Let's re-watch Supergirl Season 1 together!

I am soooo far behind.

Anyway, Red Faced. I loved this one. Fun action, great character development, and it had a lot to say about being a woman (and a black man as well) in the workforce. It made those points in an organic and entertaining way.

I miss General Lane. He was a great antagonist. They've recast the role for the upcoming Superman and Lois. Wonder how much of a heavy he will be going forward.

Melissa and Callista worked so well together. I would have watched a non-super office dramedy with the two of them.

In my mind, Livewire, then Red Faced, is where season 1 REALLY hit it's stride.

Great review, Kiwi. You hit on all of the points that stood out to me.

- This was one of Melissa's better performances, she made you feel for Kara having lost her powers but then displayed such hope when dressed as a powerless Supergirl talking down the store robber.

The scene in the convenience store is among my all time favorites, one I've watched over and over. Supergirl's quivering hand was a great touch showing that being a hero meant overcoming her fear, followed by a pitch-perfect speech. Beautifully acted!

BTW, in this review (and many others from you, if I remember correctly) you give special mention to the soundtrack. Thanks for pointing that out. I have a tendency to take it for granted, but the music is definitely worthy of mention.

I was thinking about Human for a Day again, and it occurred to me that even when Supergirl had no powers, she didn't have anyone else jump in to rescue her. Instead, she was very focused on continuing to help others as much as she could without her powers. It seems like in subsequent seasons, Team Supergirl rushes to hide Supergirl when she loses her powers. Maybe the supersuit is an exception.
This reminds me somewhat of the episode in Season 4 when Supergirl has to climb the wall of the room where they have her imprisoned on Shelley Island. Manchester Black ultimately releases her from the room, but she has to summon her own strength to climb that wall. It's a fantastic scene. I would rather she had somehow freed herself, though, just to showcase her powers again.

I hope the writers for the show are reading our analyses, or at least someone is telling them about them. These are good ideas for upcoming seasons!

I was thinking about Human for a Day again, and it occurred to me that even when Supergirl had no powers, she didn't have anyone else jump in to rescue her. Instead, she was very focused on continuing to help others as much as she could without her powers. It seems like in subsequent seasons, Team Supergirl rushes to hide Supergirl when she loses her powers. Maybe the supersuit is an exception.
This reminds me somewhat of the episode in Season 4 when Supergirl has to climb the wall of the room where they have her imprisoned on Shelley Island. Manchester Black ultimately releases her from the room, but she has to summon her own strength to climb that wall. It's a fantastic scene. I would rather she had somehow freed herself, though, just to showcase her powers again.

She is quite impressive in season 1 and having to work out problems to a large extent by herself as we will see even while being relatively new to the whole superhero business.

Ep. 109: Blood Bonds

Lots to like in this episode, even though it was more "talky" than action. I feel it really set up the story arc for the remainder of the season; I know it is not a linear progression, but much of what followed can be traced back to this episode for its origins.

Melissa really was in top form. A few examples:

• Her panic when Cat suspects she is Supergirl, spilling the coffee etc. Hilarious!
  

• In the sequence of meetings with Cat, Kara progresses from laughing it off initially, to wariness when told to sit in Cat's chair, to concern, sadness, and finally resignation. Outstanding range of emotions, expressions, and body language.[list]
  
• The fierce look in her eyes after finding out that Max Lord injured James, as she told Winn "get out of my way." Wow! Kudos to Winn for standing his ground and talking her down. The subsequent scene of the three of them on the couch was touching.
  

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I liked the initial scene of SG and Non fighting and evading the airplane. That was a cool effect. I wonder if the pilot reported a UFO. lol. I also wonder what rank the one officer held after defying Gen. Lane during the prisoner transfer.

Calista was fantastic as Cat used all the tricks in her arsenal to get Kara to admit she is Supergirl.

Laura Benanti also was great as Astra. I especially liked the "faith" talk with Kara. You can see that Astra is conflicted.

The last scene where Supergirl and Kara appear to Cat simultaneously is a classic. Cat's reaction is priceless. Like many, I would love to see a reappearance of Cat Grant at some point. Calista owns that role.

Firstly something I didn't get to mention about the previous episode was I liked how Maxwell Lord was genuinely trying to help that woman's father, and the exasperation when he realizes he can't save him. I know we were focusing on Kara in that scene but it was great moment also for this character. I like villains who have that kind of side to them. I preferred the Lex Luthor of the Smallville series who could show that kind of side too.

I had never noticed in previous viewings that when Kara brings boxes of Cat's emails to James to read through, he strains to lift one of them. But Kara just takes it from him with no effort whatsoever. Easily overlooked moment, but well worth a chuckle.

