way to stop it is to enter the Negative Speed Force.  They make a run, but it Nora says no....this is her legacy...to be a hero.  Nora vanishes.  

It's a somber time for Team Flash, as they remember Nora, and Sherloque readies himself for the trip home to meet with his lady love.  Singh calls Cecile and Joe to the CCPD, and to bring Barry with him.  Iris stays behind, but sees  Nora's journal that she left behind.  

Cisco and Caitlin talk.  Cisco is ready to take the cure.  He doesn't want to be Vibe anymore.  She asks how he feels....which his scared.  But he's hopeful.  He left her something in the workshop.  He feels more at peace with himself.  

Singh gives congrats to Joe and Barry for the work they did.  Singh takes the join as the new Chief of Police, and offers Joe the job to replace him as Captain.  Joe accepts, and Singh also reveals to Barry that he knows he's the Flash.

Barry and Iris are in the tunnel when  they talk about legacy, and how she was theirs.  They then see a video chip with a message from Nora.  She talks about how it was a gift to spend time with them, and how she wouldn't change a thing, as we go through a montage of the changes happening for the team.

Nora's message ends as we back out on a tearful Barry & Iris.  

We fade back in on Gideon as she says there's a time flux---and Iris' newspaper article pops up, with the time on the date being rolled back to 2019...the CRISIS is coming!

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To say this episode to end our 5th go around with the Monarch Of Motion was quite emotional was an understatement.  Part of me had hoped for a little more, but I think this season wasn't going to quite give us the happy ending we were looking for.  Sure, Cicada was stopped, and Eobard is on the loose, which always makes for fun episodes, but this season ended with a kick in the gut.  And...as we have probably seen....the last of Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon.  Changes are coming to Team Flash....and it will be VERY interesting to see this new dynamic in action.

Gotta give the props to the big super villian for playing all his cards the right way, and gettng what he wanted, no matter WHAT Team Flash tried to do.  It's gotta be frustrating to know that your arch nemesis can find a way to pull out a lucky rabbit's foot when you least expect it.  Eobard was well crafted as usual, this season, and was great to finally see another Flash/Reverse Flash battle---I'll never tire of those. The stakes are always greater with these two.  But he set things in motion perfectly, and they played out for him.  Cicada...not so much.

Cicada has never been my favorite villian, and I feel he/she wasn't exactly used in the right context according to the character.  But that's just me.  Orlen & Grace's relationship was tragic to begin with, add the Enlightenment, and it just heaped more drama on people who were, quite frankly, sad to deal with.  Even the older Grace wasn't enough to save this villian from becoming stale.  And besides...when you throw in Eobard Thawne....NO villian in the Rogues' Gallery is going to hold much weight.  So...that being said---wasn't sad to see them go, and was NOT my favorite part of this season.  Towards the end....the character was nothing more than  a place holder, and a real afterthought, no matter WHAT the writers did.

The team changes.  We'd heard rumors all season about Carlos Valdes taking a departure from the show...and they found the easy way out.  Cisco gets to go have a life, and we move a character away from the show that's been so pivitol.  It would've been REAL fun to have some comic moments with Cicsco and Joe again, but it's not meant to be.  Sometimes, many feel a character gets stale, but for ME---WHAT in the world is going to happen to this team next season when it needs a tech guy?  Cisco's knowledge and comic presence to the team will be sorely missed, and could create writing problems.  It's something that concerns me.  Joe being promoted is cool....I felt that was coming at some juncture.  And as for Singh knowing Barry is The Flash?  Yeah...duh.  I'm glad they've NEVER made Singh out to be an idiot---but what it DOES do is give The Flash an important ally higher up now.  

The journey of Nora.  Her's was the story to be told all year.  Rambunctious, hard headed, fast, funny, cute, strong spirited----the exuded all the types of traits we look for in a hero, but also a person---especially a young woman who is living out her flaws for all to see, and yet, manage to dust herself off to be what she needed to be---a legacy.  Jessica Parker Kennedy was stellar casting for this role, and she took everything they threw at her, and owned it like a champ.  She was just like that cute little pixie you couldn't help but get frustrated with, mad at, cry at....and just come to fall in love with.  We knew here story wouldn't be long, but damn were we GLAD we took the trip with her.  She's going to be missed next season....but we ALL have to remember---Nora hasn't been BORN yet---so we can't mourn her forever.

