Untitled design(188)

Reunions and Transformations: Time Is a Flat Circle on SUPERGIRL

Supergirl’s seventh episode (“Wake Up”) was packed full of emotion—and emotional revelations. Winn got a chance to be quippy and supportive. Jimmy and Kara had a nice friendship moment, complete with a hug (I love the dynamic). And Hank finalllllly reconnects and makes space for his dad. Granted, it was prompted by him asking Winn permission to go the bathroom. But still. I did love seeing the bond between these two on full display, proving that time and distance hasn’t lessened their relationship. M’yrnn observed, “Your body is here, but your mind is trapped in your work.” And maaaaan, if that wasn’t some Grade A parenting magic. He was right. The scene about building a home together was touching and honest. It could’ve been schmaltzy or trite, but it had a gravity to it, a depth. Brilliant acting from David Harewood and Carl Lumbly.

Obviously, we have to discuss Kara and Mon-El’s reunion, aka the living embodiment of an Alanis Morrisette lyric (mmm, don’tcha think?). I’m a little fuzzy on the particulars of the time travel spaceship in the ocean (it was very wibbly wobbly timey wimey), but I’m overlooking that. Why? Because I love me some angst and a good love triangle, which is what we’ve got on our hands. Could I see that plot point coming 18 lightyears away? Yes. Am I mad at it? A little. But this grief-laden, pause-filled storyline gave us some stellar acting from Melissa Benoist, whose teary appeals and doe-eyed pleas went straight to my heart. When she asks Mon-El if it’s him, because odd behavior dude, what Kara said resonated: “Then make me believe it, please. You know, I don’t sleep anymore. … I see you disappear into the blackness of space forever. This is all I wanted, this. … But you’re different.” She’s been hurting and wondering and not knowing for months. There’s a special kind of ache that comes with uncertainty, isn’t there? But sometimes, as Kara finds out, you get exactly what you want—except not quite.

Don’t get me wrong: Imra (Amy Jackson) seems like a lovely woman. And Mon-El has to feel caught between worlds, finding Kara again, but being attached. There’s not jealousy between the women, no animosity. Mon-El has clearly talked about Kara. And the circumstances are awful, which is very true to life, sometimes. Not ideal, to say the least, to find out the person you love has moved on (although, the necklace) and loves someone else (although, the way he looks at Kara).

I wonder how that’s going to shake out. Time will tell.

Speaking of shaking, the earth literally shook below Sam’s feet. After a visit to her adopted mother (all hail Betty Buckley, y’all)—just once I’d like to see an adopted mother not portrayed like an asshole—Sam learns she’s an alien, follows a glowing crystal, and promptly freaks out at her dark elf hologram from her dreams. Yes, she’s got a Fortress of Sanctuary, and she’s meant to destroy earth (“They will not call you a hero. They will call you worldkiller.”). That’s a whole lot of Not Good, especially since her humanity seemed to be stripped away, post-awakening (man, will Kate Chopin be pissed). But Ruby. I can’t imagine she’d not harbor some kind of maternal love, there, that can’t be erased by a fancy kind of dark elf magic. (I know she’s not really a dark elf, but close enough.)

In their own way, the characters wake up, some more literally than others. Kara wakes from a living nightmare, only to have it replaced with a harsh reality. Mon-El wakes up, but he seems to carry a lot of perhaps sleeping feelings with him. Chris Wood’s acting was contained, subtle. It fit the plotline, but I’m looking forward to seeing him a little more emotional, a little more messy. A little more frat boy, please. (Words I never thought I’d say.)

See you next week for the all-star nerd crossover!

,

Comments are closed.

Welcoming the Future, Treasuring the Past.