Saturday, May 05, 2018
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Friday, April 27, 2018
Supergirl Round Table: Keeping Secrets
Lena became the first person to discover that Sam is actually Reign on Supergirl Season 3 Episode 15, but she's keeping that bit of knowledge to herself for the moment.
Below, TV Fanatics Christine Orlando, Jay Ruymann, and Kathleen Wiedel discuss Lena helping Sam, Kara's outburst, and the roles of the supporting characters.
Join us!
On a scale of 1-10, how frustrated are you by Lena keeping Sam a secret? Why do you think she's not telling Supergirl what she knows?
Christine: Only a 3. I’m oddly okay with Lena working on this by herself. Lena is a scientist, a leader, and she’s used to being in control, so it makes sense that she wants to have some answers before she shares her findings.
The moment when she proved to Sam that she’s really Reign was heartbreaking, and I love that Sam's first instinct is to keep Ruby safe. But I do think Lena needs to share this with the group soon as I don’t want this to drag out too long.
Related: Supergirl Season 3 Episode 15 Review: In Search of Lost Time
Jay: Honestly, I’m not. 0. I think it says a lot about Lena as a person, a friend, and a scientist that she’s willing to keep this a secret to help one of her best friends.
Also, I feel like part of Lena wasn’t sure until she caught it on camera, so she didn’t have anything to take to Supergirl if she had wanted to, but after how Reign decimated her, she probably just wants to keep Sam safe.
Kathleen: I'd rate it a 3 or so. Jay pretty much spelled out my thoughts: Lena didn't know anything for certain up to, well, right about now. I do agree that Lena should fill Supergirl in on the situation with Sam, now that she *does* know information relevant to saving the world!
What are your thoughts on Kara lashing out at Mon-El? Does it feel like a way for them to start over with a clean slate?
Christine: They were never a perfect couple, and it was good to remind everyone of that. I enjoyed Kara telling Mon-El off, especially now that he has some perspective on who he was back then. I’ve always liked these two together, flaws and all, but I keep wondering when Mon-El’s wife will wander back into the picture.
Jay: As the biggest supporter of Mon-El and Kara’s relationship never being romantic again, I enjoyed Kara standing up for herself (finally) and making Mon-El own up to some of the terrible things he’s done to her.
Kathleen: Mon-El wasn't perfect, to be sure, and everything Kara said about his actions was accurate. And while he has much improved in behavior since those early days, I don't think they should try to restart any sort of romantic relationship (he is *married to someone else*, after all).
However, this acknowledgment of the past should be a good way in which to strengthen their *friendship*.
We had a Winn-centric story, and now J'onn finally has a meaningful storyline. Are you happy with the way the writers are incorporating the role players?
Christine: I love it. This show has so many wonderful characters that it’s a challenge to give them all equal time. Now I’m hoping we’ll see more of Lena and James. I appreciated how they were dealing with her work conflicts like adults and I’d like to see their relationship move forward.
Jay: I’m enjoying it, for the most part. I wish Kara would have a bigger role, even though they’re diving in with the supporting characters. It doesn’t really feel like it’s about Supergirl anymore.
Kathleen: Oof. Both of you make excellent points, I think. The show is called "Supergirl," but at the same time, it's always been about more than just her.
After pondering this question, I am glad that they're developing their supporting characters in thoughtful, meaningful ways that don't necessarily revolve around Kara, despite the fact that she's the star of the series.
Now that Sam is aware that she is Reign, do you think she will be able to learn to fight or control the change? Will Lena find a way to save Sam?
Christine: I hope so! Sam is a strong person and an amazing mother. I have to believe that with Lena, and hopefully the rest of the team’s help that Sam can be her own person once again.
Jay: I think Lena’s way will more than likely be black kryptonite which will separate Sam and Reign into two separate entities, but that begs a few questions, like could Sam deal with the guilt of Reign being an entire force of her own without the burden of Sam taking control?
I don’t think Sam will be more aware or be able to fight the change, but I do see this taking a huge toll on her as she feels responsible, even if it is another being doing these terrible things.
Related: The CW Renewals: Riverdale, Dynasty, The Flash, & 7 More!
Kathleen: I like Jay's idea of separating Sam and Reign into two physically distinct beings, but he does bring up some valid problems with that particular path. I don't see how Sam would be able to control the change or Reign at this point, but if Lena gets Supergirl and the DEO involved, things might change, with access to alien technology and abilities.
Who knows? Maybe a psychic Martian might be able to help, or a mental suppressor. And maybe Sam will turn out to be just what they need to stop the other World Killers.
What was your favorite quote or scene?