We see a Welles come....we see a Welles go.  Seems to be the norm that they don't overstay their welcome, but do JUUUUUUST enough to keep moving the story along.  I gotta tell you....it's got to be a HOOT to be Tom Cavanaugh on this show.  Sherloloque applied just enough comedy, but intelligence to give the team that extra mind when needed.  Who knows what we'll get next season....what with CRISIS.  This mean we'll only have ONE Harrison Welles when it's all done?

Okay kids---your ONE easter egg you get before the end of the season:  The file Ralph's looking at as he sits at his PI desk...."DEARBON".   Thank goodness!  SUE is coming!  

Well....looks like the newspaper article got a HUGE reboot as the crap is about to hit the fan in the fall.  Looks like Barry will go missing A LOT sooner than we thought, as we prepare for CRISIS.

Okay!  It has been a LOOOOOONG, trying, maddening week, but I'm glad I got to sneak this in.  Only two more shows to go, and we're on show hiatus!   What did YOU think of this season of The Flash?  Curious as to what you think, so leave a comment, and HEY!  If you've NOT subscribed yet---get your butt in gear!  I promise I WILL be working on new content as soon as I can!  

I can't thank you enough for sticking with me guys!  I appreciate it!

Until Season 6 in the fall.....keep on running!

ARROW - Season 7.22

ARROW – SEASON 7, EP. 22:  “You Have Saved This City”

Team Arrow has faced many dangers and trials in their time together, but this is, no doubt, been their most difficult test to say the least.  Family is on the line, legacy is on the line, LIVES are on the line…what will the future hold for the team as the Ninth Circle and Ollie’s sister Emiko plan their assault on Star City to bring it to the ground?

We leave off where we were last episode, with Team Arrow caught on the roof of the SCPD, and the cops bearing down on them, looking to arrest them.  A quick flash bomb allows the team to escape and make their way back to the Bunker, where they plan their next move, and discuss the issues at hand:  exposed as liars, the cover up, and the police looking to arrest them.  Their reputations tarnished, their real lives in jeopardy.  But help is on the way in the form of Curtis and Laurel.  Ollie and Felicity have a moment, and he talks of trying to end the cycle of destruction that has claimed both him AND Emiko.

We hop forward to 2040, where Felicity and the team try to plot their final move on Galaxy One to destroy ARCHER.  However, they’re captured.  That doesn’t sit well with Mia, who instigates a fight, and the team takes up the battle.  They win, thanks to Connor being in disguise.  Now they just need to find William.  Speaking of which, he and Rene are being led down a hallway, discussing the plan they put into place, when they get to an elevator, it explodes, and Zoey appears to rescue her dad and William.  

We quickly shift back to the present, where the team tries to figure out Emiko’s next move.  They figure out she’s got a bomb located in a building, which has been evacuated.  The team scrambles, and gets to the building, where they’re met with resistance by both police AND the employees of the building.  Bronze Tiger shows up out of nowhere to lend assistance to the team.  They take out the cops when drones rise up and start moving around, spraying a virus at various people.  They manage to take out the drones, but not without a few casualties.  This is Emiko’s warm up act.  Back at the Bunker, a news report puts Team Arrow as the instigators of the attack.  They’re outlaws yet again.  Rene decides that if Emiko is serious about destroying the city, he needs to get Zoey to safety.  They agree, and Diggle offers to make sure Tiger’s son Connor is safe too.  He’s grateful.

Jumping forward in time once again, it turns out that Felicity put a backdoor virus into ARCHER, and it has to do with the fact that Mia’s fingerprints are the key.  She officially doesn’t “exist” because there are no records of her.  So, if she can get into the Tower, and place a bomb in there, they can take it out.  Felicity isn’t keen on the plan, but William assures her that he can guide her through the building, and Mia tells her Mom she can do it.  Roy then says that if she’s going to go, take these---handing her Oliver’s bow and quiver.

Quickly back to the present, the team is on the hunt for more drones, but they’re all over the place.  The one place she’s holed up is PalmerTech, where she plans to destroy the building, because it USED to be Queen Consolidated (I have a point to make later here), hence her finally bringing everything related to Oliver Queen and the Queen family down, thus ending the Queen Family legacy.  At Palmer, Virgil and the rest of the Ninth Circle are not too keen on Emiko’s actions…preferring to settle her personal vendetta over their overall plans to destroy Star City.  She reminds him just who is in charge.  She says that Oliver Queen is going to suffer.

