THE FLASH - Season 5.15

THE FLASH – SEASON 5, EP. 15: “King Shark v. Gorilla Grodd”

The Scarlet Speedster is back!  And tonight, we’ve got a Main Event, knock down, drag out battle as King Shark and Gorilla Grodd lock up when Grodd hits town, and Team Flash finds themselves actually working with the beast to TAME another beast!

We open this edition with Flash and XS taken out by Grodd, and King Shark and him going at it.  We go back to earlier and Cisco has finally gotten the cure ready.  They keep waiting for a “but”, however Cisco assures them it’s ready.  The problem is, they need to find a volunteer for the cure.  Barry says he knows of someone who might be ready.  They head to ARGUS, and meet up with Lyla, who finally meets Nora.  They discuss why King Shark would be a good volunteer, and Lyla says he’s been quite talkative lately.

At the West house, Joe has returned (YES!!!), and he shares the pictures from his stay with Wally with Cecile and Iris.  He says that Wally is happy where he’s at, and away from the craziness.  Cecile goes to look after Jenna, and Iris and Joe talk about Cicada.  He feels that Cicada has eluded capture for awhile, and feels that someone is working with him.  Iris is hesitant to catch her Dad up on the latest activities, and goes to get more coffee.

Back at ARGUS, Team Flash arrives to talk to King Shark.  They meet up with Dr. Tanya Landon, who’d been working on getting King Shark back to some semblance of normal.  She says she invented a crown that allows her to communicate with him, and him being fairly “normal”.  But she also knows that he’s gotten more shark-like as well.  Caitlin asks if they could talk to him, and see if he’d volunteer for the cure.  Landon has a chat with him, and he agrees to talk.  The shield is dropped and Shark appears, asking if the cure will work.  Caitlin would like to start, but instead of wanting the cure, he bolts.  Lyla goes to subdue him, and Barry gets knocked down, as Shark escapes. 

The crown apparently failed, but Caitlin suggests that they head to STAR Labs to see if they can use the Mad 2.0 to boost her crown’s abilities.  They leave to start work on it.

The West House is where we go again, as Iris and Joe hang out.  She suggests working with him today, and he’s all for it.  He discusses her new office, and she begins to pull back.  She talks about a leak, and he gives her a number for a plumber, and she takes it, and decides to quickly leave in order to take care of it.  Joe is a bit confused.

Back at STAR Labs, Cisco and Landon are successful in making the Mad 2.0 and the crown communicate.  They get to work setting it up to get it to King Shark.  As Landon works, Sherloque notices the connection between Shark and Landon to be very close.  She admits she’s gotten closer to him, but he is still her patient.  Once everything is set up, they get a hit on where Shark’s location is—the wharf.  They speed over and try to get him to mellow out, and see if he wants the cure.  But he grabs Cisco, and begins to squeeze him.  They’re trying to find out what’s going on at STAR, and  Flash then decides that it’s time to settle him down before Cisco is crushed to death.  So Flash speeds over, and injects the cure into Shark.  Shark falls into the water, and Caitlin and Landon ask what’s happening.  Shay comes out of the water, human.  And Flash informs Landon and Caitlin that he’s human again.

At STAR Labs, Shay wakes up, and freaks out as to where he’s at.  Everyone on the team settles him down, and he can’t believe he’s human again.  Landon and the team explain to him about the cure.  Caitlin says he still has some traces of Dark Matter in him.  Hopefully another dose will cure get rid of it.  Sherloque asks him about his duality, and Shay says he admits that he should be held accountable for his actions.  He talks about remembering his actions in bits and pieces…but then his Shark side strikes out at Landon.  She takes off, and they say that he’s got to stay at STAR until they perfect the cure.  Barry is pulled aside by Caitlin and Cisco.  They chastise him for giving the cure to Shay without his permission.  Barry defends his decision that he did it to save Cisco’s life, but they’re not having any of it.  They all agreed that they would only give the cure IF the volunteer consented…unless this was Barry’s plan all along.  They’re not happy with him.

Iris and Joe are at Jitters, and they discuss her fight with Cicada.  She’s afraid that now that he knows who she is, she can’t protect her family.  Joe tells her that she feels helpless.  She agrees, and says that they need to go to a place where she isn’t.

Back at the Lab, Barry arrives again to apologizes, but he’s attacked by Cisco…he puts Cisco in the Pipeline, then goes back for Caitlin, and finds Grodd controlling her.  She blasts Barry.   Grodd escapes. 

After the brief battle, Cisco and Caitlin are normal, and not under Grodd’s control anymore.  They then try to figure out WHY Grodd escaped ARGUS.  Lyla gives them footage of the night of the enlightenment, where they see that the tech in the building went down…just long enough for Grodd to convince a guard to help him.  They now have to figure out how to recapture Grodd.

Sherloque talks to Landon, and says that she’s hiding her feelings from Shay.  She doesn’t want to admit it, but she does.  She then talks to Shay, and they admit they have a bond.

At the gym, Joe talks to Iris about why he went East with Wally.  He went there with Cecile’s blessing and Jenna to heal himself in mind and body.  He convinces Iris to hit the back, telling her to fight back against Cicada…she vents her frustrations, and feels better afterwards.

Back at STAR Labs, the team gets a hit on Grodd’s location:  the top of the highest building in the city, where he can use the crown he stole from them to broadcast to the city in order to control them. 

Team Flash tries to figure out how to get the crown off Grodd before he takes over the whole city.  Barry suggests the mind dampeners.  If XS and run at him and distract him, Barry and her can take him down.  They managed to knock him off the building, but he attacks them, and they’re knocked down.  Back at the lab, Shay says he’ll be willing to go back to being King Shark in order to stop Grodd.  They tell him that if he does that, he’ll never be human again.  But he says he can save Flash, and right some of the wrongs he’s done. 