It was a good little moment. Possibly this scene could have been more amusing had both James and Winn had difficulty lifting the boxes and when Kara lifts them or they get passed to her she just lifts them with ease.

- I loved the way Cat challenged Kara about being Supergirl, she worked out so beautifully and left Kara speechless. This for me was Calista's best acting in her time on the series.

- Really liked Supergirl taking a break from her fight with Astra to go and save all the people from getting killed by the falling building debris.

Certainly one of the most memorable scenes in the series. Was anyone expecting that would happen when you first saw this episode? Cat finding out Kara is SG ?

I like how she combined the events. The debris fall from the building, Kara sees this and stops the confrontation. She quickly flies towards those below catching part of that really artificial looking wall and throws it at Astra. Kaboom!

Hi all! I have been vacationing a lot recently, so I am late on episode 111 and a tad early on 112. I'll cover them both in one post.

These two episodes featured some stellar performances. David, Chyler, Calista, and Mehcad were all excellent. I'll discuss Melissa's performance a bit later. My favorite scenes in these two episodes were:

- Kara's assertiveness toward Cat when Cat threatened to fire her for writing to Adam. The way she snapped her fingers in Cat's face really startled Cat, and her firm stance convinced Cat to follow up with Adam.

- Kara's meeting with Cat on the balcony after Cat's disastrous dinner with Adam. Kara vows to fix the problem, and as she departs, Cat shakes her head and whispers "oh Kara (not Kira)."

- Kara acting as mediator between Cat and Adam over coffee. This was beautifully acted by Calista.

- Supergirl talking down J'onn to stop him from killing the White Martian epitomizes her character.

- James confessing his love for Supergirl to Bizarro, and describing her inner beauty and strength.

- The final scene of 112, where Bizarro is sedated. She and Supergirl have a tender conversation. It would be nice if the Bizarro story could be brought to a happy conclusion before the end of the series.

There were also some great Supergirl action sequences in these episodes. Supergirl saving the family from the wildfire is a favorite. The battles with the White Martian and also with Bizarro were great. Supergirl saving the people in the tramway was also great. A couple of specific scenes stood out. In the battle in the desert, the White Martian hurls Supergirl into the ground, but Supergirl gets up and rejoins the battle without hesitation or help. In the fight with Bizarro to save James, she is thrown down but flies up before hitting the floor. A very cool scene; it reminded me of those videos of fighter aircraft diving close to the earth before pulling up.

Now about Melissa's performance. When these episodes first aired, there was considerable buzz about her then-husband Blake Jenner playing Adam Foster. I remember feeling, after viewing the episodes, that something didn't seem quite right. For a couple in love IRL, there didn't seem to be much passion. Jenner's acting consisted mostly of a baleful, rather creepy stare. Their kiss in Ep. 112 lacked passion. In this latest viewing, Kara, Winn, and James are discussing her date with Adam and James says that Adam seems like "good people." I noticed that Kara's (or perhaps Melissa's) reaction betrays wariness as she bites her lip. Well, with what we know now, this makes sense. What is extraordinary is how well Melissa sold the scenes with Jenner. I cannot begin to imagine how painful it must have been to portray a romantic interest in a person who was physically and mentally abusive IRL. She is 100 times the actor Jenner is (or was). Brava!

superbill, you covered just about everything I was thinking!

I miss Max as well. I wouldn't mind hearing a little about what he's up to, even in passing.

Episode 14 Truth, Justice & The American Way was one of the few Season 1 Episodes that for me didn't have high re-watch value.

Kiwi, I agree with your assessment. The big problem for me was that in their first battle with the chains, Supergirl has the upper hand over the Master Jailer. Likewise, in their final battle (after Alex shoots out the skylight to allow sunlight in) Supergirl defeats him easily. Yet somehow he inexplicably manages to capture her in the second encounter, which we do not see. Huh? Also, we are to believe that his prison is set up with red light technology on the off-chance he may need it to disable a Kryptonian? Double huh?? So that inconsistency was my biggest issue with this episode.

Apart from that, I agree with the positives you've noted. I also liked James' talk with Supergirl at the DEO, telling her of the importance not to abandon her values regardless of the provocation. Very timely.

A bit off topic, but this was the first time I have re-watched this episode in a long time, since well before Melissa's video about IPV last November. So when Cat related to James the story about failing to report about an actress being abused by her husband it struck me as being too close to home to be coincidental. Purely speculative, but I had to wonder if Melissa's makeup person had noticed bruises.