Christine: “Knowledge is power.” That’s what Lena told Sam when they got a sample of Reign’s DNA, and it’s something I truly believe. The more knowledge you can arm yourself with, the stronger you will be.
Jay: I enjoyed every scene with Sam and Lena. It’s clear how far Lena is willing to go for her friends, and she even looked past the terrible comment Sam made about her being a Luthor to continue trying to help her.
Kathleen: The scene with J'onn, Kara, and Alex discussing the difficulty of M'yrrn's situation was very moving. Coupled with the later scene of M'yrnn having to actually confront the reality of the situation (which not incidentally mirrored Sam and Lena's scenes), it all made for a strong episode overall.
Over to you, Supergirl Fanatics! Do you agree with our Round Table?
Don't forget to watch Supergirl online via TV Fanatic!
This post appear first on Supergirl Round Table: Keeping Secrets by Stacy Glanzman
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Supergirl Round Table: Karaoke is Not for the Weak
Winn received a long overdue chance to shine on Supergirl Season 3 Episode 14 when his mom came back into his life after his father died.
After a long hiatus, we finally learned the secret Imra had been keeping from Mon-El as well, and it has everything to do with a certain third WorldKiller.
Join TV Fanatics Christine Orlando, Jay Ruymann, and Kathleen Wiedel as they discuss the Winn-centric story, M'yrann's devastating diagnosis, and their thoughts on karaoke night!
Do you enjoy karaoke? What's your go to karaoke song?
Christine: At first, I cringed, because I generally hate karaoke, and as I have no voice, I choose not to embarrass myself or torture others. As M’yrann said, it takes both courage and a complete lack of shame, but these scenes allowed us to see this group all together and really kicking back with one another and that was fun.
Related: Supergirl Season 3 Episode 14 Review: Schott Through the Heart
Jay: I’m with Christine. Karaoke, while sometimes fun (while intoxicated) makes me cringe, and the performances the cast gave were truly awful considering they’re (almost all) great singers, as far as I’m aware. As for myself, I choose to avoid karaoke to save everyone’s ears from potential damage.
Kathleen: I'm a bit shy about doing karaoke, but the one time I did it in public, my song was "On My Own" from Les Miserables. Everyone was very surprised when I let loose! I did musical theater in high school, so I have a bit of vocal training.
Was Imra right to keep their mission a secret from Mon-El, or should she have just told him the truth? Is this just a way for the writers to create conflict between Mon-El and Imra?
Christine: Secrets and lies are rarely the right way to go, and Mon-El should have been told what was coming and been able to prepare himself. And yes, this was definitely a way to create conflict and allow Mon-El and Kara to get closer.
Jay: I definitely believe it’s just a way to allow Mon-El and Kara to get closer, but I’m disappointed. Of course, he just discovered this lie so he’s taken aback, but Mon-El has to understand why they lied to him? There’s no way he would have willingly gone back to this time.
Kathleen: When will these people learn that secrets and lies pretty much always lead to grief in the end? I know, if they didn't make bad decisions, there'd be a lot less DRAMA. But it's still annoying.
What are your thoughts on M'yrann's tragic dementia reveal? Do you think we'll lose him by the end of the season?
Christine: As someone who has watched family members suffer through this, I think this is both a wonderful and a heartbreaking story. I love how it brings Alex and J’onn even closer together as a surrogate family. I like M’yrann and would hate to lose him, but if we do, at least it’s in the service of a great story.
Jay: I’m worried we’ll lose him and J’onn by the end of the season. The only logical step for Alex is to eventually become the leader of the DEO, and J’onn still wants revenge on White Martians, so losing his father could put him over the edge, especially since he just had the hope of having a family again.
Kathleen: My grandparents suffered from dementia before their deaths when I was a teenager. I don't remember very much, but it was hard -- even from the distance I was. For J'onn to be reunited with his father, only to lose him in such a way ... it's heartbreaking.
How did you feel about the Winn-centric storyline? Do you hope to see Mary pop up again?
Christine: I love Winn and feel he gets underused, so I loved this episode. I’m also a big fan of Laurie Metcalf, so I was thrilled to see her playing Winn’s mother. I’d love to see Winn have more time to work with and bond with Mary, so I’m rooting for her to come back.
Jay: Likewise, I love Winn and hate that he’s relegated to the background until he comes up with some nifty way to stop a villain. I miss the friendship between Winn and Kara, as we saw during Supergirl Season 1, so I’m disappointed they didn’t really share any scenes one-on-one.
Kathleen: I agree that Winn is underused, so it was great to have a spotlight episode for him. I wouldn't mind having Mary make a return appearance, so long as it doesn't turn into a "Winn's got a criminally crazy relative" story.
What was your favorite quote or scene?