Grodd is almost in control of the city, when King Shark arrives.  He says he wants Grodd gone, and they start to fight.  Battling over the city, Shark and Grodd stay evenly matched.  Grodd runs, and Shark gives chase.  Grodd eventually gets the better of him, and drags him to the top of a crane, upside down.  Shark is immobilized.  The team at the lab figure out that he needs a jolt of electricity to get out of his catatonic state.  Flash and XS do just that.  Grodd is down on the street, and Shark gets the best of him.  Shark removes the crown, and puts it back on.  Grodd has been defeated.

Iris heads back to her office…a tad apprehensive, but enters it and is ready to go.  She gets a text from Barry, telling her what she missed.  She can’t believe she missed King Shark vs. Gorilla Grodd.

At STAR Labs, Lyla and Team Flash discuss Grodd, and Lyla says they put him into a medically induced coma, so that his mind can’t access anymore dark matter.  Lyla also finds out that Shay cannot turn back into human again.  At ARGUS, Landon is looking into the aquarium where Shark is.  Sherloque shows up and tells her that their connection, their love, is there.  It doesn’t matter if it’s man or Shark.  She thanks him for his help, and he dismisses it as nothing.  They hug, and she hopes he will find love again one day.  He leaves, and Shark and Landon talk.  He notices she’s sad, and she tells him that he helped saved the city.  He says he’d do it again…because he loves her.   She smiles, and they touch the glass, ensuring their bond.

Once again at the Lab, Barry talks to Caitlin and Cisco, and agrees he was out of line.  He promises never to do it again.  But he says maybe they should offer Cicada the cure.  Barry reminds them that people deserve second chances…even their enemies.  Caitlin and Cisco are taken aback.

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A power packed episode!  Some interesting things going on here that we shall address them.

First and foremost...let's get the elephant out of the room.  Barry taking it upon himself to inject the cure into King Shark, and then JUSTIFIED it to Caitlin and Cisco, and having THEM question HIS motives as far as the USE of the cure---fascinating.  It's one of the few jerk moves Barry's made in awhile.  It shows how paranoid he is about this issue with Cicada, and the fact that he reacted IN fear at seeing Cisco in danger, he made a snap decision, without thinking of an alternative.  There WERE other ways, but Barry operating out of panic, and later being called out on the carpet for actually thinking that plan all along...not a good look, Barry.  Admittedly, he sucked up and apologized later, knowing he deserved any tongue lashing Cisco and Caitlin give, he knows he can't force anyone's hand again.  It's a bit risky to want to try and convince Cicada to take the cure...but I see that it is part of the plot.  Cicada eventually needs to be stopped.  But they've made it so he seems like he's the big bad of the season, so I don't see them dropping him now, with about 10 episodes left to go of this season.  But, we'll see....

Iris dealing with her fear.  For someone who's been so strong and badass over the last year or so...Iris having fear about Cicada showing up at anytime, now that he knows who she is, has sent her into a panic.  So much so, she wasn't willing to go to the office---out of fear.  Thankfully, good old Joe returned to set her straight (Welcome Back, Jessie!).  Boy, has Joe been sorely missed...good to have him back.  This was the only thing I was a little iffy on---considering how well Iris stood up to Cicada, and had all the confidence in the world on beating him.  But...when one thinks about the consequences of their actions...I can understand why she also cringed back a bit.  The reality of the situation has finally settled in on her.  Did find it funny, though, that the big battle between Grodd and Shark was something she missed...and she couldn't believe it.  You'd have thought that stuff would've been all over the news.  Well...I'm sure the team will fill her in on what happened.

King Shark and Tonya Landon.  In an odd way, this was also a love story tonight.  It's interesting what you can take out of a show once you watch it...and there are many things I did tonight---a love story was one of them.  Landon developed a way to talk to Shark, try and reach his inner self---the Shay part---and she reached him.  As much as she tried to deny how she felt about Shay.....man or Shark.  She couldn't hide it from Sherloque.  In a way, it was very tragic...but very sweet.  I don't believe we'll have a 100% turnaround of King Shark...but this is a good start.  If there's one thing I can take out of The Flash...it's redemption.  Look at Captain Cold...need I say more?  It also gives us another character to come in and assist the team on occasion in Landon.  

I always love an appearance from Grodd.  He's always been one of my favorite Flash villains.  He's intelligent, brutal, and dangerous.  They show runners got it right with him.  And the fight with King Shark---albeit brief and without destruction of half the city, was still a nice little bit of flavoring to this episode.  This is what I love about these shows---the villains can COME BACK to plague the hero again.  It's how the comics work, and I feel the CW and Warner Bros. have done a good job in that department.  Along with those coming out of the studios at DC.

Hooray for the Lyla appearance!  Anytime you can get some crossover stuff with the other shows...it's a bonus!

This is the one episode where Flash didn't have MUCH action...and Nora's story took a breather for a week...which is good.  It sets us up for next week and beyond, as we get to the finish line of Season 5.  

All in all, I know some will be disappointed, because not a lot of plot really got moved forward, Nora got put on the back burner, and it seemed flat to most.  Plus, I'm sure everyone thought the fight with Grodd and Shark would be more....epic.  But I enjoyed the story that it told, and sometimes, someone else's story is just as intriguing as the main characters.  And not every episode has to push A LOT of plot forward.  Cicada's story was still at the epicenter, because of the cure, but even HE got a breather this week.  It's good to have an episode where we can catch out breath, have A LITTLE fun, and indulge in another story that's pretty much OUTSIDE the world of Team Flash, yet still connected ENOUGH that we get a solid story out of it.  Admittedly, it wasn't epic, but I still enjoyed it.  What say you?  Leave a comment below...and HEY!  Subscribe willya?  I'd appreciate it!

That's it for this week.  Next week, we'll see if Team Flash can reach Cicada, and appeal to whatever humanity he has left to see if the cure can help him.  Plus, perhaps will get some more pieces to Nora's puzzle as well.

Until next week....keep on running!

ARROW - Season 7.14

ARROW – SEASON 7, EP. 14: “Brothers & Sisters”

We welcome back the Emerald Archer with a brand new installment this week.  After working desperately to find the elusive Dante, it appears that Lyla and Diggle have a lead, and are hot on the trail.  Meanwhile, Ollie tries to bond with his half-sister Emiko. 