The team finally makes its way into PalmerTech, looking for Emiko, the bomb, and the virus itself.  Oliver turns to Roy and gives him and arrow, telling him to do what it takes to stop the weapons, as he’s on the hunt for Emiko.  

We jump ahead once again, and Felicity fixing a gadget to help stop ARCHER.  Felicity talks with Dinah and Rene, and feels she failed the kids, and this was NOT the life she wanted for the kids.  Rene talks about how well Zoey turned out, and that she didn’t fail.  She did what she had to.  Plus, they tell her the kids are adults now, and they can handle themselves.  They go to work.

Ollie is still hunting Emiko, while the team is taking on the Ninth Circle.  Surprisingly, they get help from the police, once they figured out what’s REALLY going on.  Dinah orders the cops and everyone to evacuate the building.  Ollie finds Emiko and they face off.

Emiko tells Ollie it’s the end of the line, and goes to press the button on the detonator to set off the bomb, but it doesn’t go off.  She says she doesn’t need a bomb to kill Ollie.  The fight is on.

To the future we go, as Mia works her way through the Galaxy One building, while William is keeping tabs.  However, she’s caught as she uses her handprint to set off the backdoor virus.  A battle ensues, and they get back Kevin Deal and his goons.  William is upset that the virus didn’t activate, and didn’t take down ARCHER.  He feels he failed, but they press on.

A quick cut back to the present, where Ollie and Emiko are deep in battle, when Ollie gets the best of her.  She says she wants to destroy Star City and everything the Queens stand for.  Ollie says he wanted to kill her after he found out SHE let the Queen’s Gambit sink, SHE allowed their father to die, and that she allowed her mother to die by joining the Ninth Circle.  Her decisions led her down this path…the same as it did Ollie.  He tells her it’s time to put an end to it.  Just then, Virgil and one of the other members of the Circle said that now that they’re exposed, their plans to destroy Star City are out in the open, and they can’t have that.  Emiko tells them SHE is the Ninth Circle, and she gets a knife thrown into her gut for her troubles.  The Circle surround them, and it’s into battle once more.  With Ollie and Emiko fighting side by side.  

To the future once again, as Mia cuts a swath to reach the Tower to disable ARCHER.  We jump back to the past to see Virgil tell the group to set off the bomb while Ollie and Emiko battle the Circle.

We see Mia make the Tower, and she puts the detonator on the screen.  A slight hesitation follows as she tells William to look after their Mom.  She sets off the bomb, and she has 60 seconds to bail out.

We come back to the present as we see the bomb has gone off, and Emiko is mortally wounded.  She apologizes to Ollie, and he forgives her, but because the Ninth Circle is so dangerous, she tells him that his family will die if they don’t go into hiding.  She tells him she knows about his baby.  And she finally dies.

Mia makes her escape, albeit barely, as the walls surrounding the Glades are blown up, along with the Tower.  Meanwhile, in the present, we see her father barely escape the explosion from PalmerTech.  He looks up…knowing his sister is gone.

Things settle down at the Bunker, as the team has been cleared, and things are stable…for now.  But now, decisions are made, and Ollie and Felicity decide it’s time to go.  To save themselves and William, they need to leave.  Ollie feels he’s leaving the city in good hands.  Curtis takes off, and Bronze Tiger bids his farewell.  Roy feels it’s time to clear his head, and eventually get back to Thea.  The team, in this form, is disbanding, but promise to keep tabs on each other.  Thus, the Mark of Four is created.  Ollie feels that his true legacy has been the team itself, and the good it has done.

In the future, we see that Felicity, Dinah, Roy, and Rene will be considered fugitives, and will take the blame for the collapse of the Glades.  They decide to pass the torch down to the youth, feeling that they will keep the city safe in the future.  As they all depart, Felicity says she has one more thing she has to do.

Ollie and Felicity talk, feeling that it was a good idea to hide her pregnancy from the rest of the team…for now.  Diggle says that they have a chance to raise their daughter in a good environment.  Thus, they are taken to a safe house…the one we saw at the beginning of the season, that’s protected by ARGUS, and they’ll be safe.  The Bunker is officially shut down.

