S01.E16: Falling

[Tara Ariano]

Kara has a major personality change after being exposed to Red Kryptonite. As her friends and the citizens of National City face a malicious and dangerous Supergirl, Cat appears as a guest on "The Talk."

[Trini]

Preview clips

[MarkHB]

One of the comments from PaleyFest I saw repeated tonight (I think from Ali Adler) was that Melissa was "the best villain they've had."

[Trini]

Hmm, Red!Kara = Rage!Barry from the first Arrow/Flash crossover.

[Chicago Redshirt]

One of the comments from PaleyFest I saw repeated tonight (I think from Ali Adler) was that Melissa was "the best villain they've had."

Low bar.

 

Hmm, Red!Kara = Rage!Barry from the first Arrow/Flash crossover.

 

On Smallville, I would say that Tom Welling usually pulled out his best work as Clark under the influence of Red K. 

[AD35]

Whoever is responsible for security at Star Labs in the Flarrowverse apparently has a counterpart on Supergirl's Earth that is just as effective (not!) too. That was my first thought when Max Lord just strolled into the DEO headquarters liked he owned the place. I'll admit that the twist where Martian Manhunter reveals himself and  then let himself be taken into custody is a twist I did not see coming.

[Winston Wolfe]

 

I'll admit that the twist where Martian Manhunter reveals himself and  then let himself be taken into custody is a twist I did not see coming.

Totally unnecessary, IMO, and detracted from Melissa's acting tour-de-force in this episode.  J'onn J'onzz is both a shapeshifter and a master tactician.  Even in the heat of the moment he could have shape-shifted into Kal-El, thrown Kara slightly off-balance and avoided outing himself.  Other than that, best episode of the series so far.  Can't wait until next week.

[cambridgeguy]

 

Even in the heat of the moment he could have shape-shifted into Kal-El, thrown Kara slightly off-balance and avoided outing himself.

Kara knows that Superman wouldn't show up to stop her.  Neither the DEO, Jimmy, nor Cat are willing to consider the radical option of calling in Earth's most powerful hero to stop his out of control cousin.  Oh, and I guess Cat didn't notice Supergirl went rogue at the exact same time her assistant had a complete personality change?

 

Even with all of the weird stuff that has happened isn't shapeshifting green alien worthy of some headlines?  Weren't there a bunch of people snapping photos?

 

I guess evil Kryptonians like to flick peanuts in a bar?  It's too bad Kara didn't fight her evil side in a junkyard.

Edited March 15, 2016 by cambridgeguy

[secnarf]

Melissa Benoist was fantastic in this episode.

I'm glad Siobhan was fired, and glad to see Lucy go.

However, I do not understand why J'onn had to get captured - I don't see why he transformed into Hank or what he did to get captured in the first place, other than simply being an alien. That whole ending didn't make sense to me.

 

Also, if Cat doesn't cotton on to the fact that Kara is Supergirl (again), I will be sorely disappointed, especially after Bizarro. Maybe they're saving it for the season finale.

[ottoDbusdriver]

Did I hear that right ?  Kim and Kanye exist in the DCU.  FFS !!

[mtlchick]

When she was lying on the table, Melissa has a passing resemblance to one Taylor Swift.  

 

I guess Red Kryptonite has varying degrees in the TV version.  I didn't watch Smallville extensively but in Lois and Clark, he was more apathetic instead of being on a massive ego trip and it wore off the next day so it was their version of a bad hangover.  

 

I really hope there is something to J'onn being locked in a cell.  Because being captured like that needs some kind of plan behind it.  

[Trini]

Well, except for JonnJonzz letting himself get captured for no reason whatsoever, and the DEO forgetting that they literally have an entire arsenal of kryptonite weapons, this was a pretty good episode!

 

Melissa really showed some range. This kind of situation (and it was the same on The Flash) show how dangerous a superpowered person can be if they really wanted to be. So... the problem is, every fight that she loses after this is going to get a little side-eye.

[TV Anonymous]

Totally unnecessary, IMO, and detracted from Melissa's acting tour-de-force in this episode.  J'onn J'onzz is both a shapeshifter and a master tactician.  Even in the heat of the moment he could have shape-shifted into Kal-El, thrown Kara slightly off-balance and avoided outing himself.  Other than that, best episode of the series so far.  Can't wait until next week.

 

Well, the Martian Manhunter may have a lot of super powers. One power he does not have, however, is the power of franchise rights. Therefore, he is physically unable to shapeshift to the likeness of Superman or any of his incarnation. :-)

[Big Mother]

So.... how did Max Lord magically show up at the DEO headquarters? And he magically had the antidote to the red kryptonite?