We open up with Felicity running through the woods, and she is tracing screams she’s hearing.  She sees Diaz, who eventually says he’ll always catch her.  She wakes up.  It’s only a nightmare.  We cut to Ollie walking through the SCPD, trying to contact William, but he’s not getting any answer.  Rene tries to reassure him that he’ll come around, just give him time.  They switch subjects to Emiko, and how she’s out there running solo, taking on the bad guys.  Rene has the bullet that killed her mother, and it’s the only proof she has that she was murdered.  Ollie wants to reign her in and talk to her, but Rene tells him that it’s a revenge thing. 

At ARGUS, we see the new members of Task Force X training.  They bicker a bit, and Diggle comes in to end the training session.  Him and Lyla talk about using them, and feel it’s time to tell Ollie and Felicity about Diaz. 

We cut to our future, and see everyone in a Mexican Standoff, while Mia and William talk.  She says that Felicity is in hiding, being her paranoid self.  Mia then finds out that Connor is the adopted son of Diggle, and she’s not happy about it.  Once everyone knows who they all are, William asks where they should start to look for her.  Mia refuses to work with them, and William says that he came too far to get shut out, even by her.  So, whether she likes it or not, he’s on this search.

Diggle talks to Ollie and Felicity about using Diaz for his Task Force X program.  Ollie isn’t happy about it, but he understands Diggle’s reasoning behind it---to catch a much bigger threat.  Felicity, however, is NOT thrilled, and she lets Diggle know about it.  She is then seen texting Laurel, letting her know that Diaz is out of prison.

Diggle goes over the mission with Task Force X to get a meeting with Dante by getting to a guy named Virgil.  Diaz makes the call to Virgil to set up a meet.

Felicity and Laurel are talking about getting Diaz, and Felicity has hacked into ARGUS’ program, and has set it up so that Laurel can get close to him, press a button, and blow the bomb implanted in his head.  Laurel is reluctant to do it, since she’s liking the fact that she’s gotten better at being the DA, and doesn’t want to risk it, and feels Felicity shouldn’t risk it, either, because she’s pregnant.  Felicity is surprised Laurel found out, but has sworn Laurel to secrecy.

Ollie finds Emiko, and they have a talk about her mission.  Emiko really isn’t into family bonding, but Ollie brings back info to help Emiko find her mother’s killer.  She still doesn’t trust Ollie, but he really wants to help, and he’s the only one with the means to help her.  She eventually relents, and lets him help her out.

Back in the future, we see the crew trying to figure out how to get things to work in the old Arrow Lair, and Dinah flips a switch, and the Lair erupts with life.  William starts to work on the computers, but it doesn’t matter to Mia, who feels they’re all on a hero trip, she’s going to find her mother on her own, with no one’s help. 

Task Force X meets with Virgil, and things go south, as he feels that they’re not being honest with him.  The team gets into a fight, and take down Virgil’s men.  Virgil says that Dante will find out about Diaz’s betrayal. He then dives out the window.

They are back at ARGUS when the rest of the team begin to question Diaz, and feel that he tipped Virgil off about the meet, and about them.  Diaz says that they should tread carefully….once Dante finds out about them, they’ll wish for a quick death.

Felicity and Laurel have another heart to heart.  Laurel comes by with food for her, and tells her that she shouldn’t worry about going after Diaz, and that she should be caring for her child.  But, should Felicity kill Diaz, Laurel won’t stand in her way.  But Laurel says that if she does kill Diaz…don’t do it out of fear, because she needs to protect her family from the next Diaz….and the next…and the next.  She knows that Felicity is strong, and she can handle all of this.

Ollie and Emiko are trying to work together, but she’s not thrilled.  Rene comes by, and tries to keep things civil.  They eventually get a hit on a guy that was working for Emiko’s mother’s killer.  Ollie tries to convince her to stay on the sidelines, but she isn’t having it.  This guy is having a weapons deal go down, and they plan on being there.  At the meet, Ollie and Rene bust it up, and Emiko gets involved.  The man is taken down, and Ollie puts him under arrest.  Emiko is pissed, and doesn’t like that Ollie has taken over HER mission.  She bolts.  At the SCPD, Rene tells Ollie that he can’t take Emiko’s mission on…and that he just needs to be her sister.

Lyla is going to be called by the Joints Chiefs of Staff, and they’re more than likely going to ask for her resignation.  Diggle apologizes for dragging her into the Suicide Squad revival, but she makes no excuses to agreeing to it.  They both realize that they need to find Dante fast.  Turns out, Dante is financing a political coup for a woman named Princess Nora.  They need to stop the meet, but they do not know what Dante looks like---but Diaz does.  But they know the Squad is blown, so Diggle knows who to call.

We cut back into future time, where William finds Mia.  They have a heart to heart about their parents, and how screwed up their lives have become.  She is reluctant to want to help…and she asks William if their dad was a hero.  He says he was.  She finds out he duped her in to helping them out.  He asks whether or not it worked.

Ollie and Felicity talk about Diaz and the mission Diggle wants Ollie’s help on.  She isn’t thrilled, but he says that no matter what she decides, he’ll stand by her decision.  He knows she wants to kill him, and will still stand by her.  She thought for a moment that he found out she was pregnant.  But she agrees to go on the mission with him.

They are at the embassy looking for Dante, when the Princess shows up with Director Bell.  Turns out HE is the leak.  Eventually, Dante shows up, but Diaz has found a way to short out the bomb in his head, and things go bad quickly.  Dante kills bell AND the Princess, and looks to escape.  He runs into Ollie and the fight is on.  Diggle and Lyla are pinned down by Diaz, and he’s looking for his own escape.  He eventually shows up in front of Felicity….whom he taunts again, but this time, she’s ready to kill him.  But he fails to see Diggle behind him, and he gets knocked out.  Ollie battles Dante to a standstill, but no one gains and advantage.  Lyla shows up to help, but Dante escapes. 