We get a montage of Ollie and Felicity’s time in isolation, and Mia’s eventual birth.  Afterwards, they both talk about bringing William home, when there’s a noise.  Ollie goes to check, and it’s the Monitor.  Ollie thought he had more time, but knows that it’s finally come.  The Monitor knows that he’s seen Ollie die in the future.  Felicity isn’t thrilled about what’s going on, but Ollie said this was the deal he made to save Barry and Kara from dying.  The CRISIS is at hand.  

We jump ahead once again, and Felicity says that it’s for the best that the kids be on their own, and that communication will not be possible.  She hugs her kids and tells them that she loves them and is proud of them.  They also say goodbye to Ollie, looking at his gravesite.  In the present, Ollie tells her to promise him to keep the kids safe.  He takes off with the Monitor after a final tender moment, and final promises to each other.

We jump ahead into the future one last time, where we see Felicity walking alone, and finally meeting up with the Monitor.  She tells him she’s ready, and he says that the place she’s going, there’s no coming back.  She understands, and he opens a portal, and off they go.  Goodbye Felicity Smoak.  

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Wow.  I have mixed emotions about this episode.  A lot went down, and some of it will STILL take awhile to process as we head into the summer break.  But let’s see what I can do, eh?

Well, right up front---we KNEW this is was Emily Bett Rickards’ FINAL episode of Arrow, and I was quite surprised how she departed the series….but it wasn’t in a BAD way.  It’s interesting that they tied the CRISIS in right at this moment, but I think ARROW runs a little further in time than say, FLASH, LEGENDS, and even SUPERGIRL does (though she’s on a different Earth).  The ending with the Monitor is somewhat of a different ending than what appeared in the comics, but, they took the same premise…only in the comic, is was the original Superman being reunited with Lois, and Superboy and Alexander Luthor heading into the unknown (Spoiler Alert…get over it).  But it was a bittersweet, sad, and yet, appropriate way to write Felicity off the show.  We only have 10 episodes left of Ollie’s journey before we see his final fate in CRISIS.  So…that’s a bit of a spoiler in and of itself.  However, with the series ending, honestly couldn’t avoid it.

Okay…Emiko dying.  I was REALLY hoping they weren’t going to bump her off.  HAD they decided to keep the show going, she could’ve EASILY slipped into that role….but I guess they felt that her character was far too gone on the evil side for her to be redeemed….except in death.  Such a shame, though, because they could’ve had some fun with that.  But, with the show ending, this was the only way her story comes to an end.  And hey---I watch LEGENDS, and Neron’s plan to overthrow the Earth and bring Hell to the surface, he’s shacked up at PalmerTech, impersonating Ray.  Now…if PalmerTech is destroyed, just WHEN in the HELL did the LEGENDS story take place?!  I know there are SOME slip ups to happen now and then, but let’s be REAL here---not that hard to keep track of these things.  That’s going to nag me all summer.

Interesting how Ollie and Felicity decided to keep the pregnancy secret from the rest of the team…outside of Laurel (who figured it out), Emiko, and Diggle.  Was that to keep Mia safe, and make sure the team didn’t falter in giving up that info?  Just another curious writing decision.

Ollie and Emiko’s family is one of tragedy…and it carries over into the children.  I wonder what Ollie and Felicity said in regards to Emiko?  Did they lie and say she was a hero?  Do they know about their Aunt?  And the future sequences definitely wrapped up a story that was sad at best.  We now get the role reversal with William the brain, and Mia the muscle.  Add Connor and Zoey, and the future has new heroes to keep the city safe.  Again, had they continued the show, this would’ve been ANOTHER great spin on it…and seen new stories featuring the kids.  Again…a lost opportunity.

Either way, it has been one hell of a ride this season, and I appreciate you being on it with me.  It’s been a blast reviewing the Emerald Archer’s adventures this season, and look forward to the final 10 episode stretch in the final season.  Again, please subscribe and leave a comment.  What was your favorite parts this season?  Did you like the way it ended?  Let me know.  

Until our final 10 episode run next season….keep your sights on the bullseye!

DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW - Season 4.15

DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW – SEASON 4, EP. 15:  “Terms of Service”

Our stalwart heroes have REALLY had a bad go of it lately, what with Neron literally giving then hell, as well as dealing with all their personal matters, and on top of that, TRYING to get all these mythical, magical creatures contained.  It’s made for one messy situation---and it’s NOT getting better!

