Powerless Review: Emily Dates a Henchman (Season 1 Episode 4)

Reggie is Team Jess – I’d have fallen for that too!

On Powerless Season 1 Episode 4 “Emily Dates a Henchman,” Emily falls for one of The Riddler’s lackeys, but really, can you blame her?

A handsome man who loves Gilmore Girls so much that it’s the photo on his homescreen is totally – yeah. It’s totally unbelievable.

While Emily’s new love is destined to die before it blossoms, Van, Teddy, and Ron are on the hunt for Batman.

I’ll be honest – this isn’t Powerless‘ strongest outing.

While I want to be invested in Emily’s love life, especially seeing as how it includes guest star Robert Buckley, I just find myself bored.

I’m a big fan of Batman myself, but watching Van, Teddy, and Ron fan-girl over the caped crusader doesn’t work for me.

I think the problem here isn’t necessarily the story at hand – I love a good rom-com as much as the next gal, and I’m an expert in terms of fan-girling.

The story just falls flat.

What I’ve enjoyed about Powerless thus far has been the real mundane stories behind the superheroes. I like watching the odd office politics of people who make the inventions that will save the heroes we know and love (but don’t see).

Name-dropping the Riddler, Green Lantern, and Batman so blatantly in the episode takes the focus off of the aforementioned mundane office politics, and basically shouts, “LOOK GUYS! WE HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DC COMICS! LET’S NAME SAY SOME FAMILIAR NAMES FOR YOU!”

And while I do enjoy seeing Emily bond emotionally with Jackie, I wish the story focused on something more clever than Dr. Reggie the Henchman.

I want to see their girl power friendship form over, well, girl power – not because they were tied up together.

Van’s story is more comical, but still a little lame.

The idea that Van needs Batman to create a Geico claim for damage done to his car is funny – but the story takes a bizarre and uncomfortable turn as soon as he puts on that weird Robin suit, wanting to be a sidekick.

The initial premise of heroes getting in the way of average people’s lives is hilarious by itself. Van’s ulterior motives beyond that insurance claim feel tacked on and clunky.

Not everyone wants to be a hero. That’s what I was sold when I began Powerless. Don’t bait and switch on me now.

Teddy: What the hell are you doing?
Ron: Waiting for Batman.
Teddy: And you put out milk and cookies? He’s not Santa Claus.
Ron: You don’t know that. They both hang out on rooftops.
Teddy: They do. [He laughs at Ron’s shirt] You wore a Batman shirt to meet Batman?
Ron: Yeah. Celebrities love that. I wore my Bateman shirt to meet Jason Bateman.
Teddy: And how did he react to that?
Ron: A little befuddled, but that’s kind of his schtick.

Teddy and Ron’s purpose this week is solely to hand out jokes during the scene transitions.

It works, sure, but I like seeing them in action front and center far more. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat myself. Ron Funches and Danny Pudi are the real stars of this show.

But after viewing “Emily Dates a Henchman,” I have to wonder if the good will built up for Funches, Pudi, and Alan Tudyk is running out.

And come on Powerless writers – no bad guy is Team Jess. Everyone knows that bad guys are totally Team Logan.

I’ll give this episode of Powerless a pass, because they’re still struggling with how to best tell their story.

But the harsh reality is that they need to figure it out quickly – they’re beginning to lose their audience hook, and it will take a lot more than Batman to save that.

Super-Funny Speak:

• Ron: “The acceptance of a racist grandfather is still my white whale.”
• Van: “Oh, bananas foster! It’s Batman!”
• Jackie: “Wow, you’re like Jason Bourne if he was destined to die alone.”
• Dan: “The picture on the homescreen is just a joke. I don’t really like Gilmore Girls – I mean, unless you also like them, in which case, I’m Team Jess.”
• Jackie: “He’s just a low level henchman. I dated one in college. It’s basically like dating a bass player.”
• Emily: “Were you working in the ICU? Because I SEE YOU and you’re a liar!”

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

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Powerless airs Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

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