[Writing Wrongs]

Can we keep RedK Kara? She was awesome. 

[thuganomics85]

No surprise, Melissa Benoist was awesome as Red, Ragey Kara.  At this point, I don't think there is anything she can't do and I continue to think she's what really holds this show together (along with a solid supporting cast), since the writing continues to be hit or miss.

 

While they obviously needed to cure her, I have to admit I kind of will miss this version of Kara at Catco.  Loved her being more aggressive with Cat and showing Siobhan that two can play the game.  Yeah yeah, I'm sure I was suppose to feel kind of bad for her that she got can, but considering how smug Siobhan was to Kara before, I'm really not going to shed any tears for her.  Plus, I suspect this isn't the end for her, especially since she and Winn are apparently still an item.

 

I liked that Hank had to be the one to finally stop Kara, but I do think him being exposed and captured did feel kind of flimsy.  I would think he could have found some way to get out of that situation.

 

I guess I'm suppose to care that Jimmy is taking a sabbatical, now?

 

So, it was Maxwell who actually created the Red Kryptonite, but then he ends up creating to cure too and claims he didn't mean for any of it to happen.  Are they trying to walk back some of his evilness, or is this all part of another plan?

 

I guess Kara's now going to have to work overtime to get back into National City's good graces.  Worse comes to worse, just wait till Nan returns.  I'm sure then everyone will be begging her to save their asses.

[Athena5217]

I did not like the equating of Kara wearing fun clothes and standing up for herself with her being cruel. It's like frumpy + meek = good and sexy + confident = bad. Not a good message to send to young girls watching this show. I liked Kara standing up for herself to Kat and Siobahn. I understand that being a wallflower is part of Kara's disguise, but it was nice to see until she turned into Hyde.

Also, how did brief contact with red kryptonite do this to her? On Smallvile Clark had a ring with red kryptonite, and he was better after the ring was off.

[madhacker]

Melissa knocked it out of the park tonight especially when Kara woke up in extreme remorse about what she'd said and done "under the influence" of Red K. Nice shout to Superman III with the bar scene. Just one thing I wish would have stayed around is office Kara. I liked that she stood up for herself and got rid of Shibaun.

 

I do agree that J'onn could've gotten out of there easily. Doesn't he have invisibility powers of some kind?

 

my only other regret for tonight episode is that we didn't get to see what Kara saw in the storage room with her x-ray vision, just because Jeremy Jordan has a nice bod and here's proof:

[ACW]

Also, if Cat doesn't cotton on to the fact that Kara is Supergirl (again), I will be sorely disappointed, especially after Bizarro. Maybe they're saving it for the season finale.

I would have loved it if Cat's last line had been two syllables longer.

"Of course... Kara." What a wasted opportunity.

(Especially since SG had literally just said that she loved "being" Supergirl.)

[ACW]

I did not like the equating of Kara wearing fun clothes and standing up for herself with her being cruel. It's like frumpy + meek = good and sexy + confident = bad. Not a good message to send to young girls watching this show. I liked Kara standing up for herself to Kat and Siobahn. I understand that being a wallflower is part of Kara's disguise, but it was nice to see until she turned into Hyde.

Also, how did brief contact with red kryptonite do this to her? On Smallvile Clark had a ring with red kryptonite, and he was better after the ring was off.

Yeah, I wasn't really expecting the Sexy Girls are Evil (and vice-versa) trope in this particular show.

As far as Red K goes: In the comics, at least in the Silver Age, one exposure usually zaps you for 24 (or sometimes 48) hours. But after that, you're immune to that particular chunk; but not other chunks. And each chunk had a different effect. It was basically an excuse for any wacky thing the writers wanted to do to Superman that month. Or Supergirl, though the only such instance that springs to mind is that the first time she tried out for the (all-teen) Legion of Super-Heroes, they rejected her because Red K just happened to have temporarily aged her to adulthood during her tryout. Yes, it was as stupid as it sounds.

[Gwen-Stacys]

However, I do not understand why J'onn had to get captured - I don't see why he transformed into Hank or what he did to get captured in the first place, other than simply being an alien. That whole ending didn't make sense to me.

Yea, I don't get why he didn't just go invisible. Whatever, maybe now he can just be John Jones when he finally gets let out of his cell. As to why they arrested him, I'm thinking it's because he was impersonating an agent. That's kind of against the law...And he later admitted that he killed said agent.

 

I guess I'm suppose to care that Jimmy is taking a sabbatical, now?

Just from Kara. And after he was manhandled and the things she said to him (even though she was under the influence of red K, she admitted that there was truth to it) I think it's warranted. Even if he does truly love Kara, the man just got out of a relationship that ended because of the feelings he has for her. I'd think most (decent) people would need to take a step back to collect themselves. 