We arrive in D.C. in current time, as a young Zari is eating while her mother tells her dessert is not breakfast.  Her mother shows her the baby bump of her little brother, and then hears a PSA from Ray Palmer (actually Neron), verifying that monsters do exist in the world, while instilling fear in the masses, and tells the public to join him at his convention, PalmerX 2019.

Back on the Waverider, the team is weighing their options on how to handle taking back the Bureau from Neron, just as Zari and Nate continue to coddle the dragon egg.  Meanwhile, they’re keeping in communication with Norah, who’s in the Bureau working her way to find Mona.

Tabitha, our Fairy Godmother, is doing what she can to persuade Gary to make a wish and do something nasty to the Legends, in order to get revenge on them picking on him and treating him like dirt.

We move into Hell, where Constantine is on his search for Ray, but he’s being followed by every demon in the realm.

Neron is looking to use Mona and her wolf powers as part of his plan to create fear and havoc amongst the public.  Norah is outside her cell, ready to try and rescue her.

Gary finally caves in, and makes a wish---making Sara, Ava, and Norah appear in a room, where he’s ready to have a book club meeting.  We can see that Gary is trying to fulfill every wish to feel like a member of the group.  Gary wants to be included.  They try to reason with him, and say that they’ll read later, but Tabitha forces them to read.  Meanwhile, the rest of the team is looking to get into PalmerTech in order to rescue Mona.

John is on the streets of hell searching for a demon named Masha.  He comes across a female demon, whom he tries to tempt with “holy water”, but she sees through it.  He tells her adios, and he’s on his way to find Masha.

Gary is still happy in his little playground of thoughts, as he makes another wish, wanting to be the Captain of the Waverider at this time.  The ladies decide that they need to play along in order to get Gary to cooperate and help them.  However, Norah is not with them, having been whisked away by Tabitha, who has a chat with her.  Tabitha says that she owes Neron…he saved her.  She then takes Norah to PalmerTech.  He plans on using Norah to help him unleash all the monsters of Hell.

The team manages to make its way to PalmerTech, where the expo is about to happen, and they sneak in.  Neron tells them of a new app that will allow them to find out who and what is a monster amongst the public.  They just have to apply for it.  He then rolls out Mona as an example, and manipulates her to change into her wolf persona.  She goes on the attack on Neron’s men, but is quickly subdued by him.  She’s taken away.  As everyone flees the room, Nate and Mick disappear suddenly, as Zari is left behind with the dragon egg.  She uses her powers to bail out.

We pop back to Hell, where John has found Masha.  Turns out, Neron’s plan is to take the big seat in Hell, and has a plan to do it.  He asks to be taken to the Triumvirate.  

Gary’s playtime on the ship continues, as the ladies TRY to figure out a means of escape.  He makes another wish to have the guys there, and that’s where they wind up, as they were taken away from PalmerTech.  

Tabitha, meanwhile, is working Norah, and looks to make a deal.

Gary addresses the team, and says that all he wanted to do is feel cool and wanted, but all they did was make fun of them.  He makes another wish for the them to feel how HE felt and has felt.  The team is doing ridiculous things, like Sara and Ava dancing, Mick with a pacifier in his mouth, and Nate looking dorky.

Charlie and Zari wind up at her house in present time, and try to come up with a plan to get Mona out, as well as stop Neron.  It turns out, the app’s fine print says that everyone’s souls will belong to him once they sign up for it.  It forces the issue, and Zari tries to convince Charlie that she can use her powers to help them get into PalmerTech.  Zari convinces her that she can’t change her family’s fate, but she can at least save her present.  As they take off, Zari leaves the backpack with the dragon egg behind.  Young Zari walks in and discovers it.

John comes across the Triumvirate, and informs them of Neron’s plans.  They’re impressed with Neron, and decide to offer John a deal.  John’s here for the soul of Ray, but they also tempt him with the soul of the girl he couldn’t save:  Astra.  As he sees the young Astra crying for help, Ray is also trying to get him to save him.  John decides on Astra.

Charlie and Zari manage to sneak into PalmerTech again, and using various disguises, manage to get further into the core of the building.  However, Zari is captured, and led to a cell.  They’re trying to save Norah.

