Supergirl Review: Welcome to Earth (Season 2 Episode 3)

Though no one can replace the incomparable Cat Grant, this week’s episode of Supergirl is filled with powerful women here to steal our hearts. “Welcome to Earth” is also a prime example of how a show about aliens and superheroes can be just as topically relevant as any show more grounded in reality.

This episode centers around President Olivia Marsdin, played by Lynda Carter, coming to National City to sign the “Alien Amnesty Act.” A law that would make aliens American citizens, and grant them the freedoms that accompany citizenship. Such laws always come with conflict, and this episode of Supergirl accurately shows the way various people react to change.

Jonn: People in this world don’t have much tolerance for people who look different. I say that as an alien and someone who’s worn the face of a black man for 15 years.

In reality people have similar reactions when laws regarding minorities are passed, especially those that grant rights to people of color and/or the LGBT community. Each period of progress causes joy in some (like Kara’s excitement for this  law) as well as concern in others, like Alex and Jonn’s apprehension and Lena’s attempt to adapt. As well as anger in some, like our villain of the week. 

It’s no mistake that Supergirl introduces it’s first (known) queer character Maggie Sawyer in this episode. Maggie is a no-nonsense cop working for National City PD who clashes with Alex as they track down the threat to the President. I say known because show could still very likely reveal Alex, Kara, or Lena as characters that fall somewhere on the LGBT spectrum. 

The chemistry between Alex and Maggie is outstanding. The two of them have a lot in common, between their jobs and the way they see the world around them it there’s so much potential with this relationship. I cannot wait for the show to explore it further.

Maggie: I can relate to them I guess. Growing up a non-white, non-straight girl in Blue Springs, Nebraska? I might as well have been from Mars.

I love Maggie and I hope she sticks around for a long, long time.

In keeping with the theme of powerful women, this episode also brings back Lena Luthor. She’s working on the creation of a device that can detect aliens, which makes me almost as uncomfortable as Kara. Though Lena’s device is probably not a true force for good, she is a wonderful foil to Kara and her actions are presented in a way that allows you to see her point of view. 

As someone who hasn’t read the comics for this series I’m very interested to see how this is going to pan out.

Back at Cat Co. ‘Snapper’ continues to resemble the lego your kid left in the living room that makes you shout in frustration when you walk across it the next morning. I don’t really feel anything for this character yet, he’s currently just a plot device to push James and Kara into being better at their jobs. He certainly hasn’t done anything to make me like him.

It is, however, quite lovely to see James settling into his new position and I hope we continue to get more of him in this role.

This episode is filled with quality character building moments and story revelations. It’s certainly given us a lot to think about, and a lot to hope for!

President Marsdin: One has to have hope.

Jonn: What if it’s false hope?

President Marsdin: It’s hope Jonn, how can it be false?

 

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• Why was Kara working on her article as Kara, in her civilian clothes at the DEO? Does everyone there know she’s Kara Danvers, or do they just assume Supergirl sometimes like to dress in business casual rather than her uniform?
• Is President Wonder Woman actually an alien? Or is this a “Mad-Eye Moody” situation where an alien is impersonating her and the real President is locked in a trunk somewhere?
• The writers definitely seem to be laying the groundwork for a romantic relationship between Maggie and Alex. What do you think of this new development?
• Mon-El, the boy from Daxamite, appears not to have actually been a threat this week. But can we really trust him?
• How did the Martian girl that Jonn meets at the end of the episode escape the planet? How have they both been living on Earth, in the same city no less, for 15 years without meeting before?
• How amazing is it that the aliens of National City have a Dolly Parton themed dive bar, and which Dolly song do you currently have stuck in your head because of it? For me it’s “Here You Come Again.”

 

What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Supergirl airs Monday at 8/7c on The CW.

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