 

I'm mad that Kara was all but roofied by Max Lord (even if it was a happy accident) and now she's the one that has to suffer the consequences while he's off making more trouble, probably. 

[JohnSmithSensei]

Man, Non picked a hell of a time to take a vacation. Red Kara might have been amenable to joining forces with him.

 

Red Clarke sounds like a petulant kid, whereas Red Kara was almost deranged at times. Maybe Melissa just rocks the evil eyes better.

[Lantern7]

I'm a bit of a traditionalist about Red Kryptonite, in the sense that it works great as a wild card plot device. In an "imaginary story," Kara/Linda got exposed to Red K, forgot she was Supergirl, and wound up marrying Jimmy Olsen (not "James" . . .  this is the red-headed doof from back then). That said . . . I liked Red!Kara. Melissa clearly attended the Tom Weiling School For Acting Bad. And who wouldn't fantasize about throwing Cat off the balcony? The only thing that would've been better is if she had laid waste to The Talk. Thank goodness the crossover crap was over and done in the opening minutes.

[Xenith22]

Not a fan of the TALK segment opening...it just felt really unnatural?  The acting just seemed really obvious that I wanted it to end.

Loved Kara helping the young girl scene.

 

I'm with Kara...the idea of Wynn/Siodhan actually having sex in the supply closet is not a pleasant one.  Even without seeing it I feel the need for brain bleach.  Not cool to hastily exchange body fluids at the workplace like that.  Get a dam room somewhere.

 

Cat threaten Kara that if she has to call her name a third time she will need to find a new job...this segues into Kara seemingly immediately walking into Jimmy's office for a personal chat ignoring her boss.   Nice job editing team.

 

What was the point of saying the Kh'und was stronger than your average Fort Roz escapee...which given the amount of Kryptonians that were on that thing, the Coluan, etc and then have him job like a pathetic weakling.  I mean not only did Kara beat him like a drum, but apparently even Alex and two agents were able to easily apprehend him.  Seriously show stop being dumb.

 

Minor annoyance but Kara claiming to have beaten a Coluan...sorry but the Indigo pretty much had her way with Kara at every encounter.  She most definitely did not beat Indigo where she should be bragging about it...still I know this was the RedK talking so I'll let it slide...

 

Siobhan's scoop...seriously?  I mean could they have not even tried to come up with any excuse no matter how lame for why she might have been on site when Kara was fighting the Kh'und.  Instead she just happens to have video which someone else must have taken and no one else has seen.  Yeah that made total sense. 

 

She did deserve to get fired though for seeking work at a rival company.  Of course I don't understand what the big production deal was about Kara deleting her email...it's not like she actually deleted anything irreplaceable like the only copy of the video file.  Show her printing the email and move on with scene...

 

Oh, and I guess Cat didn't notice Supergirl went rogue at the exact same time her assistant had a complete personality change?

So much this!  Again Cat acknowledged the possibility of someone impersonating Supergirl.  She seriously HAS to strongly suspect Kara again right?  I really expected her to call Kara by name during that first balcony scene, especially since it would have been a power shifting move on her part...nope.

How the balls was Wynn able to deduce that the Red K was synthetic?  All they knew was that it was radiation different from Kryptonite...there is no reason whatsoever at that point that it could have not just been a different type of space rock.

 

So.... how did Max Lord magically show up at the DEO headquarters? And he magically had the antidote to the red kryptonite?

Actually it looked like he was brought in by two armed DEO guards.  So it seems he came to the DEO's location and was escorted in by guards after claiming to have helpful information...of course it would have made much sense had the guards announced him and only then brought him in if his entry was approved...but it's still at leasta l step up from STAR Labs security....

 

So much LOL at Kara lighting her clothes on fire, followed by Alex having to run to the kitched get the fire extinguished to put out the fire and the fire instantly going out without anything showing the slightest sign of being burnt.  

 

Aside from that though I really loved this scene between Kara and Alex.  Really well acted by both parties and also quite poignant.  Not crazy about the ending though. "Deep down you hate me and that's why you killed my Aunt."  Huh?  Everything else Kara said made total sense but this was a complete load of crap and thus an stupid line to be the one to cause Alex to really cry and for Kara to emphasize that the truth hurts.  Alex killing Astra was purely a split second decision to save Hank's life. There was not time for there to be anything more to it.  I also do not buy that any part of Alex actually hates Kara?  Sure I guess I could see a little resentment of the idea that she has her job because of who her sister was...but taking the job was still entirely her choice and she loves her job does she not?  How is this a reason for part of her to HATE Kara?  Nope...  I mean if you actually wanted a lasting dagger why did RedKara not even mention the whole dam lying to her face for weeks plot because Alex did not believe in Kara as a sister capable of understanding and forgiving her.  Seriously...it blows my mind that part of Kara was not the least bit bothered by this where RedKara would have brought it up?

