Supergirl Season 2 Episode 5: Crossfire Review

This Supergirl review contains spoilers.

Supergirl Season 2, Episode 5

If there’s anything Supergirlunderstands, it’s the power of a montage. The opening of “Crossfire” started off with a classic as we watch Mon-El get dressed for his first day as Mike of the Interns. And, guys? The episode didn’t slow down from there. This was one hour packed full of laughs, heartwrenching confessions, and plenty of action. Basically, it was Supergirlat its best.

Mon-El gets a job, and it’s hilarious.

Well, not even a job — an internship. Bowtied (bowties are cool) and armed with bribery coffee and a brand new, definitely-not-fake social security number, “Mike” started at CatCo. It didn’t go so well. It turns out that Mon-El is not so suited for filing and answering phones. Not only does he not have the disposition for menial tasks and taking orders, he also, you know, doesn’t know how Earth works. It’s kind of amazing he lasted as long as he did.

“Crossfire” gave Chris Wood the opportunity to show off his humorous side and boy did he ever, playing off Kara’s earnest enthusiasm with his own personal brand of eye-twinkling subversion. In lesser hands, this storyline could have fallen flat, but Wood made every second enjoyable. And it ended with a really learning moment for Kara (#superherolessons) when she realized (with Alex’s help) that she can’t make Mon-El over in her Earthly image (even though he does look really cute in a bowtie). She has to let him find his own way on this new planet. (Please don’t let that new way be a supervillain, please don’t let that new way be as a supervillain.)

James takes his first step towards becoming Guardian.

Oh my god, someone please stop James. I know he’s going to become this badass vigilante hero (with Winn’s help), but I had to watch all of his fight scenes through my fingers, so worried was I that he would be vaporized by some alien death ray. The everyman vigilante thing barely works on Arrowwhere there are (usually) no super-powered baddies and goodies. On Supergirl,where its main protagonist can literally shoot lasers out of her eyeballs, James’ play at becoming a vigilante fighter is even harder to swallow.

But maybe that’s just my aversion to the Every Single Characters Becomes a Superhero trope. I’ll let this one play out. It is nice to see some moments between James and Winn, who became unlikely friends in season one, even though they were both into Kara romantically. It’s refreshing to see a love triangle (though it’s not really a love triangle right now) where the competing sides aren’t at each others throats, but are friendly. Plus, I’m just so glad that James is getting some help in his ill-advised mission to fight criminals armed by Cadmus. (Also: R.I.P., James’ dad’s camera. #NeverForget)

Cadmus’ The Doctor is a Luthor.

Damn Luthors and their scheming! Of course the woman behind Cadmus is a Luthor. The big reveal comes at the end of the episode when Lena greets The Doctor as “mom.” What does this mean? Well, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Lena is in on the Cadmus plotting or that she is evil, but it certainly paints that conversation Lena and Kara had about alien-detecting technology in a new light. Cadmus is all about creating intense anti-alien paranoia in the general public. So far, Lena hasn’t done anything to demonstrate she would be against that mission. Whatever happens, this is an intriguing new layer to Lena and Kara’s evolving friendship. I’m in.

Alex questions her sexuality.

In an episode filled with wonderful moments and affecting storylines, the award for best performance and moment goes to Chyler Leigh as Alex. Leigh absolutely nails a subtle, mostly internal questioning of Alex’s sexuality, brought about by Maggie’s suddenly single status and an awkward conversation. Kara’s sister has never seemed braver (and she has always seemed brave) than the moment in which she confesses to Maggie that she’s always thought romantic relationships weren’t for her, but now she’s doubting all of that… because of Maggie.

The best part is, though, that Alex’s admission isn’t about Maggie, not totally. They don’t get together (though, presumably, this is the start of something between the two, who have had mega chemistry since they first shared the screen). This is about Alex and her vulnerable bravery. She faces down aliens on a near-daily basis, but admitting to herself and to others that she might not be straight is the most scared we’ve ever seen her. And the most brave we’ve ever seen her. 

Damn, Supergirl. You’re having one hell of a second season. The CW looks good on you.