Supergirl Review: Reality Bytes (Season 5 Episode 15)
Supergirl Season 5 Episode 15, “Reality Bytes,” is a life-affirming hour of TV and a strong episode for an otherwise bumpy season.
Nia’s journey to find justice for her community is so personal and told in such an honest way. It is both enraging and inspiring. Nicole Maines’s performance is outstanding and proves that she is anything other than second-string on Supergirl.
This episode opens the eyes of viewers and Supergirl characters alike to the blatant and harmful abuse and prejudice transgender people face every single day. It’s a shame that horrible and inexcusable hate crimes, like what happens to Yvette and Nia, happen so often.
This makes it all the more important to discuss on popular TV shows like Supergirl.
“Reality Bytes” is a reminder of how transformative TV can be for viewers. Art has the unique ability of opening minds and hearts to parts of life that have otherwise been hidden or ignored.
This episode can help viewers walk away with a better understanding and more empathy for the transgender community. It prioritizes a story that is often overlooked or not told at all.
Families all over the world welcome Nia Nal into their homes nearly every Sunday. They love her as a respected journalist, a loyal friend, a transgender woman, a kickass superhero, and more.
Viewers are learning more about her personal experiences as a transgender woman and how they intersect with her superhero persona because every facet of Nia is important.
All of this is to say that Kara Danvers rightfully takes a step back from the limelight this week.
She exists as an ally, a confidant, and a friend to Nia during a challenging time. Kara doesn’t swoop in and save the day. Instead, she listens and learns, serving as an example for others when trying to understand someone else’s life experiences.
It’s not frustrating to see Supergirl’s namesake take a break from the punching and kicking because Kara deserves the break but also because “Reality Bytes” isn’t about her, and that’s okay.
Unfortunately for William, his date with Kara doesn’t do much in his favor.
The date is short-lived because of the more pressing topics discussed in the episode. If Supergirl wishes to get more viewers on William’s side, it may be beneficial to dedicate the better part of an hour to his friendship and apparently budding romance with Kara.
Elsewhere in the hour, Supergirl finally gives the VR world of Obsidian Tech’s latest project the attention it deserves. The show is doing a great job of laying out the similarities between Non Nocere and Obsidian Platinum, and “Reality Bytes” places a spotlight on one defining difference.
Unlike Lena, who is seemingly incapable of seeing anything wrong with the creation and distribution of Non Nocere, Kelly Olsen shows great concern about the manipulation and detrimental side effects of Obsidian Platinum.
This furthers the narrative that Lena is in the wrong, whether she realizes it or not.
Overall, “Reality Bytes,” offers a closer look at the humanity of National City’s superheroes. It’s easy to forget that someone as notorious as Supergirl, as brave as Dreamer, or as courageous as Alex Danvers, gets knocked down. It’s easier to believe their immune to the scope of human emotions because they are such beacons to so many.
Supergirl does a great job at delicately weaving the personal lives of its heroes into the larger narrative, ensuring that their emotions don’t make them weak but stronger.
Honestly, Supergirl laughs in the face of the tired stereotype that women can’t be strong because of their emotions, and that’s part of what makes this show so great.
Stray Observations
- Could Kara wearing the purple top instead of her signature blue be a bad omen for William and Kara’s relationship?
- More of Alex and her weapon, please!
- Did anyone else forget that Jeremiah was actually alive?
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.