 

Were there really a bunch of not only Cops but DEO agents firing regular bullets at Kara...while surrounded by a crowd of bystandards?  I mean first of all how does anyone who knows who Supergirl is think that firing bullets at her would be remotely helpful...but to do so when there were plenty of people around that could be hit by the deflections.  Yikes...   At the very least I was hoping the point of the DEO guys was to distract Kara while Alex nailed her from behind...but NOPE.  There she was standing in the middle of them and taking longer than them to get ready.  *sigh*

 

At least the Hank/Kara fight was arguably the best fight involving flying that the show has done to this point.

 

J'onn J'onzz is both a shapeshifter and a master tactician.  Even in the heat of the moment he could have shape-shifted into Kal-El, thrown Kara slightly off-balance and avoided outing himself.

Yeah Kal-El was not happening...but if you really wanted to screw with Kara's head and throw her off balance then how about attacking her as Alura/Astra?

 

I feel the need to quote Hank's response to when Alex ask why he did not run.

"Because I'd spend a thousand years in this cell if it meant keeping you and your sister safe."

 

YOU STUPID ****** MORON.  How is making yourself a prisoner when neither Alex or Kara were in ANY danger related to keeping them safe?   If anything now you can't help keep them safe because you are locked in a CAGE.  Now there is a strong possibility of someone new being appointed to head the DEO who does not give a crap about Alex/Kara like you do.   Way to go Hank.  Heck in reality Alex might be lucky if she is also not fired for concealing the fact that she knew her boss was an alien.  Brilliant.  Holy crap if all the green martians were this stupid it is no wonder they are extinct.  The stupid did not even stop there with him what the bloody heck was with his non-response when Senator Crane asked if he killed the real Hank Henshaw?  Why would he let her think he is an murderous alien who killed the real Hank and did not care.  I mean clearly she was still on the fence about trusting him...and right there he just shoved her right off the fence like a total idiot.  DENY.  I mean first of all did he not imply to Alex that he did not kill Henshaw?    (Should Alex have not be the least bit upset to find out that he killed a human even if the guy was not a great person?)   Or even if he actually did kill the real Hank for a good reason, then at least try to explain.  Instead just let her think you killed the guy simply to take his identity.  VERY HELPFUL TO YOUR CAUSE....IF YOUR CAUSE IS TO STAY LOCKED UP FOREVER.

Edited March 15, 2016 by Xenith22

[Dobian]

I love any story where Superman/girl gets exposed to red kryptonite. Get their wild side on. I'm not sure how Kara's going repair the damage to her reputation though, not to mention all that property damage. She looked great in that Supervillain jumpsuit though, she should stick with that look.

[catrox14]

That was great! I loved Melissa being dark. She was scary!

 

I can't believe it but I totally teared up when Hank gave up. :(

[kwnyc]

Great work from both Melissa and Calista. They really do have the best chemistry on the show, and frankly are the best/most consistent actors. If they decided to go in a Xena/Gabrielle direction, I would not be unhappy. (And it would probably be more interesting than the upcoming Xena reboot).

[VCRTracking]

Holy crap, this episode was AMAZING!

 

Damn, Mellissa Benoist was just phenomenal showing her darker side of Kara and looked freaking hot at the same time!

Yeah, I wasn't really expecting the Sexy Girls are Evil (and vice-versa) trope in this particular show.

.

I think it was similar to when Peter Parker got effected by the Venom symbiote in Spider-Man 3 and turned into a douche.

 

Seeing Cat Grant so vulnerable after being dropped was so unnerving(incredible that Calista Flockhart has made me forget Ally McBeal).

 

I laughed out loud at the Superman III homage with her in the bar flicking peanuts at beer bottles.

 

 

J'onn was revealed and captured!  I don't get how being imprisoned is going to help the Danver sisters but whatever.

 

I don't know how Supergirl is going to win back the public's good will. It reminds me of the final episode of Superman: The Animated Series when Darkseid put Superman under mind control and turned him on humanity.

Edited March 15, 2016 by VCRTracking

[Artsda]

Kara was great as a villain. I loved her change of wardrobe as she progressively got worse. 

 

Jimmy can go and not come back. I rather Lucy back.

 

Wynn can join the DEO, they need more help now with Hank locked up.