At ARGUS, Lyla and Diggle talk, and they find out that there’s a cover up to save Bell’s exposure.  Diggle convinces Lyla to let him take the fall for the team…for the family.  That way, she can stay on, and work on catching Dante.

Ollie and Felicity talk about her not killing Diaz.  And she says she’s stronger now, and that they can protect their family.  She finally tells Ollie she’s pregnant.

In the future, William and Mia work on trying to find their mother, and they use the Rubik’s cube to solve part of the riddle.  Eventually, Mia solves it, and finds a mini cassette. 

We see Emiko doing some training, when Dante shows up.  He comments that she’s gotten closer to Ollie, and that the plan is in place.  He says it’s time for Emiko to come home. 

We see Diaz at Slabside in his cell, when someone shows up.  The overhead sprinklers go off, drenching Diaz in some liquid.  We then see a lit lighter fly through the cell window, and it catches Diaz on fire…we see the episode end with Diaz on fire, his arm reaching out of the cell window.

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This episode was LIT!  Got some action, and got some INTERESTING twists to our plots this season.

So...it appears that not only is Dante one baaaaad dude whom Ollie may not be able to beat, but apparently, Emiko is in league with him, and I smell an alternative plot than just Emiko avenging her mother's death---but the destruction of her own brother as well.  I guess she feels the ONLY Queen that should exist is HER.  And Ollie won't see it coming until it's too late.  This is baaaad, baaaaad news for Team Arrow.

In the wake of failing to get Dante, it seems as though Lyla is about to be hung out to dry by ARGUS and the government....unless Diggle takes the fall.  I have to give him props here---he KNOWS he can work another angle here.  He takes the fall, is booted OUT of ARGUS, he can go back to working with Ollie, and yet, still keep Lyla in her position, allowing her to continue to pursue Dante---but even have some help from Team Arrow along the way...even if it's on the downlow.  I also appreciated his honesty with Felicity and Ollie about using Diaz to get to Dante.  The fact that he chose Felicity and family over Diaz was also a good step in the right direction.

Speaking of Diaz, it appears that Dante doesn't let betrayal or mistakes go unchecked.  Not that I'm saying it's HIM, but it wouldn't surprise me if HE was the one who decided to have Diaz deep fried.  That HAS to be it for Diaz at this juncture in the show...he served his purpose, we have a bigger bad guy to deal with, and he's expendable.  

Felicity's dark side is still looming under the surface...even in the wake of taking Diaz down.  Laurel was right when she said there would ALWAYS be another Diaz...and it could be somewhere down the road that either Dante...or someone else...pushes Felicity further into the darkness.  But for now, she seems a bit more a peace.  She HAS to be---she's carrying Mia around now.

And thus, we get to Mia.  She apparently has her love/hate relationship with dear old Mom, but also isn't too fond of dear old Dad, either.  She has it in for the vigilante lifestyle that, from the looks of it, ruined her childhood.  It also seems like she doesn't know Ollie all that well, thus asking her brother about him.  William isn't perfect, either.  Both are flawed children due to their parents leading a very risky lifestyle.  But this could ALSO be the bond both of them make to find their mother.  

So...I guess that's it for the Suicide Squad for now, huh?  

So, from beginning to end, this episode kept us on our toes, we got more light shed on the future storyline, and we see that Emiko isn't all she's cracked up to be.  It's going to be VERY interesting to see how the show runners juggle all these balls in the air, and how they resolve them.  And Dante...whoa.  This dude is serious stuff.  

Alright, kids, that's it for this week.  Be sure to check back here next week.  Please subscribe and pass along the good word about this blog.  Comment, willya?  I don't bite...not really.  I appreciate all the love I do get though...thank you all!

Oh...and I did say there was something happening with this blog.  There's a website that's in the process of being put together, and THIS very blog will be featured on it.  When the site is live and active, I'll give you the link, and you can check it out for yourself!  It's going to be a great site about a really cool podcast I found, and glad that I get to have this blog on it!  

Okay, boys and girls...until next week:  keep your sights on the bullseye!

SUPERGIRL - Season 4.13

SUPERGIRL – SEASON 4, EP. 13:  “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?”

We welcome back the Girl of Steel with an episode where she must have a showdown with Manchester Black and his new group, The Elite.  And she must also deal with a new situation involving Agent Liberty himself, Ben Lockwood.

We begin our episode with a prison guard named Denny being murdered by a British sounding guy.  We then switch over to CatCo, where Kara is handing in yet another article on Lockwood to James.  They talk about it a bit when Alex shows up, looking to go to lunch with Kara, but Nia then shows up, talking about their “meeting” their supposed to attend to, and thus she cancels her lunch date with Alex.  She apologizes, and says it’s okay. Kara takes off with Nia, and they talk about secret ID’s, and how to work with them better…then the elevator opens and Brainy is in a 90’s looking disguise.  Alex then says her life has been hectic since Lena moved into the DEO, for which she apologizes to James (sensitive subject with him).  His reporter who’d been digging into L-Corp finances a few episodes back comes to him, saying that her lead is solid, and she wants to pursue the story. 

We go to the Fortress of Solitude where Supergirl shows Nia and Brainy around.  Kara then tells her robot keeper Krellex to make sure they get everything they need, as they begin training.  Kara takes off.

At the prison, J’Onn is trying to once again get through to Manchester Black, but he is attacked by the man who killed the prison guard.  Black says he’s going to go after everyone that’s destroying aliens.  He and his cohorts then begin to break out and escape.  It’s here they meet up with Supergirl, but she is attacked from behind, and taken down, as Manchester Black and his Elite escape.

Back at the Fortress, Nia and Brainy are training, and Brainy talks about how he was trained by his friend Val.  Nia asks more about her future decendents, but Brainy refuses, because he fears of shattering the space-time continuum.  At that point, Supergirl and J’Onn arrive, trying to track Manchester Black.  Then, Black has a video message for everyone, saying that they’re going to start killing everyone that’s against the aliens.  But Supergirl and J’Onn can’t locate them.  But they go to work.