Gary looks like he’s had his fun aboard the ship, prancing around in Nate’s superhero gear, and realizes it’s not fun anymore.  He has Tabitha stop it all.  She takes off as Norah calls out to her.

Tabitha arrives at the cell, and looks to make a deal with Norah.  Become the Fairy Godmother, take her curse, and Mona will just have to make a wish to be saved.  However, it’s a setup, as now Norah doesn’t have her powers anymore, except for the Fairy Godmother ones.  Mona urged her NOT to take the deal, but it’s too late.  Tabitha is now happy to be free of it.  And Norah can’t use the power unless someone calls out to her…which is Gary, in this case.  

Gary has a heart to heart with the team, and they convince him (after apologizing), that he DOES have value.  But he needs to help them out to save Ray and John.  He calls out to Norah, who disappears and appears on the Waverider, only to have Gary wish her to go into hell and save John and Ray.

Charlie is sneaking around in various forms, as she shapeshifts her way through the building.  She ends up bumping into Neron while disguised as Tabitha.  She manages to avoid him, and sneak off.  Neron is back at his nerve center, hoping that the panic from the You Tube clip would result in more people downloading the app, thus more souls.  He then decides to enact his plan to attack Washington with the Minotaur.  Just then, Tabitha walks in, and he realizes he’s been duped.  Charlie, meanwhile, lets all the monsters out of their cells, and tells them to make a break for it.  She manages to get to get to Mona, and has the team get her out of there.  However, she’s trapped in the cell.  Tabitha realizes that he’s got all the monsters he needs in Charlie.  

John, back in Hell, now sees an adult Astra, who informs him that she’s seen the “light”, and doesn’t WANT to go back.  She then goes on to torture him about his failures, and leaves him to die.

The Waverider is bringing in the magical creatures as refugees.  Zari reunites with Nate, and while hugging, she realizes she left the dragon egg behind.

We finally see Young Zari, with the egg, as it hatches, seeing the dragon for the first time.  She introduces herself to it.

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This was yet another solid episode in what has been, by far, a crazy season.  The team is really going to have to pull out all the stops to wrap this nasty situation up with Neron before he makes a play for the Throne of Hell, and brings that nightmare to Earth.  We get some minor humor this episode…mostly from Gary, but we’re still looking on at John’s failures, as he tries to right his ledger, and how the team is interacting at this point to try and save the day.  They’re starting to gel….sort of.

Gary’s been a punching bag and comic relief all season---and that’s his job.  But it’s also nice to know that the man HAS a story.  He just wanted to fit in---it’s that simple.  And while the team DID use him as a doormat most of the time, he’ll now be able to serve a purpose, since he’s got the power of the Fairy Godmother on his side….Norah.

Speaking of which…Neron took quite an interest in her the last few episodes, hoping to goad her into joining the dark side of the tracks once again.  But credit the woman for holding her ground.  However, she’s still easily suckered by Tabitha, and is now cursed as a Fairy Godmother.  But maybe…JUST MAYBE…the team can help Gary make the right wishes to end the nightmare.  

Charlie has earned her stripes over the 2nd half of this season since being caught.  She’s really endeared herself to the team and earned her keep.  But now she’s in a sticky situation, as her powers will be used to the fullest by Neron to fulfill his prophecy.  

John’s journey into Hell was something you’d expect of him…except choosing Astra over Ray.  But he’s so desperate to put things right, it’s now only made things worse, as Astra is lost to him, and he lost his deal with the Triumvirate to save Ray’s soul.  This complicates matters, and not sure how much sweet talking John can do to get his way.

Actually felt for Mona this episode.  Something she’s still learning to control---the beast within---and it’s used as a scare tactic, and is seriously wounded.  She urged Norah NOT to make the deal with Tabitha, but it was too late.  Hopefully, Mona and her beastial side will be of help in the season finale.

Finally…what happens with Young Zari and the dragon egg?  How will that play out for the final episode of the season?  VERY curious about how her history will change because of THAT SNAFU?  

More questions, but no doubt the answers WILL come next week, as we wrap up this rollercoaster ride of the Legends.  As always, subscribe, leave a comment, and pass the good word around!

Until next time….the season finale!