[miracole]

I get why J'onn shifted and allowed himself to be seen and then surrendered. He couldn't jump in front of Kara's heat vision and not be outted and he wasn't going to let her kill Alex. Add to that, that some of what Kara said resonated with him earlier. He'd just saved people and protected the city from a rouge supergirl but everyone's first move after that was turn their guns on the big green alien. He's been protecting the world for years and he shouldn't only be able to do that in disguise. He wanted to save Alex and Kara but showing that there are good aliens out there and not just those of the pretty blond cheerleader type is important to. The only thing he did to lose the senators trust was to turn green.

About time someone threw Cat off a building.

Still don't care about Kara and James.

Go away Max Lord.

[Jediknight]

Whoever is responsible for security at Star Labs in the Flarrowverse apparently has a counterpart on Supergirl's Earth that is just as effective (not!) too. That was my first thought when Max Lord just strolled into the DEO headquarters liked he owned the place.

Both places still have a long long ways to go before they reach the ineptness of Wolfram and Hart's security.

 

So.... how did Max Lord magically show up at the DEO headquarters? And he magically had the antidote to the red kryptonite?

He's been planning this since before they arrested him.  He's been doing a whole Batman gambit, and it's working to perfection.  They won't get Lex, so they're setting Maxwell Lord and Winn up as the smartest people in this show.  If the show is on a different Earth than Arrow and The Flash, then Maxwell and Winn would be set up as probably the smartest people on this Earth, otherwise they'd be behind Curtis and Ray.

 

Melissa was fantastic, and yes her being evil was sexy.  Holy crap was it sexy.

 

I liked Winn and Jimmy being at the DEO for even one scene, gives me hope that they're going to move Winn to the DEO next season.

 

About the only problem I found with this episode was that there wasn't even a mention of why Superman wasn't there.  You'd figure he wouldn't need a call from the DEO or Jimmy to come find out what's going on with his cousin.  Just a quick throwaway line that he's dealing with something in Metropolis or something along those lines.

[ketose]

I did not like the equating of Kara wearing fun clothes and standing up for herself with her being cruel. It's like frumpy + meek = good and sexy + confident = bad. Not a good message to send to young girls watching this show. I liked Kara standing up for herself to Kat and Siobahn. I understand that being a wallflower is part of Kara's disguise, but it was nice to see until she turned into Hyde.

Also, how did brief contact with red kryptonite do this to her? On Smallvile Clark had a ring with red kryptonite, and he was better after the ring was off.

I think standard Kara is pretty sexy anyway. The way I saw it was that Kara is more repressed because she's always a little afraid of giving herself away. When she first got exposed to the red kryptonite, Kara was more self-assured and confident and maybe she should be more like that. Later on, she lost all the filters and confidence turned into arrogance and cruelty. It's kind of like one drink loosening you up and three drinks turning you into an asshole.

 

I found it kind of funny that Kara decided to dress like Non and the evil Kryptonians near the end.

 

I didn't realize the Superman III similarity until the bar scene. Did Maxwell Lord make his kryptonite with 3.7% tar as well?

[Xenith22]

I get why J'onn shifted and allowed himself to be seen and then surrendered. He couldn't jump in front of Kara's heat vision and not be outted and he wasn't going to let her kill Alex. Add to that, that some of what Kara said resonated with him earlier. He'd just saved people and protected the city from a rouge supergirl but everyone's first move after that was turn their guns on the big green alien. He's been protecting the world for years and he shouldn't only be able to do that in disguise. He wanted to save Alex and Kara but showing that there are good aliens out there and not just those of the pretty blond cheerleader type is important to. The only thing he did to lose the senators trust was to turn green.

Well first of all it was dumb of him to expect to take on Kara without using his powers.  I mean did he not remember how difficult it was hitting Bizzara with their special gun?  Why would hitting the genuine article be any easier... Hank Henshaw should never have been there.  He should have been prepared to engage her as J'onn or else using any other form.  Like I said before Astra/Alura would have really likely made her rage hard throwing her off her game and making her an easier target.  Heck even use Supergirls form again which would help let people believe that the dark Supergirl was a BIzzaro.  Or just copy any average joe off the street...anything.

Beyond that though I can not help but think that he could have easily fooled the Senator by imitating what happened to her.  The alien takes off and the "real" Hank Henshaw is found tied up somewhere.  Hank could probably bond over the shared experience with her...with the difference being he would have reason to believe his Martian meant no harm and expressed a desire to help.

Heck even being found out I have a hard time seeing how being in a cage and telling the Senator you killed the real Hank Henshaw to take his identity (at what point this occurred she does not even know) is the absolute best possible plan on how to handle things.

