Supergirl had a fantastic sophomore season. The show finally came into its own thanks to an engrossing narrative and a highly amusing Big Bad in the form of Teri Hatcher (why couldn’t she stay on the show?). Obviously that means I’ve got high hopes for year three, so fingers crossed it doesn’t disappoint.
As she struggles to come to terms with Mon El’s departure, Melissa Benoist is tasked with playing a whole new Kara in Girl of Steel. It’s not the bubbly, optimistic Kara we’re used to, and it’s certainly jarring to see. Nevertheless, Benoist does a good job with the shift, and Kara is thankfully back to her normal self by episode’s end. It might feel a bit rushed but it’s better than the alternative: watching a depressed Kara all season long. Also a plus: her resignation barely lasts as she returns to CatCo after Lena acquires the media empire. Has the show finally found the perfect place to cement Lena’s arc? Lots of potential here people!
Girl of Steel introduces a number of new characters into the show’s mythos. First off is Heroes and Agents of Shield star Adrian Pasdar as Morgan Edge. Pasdar always knows how to pull off the smug sleazeball, so this role doesn’t really ask much of him. Here’s hoping his dynamic with Lena yields some fireworks with CatCo in the crosshairs. We’ve also got Odette Annable, an actress I adore, as Samantha Arias – a woman destined to become the baddie known as Reign. I like the idea of a slow burn, with the show carefully peeling back the layers as she grows into the antagonist, so let’s hope the writers don’t drop the ball with this one.
Finally, it must be mentioned that the action in this hour is thrilling. The submarine set-piece has blockbuster ambitions, and although the CGI isn’t mindblowing, I commend Supergirl for aiming so high. Plus the show stunningly utilizes the musical piece Harnessing Anger yet again (first heard in that iconic Red Tornado scene and then in Exodus) to highlight Kara’s resilience when she comes back from the dead and lifts the sub out of the water. Chillingly good!
Super Bits
– I much prefer the show’s new title card. It’s way less cheesy.
– Cat Grant is the President’s new Press Secretary. It’s a genius move by the writers because it allows Cat to remain on the show through short TV broadcasts that Callista can probably film from the comfort of her own home (in one afternoon).
– Our villain of the week is Robert DuBois a.k.a. Bloodsport. He’s insanely forgettable.
– The show got rid of Snapper. Shocking! (The character honestly never worked).
– Alex telling Kara the epic line featured above got me all teary-eyed. What a beautiful moment.
– Love how Melissa half-smiles when she sees her statue.
– So what are Samantha’s powers? Superhuman strength – check! Also, I got goosebumps listening to her harrowing screams as she tried to save her daughter.
– Nifty moment: Kara focusing and hearing Bloodsport’s heartbeat all the way under water.
– For a brief second, we see the pod that crash landed in the season two finale. Obviously it’s Samantha’s.
– How majestic is it to see the whole world watching on as Kara carries that sub? Wow!
– Amusing twist: Kara leaving Edge on that ship
– Alex asking J’on to walk her down the aisle is positively marvelous. I just love their dynamic.
– So why does Samantha have the same dream that Kara has of her mother, but this time turning into some banshee monster? Also note that Smallville alum Erica Durance now plays Kara’s mom. The age difference between Erica and Melissa is a bit awkward.
Kara Quips
Winn: Cool car chase. Very fast, very furious.
Winn: I mean, she goes from being little miss sunshine to, well, Alex, basically.
Alex: What? I’m not like that.
J’on: Oh, come on, Alex. Your unrelenting seriousness is one of your best qualities.
Lena: Oh, Edge, like every woman who’s ever had all of your attention, I couldn’t care less.
Alex: (to J’on) Stop, don’t cry. If you cry, I’m gonna cry, and then everybody here is gonna know that we actually can cry.
Must-Download Tunes
Daydreaming by Rosa Pullman
Conclusion
A solid season premiere from Supergirl. Let’s hope the rest of the season can maintain the quality and soar to new heights.
Nad Rating
B+