We’re back with another Supergirl roundtable! This episode, ironically titled, “For Good,” once again had Lena “struggling” with her Luthor side, which we haven’t seen before, ever. (*rolls eyes*). It also had a lot more James, cause hey, now that he’s a relationship with Lena (is he?), there’s suddenly something for him to do, and yes, the love triangle is alive and kicking.
Our Fangirlish writers Lizzie, Lyra, Lacey and Kayla are breaking down the twelfth episode of Supergirl, and boy, do we have thoughts. Here we go!
Describe your thoughts about “For Good” using just six words.
Lizzie: Where have I seen this before?
Lyra: Lena was killing that damn dress.
Lacey: This recycled storyline again? Really? REALLY?!
Kayla: Karamel still make a great team.
Describe your feelings about “For Good” using a gif.
Lizzie:
Lyra:
Lacey:
Kayla:
We saw Lena Luthor, once again, struggling against her “Luthor part” and ultimately, choosing to do the right thing. How do you feel about the fact that Supergirl keeps dangling Lena at the edge of the precipice of turning evil but never taking the plunge? Is it believable? Do you think she will ever turn villain – and should she?
Lizzie: I’m sooooooooooooooooooooo over this. It’s like they can’t do anything with Lena other than give her a forced romance or dangle her from the precipice of good and evil. She’s made the right choice time and time again, so why are we still at this? And yes, I know these choices present themselves multiple times in life, but like so close together and following the same pattern and learning the same lesson? There’s really no need. Give Lena another storyline – one that doesn’t have to do with this conflict (or the romance).
I think Supergirl intends for her to go villain, yes. I think they’ve been telegraphing it and I don’t think they do episodes like this to reaffirm that she’s good, I think they do it so they can point at them later on and be like oh, see, she was always struggling. I just feel the whole idea of destined to be evil is stupid. Is Winn Destined to be evil because of who his dad was? Then neither is Lena. Supergirl can, and should tell another story with her. Question is – do they know how to?
Lyra: The sad truth of it all is that Lena WILL BECOME EVIL. And not because she wants to or because we her want to. It’s because of the writers. They have this idea in their heads that we want to see Lena turn evil and subsequently turn her back on her friends. WE DON’T. We enjoy the kind, strong, and badass woman she is. It’s true that we have become enamored with our villains, especially when they’re fleshed out in intriguing ways, e.g. Loki and Kylo Ren. For those kind of well-written villains, we’re able to look past their flaws and wait for their redemption arc. We understand how they fall or how they fell into the clutches of evil. But that isn’t Lena and that isn’t why we like her or why we’re intrigued by her. Lena is a beacon of light, hope, and one of the kindest people on the show. Why ruin that with a continued ‘will she or won’t she’ turn evil? Why turn her evil in the first place? If you figure these things out, please tell me.
While we’re at it, why isn’t anyone bothering Winn about his family and the evil things his father has done? Why isn’t anyone bothering Kara about her family and the things they’ve done in the past to lead them to the point they are in now, dead and with only two survivors left from their planet? Why isn’t anyone bothering Mon-El about his evil parents and the invasion they tried to force on the Earth? They are not defined by their families or their actions, so why is Lena? *flips table*
Lacey: I’m over it, like waaaay over it. Why the writers feel the need to keep going down this “will she/won’t she” road is beyond me. Every Lena centric episode has been this same storyline. Her fighting to see if she’s truly a Luthor or not. Either let her go evil or not but holy shit, just make a decision! I also don’t like the lying to her supposed best friend. I understand she has trust issues (which will probably get even stronger once she FINALLY realizes Kara is SG) but she has people who are open and willingly trying to help her and it always seems like she pushes them away only to realize she can lean on them when it’s all said and done. I just think the writers either need to shit or get off the pot with whether she’s going to go evil.
Kayla: I wouldn’t call it the most redundant storyline the show has, but it’s one of them. Make her good or show she’s going evil. It’s one or the other. She can’t be both. They’ve had three episodes now with almost the same plot for Lena. It’s like they can’t think up another plot for her. Best idea is to hire new writers that aren’t lazy and just give us the same episode over and over.
It has been my speculation that she will turn. I think her finding out about Sam being Reign and ultimately, Kara being Supergirl, may be her turning point to embrace being a Luthor. Should she? It would be better than the redundancy of the will she – won’t she we have now.
