Supergirl Review: Fallout (Season 4 Episode 2)
Supergirl Season 4 Episode 2, “Fallout” is exactly what the episode title suggests it is. It deals almost entirely with the fallout and response to the events on, Supergirl Season 4 Episode 1, “American Alien.” There is no big bad of the week for Kara to defeat, just new moves from Mercy Graves and her largely mysterious boss, Agent Liberty, to counter and respond to.
It makes for a compelling, character-driven episode, but also, one that occasionally feels slow, at least until the final cliffhanger scene which promises a much faster pace for the next episode.
Some of the best character development on “Fallout,” are scenes with Lena Luthor. In particular, the episode establishes that Lena and Mercy Graves have a closer history than just knowing Mercy as Lex’s ex-bodyguard.
Mercy was apparently Lena’s friend and maybe even mentor when she was younger but left her behind when she split with Lex.
I like this development for Lena, especially if we see more of Brenda Strong this season as Lillian Luthor.
Like Lillian, Mercy is a character that has unique insight into Lena and might know which buttons to push to make her question her convictions and throw her off her game. Also like Lillian though, she is a tie to Lena’s last name, the shadow of which Lena has spent years trying to step out of.
Lillian and Mercy are people that can both find Lena’s vulnerabilities but also offer something for Lena to define herself against. It will be interesting to watch Lena navigate that tension and see how she responds when tested.
Another character with significant development in this episode was Nia. From a narrative perspective, the episode establishes that she is a trans character and during her introduction to Brainy hints at her connection with the Legion of heroes.
One of the things I am most excited for this season is learning more about Nia’s backstory and that connection with the Legion. She is already such a rich and engaging character and I’m looking forward to exploring who she is and where she comes from.
The episode also continues to build Nia as an idealist who fights for what she believes in and is willing to speak truth to power. Or at least she’s willing when it comes to standing up for others, if not always for herself as we saw in Supergirl Season 4 Episode 1, “American Alien.”
The parallel between Kara imploring the world not to give in to fear and Nia imploring James not to give into cynicism was great.
It seems likely that as Kara continues to have her faith and optimism tested this season, eventually these parallels will converge and it will be Nia’s turn to inspire Supergirl not to give up on hope or give into cynicism.
My only real complaint about this episode is that it did feel a bit slow in spots. It lacked a little of the tension the best Supergirl episodes have.
But there are enough good to great character moments in Supergirl Season 4 Episode 2, “Fallout” to come away saying that it is a solid and engaging hour leading into an episode next week that looks to more than makeup for any lack of intensity in this episode,
Stray Thoughts
- One of the best scenes of the episode is the scene of Alex comforting Brainy after his run-in with a bigotted restaurant owner he thought was his friend. Alex and Brainy’s relationship is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
- While sometimes a little too on the nose with it’s political messaging, both this episode and the premiere have some really powerful and relevant lines. There were a few really good ones this episode but one of the best was when Nia tells James:
When innocent people are being attacked it’s not about balance, it’s about justice
- Supergirl continues to push the limits of viewers’ suspension of disbelief that Lena doesn’t know Kara is Supergirl but the scene of Kara stealthily trying to use her powers when she’s unable to change into her Supergirl costume was delightful none the less.
What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supergirl airs Sundays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.