Season 10, Episode 3: Supergirl

"Supergirl"

Episode 3

Air Date: October 8th, 2010

Hmmmmm, apart of me doesn't exactly know how to rate Supergirl even after watching it again.  Originally watching it, it's a pretty bizarre and boundary pushing episode visually (I'll get to that trust me! O_O) but it's also very plot heavy in progressing Darkseid's storyline this season by introducing one of his prophets. Gordon Godfrey is a character that is pivotal to Darkseid's story and I like how Darkseid uses him as a vessel to begin his ultimate plan of getting the world to distrust superheroes to make it vulnerable to his coming takeover of Earth.  It actually ties in nicely with the season's themes of superheroes finally stepping out of the shadows and embracing showing their faces to the public to make them really trust them. We've already seen Clark and Oliver struggling with this, Cat mentioning it last episode when listening to Gordon Godfrey on the radio, now Godfrey appears publicly to denounce vigilantism as his anti-superhero campaign is quickly taking over Metropolis.  I love both Lois and Clark in this episode as they are both in top form by being really focused on their missions.  Kara returns is heartwarming but reinforces Jor-El's declaration of Clark's lack of ability to be the world's savior, so he gave the job to Kara apparently and also disowned him??!! How hilarious, considering the last time Jor-El spoke about Kara in detail was how unpredictable he is but I guess this is all apart of his greatest trial to prepare Clark for biggest threat the world has ever seen yet!

Clark is still determined throughout, wanting to confront Jor-El after Kara telling him about disowning and choosing her, he repeatedly makes proclamations of being Earth's main hero no matter what and even convinces Kara to help him in preparation for such a threat.  Hard to believe we've been getting multiple sequences of Clark training to obtain his flight with Kara teaching him the ropes and he even manages to fly for a few seconds....before falling through the Kent barn! At least it's a start like Kara said.  As for Laura Vandervoort in the role as usual, this Kara feels stronger and more self assured than ever.  I guess her search for the missing city of Kandor (which was on Earth the whole time! Noticed Clark didn't mention that! HA!) has matured her even more and I like how Kara tries her best to follow Clark's lead as well as having faith in him despite Jor-El's wishes. :)  Also, we get more information on just what this version of Darkseid is, instead of the tangible tyrant God with an army of parademons at his side, he's more of a spiritual darkness that can possess and spread his evil through finding doubt in humans aka corrupting humanity.  That scene where Gorden gives that chilling speech about wanting to get his words and image around the world by putting an idea in human to lost faith in superheroes and they'll be their undoing is very much in line with  Darkseid's ideology.  Tho it would have been nice if he has mentioned the anti-life equation during that speech somewhere. :P

As for Lois, she returns with a heartwarming return scene with Clark but quickly getting to work stopping Godfrey who is preparing to out Green Arrow's identity to the world.  I love how she does her classic Lois undercover routine but my god, does this episode get really awkward FAST from there.  The Desaad Fetish Club! I'm sorry but latex, dominatrix, cages, bondage, wipes, chains, etc. where something I'd never thought I'd see on this show! Honestly, throughout every sequence in the club I was cringing! It just felt a bit too far fetched for Smallville. Never thought I'd miss the days when the show was more family friendly and wholesome.  I mean this show has done dark before, but it's gone a little too overboard the fetish scenery and kinky imagery! The first confrontation between Darkseid and Clark is as short as you'd expect as it's more of a psychological battle than throwing fists of godly might.  Luckily, Kara manages to repel the evil entity with her bracelet....for now anyway! I'm NOT gonna talk about Lois' bondage restrains either....like seriously ehhhhh! Also what was up with the effects budget this episode with that billboard sequence during the teaser.  Holy crap, I remember how horrible this was when it aired let alone 11 years later! YIKES!

But in the end, Supergirl (a dumb title since her official name isn't even brought up ONCE throughout and she's not even really the focal point of the episode! -_-) leaves me feeling too cold and distant from the story even if Oliver delivers a direct Ironman moment by revealing his identity to the world to a room full of reporters.  It leaves Kara especially more Supermanly (Linda Lee disguise and all! -_-)  than he is at the end with her telling him she'll takeover why he needs to let go of this fight. Sigh.....definitely Clark's moment of weakness before his moment of greatness....next review! ;)

Final Kryptonite: C-