At the DEO, Haley and Alex talk about Lena and trying to get after Manchester Black.  Alex agrees to help out Lena and get her what she needs.  She then talks to Lena, and finds out that her research can give people powers.  She says they need to upgrade Lena’s security status, and protect her reports, for which Lena replies there will be no reports.  Alex says she took a government contract, and Lena responds that she doesn’t trust governments.  Alex says SHE is the government, and Lena replies that she hopes she isn’t.

Lockwood is in DC, when one of his followers meets him at a bar.  They talk about how it’s getting a tougher to get to recruit more followers, and harder to follow him.  The man tells him that Black broke out, and he’s looking for him.  Lockwood is surprised when he finds out.  He gets an idea as they leave.  He’s off to meet the President.

Black sends out another message, challenging Supergirl, calling her antiquated, and that this is now the time of The Elite.  They send a hidden message that only Supergirl can see.  They want her one on one.  She agrees to go it alone.  J’Onn is not sure.

Lockwood meets with the President, and wants him to deputize the Sons of Liberty, but the President says he’s got it under control, and all Lockwood needs to do is smile for the camera.

Kara and J’Onn talk, and she asks if he’s looking to get back into the battle.  J’Onn says he’s tried to follow his father’s path, and use peaceful means, but Black baited him, and he fell for it.  She tells him that his father would understand if he took up the cape again to save the world.  He asks if she needs help, and she says no, she needs to go it alone.  After all…she’s the symbol.  She heads to Manchester, England to meet up with him.

Nia talks to Krellex about her homeworld, and she says Brainy keeps a lot hidden, but for her to get better at being a hero, she needs to know what she can do.  So, Krellex shows her.

Supergirl meets up with Black in England, and it’s a conversation…with all his friends.  He pretty much lays out the deal:  She can take care of all the robbers, thieves, and anyone else---but all the Sons of Liberty and Lockwood is the Elite’s.  If she gets in the way, things will get ugly.  She says she will stop him from killing people.  They take off, but before they do—he tells her about the satellite the US plans to launch that will shoot down any alien aircraft looking to enter Earth space.  She then flies to the White House to have a chat with the President.

Supergirl meets with the President, but it doesn’t go well.  She tries to appeal to him to NOT launch the satellite, but he won’t budge.  She takes off, and he makes a call, upping the launch to the next night, and to put extra security around Devil’s Tower.  Unknown to the both of them, the alien from the Elite was there the whole time, invisible, listening to everything.

Returning to the Fortress, we see Nia trying to work on using her powers, but she can’t astral project, and it backfires.  Brainy scolds her for going behind his back, but she says she’s not patient, and she wants to learn immediately.  Brainy tries to reassure her that things will come with time.

Supergirl arrives at Alex’s to try to appeal to her to help her out, throw her weight around.  Alex sees that the Girl of Steel is struggling with this issue, and sees that she feels stuck, because no matter what she does, she’ll be looked upon with a critical eye.  Alex says that Supergirl must do what she has to.  Alex says she can’t help Supergirl, and the Girl of Steel understands, and takes off.

We see Lockwood on the phone, talking to the voicemail to his family.  He appears distraught with all the news about The Elite, and being turned down by The President.

Back at the Elite’s hangout, the alien returns, and informs them that they moved up the launch date.  They know that Supergirl went to the President, but it was all for naught.  They plan their attack that night.

At Devil’s Tower, The Elite arrive, and so does Supergirl, and the battle begins.  It’s a back and forth affair, with neither side getting the upper hand.  Alex arrives to lend a hand, and Supergirl goes after the satellite.  The battle continues, and the Morai alien puts the launch in sequence.  Black then has Alex hostage, and the satellite is launched, headed right towards the White House…which was Black’s plan all along.  Alex tosses Supergirl her armor, and off she goes to save the President.  J’Onn manages to capture Black, and beats him up.  Black taunts J’Onn, and tells him THAT is the J’Onn he was looking for.  J’Onn says that Black has a death wish.  Just as he’s about to take him out, Black vanishes.  Meanwhile, Supergirl has reached the satellite, and manages to stop it from firing at the White House by altering the shot to hit the water by the Washington Monument.  The day is saved, but the Elite is gone.

Nia and Brainy are at the base, and Brainy is upset that he lost his Leigon flight ring.  She assures him that they will get it back.  Supergirl and Alex chat, and they say that, though unofficially they can’t work together, they can work in secret.  Supergirl likes that.  Off she goes to see The President.

She meets with The President, and he’s upset she destroyed the satellite, and wanted her to admit that she liked it.  She says she saved him and countless lives.  She said there was no alternative.  They are still at odds.

Alex meets with Haley at the DEO, and is upset that she wasn’t informed about the satellite.  Haley says she didn’t know about it, and the President violated protocol.  Alex then heads to Lena’s lab, and turns off the security cameras.  Alex says she doesn’t trust her government, and Lena replies that she thought Alex WAS the government, but Alex says no.  And then Alex says that anything Lena needs, she’ll have.

At the White House, Lockwood returns, and the President appoints him the new Head of Alien Affairs.  Then, returning to CatCo, we see Kara hand in the story to James about the Lockwood appointment.  She feels frustrated, and he gets it.  She says she’s off to write another story, and James tells her to hurry it up, and she jokes she’ll use super speed (which she probably does anyway).  James then calls in McKenzie (the reporter who’d been investigating the L-Corp finances), and asks her if her source would be willing to go on the record about what he’d learned.  He’s going to expose Lena’s work.

At a warehouse, the one man who met up with Lockwood at the bar, is with his fellow Sons of Liberty when Lockwood arrives.  The man feels that Lockwood isn’t strong enough to be a leader, for which Lockwood takes his mask that was on a nearby table, and beats the man mocking him with it.  After beating the man to death, he asks if the other Sons have any issues with him.  Their silence tells him that he has their attention.  He says it’s time to go to work. 

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Well, well, well...the return of the Maid of Might was a good one!  We got A LOT out of this episode, and it was a good one!  

