Supergirl Review: Back from the Future: Part Two (Season 5 Episode 12)
Supergirl Season 5 Episode 12, “Back from the Future: Part Two,” takes big steps for some of the show’s characters while leaving some in a cycle they’ve been in for most of the season. With any luck, the rest of the season will set more into motion for the residents of National City.
For example, Lena continues her partnership with Lex, which only jeopardizes her friendship with Andrea. Lena chalks up Lex’s supposed change of heart to being on a new Earth with a fresh start, and that is a really odd reason for Lena to suddenly trust someone who has caused her such pain in the past.
Even it is a new Earth, Lex is still the same man he was before the multiverse collapsed. He isn’t like William or Andrea who gets a fresh start on Earth-Prime. Lex even goes out of his way to ensure that Lena maintains her memories from the previous Earth, proving she has no reason to trust him.
Lena is much smarter than she is acting, and quite frankly, it is becoming pretty redundant to see Lena resort to good faith with her brother when Supergirl goes out of its way to ensure viewers know Lex is untrustworthy, as evident on Supergirl Season 5 Episode 10, “The Bottle Episode.” If anyone is well aware of that, it is Lena Luthor.
Her allegiance to Lex could very well be feigned in an attempt to overthrow him and use her Non Nocere on him, but Supergirl gives viewers little to no evidence to believe such a theory.
At this point, the only way to make sense of the working relationship between Lex and Lena is to believe Lena is willing to sacrifice everything, yet again, for the success of her project. This is clear by her inclination to user her friendship with Andrea for her own personal gain.
Lena’s argument that sabotaging the Obsidian tech is not because she wants something but because she wants to help the whole of humanity is absurd. Lena’s project was born out of her own betrayal and pain. She only wants to rid humanity of the ability to harm each other because of her own experiences and pain.
Lena’s denial of any personal involvement in this project only furthers the idea that she is smarter than any of this proves. That’s why her blatant betrayal of Andrea makes very little sense. It only makes Lena out to be a hypocrite because Lean refuses to reveal her true intentions.
For someone who despises to secrets and wishes to rid them of humanity, Lena isn’t acting like it.
If Supergirl continues down this path, Lena’s hypocritical and repetitive arc will become less engaging and more tiresome. Supergirl can salvage this by having Lena interact with people who know her, like expanding on her true connection to Andrea or actually having Lena spend time with the Super Friends, even if it does end in an argument.
Right now, it’s becoming harder and harder to believe Lena Luthor is worth saving. She’s only furthering herself into a life of betrayal and isolation. Lena needs a giant wakeup call and fast.
Someone who doesn’t need a redemption arc but randomly gets one is Winn’s father, Winslow. This isn’t to say Winn doesn’t deserve closure from his relationship with his father. In fact, Winn’s reclamation of the name Toyman is sincerely heartwarming. However, not every villain needs a redemption arc.
Instead of redeeming an unworthy villain, Supergirl could have spent the time on the relationship this episode tries and fails to establish. William and Kara are not a great match, despite their ability to sing a song together at karaoke.
Kara’s rejection of William is almost laughable because William apologizes for reading the situation wrong. There is simply nothing to read; they’re just two people being kind to one another. Apparently, that means their love is written in the stars on Supergirl.
Luckily this episode is saved by Alex’s resignation as director of the D.E.O. The D.E.O has been in shambles for a while now, and Lex’s military state gives Alex the perfect out. It also opens up space for a revolution spearheaded by our favorite superheroes out of the base of the Tower.
Hopefully, this career change means that Alex can step back into the leader role she so rightfully deserves and has been denied since Lex slithered his way into power. Someone needs to do something about the Luthors’ harmful behaviors. Alex Danvers is more than qualified to do the job.
Stray Observations
- Where’s Nia? Lex’s monitoring of superhero entities should include Dreamer, right?
- I’m not a fan of Brainy and Winn keeping secrets from Kara and Alex. I don’t care if Winn has seen the future; it still feels wrong.
What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supergirl airs Sundays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.