Episode 15 'Solitude' gets a 10 for just one scene alone, a scene which comfortably sits in my Top 10 Supergirl moments from the entire series. The scene in question is nearly 3 minutes of awesomeness as Supergirl chases after and disables a nuclear missile thereby saving her city from obliteration, go Supergirl !!!!! . In fact after watching the episode tonight I went and re-watched the scene 5 times. I love the drama, the tension, the Blake Neely music, Supergirl's determination and her heroism plus the fact she put aside her beef with J'onn in the moment to get his assistance with stopping the missile. Just an ultimate Supergirl fantasy.

Earlier in the episode there was a really nice Supergirl save when she saves the lives of a family by lifting and flying away their car just before it was going to get totaled by a truck. Nice one Supergirl .

I enjoyed the Fortress of Solitude scenes and Kara's excitement at being there. It was funny when James was telling Kara about her sharp turns while flying and she replied "Hey, nobody likes a back seat flier" .

Nice to see Laura Vandervoort (Smallville Supergirl) in the episode. I appreciated them having both previous Supergirls (Helen and Laura) on the show in Season 1.

Episode 115, Solitude

You nailed it, Kiwi! I remember you writing last week about anticipating a favorite scene and thinking at that time that it would be the missile save. It really is an awesome scene. I love how Supergirl "climbs" the missile by making hand-holds along the way. Very cool!

There were other good effects in this episode: Indigo "pixallating" in and out of computers, doing her Elastigirl impression in the missile bunker, and the whole Fortress of Solitude set.

Supergirl's giddiness when entering the Fortress was perfectly captured by Melissa. Really charming.

Alex saying proudly "That's my sister" as the DEO tracks her chasing the missile.

Good job by Jeremy in his battle of wits with Indigo, and his triumph as he brings her down.

Then the last scene, also one of my favorites, when Alex confesses that it was she who killed Astra, not Hank. Perfectly written and perfectly played by Melissa, Chyler, and David. It encapsulates much of what makes this a great show.

Boy, am I way behind! I will do my best to catch up ASAP. The colleges where I teach have started back for Fall, and things are hectic once again!

First things first, Meadows! Good luck to you and your students. Stay safe!

the scene where Supergirl tosses Cat off the balcony is excellent. It's actually hilarious. I re-watched it numerous times during Season 1 and laughed out loud each time.

The funniest thing for me related to that scene happened a little afterwards when Winn while @ the DEO upon hearing what occurred says "she killed Miss Grant?", just something about the way Jeremy delivered that line always makes me laugh.

I have to admit the news of Season 6 being the last season of Supergirl has damped my enthusiasm for our little project here, but I'm going to keep going.

Definitely hang in there Meadows, only 4 episodes to go. For me I'll skip Manhunter (as that was my least favourite episode of the season) and go onto the joy of Worlds Finest and then combine Myriad and Better Angels into one.


One last thing from me about Falling relates to Kara's work clothes (which I've mentioned before how much I like) but what's interesting here is the contrast between our normal Kara and Red K infected Kara. Normal Kara wore a nice skirt/cardigan combo which I really liked a lot but compare that with Red K infected Kara who exuded some serious confidence and power with her skirt/black sleeveless top/hairstyle. See photos attached.

Manhunter (Episode 117)

Manhunter is one of my least favorite episodes of season 1, mostly because it was very light on Supergirl action and heavy on "talky" scenes. That's my overall judgment. That being said, it did have some moments which provided back story, furthered character development, and offered a preview of coming storylines. So as a vehicle to set up the remainder of season 1, and even some of season 2, it was successful.

Important back stories were revealed for Kara, Alex, Jeremiah, and J'onn. I liked the scene when Kara meets Winn and interviews with Cat Grant. Alex getting drunk and subsequently being recruited by the DEO was also well played, as was the encounter between Jeremiah and J'onn in the Peruvian jungle. I wish they had left in the deleted scene which shows Kara and Alex talking in the loft and Alex receiving a notice of academic probation.

Calista was fabulous (as usual) as Cat, and she delivered a few scenes which were real gems.

Kara's reveal to Lucy and her description of what it is like to be an alien was a scene I liked, as was Alex and Kara going their separate ways on the freeway after Kara and Lucy rescued J'onn and Alex. It wasn't a couch scene, but the love of the sisters was displayed regardless.

Cat needs to hire a new director of security at Catco! It seems anyone can walk into the place, access computers, etc. Maybe start by requiring passwords? Just sayin'....

Episodes 119 & 120

I decided to review "Myriad" and "Better Angels" in one posting, since they are two parts of the same story.

The battle inside the DEO at the outset of "Myriad" was action-packed. I loved Supergirl's ingenuity in using her pod to defeat Lucy and Vasquez. And her apologizing to an unconscious Lucy was perfectly in character.