First of all....the Elite and Manchester Black are some badass villains for Supergirl.  I know they're primarily Superman villains, but we can see that the crossover for both Kara and Clark will continue, so why not?  Black feels he's in the right, but is willing to go to the extremes in order to serve his cause.  The others are there for their own self preservation.  It ties in with the storyline this year:  how far are you willing to go to get your message and cause across?  We're seeing that from a variety of sides in this season, and they're doing a pretty decent job at presenting all sides of the alien issue.  But Black is great at recruiting, and these are powerful people that will continue to plague our hero the rest of the season.

The President is one double dealing S.O.B., lemme tell ya.  This is the epitome of a politician...playing all sides for his own benefit.  He's looking at all the angles, and looking for a way to make himself look real good to the public.  Putting that satellite into play to destroy ANY incoming aliens BEFORE they get to Earth...dastardly.  But, much like Manchester Black...he feels HE is in the right, and feels justified going behind even Haley's back to get what he needs.  Then, on top of that, hiring Lockwood to his cabinet---oh, that's trouble that the US DOESN'T need...now there's a powderkeg ready to blow.  Business is about to pick up.  Especially with Lockwood in a position of higher power, and a grander stage, to manipulate the masses.

I liked how our hero was able to assert herself this episode, and it felt more like she was the Supergirl we'd been waiting for.  Sure...she's still dealing with the yin and yang of this issue, but for her to take action when needed, and stand her ground against the President...THIS is the Supergirl I want!  The one that chooses LIFE over anything else.  She admits that SHE is a symbol---one that Black kept pointing out...and saying how antiquated her idealism is (reminiscent of how he portrays Superman in the comics).  But I hope this is how they round her out to be the hero we've been hoping she'd become.  Especially now with her cousin off world on Argo, watching over Lois, and making sure their kid is born okay.  

I think J'Onn will realize that he can't sit out the war on the sidelines anymore.  It was good to finally see him involved.  Nia and Brainy are still cute together, but I like how Nia is coming along.  She's still curious about the future where Brainy comes from, so it will be a fascinating story to see play out.  Eventually, I feel she'll learn more than she's bargained for.

Okay...who here got a chuckle when Kara called her team the "Super Friends"....give it up!  

I am enjoying the new intrigue in regards to Lena's government contract, looking to work WITH them....to an extent.  And having Alex's support...especially in light of how the President conducted his business.  I wonder where THAT is gonna go.  And on the OTHER side of things, James now wanting to MEET with his reporter McKenzie's source about the L-Corp finances.  I wonder now that in light of what Lena's research is about, that he'll expose her, and cause even a further rift between them, and possibly get Lena to go FULL Luthor.  Mind you...we KNOW Lex is going to appear at SOME point---and I'm just wondering if brother deal will be in her head.  This is getting good.  Also...I like the character of McKenzie---she's got reporting smarts, and it gives the staff of CatCo someone else besides Nia and Kara doing any reporting.

Now...is it just ME....or would this season benefit MORE from a Cat Grant appearance?  We are LOOONG overdue for one.  Especially in times where Kara is in crisis with an issue, Cat has been a great counterbalance, giving her guidance.  Plus, to get her to interact with the President, or give some empassioned speech to the masses to get them together...we really need some Cat Grant.  Plus---I'd find it funny as hell when she finds out that Lois and Clark are expecting child---I want to see her reactions.  

Alright, guys, that does it for this week.  As usual, I emplore you to subscribe, and pass the good word along, as well as comment...would love to hear your thoughts and ideas about the show.  I'll have some info about another way you can find this blog tomorrow, so stick around for that!

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

IMPACT! WRESTLING - March 1, 2019

IMPACT! WRESTLING – March 1, 2019:  We continue on the road to UNITED WE STAND on April 4th and  REBELLION as The Champ and The Machine face off against Kross and Moose, Delilah Doom squares off against an irate Tessa Blanchard, Sami Callahan tells his side of the story, and  Jake Crist takes on Willie Mack.

We get the recap from last week to open the show (which I DO like, by the way---and it’s also good for YOU, the audience, so you can keep TRACK of what’s going on---not like SOME shows on TV).  And as the intro goes off, we see Willie Mack head down to the ring to face off with Jake Crist of OVE, as we are back for week 2 in Las Vegas.  The action between the two starts off quick, as both have  had issues with each other, being involved in Swann and Callahan’s feud.  There’s a bit of back and forth, as the action spills out of the ring.  Eventually Crist lands a rolling moonsault out of the ring and onto the floor, stunning Mack.  He gets Mack back into the ring, but Mack begins to fight back.  He catches Crist as Crist tries to land a flying splash.  Mack turns it into a samoan drop, then a flip splash, goes for the pin, but only gets a two count.  Then Crist goes after Mack, who flips him out of the ring.  Crist tries to come back in, but Mack nails him with a codebreaker.  He tries to go up top, but Dave pushes Mack off, and the ref catches him, and calls for the bell.  Mack wins by DQ, but the brothers Crist of OVE begin a beatdown, but Tommy Dreamer comes out for the save. Tommy comes out to say that he’s here to right the wrongs, and challengers OVE to a match.

Back from the break, and the match is on, as Mack and Tommy attack the Crists outside, with Tommy eating someone’s food, and smearing it in Dave’s face.  Also, he throws liquid in his face.  The action gets back into the ring, and finally the bell rings.  Tommy and Mack are working exceptionally as a team as they keep Jake isolated in their corner.  The tide turns once Tommy is tagged back in, and the Crists take hold of the match, and then isolate Tommy in their corner.  They continue their double team, and deliver a double kick to Tommy’s head, but can’t secure the pin.   Tommy sneaks in a sunset flip, but can’t get anything but a 1 count.   OVE continue to wear Tommy down, and keep him on their side of the ring.  Eventually, Tommy manages to battle back, and make the hot tag to Willie Mack.  Then, all 4 men are in the ring, with Tommy and Dave outside duking it out, while Mack recovers to face Jake.  Tommy then gets back into the ring and delivers a Death Valley Driver to Jake, with Mack finishing it off with a frog splash to get the pin. 

