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Welcome to the Main Event! We also go by “Maid of Steel”, but will answer to anything. We are a podcast dedicated to The CW’s newest heroine, Supergirl, back to discuss Season 2 Episode 4 “Survivors” which originally aired on Halloween 2016. The episode featured one major shout-out to the well-observed occasion… did you catch it? There were decorations outside the bar Mon-El and Winn drank and partied at, and quite a few costumes featured by the patrons. This episode also featured guest stars Dichen Lachman (Veronica/Roulette) and Sharon Leal (returning as M’gann, Miss Martian).

Though we hand wave Draaga’s easy first round with Supergirl and try to side-step the fact that Mon-El has somehow been in stasis for the last 20 years before plummeting (conveniently) to Earth, the story out of episode 4 felt more solid overall than in the opening three episodes. The arc was much clearer, interjected only here and there with confusing and distracting plot elements that leave us scratching our heads. The fans have spoken, however, and we definitely want more of Mon-El and Maggie Sawyer.

While the cast continues to expand, bringing in more recurring characters than ever graced our screens last season (or so it seems), many of the existing relationships have begun to struggle. Most significantly the one between Kara and Alex. It’s the clearest strain of any of the relationships, but the hardest to watch because it feels totally unnecessary at this stage, given what we know thus far. Kara spent the first two episodes obsessing over Clark/Superman while he was in town, the third episode Kara had her attention on Lynda Carter’s POTUS; as a result, Alex has been cruelly shoved into the background where she’s found an unlikely ally in the local detective pool, Maggie Sawyer. Unlikely, but just as kick-ass as our beloved Alex Danvers, so not unexpected.

It’s not surprising that Alex feels a little shunned and has taken refuge in a new friend and partner, Detective Sawyer, but I can almost feel the frustration that Alex has with her sister… and that is not fun to watch. Alex and Kara’s chemistry is all off, and the only conclusion I can really come to is that Kara is both naive and selfish. We talked a lot about Kara’s selfishness last year, I think, and the fact that it tends to interfere with hugely important relationships in ways she can never really identify. This show used to have such a strong commitment to exploring those dynamics and getting to the core of what made these sisters operate as they do. I feel like much of that has been sacrificed in lieu of the show’s agenda-driven writing now.

Putting whatever the writers’ agendas are aside, when it interferes with storytelling… that’s when I have the biggest problem with it. Life is full of overt, intentional conversations about life and the many challenges it holds, I don’t deny that. Every writer has a mission, to relate the world to an audience through their own eyes. And varying worldviews are why we watch, read, consume. But the big story is getting drowned out by the little non-stories, and it’s not a whole lot of fun.

Welcome to the Main Event

You have to say “Welcome to the Main Event” in its most dramatic fashion, otherwise it doesn’t work. I wanted to name this podcast episode “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!” but, really, we just met and I’m not entirely sure that’s appropriate. Talking about worldviews! What do you think the world looks like through this fella’s eyes? Did you get a strong Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibe from the character costume? Now that would be an epic crossover.

Heeding the Cougar’s advice from last week, I watched Justice League Unlimited Season 2 Episode 9 “Grudge Match” and, got to say, it paid off swimmingly. By far the most entertaining aspect to the show was watching Roulette slither between her high-roller enterprise, Supergirl’s semi-hollow threats, and ultimately out of the hands of the law when her underground fight club comes to an end. Dichen Lachman excelled as Roulette, bringing a new layer of villain to the Supergirl stage.

Why You’re Probably Here

You came to see the UPS Man’s super suit, didn’t you? Well here it is. Dorado-El (El Dorado, the Golden Man).

Cougar’s Comic Corner

Superman Annual #14

Since Superman freed him from the Phantom Zone, Mon-El has spent all his time learning about Earth and its diverse cultures. But how much does he really know about Daxam, the homeworld he fled years ago? A gift from the Legionnaire Tellus allows Mon-El to explore the ancient history of Daxam–from its founding as a Kryptonian colony to its connection to the Mayans of Earth to its bloody civil war. Join Mon-El as he discovers that the planet he always believed to be peaceful and dull is actually anything but.

Feedback

Karen and I loved talking Supergirl every week, and our discussions are enriched by the fact that we get major contributions from our listeners. We read and listen to everything sent in, and rarely miss the opportunity to share them on the podcast. If you would like to contribute thoughts, theories, praises or criticisms for Supergirl, it is super easy to do so. Head on over to our feedback page and there you can type up an email, use the SpeakPipe widget to leave a voicemail, or upload your own audio file.

Links

• “Crossfire” Sneak Peek (Comic Book Resource)
• Episode 5 “Crossfire” (Extended) Promo

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