James was front and center in this episode – and it seems like his storyline right now revolves around Lena and around Lena alone? What are your feelings on Guardiancorp? Does it feel believable? Do you ship it? And what do you want to see from James going forward?
Lizzie: I don’t really like it, and I think it’s because it doesn’t feel believable to me. I just would never be dating my best friend’s ex, and I know Supergirl tried to retcon Kara and James and jedi-mind trick us to forget it happened, but it’s not that easy. I remember. And if they’d handled the end of that better I might have an easier time with Kara pushing someone towards James, but since they didn’t, and since that someone is her best friend and since I have no idea what Kara felt or didn’t feel for James, I just …no. I can’t get emotionally invested.
James has never been a favorite of mine, because I feel like they’ve always written him around someone else, he’s literally the equivalent of Iris or Felicity in that they wrote most of his arcs around Kara and then when he wasn’t the main love interest they threw him to the side. Wait, that means he’s basically Laurel Lance. Yeah, better comparison. He’s Laurel and I keep thinking they’re in the part of the arc – after trying their hand at being a superhero – where they own up that they don’t know what to do and just kill him off. And that’d be a damn shame. He can be a great character – the writers just don’t know how to use him.
Lyra: Guardiancorp happened way too fast and sometimes I think that the best thing that came out of it were the jokes about Lena becoming bald for James and the Supercorp fandom calling the ship “Lames.” And this is coming from someone who doesn’t really ship anything on this show because it’s left me disappointed. I just think Lames is a funny and clever name. So is Krams for Karamel. I’m an equal opportunity jokester here.
But back to the point, James. He’s become the Laurel Lance of Supergirl. (And this is coming from someone who was madddddd at how they did Laurel Lance dirty at the end.) He’s got so much potential. But after they decided not to put him with the leading lady because of her crazy chemistry with another, they lost what they wanted to do with him. Now he’s just floating around, falling into the age old trap of TV where once you become romantic with something that’s the only person you’re seen with onscreen.
Honestly, if he doesn’t shape up, he’s going to die in some tragic way as a ridiculous means of pushing Lena to the dark side. How much you wanna bet?!
Lacey: I actually dig this couple. I think they work together and they have both grown and changed over this season and the last. But I do feel that they have benched James and he purely serves as a love interest now. We’ve seen Guardian suit up, what, twice this season and we’re heading into 3×13. To be honest, I’m not sure where this season is going with any of the characters. There are so many plot holes and unanswered questions and James’ storyline is one of the many things that are leaving viewers asking “what the hell is going on?”
Kayla: I loved seeing James as Guardian again. Wouldn’t you know? He can actually kick ass. I loved his protective nature that came out for Lena.
I actually like Guardiancorp and think it was brilliant of the writers to put these two characters together. I think that Katie McGrath and Mehcad Brooks have chemistry that I’m glad the show is exploring. So, yes, I ship it.
As for James, he’s so under utilized in the show. I’d love more Guardian for him. Not just him stuck in his office or going on dates with Lena. Maybe Guardian can go help Kara, Mon-El (and his Legionnaires), and the DEO with the Worldkillers. I’d like to see that epic team up with all of them.
We will see what they do with James, but he needs to be more than what he has been the last two seasons. This episode proves he is a pretty awesome character. I want to see more of that.
Kara risked her identity to save Lena in this episode, and yet continues to keep the secret of Supergirl from her best friend. Do you think she should tell her? At this point – isn’t it frankly unbelievable that Lena hasn’t figured it out?
Lizzie: YES AND YES. At this point, what is even the argument for Kara keeping a secret? She clearly trusts Lena, and keeping secrets is always the thing that blows up in your face, not being honest, have these people never read a comic book? Also – honestly, Supergirl, how can you sell me Lena Luthor as this brilliant mind and then tell me that she can’t figure out her best friend is Supergirl? ESPECIALLY AFTER THIS EPISODE? Come on? This requires a bit more suspension of disbelief than the whole no-one-knows-Oliver-Queen-is-the-Green-Arrow thing, and that’s saying a lot.
Lyra: Lyra: Lord, hear my prayer. Please let the writers realize and understand that they’ve written a smart AF character who deserves more than being lied to and written as if she wouldn’t recognize her bestie after recognizing Mon-El in his amazing scruff. Let them realize that this is the time, that Lena deserves the truth, and that the longer secrets are held, the worse off they’ll all be when they come to light. Amen.