[BkWurm1]

Really fantastic episode.  And way more emotional than I'd expected.  One of the best of the season.

 

I don't think that Alex hates Kara now but I do think she resented the hell out of her when they were young.  She's said as much.  I also don't think she killed Astra to punish Kara but there probably is a part of Alex that has second guessed her actions again and again wondering if she might have been able to find a different way if Astra didn't represent such a threat to both Kara and Alex's relationship with Kara.  Just the fear that Kara would trust her aunt could cloud Alex's rational mind and make her wonder over her choices.  

 

I also seriously wondered if Alex HAD encouraged frumpy clothes on Kara.  I was really hoping igniting her wardrobe meant we were getting an upgrade.  Sigh.  Maybe next time. 

 

 

 

 

 

I really hope there is something to J'onn being locked in a cell.  Because being captured like that needs some kind of plan behind it.  

 

I think too the he turned himself in because he was tired of hiding.  He wanted a chance to be accepted as himself and a big damn heroes moment seemed as good as anytime.  I was upset that he HAD to turn himself in.  The first instincts shouldn't have been to cuff him.  Tsk, Tsk. 

 

While they obviously needed to cure her, I have to admit I kind of will miss this version of Kara at Catco.  Loved her being more aggressive with Cat and showing Siobhan that two can play the game.  Yeah yeah, I'm sure I was suppose to feel kind of bad for her that she got can, but considering how smug Siobhan was to Kara before, I'm really not going to shed any tears for her.  Plus, I suspect this isn't the end for her, especially since she and Winn are apparently still an item.     

 

It wasn't nice or kind to rat out Siobhan but then it wasn't nice or kind for Siobhan to betray her boss.  She got what she deserved.  No guilt here. 

I would have loved it if Cat's last line had been two syllables longer.
"Of course... Kara." What a wasted opportunity.

(Especially since SG had literally just said that she loved "being" Supergirl.)

I like to think that by now Cat has figured out it's in her best interest not to seek confirmation on what she knows. 

[BooBear]

Holy crap, this episode was AMAZING! Damn, Mellissa Benoist was just phenomenal showing her darker side of Kara and looked freaking hot at the same time!I think it was similar to when Peter Parker got effected by the Venom symbiote in Spider-Man 3 and turned into a douche.

Wow Melissa Benoist is a pretty good actress.  When she dissolved into tears after waking up I think I teared up.

 

I think too the he turned himself in because he was tired of hiding.

 

I know I am a crazy shipper but to me it seems like the actor is playing it like he is head over heels for Alex. If he ran he wouldn't be able to watch her. But I hope they do have a plan as that one turn of things has a lot of potential to ruin the dynamic for me... but still enjoyed that they shake things up. Whoever said above that they didn't like that Kara standing up for herself was considered "bad" agreed. At first I thought she wasn't that bad.. but throwing Cat off the building was pretty out of control. I know the show has to make it that Cat doesn't know about Supergirl but I wish at like the final scene this year they could let us know that Cat is not fooled.  I do not like Siobhan or see the point of her. I do wish the show would get rid of her.

[The Crazed Spruce]

This may very well be the best episode of the season so far. Mostly due to Melissa. That was a great performance as the evil Supergirl.

Redoing the bar scene from Superman III was a nice touch. :)

[jah1986]

Echoing all the love for this episode, it was just great. I thought Kara really looked more like Astra in her black catsuit with the S. I wouldn't mind if she kept that look but I guess it's not iconic.  Is there a way we can keep Red Kara but still have "good" Supergirl because I really liked new and improved Kara at CatCo.  

 

I don't know what the end game is now for Hank being locked up, that just doesn't make any sense. Is the actor still going to be full time on the show?

[Gwen-Stacys]

Yeah Kal-El was not happening...but if you really wanted to screw with Kara's head and throw her off balance then how about attacking her as Alura/Astra?

 

I feel the need to quote Hank's response to when Alex ask why he did not run.

"Because I'd spend a thousand years in this cell if it meant keeping you and your sister safe."

