Every week, Fangirlish writers will be discussing new episodes of Supergirl and sharing their thoughts, feelings, and speculation about the hour’s hot topics in a little something we like to call Fangirlish Roundtables.
Today, we’re breaking down the penultimate episode (1×19) of Supergirl, “Myriad” where we discuss Kara’s moral dilemma, whether we believe J’Onn J’Onzz is actually dead (WE DON’T), and that sister-sister clash we have coming in this week’s season finale.
What were your overall thoughts on “Myriad?”
ALYSSA
For whatever reason, I wasn’t prepared for this episode of Supergirl. For whatever reason I forgot that there were merely two episodes remaining this season. But then again nothing could’ve prepared me for the heartbreak that ensued with “Myriad,” as the show spun the very thing that keeps me invested each week – family – and turned against me as my favorite familial relationships were tested. But this episode also reminded me just how amazing Supergirl can be. While it hasn’t had the significant big bads that other shows tout, it has excelled this season with its messages of heroism, as well as the importance of family making it one of my favorite new shows this season. This episode reminded me the importance of Supergirl and what she means to the people of National City and to me. And it also set up what’s sure to be a traumatic season finale.
LIZZIE
Considering the FlashxSupergirl crossover as an outlier, I’m going to call this the best episode of the season. It did all it had to do to set up the finale: It established the stakes in a pretty spectacular way, it had Kara doubting between doing the pragmatic thing and potentially sacrificing a lot of people in order to save the city and going out on a limb hoping she could save them all, it had a hope speech, delivered by Cat, of all people, it had Maxwell Lord playing antagonist, it had an actual DEATH, and it had family feels, with not just Alex and Hank but Alex’s mother throw in the mix for good measure.
Now I’m just wondering how the next episode can possibly top this.
LYRA
Myriad did a great job at setting up Supergirl’s first season finale by reminding us who Kara is, the family that cares for her, and how high the stakes are for superheroes. Kara stuck with her guns and didn’t change her mind when things got tough. And Nan’s super secret plan to take over the world with Indigo by his side. (Is anyone else weirded how much she flirts with him and puts down his dead wife? Shade.)
This episode showed all of us that being a superhero means innocent people will die. We’ve all seen her save so many people that it’s going to be a shock seeing her deal with not saving someone she saw regularly at work, a friend. Kara is about to start her brooding journey and I can’t wait. Arrow did it first with Oliver Queen (over and over again.) The Flash did it with Barry (even if he still looked like a puppy brooding.) And now it’s time for Supergirl. Initiate the brooding!
Kara was faced with an impossible decision to use a bomb that would result in the loss of life but ultimately defeat Non and the evil Kryptonians. What were your thoughts on her dilemma?
ALYSSA
I loved the parallel between the decision that Kara faced and the one that her mother faced many years ago. Kara knows firsthand what happens when you don’t act when an evil threatens your home: the planet is destroyed. As Kara grappled with the decision to let Maxwell Lord use his Kryptonian bomb on National City – which would result in the loss of 300,000 lives – the most challenging thing for her was to accept that maybe there was another way. Kara knew what had happened when her mother refused to act – Krypton was destroyed. As far as Kara was concerned, what other choice did she have? But ultimately Kara realized that action doesn’t necessarily mean doing the easy thing. See below.
LIZZIE
I felt it was very real. It wasn’t as clear cut as the dilemma on Legends of Tomorrow last week, where it was kill a boy potentially save the world or let him live and hope he changes his mind, no, this was much more complicated. Honestly, it seemed like Kara had NO choice, and we still don’t know what her alternate plan was, but the fact that she seriously considered it says a lot about how dire the situation was and how incapable she felt of fixing it.
Maybe it’s also that Melissa Benoist really sells the anguish, but I totally bought it. Especially because the writers really brought it this episode, showing Kara that she can’t possibly save everyone, and that presenting this as a common sense choice. Wouldn’t you rather save some people than no one?
LYRA
Kara faced a hard choice. And even before Maxwell was done explaining why they should bomb the city, I knew she wouldn’t do it. Maxwell goes for what’s easy and convenient. He has no inspiration or confidence in himself to think outside the box. He’s cut throat and still learning about this world. Kara on the other hand takes the road less travelled. Her goal is to save as many people as she can and keep that loss of life count wayyyyy down. She has the inspiration, creativity, and drive that Maxwell is severely lacking. I’ll always bet on Kara doing the right thing even if it’s hard.