Lacey: Look, if Lena hasn’t figured it out by now, I don’t think she ever will. It’s past the point of being ridiculous. Lena is supposed to be Kara’s best friend and Kara hasn’t revealed the truth to her and in the same breath, Lena hasn’t figured it out yet?? This woman is supposed to be a brilliant scientist but we’re supposed to believe that she can’t figure out that her best friend is SG because of a simple pair of glasses? But she immediately recognizes Mon-El who’s rocking a full bear who she barely knew after not having seen him for over 7mos?? It’s not believable and I blame the writers for that because by now, Lena should have been looped in on the fact that Kara is SG. Once again, WHAT ARE THEY DOING THIS SEASON?!
Kayla: J’onn even noted Kara almost risked her identity to save Lena. Should Kara tell her? Yes. Everyone else in Kara’s life knows she’s Supergirl, with the exception of Sam. It’s not good to keep a secret from someone she calls a friend. If she doesn’t tell her herself, maybe Lena will actually put the pieces together? Is that too much to hope for?
As for Lena being so dumb about it. It’s a running joke for a lot of fans I communicate with. Especially since Lena has recognized Mon-El is back. Lena!! Put it together! Why would Supergirl have him with her? Maybe because he came to help her fight Lillian because she needed a another person to help her in the air.
And last season, she recognized him for who he was too. Come on Lena, put the pieces together. Why would Kara have dated an alien? Oh, maybe because she is one? It’s one of the most unbelievable things in the show right now. Lena’s brilliant and a pair of glasses stops her from getting her friend is Supergirl? Yeah. Not buyable since she recognized Mon-El…glasses or beard alike.
Sam’s quest to find out what’s going on with her made her turn to Alex first, and later, confide in Kara and Lena. What are your feelings about their friendship and how do you think the secret of Sam’s identity will come out?
Lizzie: Female friendships are something we need more off on TV, in general, and something we definitely need more off on Supergirl – a show that’s supposed to be all about female empowerment. It’s just so sad to me that the show is only giving us this so we suffer more when Sam inevitably turns into Reign full time, and it’s also heartbreaking that I don’t think they mean to give me a possible redemption arc for Sam, or at least not one that means she could possibly stick around.
Lyra: I’m a little surprised that Sam went to Alex when Lena seemed like a better choice but sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who doesn’t really know you and doesn’t have so much history with you. That being said, I’m down for homies helping homies, and having each others backs. That’s what great shows are built on and I hope Supergirl continues to nurture these kinds of friendships. Pretty please, with a cherry on top.
As for Sam’s identity. It has to be dramatic AF. We must prepare the lighting (dark and imposing with a touch of flair for when the reveal comes), the music (full of drums and violins), and the stage set so someone will be in peril that Sam/Reign cares about. I don’t even have to guess who that final someone will be. Only Sam’s daughter will bring Reign out of the darkness and red contacts!
Lacey: This feels like a genuine friendship to me and it does make me sad that Sam is Reign. We knew this was the plan from day 1 but I like Sam’s dynamic on the show. She fits well with the other characters and it’s going to be really hard when everyone realizes she’s Reign. This will be especially hard on Kara because she’s going to be faced with an impossible decision. It should be interesting to see how this works out but I’m looking forward to.
Kayla: I was glad to see Sam turn to Alex. It’s something I’ve wanted since we knew this character was coming to the show. Turning to Alex is logical. She knows alien, and more importantly Kryptonian, DNA because of Kara and working for the DEO.
Sam obviously doesn’t know this, but I had hoped Alex would’ve been the one to figure out she is Reign. Maybe she gets the info and shares it with Winn and J’onn. Who obviously fill in Kara, Mon-El, and the Legion. This is the plot I had hoped for when I knew Sam was going to ask Alex for help, but everything came back inconclusive.
Guess we will have to see how they find out Sam is Reign, and does Sam fight it once she knows, or will she just let Reign take over?
When it is told and our other characters do find out, I can’t see it being good. Especially since Reign almost killed Kara.
I can see Mon-El being all about stopping Reign, especially since I think he knows more than he’s saying. Kara might be wanting to help her friend overcome being Reign, she has an amazing capacity to forgive. As for the DEO, I guess we will see, but I do think eventually they all will see that stopping her is the only thing they can do.