 

YOU STUPID ****** MORON.  How is making yourself a prisoner when neither Alex or Kara were in ANY danger related to keeping them safe?   If anything now you can't help keep them safe because you are locked in a CAGE.  Now there is a strong possibility of someone new being appointed to head the DEO who does not give a crap about Alex/Kara like you do.   Way to go Hank.  Heck in reality Alex might be lucky if she is also not fired for concealing the fact that she knew her boss was an alien.  Brilliant.  Holy crap if all the green martians were this stupid it is no wonder they are extinct.  The stupid did not even stop there with him what the bloody heck was with his non-response when Senator Crane asked if he killed the real Hank Henshaw?  Why would he let her think he is an murderous alien who killed the real Hank and did not care.  I mean clearly she was still on the fence about trusting him...and right there he just shoved her right off the fence like a total idiot.  DENY.  I mean first of all did he not imply to Alex that he did not kill Henshaw?    (Should Alex have not be the least bit upset to find out that he killed a human even if the guy was not a great person?)   Or even if he actually did kill the real Hank for a good reason, then at least try to explain.  Instead just let her think you killed the guy simply to take his identity.  VERY HELPFUL TO YOUR CAUSE....IF YOUR CAUSE IS TO STAY LOCKED UP FOREVER.

 

I just read the review over on AVclub, and the writer brought up they he probably stayed behind so that he could prove that he wasn't dangerous and to ensure that the Danvers sisters weren't held accountable for his actions. The quote that you highlighted I think was meant to signify that. And after sleeping on it, it makes sense (given what Kara said to him earlier in the episode about hiding who he was) that he would out himself. I think it was fear over Alex's safety and the inevitability of having to one day make that choice anyway that helped push him out of the extraterrestrial closet.

[KirkB]

Yeah, I got the impression Hank/J'onn let himself be captured a) to stay close to Alex and Kara and b) to show that while he is an alien and has been hiding it all this time he is still trustworthy. And let's face it, he's only in a cage because he wants to be. Even putting aside the fact he is as strong as any of the Kryptonians he could easily walk through the wall if he wanted to.

 

MB really knocked it out of the park, especially the scene where she woke up. I wanted to give her a hug. And I imagine there would be small but a deep rooted part of Alex that would foster a bit of jealousy toward Kara, with her perfect skin, a myriad of super powers and, until now at least, the adoration of an entire city. You can love your sibling deeply and still be somewhat envious of them. 

 

I don't buy Lord's story for a second. The red kryptonite was on the roof. It wasn't down in a lab. I think he wanted to test it, and while his target was probably Supergirl (hence the fire) he wouldn't have cared if Non or one of the others had wandered by. Though, come to think of it, Non on red kryptonite wouldn't have been a good thing for anyone. Then he gets to show up and be the big hero by designing a cure. Not that he believes it would make Alex or the DEO simply trust him again but it might take their focus off him a little.

 

Cat got off lucky. It's a good thing for National City the red K just made Kara petty and mean, not flat out cruel since she could tear down buildings and kill people with the blink of an eye if she wanted. I recognized the homage (is that the right word) to Superman III with Kara in the bar. When the DEO showed up to try and stop Kara I could swear their guns were flashing green, but in that context kryptonite bullets would kill her. Then I remembered the pilot. Did they use up their supply of kryptonite knock out darts and the replacements are still on back order?

Edited March 15, 2016 by KirkB

[Primetimer]

Exposure to Red Kryptonite turns Kara into a super-grouch.

Read the story

[kirkola]

Evil Kara's new Supergirl outfit reveal confused me for a second or two as I thought Alura/Astra was back. I never realized how similar the two actresses are. Good job casting.

[FurryFury]

I really liked the episode. MB shined, and I think that Kara/Alex/Hank are now solidly the heart of the show. That said, he did behave in a very stupid way. He could have run and then shapeshifted into a new DEO member or something. 

 

James, fuck off. So tired of you and your romantic angst. 

 

Winn can stay if he transfers to DEO but I think getting another actor to be the tech guru would be better. 

 

Liked the Cat/Supergirl scene at the end, but I still find the idea of people shipping Cat/Kara squicky. She feels more like a mentor to me. Plus, she can be a real jerk.

[kwnyc]

His species is K'hund, presumably because his prosthetics cost like k'hundred dollars.

The kind of analysis that makes me laugh out loud at my computer.

[StarBrand]

In which Supergirl goes through the all-time Worst Bender Ever.

 

I thought this one was great, although it was not really pleasant to hear Bad Kara say those awful things to everybody, especially Alex. I felt really bad for Kara once she woke up and realized all the shit she just pulled. I liked the fact she doesn't completely get off the hook. She has almost damaged every relationship beyond repair. Alex even admitted there was some truth in what Kara said, and that their relationship needs work. James is running away for now because he doesn't want to deal with her. Cat seemed remarkably forgiving, acknowledging she's got a lot of work to do. She must be even more suspicious now, since both Kara and Supergirl got a personality change at the same time, although for now, she's keeping it to herself.

 

It's all such a contrast to the opening of the episode, which was funny-Kara with her "I cannot un-see that" face discovering Winn and whoserface in the closet, then her look when the senator made her move on Hank/J'onn.

