Supergirl Review: Blood Bonds (Season 1 Episode 9)

Supergirl  is my first foray into the television shows of the DC universe, and I have to say I am delightfully impressed. Compared to the more gritty superhero dramas that I’m used to, Supergirl actually makes me feel good after every episode.

Returning from it’s brief winter hiatus, this week’s episode is no exception. “Blood Bonds” packs a punch and still manages to put a smile on my face, in ways that have me loving both the good and the bad guys, or rather girls.

One of the things I love most about Supergirl is the women, there are so many wonderful, capable women playing heroes, villains and supporting characters. This week the relationships between Kara and her aunt Astra, as well as between Kara and Cat, move the story forward in great ways. In the winter finale, Cat discovered that Kara is in fact Supergirl and is determined to get the girl to admit it. Meanwhile, Astra is being held by the DEO and Hank Henshaw has been taken by her wicked husband, Non.

Alex is given temporary command of the DEO in Hank’s absence, but her power is quickly usurped by General Lane. He takes over questioning Astra when Kara’s questioning yields no answers. His tactics include torturing Astra for information, which Kara and Alex both disapprove of severely. When Astra gives him false information, Kara sneaks back in to question her once more. This time the bond of blood holds up: Astra restores Kara’s faith in the memory of her mother and they both decide to trust each other, just a little.

Astra: Your mother never stopped believing in me. You’re so much like her, Kara.

When Non threatens to attack the DEO after they make the trade, Astra stops him. Astra is easily one of the most interesting and complex villains I’ve come across in recent memory. She is brilliant, manipulative, convicted, and she still has a strong sense of integrity. Okay, so maybe I have a tiny tv crush on Astra, but can you blame me?

Astra: Do not mistake my compassion for weakness.

After saving Hank and learning that he is a martian, Kara gets him to help her convince Cat she isn’t Supergirl. He uses his shape-shifter abilities to make it look as if they are in the same room together so everything at CatCo can go back to normal. Part of what makes Supergirl so wonderful is the humanity of its superheroes. Kara struggles with things that are relatable, in addition to her super-problems. Her friends keep her grounded and human–her job at CatCo is more than just a job to her, they’re her extended family.

General Lane: Their idealism will doom this planet.
Hank: No, that’s what will save it.

Other thoughts:

• I cannot stand Maxwell Lord and he better keep his hands off James Olsen.
• Speaking of Max, what kind of super-human has he got locked up in his laboratory? And why is he trying to help her if he’s so anti-Supergirl?
• I want to be Cat Grant when I grow up.

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What did you think of this week’s episode of Supergirl? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/7c on CBS.

Samantha Coley

Samantha (she/her) is a social media specialist by day and a sci-fi junkie by night. As a freelance writer and podcaster, she also enjoys live-tweeting, blogging, good music, and better television. Her current favorite television shows include Star Trek (yes, all of them), Riverdale, and Stranger Things and there will always be a place in her heart for Battlestar Galactica, Leverage, and The West Wing.