Supergirl Review: Ace Reporter (Season 2 Episode 18)

Supergirl returned from its three week hiatus on Monday and after leaving us with “Distant Sun” (Season 2 Episode 17) coming back with an episode that is almost entirely filler is an odd and unsatisfying choice.

The main plot of Supergirl Season 2 Episode 18, “Ace Reporter,” revolves around Lena Luthor’s ex-boyfriend and an innovative technology the two of them had been working on when they were together. Which is all well and good, except that we’ve never heard of this character before, and we’ve only had glimpses of Lena so far, making it impossible for his story to hold much emotional value at all.

Supergirl Season 2 Episode 18 reads like an attempt at an emotional backstory reveal for Lena, with what I think is supposed to be a “fun” subplot for Winn and James, but it falls short on both counts. Sure the audience likes Lena, but unlike the angst surrounding her past as a Luthor, her past with Jack is just another villain of the week story.

Lena: I wouldn’t know, I’ve never stood behind a man.

The good thing about this “Ace Reporter” is that it allows Kara to finally get back to her job as a reporter for a while. It shows us that she can be both Supergirl and Kara Danvers, ace reporter. I can only hope that Supergirl continues to maintain this balance between both of Kara’s jobs through the end of Season 2 and into Season 3.

Seeing Kara active at both the DEO and CatCo, in addition to in her personal life, is one of the things that makes Supergirl good television.

Snapper: Don’t open a food truck.

We also get to see Kara’s friendship with Lena grow stronger this week. Kara genuinely cares for Lena, and she is one of the few people that the young CEO trusts. Lena also values and praises Kara’s reporter skills outside their friendship. This relationship is quite enjoyable and deeply needed with the absence of Cat and Lucy from Season 1.

Unlike Cat and Lucy, however, Lena still has huge potential to become a villain. The entirety of her family is entrenched in evil and there have been a few subtle hints throughout Season 2, reminding us that she is indeed a Luthor and thereby capable of terrible things.

So far the Supergirl writers have kept up a real and positive connection between these two women. However, with Queen Rhea’s appearance in Lena’s office at a time when she’s vulnerable doesn’t bode well.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• The story with Winn, James, and Lyra while not altogether bad, is not necessary in the slightest. Are they planning to make this girl a regular? Does she have significance beyond being Winn’s girlfriend?
• I hope Alex had fun at Thursday morning knife practice and then had a great day with her girlfriend, Maggie, they deserve nice days off.
• This is the most enjoyable Mon El has ever been. If we must keep him, let him continue to be the plucky comic relief who is also genuinely helpful.
• If Kara had a food truck what would it be called?
• Raise your hand if you’re thrilled for the return of Cat Grant. [raises both hands straight into the air]

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

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

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