Stop her and the other world killers (cause there are more as we know), save the world. I think in Mon-El’s case, it also may save the future he was living in. I’m still saying he’s back with a purpose (something he won’t admit right now) and it ties to the world killers and Kara.
Lilian Luthor returned, only to be bested by Supergirl and taken to jail at the end of the episode. Is this the last we’ll ever see of Lilian? Do you want to see more?
Lizzie: I love the actress, but I’m not sure I care much about the character. I assume she’ll be back, because that’s what makes sense – and if she is, I’d want to see more of her relationship with Lena. That’s what interests me.
Lyra: *snoresssss before startling awake* Wait, where am I?! Who’s Lillian? Oh yeah, that lady from Desperate Housewives and the evil momma of Lex and Lena Luthor. Ehhhh, she’ll be back. *yawn* But she’s not a threat. *snuffle* And they’ll defeat her again. Why? CUZ SHE BASIC! *snoresssss*
Lacey: When it comes to Lillian Luthor, I never count her down and out. She is a sneaky one and always seems to find a loophole and rise again. This is most definitely not the last we’ve seen of her and I for one am happy with that because I love seeing Brenda Strong on my TV!
Kayla: Never discount Lillian Luthor. Brenda Strong does an amazing job! Lillian was just overpowered by Kara and Mon-El and ended up being caught. I doubt this is the last of Lillian.
Mon-El was there to help Kara in this episode, and to reaffirm his commitment to being the hero Kara always thought he could be. What does being a hero look like for him? Is he meant to stay in Kara’s time or go back to the future with the Legion? Where do you think the show is going with this?
Lizzie: It’s hard to tell as I feel there’s so much of the story we’re missing, not just in regards to Imra, but in regards to why he and the Legion are back in the past. But it seems clear that for him, being a hero means living up to the person Kara always thought he could be, and I find that to be a beautiful thing, that he’s grown and that he did it because he was holding on to this idea that he could be better – even if he himself didn’t believe it.
As for the future – I think the show has made it clear Karamel is their endgame, I just don’t know how they get there or why it was necessary to create all this drama for no reason if that’s really their plan. But I guess we’ll see.
Lyra: *Refers to Lizzie’s answer above due to the fact that I was going to write this, word for word. LIZZIE IS A PSYCHIC!
Lacey: One of the few things this episode got right. It was amazing seeing him and Kara working together, side by side to take down evil. He’s proving that he is the hero that Kara always knew he could be and to see the look of pride on Kara’s face when he kicked ass was everything! This is someone Kara took a chance on, someone that didn’t see the full potential within himself and for her to see him come full circle was such an empowering moment.
As far as where I think the show is going, I truly have no idea because I still don’t understand what the point of this love triangle is. In a perfect world, the Legion’s would return to the 31st century and Mon-El would stay with Kara and continue to kick ass with her as her partner. I hope we get to see that and if the CW “Dare to Defy” promo is any indication with Mon-El in his red suit, we might get that. *fingers crossed*
Kayla: I loved their team up! Best part of the episode.
For Kara seeing him come full circle makes her fill with pride because she knows he took what she taught him and kept it going while he was in the future, often spreading her message to others.
The love triangle is pointless and just there for drama’s sake. We could’ve had his return without it, especially since it’s so unrealistic. I’m going to say that forever because wives get jealous of ex girlfriends that do things like Kara has done for Mon-El.
He embraced what she taught him and founded the Legion on that. He still wears the necklace she gave him, too. How could Imra not be jealous of Kara? Especially since she’s seen what Kara can do now? She knows Mon-El never stopped loving Kara. So, for me the lack of jealous wife is unrealistic.
Ultimately, once the Legion succeeds in their mission, because I bet they aren’t here by mistake, Mon-El will ultimately choose to stay in the present with Kara and send the Legion back to the future. It probably will be much better than the place they left.
His pretty, red, comic accurate suit with his heavy, blue cape is the hint from the network in the mid season promo that he is.
The show runners have also noted he’s a character that won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon. How will they unravel the mess they created to allow this event to happen with minimum character damage? I’ve been trying to figure it out for weeks.
Agree? Disagree? Share with us in the comments below!
Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/7c on the CW.