Supergirl's desperation to find someone to help her was heart-breaking; but then who should come to her aid but Cat Grant and Max Lord. We could always count on Cat and Max to bring some insight and humor: "Tell Harrison Ford that I don't date older men, especially if they are married." LOL!

Indigo's easy manipulation of Non was something I didn't recall from the original viewing. She was really evil and really creepy. Nice job by Laura.

Eliza's reaction to J'onn was awesome, and later peppering him with questions was hilarious.

Supergirl's expression as she warily circled Non during the scene at Catco was so well done by Melissa. She reminded me of a coiled spring.

The scene between Cat and Supergirl on the balcony at Catco is a favorite of mine. Supergirl's monologue about having lost her world was so moving, and Cat's response about how much Supergirl had changed her view of life was equally great.

"Hope is stronger than fear." That is the catalyst which sets up "Better Angels," and what better way to demonstrate that than having Supergirl in a fight with Alex. The agony on Supergirl's face said it all. This was as bad as it could get for her; she can't reach her sister, but Eliza can. Hope wins out, and the key to defeating Myriad becomes clear.

This is followed by Supergirl's "Hope" speech to the people of National City, and Melissa knocked it out of the park. Big surprise that, am I right? It never gets old; frankly it is needed more now than it was back then.

But Indigo is not giving up, and she persuades Non to use Myriad not to control humanity but to wipe it out. Max discovers her plot and warns the DEO. Supergirl resolves to defeat Non and Indigo by herself, and, realizing it may be a suicide mission, she sets off to say her goodbyes to her friends at Catco in a series of beautiful, moving scenes. The sequence concludes with a conversation with J'onn, who is still in custody at the DEO. He realizes that he must join her in the battle, and the ease with which he "escapes" from Gen. Lane's custody is comical.

Supergirl and J'onn fly to Ft. Rozz and and engage Non and Indigo in an epic battle, which they win. But Myriad still cannot be stopped. Supergirl contacts Alex at the DEO and tells her that the only option is for her to fly Ft. Rozz into space herself. Alex argues the point, but the conversation becomes Kara's goodbye to her sister in one of the most emotion-packed scenes of the series. Melissa and Chyler were SO GOOD in this scene!

Supergirl tells Alex that she loves her and breaks off the talk to go fly Ft. Rozz off Earth. In the climactic scene, Supergirl lifts Ft. Rozz into the air, flies it out of the atmosphere, and propels it into space, with some fantastic background music. Now that scene was SUPER!

The remaining scenes of the episode were mostly a setup for season 2. That's to be expected, and there is nothing wrong with it. The best part was Cat correctly calling her KARA. But that Ft. Rozz scene was a pretty tough one to follow.

Sorry, I got rather wordy because there was a lot to unpack. It was simply great TV.

Was anyone expecting that would happen when you first saw this episode? Cat finding out Kara is SG ?

I assumed Cat would figure it out eventually, but I was surprised that she confronted Kara so soon. More specifically, I was surprised that the show's writers would do this in only the eighth episode of the series. I had figured they would drag it out, with Cat dropping hints, but not openly confronting Kara, for at least the rest of the season, and possibly longer (remember, at this time we had no reason to think Cat would leave after S1).
That scene on the balcony is still my favorite scene of the entire series.

True, but is Cat really one to "beat around the bush"? And she thought that Kara doing being Supergirl AND her Assistant was a problem.

"Livewire" is another of my favorites from Season 1, principally because it introduced one of the Series' best villains, wonderfully played by Brit Morgan. She reprised the character in some later episodes and never disappointed. It would be great to see her miraculously reappear at some point. Livewire's campy dialog regarding Cat (here kitty kitty, etc) really connected with my recollections of comic books from my childhood.

The backstory of how the Danvers family became connected to the DEO provided interesting context which became important as the season progressed. Eliza's initial tirade against Alex was hard to understand (I mean what was Kara supposed to do, stand idle while Alex died in a plane crash?) but some tender later scenes between Eliza and Alex repaired the damage.

Calista also had some fine moments, especially showing compassion after hearing that Kara's parents had died. And her interactions with Leslie/Livewire were pitch perfect.

I liked that Supergirl defeated the rogue alien prisoner without anyone's help, and then later used her strength and wits to defeat Livewire, again without help.

Some humorous moments: Kara using her heat vision to finish cooking the turkey, and Cat calling J'onn "Agent Mulder" following Livewire's attack.

Great episode!

Thanks for taking point, Meadows!

Thanks for doing this. It will be fun!