Another week, another collection of superhero battles worth bingeing over the weekend. The Pop Break staff is here to let you know what you can expect from The CW’s DC series… take a look!
Supergirl — 4×05, “Paradise Lost”
Rogue DEO Agent Jenson now has the power to draiin the powers of other aliens, killing them in the process. So, naturally, it’s up to new DEO director Alex to stop him while closely being monitored by her superior, Colonel Haley. Alex does a great job maneuvering the chain of command here, making some tough calls. She even disobeys a direct order from her Colonel and ends up saving hundreds of lives because of it. Her commanding officer gives her the old, “If you ever disobey a direct order again…” spiel, and even makes a anti-alien jab at J’onn, but Alex stands up for him. She is playing the long game right now, and is easily my favorite character. Mark my words: more big moves from Director Danvers to come.
Elsewhere, James is put into an awkward position with Ben Lockwood doing everything he can to make Guardian look anti-alien. James is also playing the long game here as his alter ego could play a major role in all of this. Lockwood refers to James as the “Human Hero” as he constantly spins everything to stop the “roaches,” (Aliens). Although I obviously disagree with everything he stands for, Lockwood is such an interesting character and Sam Witwer is killing it right now. By the way, bonus points for anyone who noticed the “Veritas” name (a Smallville call-back) being used in Lockwood’s online propaganda.
Elsewhere, Kara interviews Alien healer, Amadei who’s ultimate goal is to heal the human heart. Great political commentary again here as the alien states: “I see what is happening to our country. Divisiveness and discrimination. If we want to to fight prejudice, people need to know who about who we are as aliens and what we do. To lead as an example for others.” Amadei gets his happy ending as he is reunited with his half human daughter. However, the coolest part about this episode is that aliens are starting to come to J’onn instead of the police for help. J’onn (like a boss) slowly puts on his hat in a really cool camera shot. Could we FINALLY be seeing Detective J’onn Jones? Sign me up!
—Rob Crowther IV, Staff Writer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2goAwnm1XM
Arrow — 7×05, “The Demon”
“The Demon” provided a look behind the curtain into the larger forces at play in season 7. I should have known that the Demon to whom Brick alluded a few weeks ago was Talia al Ghul. The entire family is obsessed with their legacy as “demons.” Truth be told, the nickname was just so hackneyed that I kind of just tried to block it out. Talia being back in play was only a surprise because until she showed up (and one carefully-framed extra in the background shortly after), Slapside Penitentiary appeared to strictly be a men’s maximum security prison. Contrivances aside, she provided a welcome dynamic with Oliver inside the prison and is all but certainly set to become a larger figure in the arc of the season.
For a while I was thinking that this episode was revealing Dr. Jarrett Parker as the true villain of season 7. The episode took some significant time establishing a history for him, and his monologue inside the operating room about a world breaking its cycle of violence sounded like way bigger plans than just inside the walls of the prison.
Even something an heir of Ra’s al Ghul would be more than a little interested in. However, the end of the episode would certainly appear to imply that is not the case, that is unless she kidnapped him rather than killed him and will be continuing his work in secret. I’m not saying I’m calling it, but you heard it here first.
The episode as a whole provided a thoroughly satisfying arc and continuation of the larger forces at work this season. Felicity and Laurel’s bromance is turning out to be a great addition to the show, and their discovery of the horrors of Level Two lined up with Oliver’s to great effect. I’m glad that this was all discovered and resolved within one episode because while I am enjoying this season, it has been taking itself slow enough as it is.
“The Demon” provided a much-needed win for Team Felicity (working title) and actually got some good news out of a season thus far teeming with bad. I was surprised that Talia intended Oliver to escape with her and did not betray him as I inevitably thought she would have. Oliver’s decision to stay behind was great for his character and for the momentum of the season, and I loved watching the two of them casually walk to escape the prison before taking down a team of guards in riot gear.
Finally, Curtis got some of his Mr. Terrific mojo back after some conversations with John, and A.R.G.U.S. uncovered…a painting? I wrote A.R.G.U.S. off this season mostly as filler plot and an excuse to flesh out John and Lila. But whatever is going on now is directly involved in the course of this season. Is the Dante in the painting a reference to the Young Justice villain Dante? Looks like we’ll have to wait and see. I’ll take whatever I can get to get Diaz off my screen. Especially now that he’s taken out Anatoly.
—Matt Gilbert, Staff Writer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaEoIVOyeck
Legends of Tomorrow— 4×04, “Dancing Queen”
“Wet Hot American Bummer” is a perfect example of how Legends of Tomorrow has gone astray. Sending the Legends once again to an utterly ridiculous scenario worked in past seasons because such episodes were exceptions to the rule. Those episodes were not afraid to be goofy, but they recognized the need to be grounded in the sensitive nature of time travel and the development of the team. This week’s installment, like the previous episodes from this season, ignores that foundation to its own detriment.
The problem is that you can only make characters play against type for so long before it stops being funny and you fundamentally change who those characters are. Sara (Caity Lotz) has always had a fun-loving side to her, but having her wholeheartedly embrace the role of a camp counselor totally contradicts many of her other established character traits. Ever since her post-League of Assassins introduction on Arrow, Sara has been a ruthless badass prone to acts of revenge, womanizing, and sarcasm. The Sara Lance of this season is a fundamentally different individual than the Sara Lance of seasons past, not because she has undergone a personal development but because the show’s writers are actively portraying her in a different way.
“Wet Hot American Bummer” represents a tonal and genre shift for the series. Legends has transformed from a quirky superhero show into a comedy with comic book elements. I say all of this at the risk of being a stick in the mud clinging to the way things used to be, yet I sincerely believe the quality of this series has markedly decreased because of intentional changes made by the writers, directors, and producers.
—Josh Sarnecky, Staff Writer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJtm1skC0ac
The Flash— 4×05, “All Doll’d Up”
“All Doll’d Up” made me slightly worried in regards to the trajectory the newest season of The Flash is taking. The previously intriguing mystery of Caitlin’s father and his disappearance seems to be staring down the barrel of a really uninteresting subplot . I’m all for bringing Killer Frost back (she was one of the best parts of season 4), but I would so prefer to not have to accept that Caitlin is a reincarnated goddess of ice to do so. Even by Flash standards, that would be pushing it.
Next week: Our heroes don’t stop for anything — even Thanksgiving! Check out our recap next weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a058h7VoIh8