SUPERGIRL - Season 4.21

SUPERGIRL - SEASON 4, EP. 21:  "Red Dawn"


Boy, oh boy has the Girl Of Steel REALLY have a problem.  Kidnapped by the President himself in her guise as Kara Danvers, she has lost information implicating Lex Luthor behind the attack on the White House, she can't exonerate herself, and her friends are desperate to quell an all out war between humans and the alien population, as well as dealing with a now Harun-El amped Ben Lockwood.  

And it ISN'T getting better...

We flash back to Midvale, circa 2007, where we see Kara and Alex out on a hike, chatting away about Kara fitting in.  At one point in the hike, Kara falls, and as Alex goes to reach her, she falls with her sister.  We see adult Alex wake up, seeing as it's a nightmare.  She later explains it to Kelly, who correlates it to Alex losing out on the adoption.  Alex tells her that it's a memory, but then she draws a blank...she feels something missing (we ALL know what THAT is).  She then gets a desperate call from Brainy, and she takes off towards the DEO.

Kara has the hood removed, and she's tied to a chair.  She says to the agents that they can't keep a reporter tied up, but they said they can and will until she is no longer a threat.  She says she can still publish her story,  but they said they wiped the CatCo servers.  Kara then distracts them long enough to break free, take them down, and is almost ready to escape until she opens the door, and gets met face to face by her clone in disguise...complete with Kryptonite.  Down she goes.

Once Alex arrives at the DEO, Brainy fills her in on Lockwood coming in, and taking all the Harun-El samples, as well as trashing the lab.  Alex informs Lena when she shows up, and Lena figures out that Lockwood is the key.  She lets them know about Supergirl's clone, and their trip to Kaznia, and Lex's cover using Amertek.  Alex says she'll hunt down the clone, while Lena explores another idea.

Kara awakens yet again, with Kryptonite in her lap, and face to face with her clone.  Red ( not going to keep typing out Red Daughter, you know who she is), goes off on her soapbox about Kara, her life, and the country she supports.  Kara tries to explain ro her that Lex is just using her, and that he'll dump her when he's done with her.  Red doesn't buy it, and is ready to shoot Kara, but Kara reminds her that while Red has been dealing with the effects of Kryptonite for only a few short months, Kara has been dealing with it for 15 years, thrn breaks free of her binds, tosses the Kryptonite at Red, who dodges, but Kara escapes out the window, but not before Red gets a shot off and hits Kara as she escapes.

Kara shows up at J'Onn's, and he removes the bullets.  She laments about how she lost her evidence against Lex, can't clear her name, and wishes she could have Alex remember her.  She then asks J'Onn if he could reverse the effects, and he says no.  But, he says, there IS a chance she can remember on her own.  Brainy arrives,  and says that Alex is chasing Red, and came to ask J'Onn for help tracking the aliens Lex was using to experiment on.

Lena visits her mother Lillian in prison, and with the use of an alien who empowers her to tell the truth, she admits that she knows how to extract the Harun-El.  Just to be sure she is on the up-and-up, Lena poisoned Lillian's food.  She's got 24 hours to figure it out.

Supergirl meets up with Alex, and they discuss everything going down, including President Baker working for Lex.

Lena catches up to Lockwood, and lays it down for him that he's just a pawn in a much bigger scheme, and that he's just one of many puppets being dangled by Lex.  Lockwood doesn't buy it, and says he took all her superpower juice.  However, he's losing his hair, and that he is deteriorating.   He then takes off, and Lena...who was with James...tail him.

Brainy and J'Onn arrive at the last place where the aliens were spotted.  J'Onn finds a unicorn bracelet just as Dreamer arrives.  She gets a dream about the bracelet and knows where the aliens are...Amertek.  Brainy, J'Onn, and Dreamer take off, and Brainy is desperate to tell Dreamer he loves her.  Once there, they plot a way in, but J'Onn advises them that he will get in, and for them to stay put.  However, Dreamer wants to save the girl, and concots a plan with Brainy to get in, using an illusion device to make Brainy to look like Lockwood.  However,  they're exposed and captured.

At the DEO, Alex is running tests on Supergirl to see if they can find a weakness for Red.  Haley then bursts in and finds Supergirl.  They catch her up on Lex's plot, and she had been doing some digging, and found out about the Claymore Project, and how every lead she had led to dead bodies.  They manage to use Haley's info to find out where Red has been found at:  114 Cedar Avenue.  Supergirl urges Alex to stay there.