Edited March 15, 2016 by StarBrand

[miracole]

telling the Senator you killed the real Hank Henshaw to take his identity

 

He didn't tell her that.  He said nothing because he realized the senator already has her mind made up for now. Anything he said right then would have fallen on deaf ears.  If he'd ran away  the narrative would be, " There's another big scary alien hiding among us and he seems to be as strong as supergirl. Hide yo wife, hide yo kids..." This way he's at least giving them a chance to see he means no harm and perhaps still be in charge at the DEO.

 

I got the impression Hank/J'onn let himself be captured a) to stay close to Alex and Kara and b) to show that while he is an alien and has been hiding it all this time he is still trustworthy. And let's face it, he's only in a cage because he wants to be.

 

ITA.  Also, Alex told him to run, but where. Away from everyone he cares about having, to come up with another secret identity just to be accepted by people he protects every day. Like I said I totally understand why he gave himself up.

 

I know I am a crazy shipper but to me it seems like the actor is playing it like he is head over heels for Alex.

 

 

I think CL plays it the same way. Hank/J'onn and Alex are the only ship I have on this show.

Edited March 15, 2016 by miracole

[cambridgeguy]

 

Cat got off lucky. It's a good thing for National City the red K just made Kara petty and mean, not flat out cruel since she could tear down buildings and kill people with the blink of an eye if she wanted. I recognized the homage (is that the right word) to Superman III with Kara in the bar.

I think the red K removes inhibitions but doesn't actively turn a good person truly evil. Kara was doing the eye glow thing to Alex but she didn't actually fire - even if J'onn hadn't intervened I'm not sure she would have gone through with the roasting.  Speaking of Superman III, evil Superman was also more of a (horny) Superdick rather than a supervillain - he blew out the Olympic torch and straightened out the leaning tower but it's not like he tried to kill anyone.

 

If Kara had actually killed someone she'd turn herself in and rot in a jail cell.  As it is I'd expect National City to want her arrested for the property damage and assault.

[Dobian]

I actually kind of felt bad for Siobhan.  But I agree that the circumstances of her getting her hands on that video which no one else seemed to have was ridiculous.  It would have gone viral on You Tube that very day.  I wonder how Winn's going to feel toward Kara now that she's not only friend-zoned him, but took away his score.  I was hoping that if Kara retained anything from red kryptonite Supergirl, it would have been her fashion sense. 

[Chicago Redshirt]

So.... how did Max Lord magically show up at the DEO headquarters? And he magically had the antidote to the red kryptonite?

 

He presumably turned himself in. He didn't magically have the antidote. He worked on it while in custody. And yes, it happened way sooner than reasonable. But that's the same with any advances made by anyone on this show, or in shows in general. Wynn whipping up malware capable of taking down an alien entity, Max coming up with a way to help Kara break free from the Black Mercy, the creation of an anti-Bizarra weapon, etc. etc. all basically happen at the speed of plot.

 

I guess I'm suppose to care that Jimmy is taking a sabbatical, now?

 

Also, how did brief contact with red kryptonite do this to her? On Smallvile Clark had a ring with red kryptonite, and he was better after the ring was off.

 

Jimmy's not really taking a sabbatical. He needs "breathing room," and from the previews will be back Jimmying it up next episode.

 

Red Kryptonite works differently in various versions of the Superman universe, as other people have said. In Smallville, the Red K literally had to be touching Clark to have an effect on him, and the effect was basically making him into a quick-to-anger thrill-seeker/truth-teller bad boy. In the Silver Age comics, it could give Superman an ant's head, or turn him into a cave man and the effects would last for a limited period of time regardless of what happened to the particular piece of Red K. The Supergirl version seems to be a merge between the two with its own elements: one exposure triggers the transformation into a quick-to-anger, truth-telling bad girl, but there was no indication that the transformation would not have been permanent. I think it lasted beyond the 48 hours of the comics.

[VCRTracking]

Rewatching the scene where Kara wakes up after being cured still makes me cry. Melissa Benoist was just heartbreaking, feeling all that remorse and regret for something that really wasn't her fault.

 

The Mary Sue recap calls it the best of the season so far and I think I agree.

(I also love how the writer is unaware the "The Talk" is an actual show on CBS and not a takeoff of "The View" that Supergirl made up!)

[Perfect Xero]

Maybe J'onn's other powers don't work as well when he's using more than one at once? Like he's not as strong or fast when he's maintaining his Hank disguise as he is when he's in Martian mode, or maybe he can't go intangible while shape shifting? That's how I'm going to fanwank him going full-on Martian Manhunter, that and panicking at the situation.