Supergirl 2×09 Review: “Supergirl Lives”

Supergirl returns from hiatus with “Supergirl Lives”, but she isn’t the only one. Roulette is back as well, and she has upped her evil game.

Human trafficking is something that is still very much a problem in this day and age, and while I can appreciate that Supergirl brought it to people’s attention in “Supergirl Lives”, I’m very disappointed that they didn’t use the opportunity to spotlight organizations that help. With that in mind, here is a list of charities and organizations that strive to end human trafficking.

Also disappointing was Roulette’s return. I don’t think they used her to the extent that they could have. Aside from being pretty and menacing and showing no remorse for selling humans into slavery, she didn’t serve a purpose. Of course, we didn’t see her at the end of the episode, so she may return in the future. Let’s hope that when she does, she’ll be a more satisfying villain.

Given the recent political climate in the United States, and really around the world, and especially after the historic Women’s March over the weekend, I was extremely pleased that the climax of “Supergirl Lives” involves ordinary people taking action. With Kara and Mon-El powerless thanks to the planet’s red sun, the kidnapped victims fought for their own freedom and did so successfully. It’s a very powerful message, telling people that they shouldn’t give up even when things look bleak. It’s important to show people that they can and should stand up for themselves.

Domestic Sanvers is the jam I didn’t know I needed. I am massively enjoying Alex’s storyline this season because it’s so relatable. Her awe and amazement over something as simple as Maggie wearing her clothes and making coffee is adorable, and I love seeing her so happy. This is Alex’s first real relationship, and there are going to be bumps along the way; Alex’s guilt over being happy while Kara disappears is perfectly in character, albeit frustrating. Communication is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship and now that Alex is aware that Maggie knows the truth about Kara, miscommunication as a plot device should hopefully not become an issue.

I know a lot of people don’t like Mon-El, but I think he’s funny. Taking a job as a bartender because he likes alcohol but then not knowing what club soda is, taking off his second day of work because he doesn’t want to overdo it… He’s just so cute and I love it. (Sharing the blanket? Adorable.)

That said, I know he has feelings for Kara, and I appreciate that the show isn’t pushing it to the forefront, or making it more obvious than it should be. Since so much of last season was spent developing Kara and James’s relationship, only to abruptly abandon it at the beginning of this season, I like that Kara is getting the chance to develop without being someone’s love interest. Even as the main character in a show that bears her name, it is still all too easy to limit a character’s growth by putting her into unnecessary relationships.

It’s hard to tell if his actions during their escape were because of his feelings for Kara or because her words about being spared for a reason are starting to get to him. Or, perhaps, it was a combination of both. Really, it was only a matter of time before he decided to become a superhero. Still, you have to wonder if it’s because that’s what he honestly wants, or if he’s only doing it to prove to Kara that he’s worth something.

Winn’s subplot was great; I love seeing him get a little more action, a little more involved in their missions. As happy as he has been just providing technical support, the way he reacted when he found himself on an alien planet was a treat. I also loved watching him overcome his fear, but I think it was his conversation with James that was his best scene of the episode. Winn is usually comic relief; he makes nerdy references (like “I am not a red shirt”) and does science-y things, so it’s nice to see that he can pull off some heavier material.

However, the lack of James this season has been glaring. Even with his dual role as Guardian, he just hasn’t been around that much. With Kara’s increasing annoyance at Guardian for essentially stealing her thunder, his limited screentime may change, but right now, I can’t help but think the show suffers a bit by sidelining one of its main characters.

Other Thoughts:

• Was Mon-El spared because they recognized him as a servant of the Daxam royal family, or because they knew people were looking for him?
• Is a yellow-sun bomb a thing that exists in the comics? Because that was damn convenient.
• Can I just say that I love how Maggie figured out that Kara is Supergirl? “The glasses don’t help.”

What did you guys think of “Supergirl Lives”? Let us know in the comments!

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

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