Supergirl makes it to Red's apartment, and finds out she's been stalking her.

Brainy is being tortured to the point that his mind is going haywire.  He begs for them to leave Dreamer alone, but they ignore him, and torture him to the point he gets rebooted back to how his ancestors were.  He easily escapes and dispatches them.  J'Onn arrives asking what's wrong, and Brainy just tells him coldly thst he escaped.

Lockwood manages to find Otis Graves, and Otis spills the beans about how Lockwood was just a patsy for Lex's bigger vision...world domination.   Him and Lockwood battle, and it doesn't end well for Otis.  From afar, James and Lena bear witness, but James has an attack.

Brainy is initiating a plan to save the Aliens, but in a cold, calculating way.  He's going to send Dreamer into where the aliens are going and have her astral project their location.  J'Onn isn't fond of the idea, but Brainy goes all Spock on him and hits the nerve centers to take J'Onn down.  

Alex catches up with Supergirl at Red's, and notices it looks like Kara's apartment,  and that she set herself up across from Kara.  Alex talks about recalling some memories, but can't put them all together, and how she can't protect Kara as always.  Just then, Eliza Danvers calls, saying that Kara is safe and sound there.  Supergirl overhears and knows it's Red...she's off and flying.

Supergirl arrives at the Danvers house to confront Red.  Red has Eliza hostage, and continues to espouse the rhetoric Lex fed her.  Supergirl beings up Mikhail, the boy who was special to her.  Red shoves Eliza away, and the fight is on between the two women, with Kara carrying it out into the surrounding woods.
The battle goes back and forth, meanwhile, Alex finally arrives, and heads into the direction of the fight. Red introduces new powers and starts using this purple lightning blast to take down Supergirl.  All the while as Alex is watching them fight, her memories flood back to her.  Red finally brings Supergirl down.  As she takes off, Alex goes to her sister's side.  Red is above hearing Kara's heart beat to a stop, as Alex tries to resuscitate her.  Then, Rex takes off.  Alex continues to beg Kara to fight...telling her to draw the power of the sun from the life around her.  We see then the stored up solar energy within nature around her to recover.  Alex and Eliza are relieved.

Lena bursts into Lillian's cell with James, who's in bad shape.  Lillian manages to save him with a new serum.  Lena then gives her the antidote.

Nia looks up at a stone cold Brainy as she is being led into who knows where.  She is NOT happy.

Kara, Alex, and Haley talk more about the Claymore, and what Lex's plans are with it.  To have Kaznia start a war with the US, using the Red Daughter, then Lex comes in and saves the day, making HIM the hero.  Then, we see a telecast of President Baker thanking Lex from destroying the Kaznian "threat" by having beaten "Supergirl" to do it.  We hear the President say that the nation owes Lex for what he did.  

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WHOA!! This episode crammed A LOT in very very quickly, but the cat is finally out of the bag on regards to Lex for Team Supergirl.   And Lockwood....oh to have been played a patsy by Lex, to have his cause manipulated....he's going to be one uncontrollable bastard next week.  And leave it to that idiot Otis to spill the beans.  No wonder he gets ripped to shreds, then rebuilt.  

I gotta say...when Lena wants to tap into that Luthor gene, she's pretty vicious.  Using an alien to make you tell the truth PLUS poison your own adopted mother's food as backup...brilliant! Just in time to save James.

Hooray!  We had an Eliza appearance! Always good to see Helen Slater on the show.  And an even bigger applause for having sibling love overcome a mindwipe.  Good to know Alex remembers now.

Haley still has some brownie points to earn, but damn the woman gets on the freaking page quick.  Like how she finally sees things that they are...and still be by the book. 

Was hoping Supergirl and the Red Daughter's battle would've been more epic, but I have a feeling we're getting Round 2.

See...I TOLD you the President was scum!

Poor Brainy.  Had a meltdown this week, and is now rebooted like his ancestor Brainiac.  THAT is trouble Team Supergirl DOESN'T need!

Still awaiting that Cat Grant cameo this season.....

What a high flying episode.  Didn't give much time to take a breath, but I liked that.

That's all for this week.  Subscribe and drop a comment.

Until next week's action packed season finale...Up, up and away!