Distant Sun – When an intergalactic bounty is placed on Supergirl it attracts all sorts of alien threats and Mon-El believes his parents are behind it to make him leave Earth. Alex and Maggie have a surprising run in with Maggie’s ex.
For anyone non-Flash fans out there, Kara and Mon-El made up after love saved the day in a weird musical coma fantasy thing (#explainanepisodebadly) which is why they’re a cutesy couple again following last episodes big break up. This is a good thing because it not only does their romantic relationship become the driving motivation for their actions throughout the episode as forces try to pull them apart but it must be said; the pair are quite adorable together. From their opening breakfast to the most apologetic (and hilarious) fight ever the pair have excellent chemistry. Mon-El in particular is written well for a good balance between more serious moments his “I don’t know pop culture” humour (Winn’s face when Mon-El quotes Star Wars... pure joy). In many ways Mon-El is the central focus of the episode’s key theme; change. This former waste of a prince has changed after learning he could be more. The question becomes whether or not his parents can change in respect his wishes over their traditional values of an oppressive Daxam society. There are moments where the morality comes on a bit too thick but at the same time that does makes the moments of villainy more impactful.
I’ve really enjoyed almost everything the show has done with Maggie and Alex’s relationship this season. This week’s events however had a firm ceiling for coming across as filler. The only real take away was implying that Maggie lies about some things which we already knew and merely feels like foreshadowing towards a break up in the last few episodes. Thankfully both Chyler Leigh and Floriana Lima do their utmost to make something of it and as a result their final two scenes of reconciliation and closure and pretty darn great to watch. Look out for a “Yoga Hosers” sign at the beginning as an Easter Egg to Kevin Smith’s 2016 film as Red Bank New Jersey’s finest is once again directing.
The episode struggles a little for direction in its first two thirds but climaxes into a great action based final act. The dramatic stakes on Mon-El being taken away heighten the scenes aboard the Daxamite ship and having the royal guards look like “The Daxamites of Ren” is great touch for the fighting. It all feels purposeful too as it builds up Terri Hatcher’s Queen Rhea to be a main villain for remaining season episodes. Which is definitely a good thing considering how well she embraces the dark side this week. She’s absolutely delightful blend of sultry charms and fierce cruelty when she doesn’t get her way. Plus with Lynda Carter’s President Marsdin resurfacing again (and clearly a more wonderful woman than she appears) that could make for quite the show down.
Like all the CW’s DC shows, Supergirl is going on a break (back in 4 weeks) but it leaves us with a good episode and cliff-hanger to content with. Will we even get an all out battle for the fate of Earth 31? We know Superman returns at some point at we keep getting lingering shots of that Legion Flight Ring in the Fortress like Mon-El will be wearing it soon. Supergirl has been utter treat this season. Let’s hope it can close it out in style.