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Supergirl "S1E12 Bizzaro" - Review: A bizarrely troubled episode


Supergirl "S1E12 Bizzaro" - Review: A bizarrely troubled episode
7 out of 10

When Joey told Chandler he was going to do the exact opposite of his underwear-hiding, chair-coveting roommate, it was comedy gold; instead of stealing any of Chandler’s clothes, he returned wearing every single thing Chandler owned. Although it was pretty terrifying to Chandler as a commando Joey starting lunging inside his attire, the rest of New York remained unaffected by it. However, when an exact opposite version of Supergirl (Bizarro Girl) shows up in National City, the panic is considerably larger as she comes with less lunges and more murderous intent.

Bizarro – After seeing her doppelganger on the news, Supergirl faces repeated confrontations with her exact opposite equal, dubbed Bizzaro by Cat Grant, but is she all bad? Meanwhile, Kara goes on her date with Adam much to Cat’s approval.

Now, the episode gets many things right with its Supergirl take on Superman’s famous titular nemesis but unfortunately. makes a few blunders too, making this episode a little bit of an anti-climax. The biggest is in the dialogue, or as Kara puts it, “the fact she talks like Cookie Monster”. Giving the character a child-like mental state is great as it allows for easy manipulation by others and even redemption if required. The moments of Lord programming her are visually really effective with a toned down Clockwork Orange feel to them. Yet the cavewoman-like, “Supergirl bad”, dialogue just undoes all of that work by making things the wrong kind of comical. Melissa Benoist is trying her best to work with it but the result requires a Tropic Thunder warning about not going "full retard". However, after the kryptonite triggered monster-like transformation things improve dramatically. By removing the visual mirror image, we stop viewing Bizzaro as a Supergirl comparison and a character in her own right. The makeup and effects look outstanding as she develops the comic akin grey skin, combined with facial scarring that has shades of Frankenstein’s monster. The later in particular is how her character should be approached as the creation of a mad scientist questioning her own existence. The fight scenes are confrontations between southern fried and original recipe Supergirls are enjoyable, especially in the opposing powers moments like ice breath vs. fire breath. The mid-air punch ups in this episode are still fun to watch but are starting feel overly repetitive across the season as a go to crowd pleaser (Used against Astra, Non and the White Martian previously). The show needs to careful about over using it.

This week’s character and romantic stories have their ups and downs. The unsurprising highlight is Cat Grant. It’s brilliant twist on the episode concept as, especially in the opening half, we’re presented with a Bizzaro Cat that is not only nice and merely reasonably demanding of Kara but even values her opinion all because she wants Kara happy when Adam takes her on a date. It’s simultaneously funny and great character building for Cat as she’s willing to swallow her pride and put aside her diva qualities for the sake of her son’s happiness, and of course being fully aware that a relationship with Kara gives Adam a reason to stay in town. The dating itself is okay. As before the real life chemistry of Benoist and Jenner’s real life chemistry shines through and the pair look adorable together, but rather than seeing their relationship develop, it seems to fall through the cracks as something for Kara to avoid or damage when duty calls. Despite the idea of Kara’s love life being a key part in many scenes, the actual Kara/Adam interactions take more of a back seat than they should. This is also screams of being a mandatory speed bump in any on screen developing relationship but hopefully things will improve now that’s over and done with. Yet the full-on mixed results/ bipolar award goes to James and Winn. The almost casual re-introduction of Winn is great as rather than an overdramatic make up we just see Winn get over it and walk back into the friend zone with his head held high. Yet the later scene of making James and Winn into a pair of gossip girls over Kara having a date is utterly cringe worthy. Especially from James as it feels about as far removed from his character as making him come to work in overalls and a trucker hate while talking about last night’s WWE. Then, it all changes again when the duo shares a bro drink for a wonderful scene of reflecting on their respective chances with Kara like Winn accepting he’s the farfetched outsider but telling James he has a real chance if he’s willing to take it. The writing skill is clearly available for great moments with these characters; we just need a more consistent in their delivery.

Despite some misfires here, the biggest takeaway is the prominent return of Maxwell Lord and Peter Facinelli in adopting the central villain role for the immediate future. He brings everything about his character that’s worked so far as he blends his charm with arrogance, but has a clearly more sinister to his performance now his public facade is dropped somewhat. His casual relaxation upon capture says it all. Even in a cell, he knows he still holds all the cards and the game is far from over.

So at times, Bizzaro is the wrong kind of bizarre but it gets merit for ambition if not always execution. This is probably Supergirl’s weakest episode so far but it's not without its good points. The season could do with circling back to a main plotline as it enters its back half because at the moment it only has week to week stakes. The last thing we want is our girl just flying in circles.

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