This season was really hit and miss for me.
This show revisits season 4's theme of treating aliens as a symbol for immigrants. Instead of feeling like lazy recycling, the subject is visited much more in depth. The origin of human supremacist, Agent Liberty, is a surprisingly well thought-out portrayal of how a person can be radicalized and view those other than their type as inhuman andThis season was really hit and miss for me.
This show revisits season 4's theme of treating aliens as a symbol for immigrants. Instead of feeling like lazy recycling, the subject is visited much more in depth. The origin of human supremacist, Agent Liberty, is a surprisingly well thought-out portrayal of how a person can be radicalized and view those other than their type as inhuman and deserving of violence.
However, this show has always had this nasty habit of tackling issues in superficial grand gestures and this season is no different. In this universe, if you're against immigration then it means you automatically support The Sons of Liberty, which is basicall Neo-Nazis for aliens, and alien genocide. You don't get much inbetween.
In terms of subplots and characters, some work and some don't. New character Manchester Black (David Ajala) really gels, especially in regards to how he interacts with Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) and Martian Manhunter (David Harewood). Ajala has this natural charisma.
Although the whole Lena Luthor's inner moral conflict bit has gone on for far too long, she does have some juicy material. Lena (Katie McGrath) has some legitimate differences of opinion from Supergirl in how to handle things and takes us to some morally debatable areas.
I'm surprised at how much I liked the high-on-intellect and low-on-social mores Brainiac 5 (Jesse Rath). When the character of Winn Schott left last year, I didn't really feel like they needed a replacement for the smart one, especially considering how underutilized Schott was. But, the writers really proved me wrong here.
There is one known DC Comics character in this that I won't spoil, but he he or she is played by an actor you wouldn't expect. That person absolutely nails it!
Too be honest, I think this season could do with a shorter episode count. The writers really felt like they were reaching at moments. Again, they really don't seem to know what to do with James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks). His romantic relationship with Lena Luthor still lacks chemistry.
The show felt like it had too many characters, and perhaps they still shouldn't have added so many new ones. New cast member Nia Nal (Nicole Maines) felt shoe-horned. I applaud the show for casting a transgender actress, but her personality was just okay and she didn't have room to breathe.
Though I generally like the cast, there are a couple of supporting characters (Mercy Graves and a woman connected to Agent Liberty) I found pretty weak.
The Arrowverse is known for its over-the-top plot contrivances that defy real world logic, but this season does something so forced and nonsensical that it hands down beats all previous frustrating moments out of the water. There is a subplot involving Supergirl and her adopted sister Alex (Chyler Leight) that just felt unnecessary. Alex also gets a work rival to deal with what just feels inconsistently written.
If you're waiting for a payoff for the cliffhanger for the last season, be prepared for a reeeeaaaalllyyy slow burn. Despite my several complaints, they all stop for the last handful of episodes. Things tie together really nicley and
this is hands down the best conclusion to any season of Supergirl.
So basically, if you've been unhappy with Supergirl in the past, this won't change your mind. When the show is frustrtaing, it is FRUSTRATING. But if you've been content with the show so far, you'll still find a lot to like.… Expand