Backstage, the Champ is being interviewed about tonight’s tag team match with Brian Cage against Moose and Killer Kross.  The guy conducting the interview asks him about why he’s handing out title shots to anyone that’ll help him out…is he looking to protect himself?  The fans feel Johnny has changed.   Johnny takes the mic and says he’s a fighting champion, and Cage doesn’t have his title shot YET, but blames Kross and Moose for that reason.

We come back with tag team action as Reno Scum are in the ring to do battle with KM & Fallah Bahh.  KM and Bahh get in on the offense early, but eventually, Reno Scum turn it around by keeping KM hurt on the outside, as they work over Bahh.  Bahh is rammed into the steps, and he’s gone for the majority of the match as KM gets beaten down by Reno Scum.  But Bahh and KM battle back and managed to secure the win with a toss/Somoan drop combo.  Reno Scum are sore losers after the match, and instigate a beatdown on the winning team.  Afterwards, backstage, KM and Bahh are visibly upset, and vow to take down Scum.

Glenn Gilbertti---Mr. Disco Inferno himself, is looking for the IMPACT offices.  He asks Ethan Page, who says it’s right behind him.  Gilbertti goes to get the door, and D-Lo Brown comes out.  He says he needs to talk to management right away, and Brown tells him they’re in there.  One of the officials tells him he’s a week late.  But he goes on to explain some ideas he’s got for himself, where he pitches a tournament where wins and losses really count.  The management laughs at him, and he says he used to work for Vince.  They laugh even more, and tell him that he misunderstood why he was hired.  He’s not there to pitch ideas, but to get their coffee.  He’s not thrilled, and is going to have a chat with Don Callis.

Eddie Edwards is talking to “Kenny” backstage when Eli Drake rolls up and continues to try and convince Eddie to forego the hardcore life, and go back to what he once was.  They talk about how they teamed and were good together.  Eddie says that this tag team is NOT going to happen between him and Eli.  His only partner is "Kenny".

We get the lovely Scarlett Bordeaux talking about her in ring debut next week, and we’ll see who it is that she faces.  But she’s got us interested as only the Smokeshow can.

Tessa Blanchard comes out to face Delilah Doom, and it doesn’t take long for the two to get to it, as they trade blows in the ring.  Delilah came for a fight tonight, as she delivers some serious offense to Tessa, making the former Knockouts Champ work for it.  Tessa isn’t messing around though as she eventually gets on the offense and starts to work over Doom.  She delivers a vicious clothesline, and then works her into the ropes.  Delilah gets some offense back, and has Tessa at a disadvantage going to the ropes, but Tessa moves away from her.  Both trade more blows, and Doom gets a pin attempt on her, but Tessa kicks out.  Tess then lands a solid elbow to Doom, gives her the DDT, and it’s over.  Tessa wins by pinfall.  Doom put up a decent match for her second appearance.  Tessa talks to the camera and demands a rematch for the Knockouts Title.

Melissa Santos is backstage talking to Brian Cage.  She asks him if he’s ready and able to work with Johnny Impact, and help take out Moose and Kross.  Brian says that he’s going to do what it takes in order to win the match, so that he can get his title shot against Johnny, and making him live up to his promise.

Backstage, Rosemary is contemplating the Dark War, and how she will fight it, when Kiera Hogan and Jordynne Grace approach to offer their services.  Rosemary is against it, and says it’s not their fight, but Kiera reminds her that she’s been with Allie since the beginning, and she’s been to the undead realm.  Rosemary finally relents and agrees to join forces to take down the Rev. Mitchell, Su Yung, and get Allie back.

Ethan Page comes out to wrestle the Rascalz’s Wentz.  The action between the two is fairly fast an furious, with Page getting an upperhand.  He gets Wentz with a nasty neckbreaker outside.  Page mocks the crowd inside the ring.  Wentz gets back in, and after a minute, gets the upper hand on Page.  Wentz ends up beating Page with a flying cutter and the pin. The Rascalz are proving themselves well in the ring.

Backstage again, and Mr. Disco Inferno, Glenn Gilbertti, as he enters the arena, looking for the IMPACT offices.  He bumps into Tommy Dreamer, who says that IMPACT management likes to help out legacy wrestlers like himself, and Gilbertti goes into the door Tommy is next to, as Tommy calls it, the “Anthem Room”only to see an owl in there.  It’s an Anthem Owl.  Dreamer gives a long drawn out explanation before shoving Disco into the door. Glibertti comes out later, looking like he got attacked, draped in feagthers.

We get a promo for new signee to IMPACT - Ace Austin.

Sami Callahan gives his side of the story about his history with Rich Swann, telling everyone HE is actually the hero, because he saved Swann from trouble.  He helped Swann get back on his feet, and wants him to join OVE.  He says that Swann won’t join because Sami uses people, and corrupts them into what he wants.  Sami says that, either way, Swann WILL join OVE.

Melissa is interviewing Moose and Kross, who are trying to put aside THEIR own differences in order to take out Johnny and Cage.  Kross reminds Moose that doesn’t like the situation, but  he will do what it takes to get the job done.

Backstage, Konnan is reaming out the boys of LAX for their actions from last week.  The boys say they aren’t gloating.  Konnan says he’s going to straighten everything out, but he does NOT want to see LAX cutting their own promos.  LAX said they’d take care of it, they got it.

Main Event time as Moose works his way to the ring with his elaborate robe.  Kross comes out.  The Machine makes his way to the ring, as he’s ready to team with Johnny Impact.  Cage starts the match off with Kross, and he immediately goes to work, nailing Kross with a 619, and avoids Kross’ attack.  Cage tags to Johnny, and he goes to work, as Moose has been tagged in.  Johnny and Cage working as a team very well. As Cage and Impact land a mini moonsault, as Moose and Kross collect themselves outside the ring.

