'Supergirl' Season 1 Episode 6 'Red Faced' Review

Non Spoiler Review- The best episode of the series and a huge improvement over some of the more recent episodes which have seemed a little mediocre. This episode's visual effects were great for the most part but looked a little fake and cheesy at times, but this didn't hinder the episode. I liked the inclusion of the Red Tornado and thought this episode featured some of the best action yet. 

*******There will be Spoilers from this point on*******

Highlights of the episode

1. Red Tornado- The best part of the episode was the inclusion of Red Tornado. I thought his costume and visual effects were great and quite accurate for the character as some people weren't quite pleased with his appearance. I was however disappointed to se both his creator and Red Tornado killed/destroyed at the end of the episode because I was really hoping Red tornado would have a chance to return later in the series as a hero. 

2. Kara loses her powers?- It seems that Kara's meltdown has temporarily made her lose her powers as she bleeds at the end of the episode when trying to pick up broken glass. I like it when a comic book series does this with the hero as it allows for the character to be further explored in an interesting character arc. 

3. Kara lets her rage out- I liked this episode's focus on Kara controlling her anger and Melissa Benoist did a terrific job in this moment with some great acting with her rage face as seen above. I really liked how the final battle had her release her anger to defeat Red Tornado. 

4. Kara vs Red Tornado- One of the best parts of the episode was the conflict between Kara and Red Tornado and all of their fights were awesome to behold. I was excited to see their fights on screen and hope he can return somehow later in the season. 

5. Alex learns the truth about her father- Alex learns that Henshaw and her father disappeared and somehow Henshaw reappeared with no scratches on him and so I think this adds further credence that he is Cyborg Superman. I like how he seems to be somewhat like the Harrison Wells of 'Supergirl' as he's a mentor who appears to be helping the hero but may have other motives. 

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'Supergirl' Season 1 Episode 5 'How Does She Do It?' Review

Non Spoiler Review- This episode of 'Supergirl' is chronologically the fourth episode and was meant to be aired as the fourth but due to the tragic events in Paris and how this episode focuses on Supergirl stopping bombs across National City CBS decided to flip flop and air the fifth episode last week instead. Due to this I can say that this episode doesn't quite fit in narratively airing after last weeks due to the flip flop and I can say it felt awkward in regard to how it fits in this season. It felt like a step back not just in terms of story but quality as well as this episode was somewhat bland and didn't quite peak much significant interest from me till the last five minutes or so which I really enjoyed and will discuss below. I hope next weeks episode will rise back to the quality of last week's episode or hopefully be even better but I can say I'm excited because Red Tornado, a DC Comics hero similar to Vision, will be appearing in the episode. 

*******There will be Spoilers from this point on*******

Highlights of the episode

1, Maxwell Lord- Mu favorite part of the episode was the twist ending revealing that Maxwell Lord was responsible for the bombings and seems to be a puppet master pulling the strings of events. I think this moment also really made his character feel quite similar to Lex Luthor. I actually like this parallel to the Superman Lex Luthor dynamic, which surprises me because I do think 'Supergirl' should feel different to Superman but respect that it isn't distancing itself from the character. I was surprised by this moment and can't wait to see how this plays out during the season.

2. Kara saves the day- One other small thing I enjoyed this episode was seeing Supergirl stop the bombings and save the day a few times. I always like seeing superheroes go back to the basics and do something simple to save people and I  think it works best on superhero television when it's scaled down and best on film on a grander scale when more is at stake. 

3. Henshaw- One little interesting thing was seeing that Henshaw has super strength when he stops a bomb so I think this provides further credence he could be Cyborg Superman. I'm curious to learn more about his character which I'm sure will be fleshed out throughout the season. 

4. Did Kara see Henshaw's eyes glow?- One little moment I noticed was that when Supergirl awoke she got up and it seems as though she saw Henshaw's eyes glow so I wonder if she suspects something is different about him and if she will seek the truth. 

5. Jimmy Olsen and Lucy Lane- A subplot of the episode focused on the romantic relationship between Jimmy and Lucy and I think this really made the episode drag but at the same time helped add to Kara's character. I liked how her awkward position in this really allowed for her character to be given more emotional depth and have her character developed. This subplot explains what was going on in last week's episode which actually takes place after this week's episode. 

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'Supergirl' Season 1 Episode 3 'Fight or Flight' Review

Non Spoiler Review- A much improved episode from last week's which was a little boring in regards to the drama but this episode comes back with a better villain, action, and story elements. The visual effects were once again terrific, especially for television as Supergirl's flight looks so real. Overall I really enjoyed the episode and hope to see the series continue to improve as most comic book series have done recently. 

*******There will be Spoilers from this point on*******

Highlights of the episode

1. Reactron- I liked the break of Kara fighting off aliens who broke out of the Phantom Zone prison and the show brought in a human tech based villain who is a Superman villain and utilized him quite effectively to tie in Superman to the universe which I will discuss further in my other highlights. I liked the fights between him and Kara as he didn't make her seem weak as some of the previous villains had yet is a formidable threat. I hope the series will work to make better villains as it continues and finds the right fit for the show. 

2. Interview with Cat Grant- I liked how the episode picked up right where the previous episode left off with Kara interviewing Cat as Supergirl and accidentally slipped that Superman is her cousin. I really liked how this slip up had implications for her as it caused Reactron to come after her in hopes of hurting Superman by harming his cousin. It helped show that Kara is still coming into her own as a superhero and I liked seeing that Cat Grant respects Supergirl. 

3. The Man of Steel saves Supergirl- As I mentioned above, Reactron allowed for a great tie in to the Superman mythos even allowing for his inclusion in the episode by having him swoop in to save Kara without seeming forced or awkward but rather coherent in regards to the narrative. I enjoyed having hims hoop in and hope to see tidbits like this and maybe possibly cast someone as Superman. 

4. Kara speaks with her cousin- Another connection that worked well for me was when Kara was messaging Clark Kent at the end of the episode. I liked how he gave her advice and told her that he would give her the chance to save the day without his help when it's not necessary. I hope to see more little things like this sprinkled throughout the series and won't be surprised to see anymore. 

5. Lucy Lane visits National City- At the end of the episode Lucy Lane who is related to Louis Lane pops by to visit Jim and I found this to be interesting but I'm not really looking forward to the drama she is bringing with her as she makes an awkward love triangle because I really was hoping that 'Supergirl' would avoid these types of subplots to avoid making the show too feminine and avoiding placing Kara in a stereotyped role. Hopefully this won't lead the show in that direction as I'd rather the show look to show empowered women rather than a goofy romantic subplot.

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