Series: Supergirl
Episode: 109 "Blood Bonds"
Previous Episode Review: "Hostile Takeover"
REVIEW
Supergirl is back with brand new episodes, returning from the usual winter vacation that television has been known to take. Picking up where the mid-season finale left off, this episode revolves around the DEO's efforts to save a kidnapped Martian Manhunter Hank Henshaw from Non and his band of rogue Kryptonians. The drama is ever so present as Cat Grant attempts to bully Kara Danvers into admitting that she is Supergirl.
The secret identity subplot felt entirely redundant. Why is Kara still trying to pretend she isn't Supergirl when it was established in the previous episode that Cat Grant is now aware? It was made clear that Supergirl and Grant had an understanding and that Grant respected Kara's secret identity but this episode completely undoes that. What was the point of having Cat Grant discover Supergirl's identity if she was just going to be convinced otherwise in the following episode? It feels like the series is making it up as it goes along.
On the positive side of things, Winslow Schott and James Olsen were unusually fun to watch in this episode. The scene where Schott helps Olsen break into Maxwell Lord's company building was a highlight of the episode and I was on the edge of my seat when Olsen was caught. Schott and Olsen should team up like this more often. This subplot also leads to James Olsen discovering Maxwell Lord's true colours. Lord went full-on super-villain and actor Peter Facinelli was convincing. There is clearly more to Lord than Supergirl initially led us to believe. Speaking of villains showing their true colours, we now know what General Lane is capable of and this episode shows why Lane was perfectly cast on the show. Glen Morshower sells the intimidation factor, while also providing much appreciated character depth. The scene where Lane interrogates General Astra was perfectly executed.
A weakness that the series seems to have is that all of the Kryptonian villains are overplayed. They are too over the top to be taken seriously and the efforts of the actors feel forced, especially with Astra and Non. As for the flashbacks to Krypton, the set design is atrocious and Krypton never seems like a planet populated with people, let alone an actual location.
VERDICT
Score: 6.5/10
Although this episode isn't a necessarily bad one, Supergirl continues to struggle to balance its pros and cons.
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