Back from the break, and Johnny continues laying on the offense along with Cage to Moose, who then tags in Kross, and they work him over.  As Johnny goes for a flip type maneuver, he lands wrong, and hurts his neck.  Johnny is hurt, and he can barely get over to the edge of the ring.  Cage comes in to keep up the offense on Moose and Kross.  The numbes game eventually gets the better of Cage as Moose comes in to rescue Kross.  Johnny is still laid out on the ring apron, as the ref in the ring calls to the back to get him some help.  Meanwhile, Kross nails Cage with the Championship belt outside the ring.  Cage is busted open, and Kross continues to work on him, then tosses him into the ring.  While all THAT is happening, Johnny is STILL laying on the ring apron, unable to move as the refs from the back tend to him.  Moose and Kross  continue to work over Cage, making him bleed even more.  Cage tries to fight back, and reaches to tag Johnny, but Johnny’s still in pain.  The refs manage to get Johnny off the ring apron, and are trying to get him to the back.  Moose continues the assault on Cage, and looks to beat him further.  Cage keeps fighting back, but he’s weakened.  Both men end up going down after coming off the ropes into each other, and Moose crawls over to get the tag.  He gets Kross down, and looks for a tag.  Meanwhile, Taya Valkyrie has come down to tend to her husband, as the refs surround him, checking him out.  Kross then gets Cage into his Kross hold, cobra clutch type maneuver, and manages to get Cage to pass out.  Kross and Moose are victorious, as the officials help Johnny to the back, and Cage is a bloody mess in the middle of the ring as the show goes off the air.

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Once again, we had the show from Sam's Town in Las Vegas, and I was also at this show, and I gotta tell you---it looks faster on TV than it does in person---but still...fun as hell.

We're starting to get some decent builds for the PPV and for United We Stand.  But, as usual, IMPACT has some good storylines they're telling, and they're having a nice balance.  Reno Scum, a local talent, but with some great potential, prove their quintessential heels by attacking KM & Fallah Bahh post match.  It's good that IMPACT is doing what it can to build it's tag team division, and Reno Scum offers one more bit of talent to a growing roster.  KM & Bahh should be in line for a title shot soon, what with LAX possibly fading into the back for now, or...if their AEW commitments take them away from IMPACT---the Lucha Bros.  But nonetheless, we could have a nice mini-feud here to elevate BOTH teams in the division, and give a new challenge to whomever the tag team champions are going to be.

Speaking of the tag team champions...now that LAX ripped off and stole the masks of the Lucha Bros last week, thus breaking Lucha Libre rules of respect...I wonder if the next match we get with these two teams will have some sort of stipulation involved.  You HAVE to up the stakes this time.  A cage match would do nicely, though it WOULD limit the ability of the Lucha Bros AND  LAX's aerial attacks.  But there has to be SOME kind of gimmick with high stakes, because this SHOULD be the blowoff match between these two teams.

Teams...a big theme so far this week.  Eli Drake and Eddie Edwards.  As crazy as it sounds, this is actually a pretty good combo.  They have great chemistry, and I will enjoy seeing where their story goes.

Rosemary's "Dark War" is here, and as much as she'd like to take down Rev. Mitchell's 'army' of undead brides, Su Yung, and rescue Allie back to the Shadow...she's reluctant to take on help.  Kiera telling her she's got a stake in it too is good in setting up a tag team match for next week.  Jordynne Grace is also pretty good to have at your side.  My curiosity is THIS, though:  say they DO get Allie back...what then?  And...if not---will we get the Rosemary of old...when she was a part of Decay?  We shall find out last week.

Can I just say that EVERY member of The Rascalz are talented as hell?  These kids have all the ability in the world, and while they are exceptional as a tag team...with interchangeable parts, but as individuals as well. Wentz got to shine tonight against Ethan Page.  I'm really high on these guys (and NO...I don't mean "high" like the dumbass segments they're still stuck in, but I digress).  I see only huge success in their future.

Tessa is on a rampage!  She will NOT rest until she gets the Knockouts Title back.  She feels slighted by IMPACT management, and feel they're only protecting Gail Kim.  But she won't take responsibility for her own actions.  But that's a true heel---feels that the world is against her, and will pull every dirty tactic she can, and be as cruel as she can be until she gets what she wants.  And she wants two things:  The Knockouts Title...and a piece of Gail Kim.

Sami got to have his say this week...but I seriously doubt it will sway Rich Swann from joining OVE.  And it looks like Sami is willing to do whatever it takes---even destroying Rich Swann...to get Rich to "come home".

Johnny's neck injury tonight didn't help Cage, as he took a beating at the hands of Kross and Moose.  And what does this do for Cage's title shot?  Does he get it or not?  And will Johnny even be able to compete after this week?  How serious is his injury.  It didn't look good tonight as he was helped out of the arena by the staff.  Hopefully, we get more answers next week as to what the Champs condition is.

And Mr. Disco Inferno himself...Glenn Gilbertti.  I guess he's the new gopher of IMPACT!  Well...at least he can dress well for the job.

Well gang...another good show.  Again, they set a nice pace, didn't overload you with a lot of stuff, and kept a good flow.  The stories pick up next week, and looking forward to seeing where things go.  Especially the "Dark War".  But before I go...I have some news to impart as far as transactions go in IMPACT:

Caleb Konley has been released from his contract, so he's now a free agent.  Sami Callahan and Eddie Edwards signed new contracts to stay with IMPACT, helping to solidify the roster for the forseeable future.  Welcome newcomers Ace Austin and Josh Alexander...two new talents looking to make an impression in the promotion.  And just this week...Ring of Honor released her, but the Queen Bee is now coming home.  IMPACT! welcomes back the iconic Madison Rayne back to the fold.  She will be a tremendous asset to the Knockouts Division, but as an in-ring competitor, and has a leader backstage, helping all the new gals coming in, and those there, helping them elevate their game, and keep the tradition of the "Women's Revolution" that began here in IMPACT! a long time ago.  

 That does it for this week.  Please subscribe, and pass the good word around about the blog.  And don't be afraid to leave a comment or two...I'd appreciate it.

Until next week!