Now, what would I choose if I were in this situation? I don’t know. I’m not a tech giant or a super powered woman. Thank the stars for that one.
Kara essentially chose to combat this fear with hope – with her being that symbol of hope. What are your thoughts on that and her conversation with Cat? And do you think it’ll be enough to combat the mind control of Myriad?
ALYSSA
Kara’s battle with her inner morality came full circle after her conversation with Cat Grant that reminded us that sometimes heroes don’t always have the answer. Sometimes they need help from the people closest to them. Heroes aren’t born. They’re made. Supergirl is someone that represents hope. That symbol on her chest, as Cat Grant pointed out, means something to these people. That’s not a light thing. So that’s why I believe this plan that Supergirl, Cat, and Maxwell look to carry out will be effective. Kara’s journey this season has been all about understanding what it means to be a hero. It’s not about a name or a presence or a costume for that matter. Being a hero is about sacrificing your life for the greater good; combating evil with good. Hope is stronger than fear. It’s why heroes triumph over the villains. Because with fear you’re fighting to die, but with hope you’re fighting to live.
LIZZIE
I really hope her plan is a bit more complicated than her being a symbol of hope, because if it isn’t, they’re all screwed. I image it is, if Maxwell Lord is going along with it, because hey, Maxwell Lord is nothing if not a pragmatic. Still, I really liked the speech Cat gave, and, surprisingly, it didn’t feel at all OOC for Cat. The character was never just the mean boss, she was always more, but it’s still a nice surprise to realize, at the end of the season, that Cat Grant might possibly be the heart of this show. Who would have thought?
What do I think is going to happen? I think the heroes are going to win, of course. But I think Supergirl already raised the stakes, and I don’t think it’s going back. I think we’re going to lose someone we potentially care about. Bring out the Kleenex for the finale, we’ll probably need them. (Smart money’s on James, Winn or Alex’s mom)
LYRA
I loved her conversation with Cat. Let’s start off by saying that. They’ve talked before, plenty of times, but I’ve never seen them connect on a deeper level. They both know that sh** is about to go down and they need to bring out the big gun of all inspiring speeches. In moments like these I remember how much I hated Cat in the beginning of the series. I loathed her personality and couldn’t see past her cold exterior. Now I can. Cat cares more about this city than anyone knows. Hell, she cares more than Kara! (Yeah I said it and I’m not taking it back.) That’s why she continues to support Supergirl, because Kara can do the things that Cat could never.
Now onto the whole “symbol of hope” breaking through the mind control of Nan. I think it’s a bunch of hoopla. (Let’s include Superman being knocked out by Nan’s super weapon to this list of things that don’t make sense.) The city just found hope in Supergirl again. Keyword JUST. You better believe that there are people out there who never went back to trusting our girl in red; people who loathed her before and still hate her now. So where do they fit into this master plan? How is the symbol of hope going to penetrate them? It’s not. Kara will still have loads of people under Nan’s control. I’d be shocked if she had everyone locked down with the “symbol of hope.” Even Barry has people that loathe him back home and he’s a puppy with a coffee named after him. Everything that Kara is planning isn’t going to be enough to defeat Myriad.
After battling Indigo, she caught J’Onn J’Onzz by surprise and appeared to kill him. Do you believe J’Onn is really dead?
ALYSSA
No. There is no way. I refuse to accept it. I refuse to live in a world where a kind, heroic soul like J’Onn J’Onzz was defeated in that manner. There is no way. While his collapsing from the impalement by Indigo was an indicator that this was something to be seriously concerned about, I can’t help but wonder if it was a ploy to gain an advantage in order to take Indigo out? Because we know J’Onn is smart like that. He’s also a fighter, so I reiterate when I say, He. Is. Not. Dead. But if he happens to be I will sob into my Crown as I rock back and forth.
LIZZIE
No. Mostly because I refuse to believe it, but also because, well, that makes no sense within the confines of the show. You don’t kill such a big character off screen; you make his death huge and messy. He’s still alive, though he might not be ready to fight another day. This time it’s up to Kara to do it, without any of the people she’d counted on in case of an emergency.
But, can I just add, about Indigo, that I really hope we get rid of her. She was getting on my last nerve. Since when is she in charge of everything – including Non?
LYRA
Nope. Why? I saw the trailer for next weeks finale “Better Angels.” And the promo pics. If you haven’t go and check them now. There’s one where Kara kisses Hank’s forehead. Feelz alert.
P.S. Indigo and her ugly hair style are going down!
This show loves to bring the mid-action cliffhangers. Now we have Kara having to face off against her mind-controlled sister. How are you feeling?
ALYSSA
I’ll be honest, not good. I’m not feeling good at all. All the feels. Kara and Alex are the epitome of an OTP on this show, as far as I’m concerned. With these television shows I gravitate to the relationship that resonates the most with me – and that’s not always romantic. And Supergirl is the perfect example of that. Kara and Alex’s sisterly bond and the adversity they’ve overcome this season literally tugs at my heart. So the fact that we ended this episode with a mind-controlled Alex about to fight her sister – and Kara’s insistence “I’m not going to fight my sister” – I’m feeling emotional. I’m hoping that either this Myriad program is halted or Kara is able to get through to her sister underneath that mind control. Give me Kara begging her sister to fight this; give me Kara fighting the emotions that overcome her, as she has to deflect her sister’s punches; give me all the emotion. I mean, I have to believe that this is going to end well, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will end well. Also, what the hell with all these mid-action cliffhangers? It’s cruel. And this is the worst kind.
LIZZIE
A bit nauseous, but ultimately, not so bad. I mean, they’re not going to kill Alex. They’re not. At least not that way. I mean, I think they’re not. No, no, wait. They’re not. It would change the dynamic of the show too much, make it too dark. Supergirl has shown that it can touch a little darkness, but I don’t see them diving headfirst into the kind of show that offs one half of the most important relationship in the first season finale. So, they’re not going to kill Alex. They just want us to worry about her for one week. And, fine, they managed it. I’m worried.
LYRA
I’m feeling good! Bring on the action and the angst of not wanting to hurt your family. Not going to lie, at first I wanted Alex to die from this fight. It would be intense and completely change the Supergirl we know and love today. Plus it would take her down ‘broody, I can do this on my own’ lane. Then I talked to a wise woman, *cough* Lizzie *cough*, and she pointed out that the sisterly bond was a core element of the show. It’s what makes Supergirl unique. The theory that Alex would die was quickly tossed out the window then. (It’s been replaced by James. He’s got to go.) Both sisters will be fine when the season comes to a close. I know it. He, she, we knows it. They’ll just make us think that our babies are in danger, drag our hearts through the mud, stomp on it a couple times, before crazy gluing that bad boy back together with some J’onn tape!
We got to see a new side to Maxwell Lord this week. What are your thoughts on him as he’s evolved this season?
ALYSSA
Maxwell Lord remains a despicable human being. But at least he’s not an evil human being. There is a difference. And this episode showed us that. While we have innate evil like Non and Indigo, then we have Maxwell, who has had his share of questionable and at times ruthless actions, but we’re starting to see that there’s more to him than that. Maxwell could have very easily bailed or set that Kryptonite bomb off, but he showed that he gives a damn about this city. But that doesn’t mean that what he does is right; because it’s not. But Maxwell continues to be that antagonist that is compelling and walks the moral line on this show.
LIZZIE
I don’t like him, but he’s useful from time to time? I mean, I know he’s not going to die; he’s got too much potential for a future storyline. I just wish I didn’t have to put up with his smug face. I don’t know that he’s evolved that much this year – yes, he’s working with Supergirl, but his attitude remains the same. I’ll give him credit for listening about the bomb, though. Maybe I’m being too harsh on him. Maybe he was changed. I just don’t think he’s a hero quite yet.
LYRA
I think he’s still pompous as ever but…I’ve seen growth. At the beginning of the season he was using his technology to calm down his own fears about the unknown. It was never about saving the city. It was about him. Over time he’s come to see that Supergirl aka the unknown isn’t as bad as he initially thought. She’s full of compassion, understanding, and a driving need to protect their home. He was wrong. This episode proves that he understands the changing atmosphere in their city when it comes to superheroes. If Supergirl is willing to work with him after all the crap he’s pulled then he’s down to do the same. Honestly he gives me Ben Affleck Batman feelz all over the place. Two powerful men who let their fears of aliens drive them into becoming mad. Batman got over it. Let’s see how long Maxwell can hold it up. My guess is not that long!
What are your thoughts on “Myriad?” Sound off in the comments to keep the discussion going!
Join us for another Supergirl roundtable next Sunday.
Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/7c on CBS.