Christine: It broke my heart when Winn described what it was like to wait at the police station for his mother to come rescue him and how it affected him that she never came. Couple that with Mary explaining the reality of their trip to Disneyland, and this was a fantastic episode. Both actors knocked those scenes out of the park!
Jay: The scene between Alex and M’yrnn after she confronted him about his situation was heartbreaking. It’s going to be hard to watch J’onn slowly lose his father, but I appreciate how Alex didn’t get in the middle and how she remained calm and didn’t let the outburst ruin her evening or how she felt about J’onn’s father.
Related: The CW Renewals: Riverdale, Dynasty, The Flash, & 7 More!
Kathleen: Curses, Jay beat me to it. That scene is just so sad and moving. Not that the scene Christine described was weak, by any stretch! But still, that conversation between Alex and M'yrnn...
Over to you Supergirl Fanatics, do you agree with our round table? Hit the comments below!
Don't forget to watch Supergirl online here via TV Fanatic!
This post appear first on Supergirl Round Table: Karaoke is Not for the Weak by Stacy Glanzman
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
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Saturday, February 10, 2018
Supergirl Round Table: What is Imra Hiding?
Mon-El revealed that his and Imra's marriage wasn't based on love on Supergirl Season 3 Episode 13. What does that mean for the future of Mon-El and Kara?
Below, TV Fanatics Christine Orlando, Kathleen Wiedel, and Jay Ruymann discuss their relationship, Lena's discovery, and whether or not they think everyone will make it out alive.
Join us!
Do you think Mon-El and Kara will get back together? Do you want them to?
Christine: I don’t know, to both questions. I enjoyed Mon-El and Kara last season, more than most, I think, but I’ve grown used to them being apart. I feel as though they’ve both moved on, and maybe that’s for the best.
Kathleen: The relationship between Kara and Mon-El last season wasn't hugely popular with the fans. The fact that it was built in part on Kara trying to "fix" Mon-El or make him a better person didn't help its foundation. Now, things are totally different. Mon-El's changed a great deal in his time away and done a whole lot of maturing.
Related: Supergirl Season 3: Why Mon-El Is No Longer Welcome
Quite frankly, it's improved his character a lot, especially since he's not being defined solely by his relationship with Kara anymore. If the two of them do get back together, however, I wonder what sort of message it would send to the viewers.
Mon-El's married to another woman, after all, regardless of the circumstances of that marriage. And for the show to have either him ditching Imra for Kara or for Imra to get stuffed in the fridge just so they can be together... yeah. That would be poor form.
Jay: I hope not. I was never a fan of their relationship, but now that he’s married (and whether they break up or not before), it would be in poor taste to have them get back together and basically make Kara out to be a “home wrecker” and this entire story has gone off the rails now.
What do you think Imra is hiding about the real purpose of their mission?
Christine: I don’t have a clue, but she and Mon-El are nothing that I expected. The arranged marriage storyline took me totally off guard, and they seem to be keeping a lot more secrets from one another than I ever expected.
Now I worry that Imra will be killed off by the end of the season, in order to get Mon-El and Kara back together…and I’m not sure I want that anymore.
Kathleen: I really hope that they didn't go through the trouble of the whole Mon-El/Imra marriage twist just to kill Imra off. Regarding her hiding the real purpose of their mission, though, it's probably a bad idea and not going to do her relationship with Mon-El any favors.
We all keep secrets, even from our spouses, but that's a bit of a doozy to conceal.
Jay: I think whatever the Legion needed to do involves Kara, so nothing that’s happened has been by accident. Maybe they’re going to kidnap Kara and take her to the future with them? Who knows.
Are you worried about Lena? Will she be able to help Sam, or will Reign take over and keep her from revealing her secret?
Christine: I don’t think that Lena has any idea what she’s dealing with and I am worried about her. I hope she shares what she saw in Sam with Kara and Alex because the only way I think they can save Sam is if they all work together.
Kathleen: From a viewer's perspective, I doubt Lena's in any serious danger of getting done in by the series. From a slightly less meta perspective, she really has to be careful. I'm guessing she will provide the critical information that will allow Team Supergirl to put all the pieces together and (hopefully) save the day.
Jay: I don’t think Lena knows Sam is Reign. I think whatever happens with Lena and Sam next will put together the pieces for Lena and maybe Kara and Alex, too, but I don’t think she knows yet.
Do you think the WorldKillers can all be saved? Are you expecting any causalities?
Christine: I definitely expect casualties. I think Imra’s an easy target and I think one of the WorldKillers may not survive, but I hope all of our core characters, including Sam, survive the chaos that’s sure to come.
Related: Supergirl Season 3 Episode 13 Review: Both Sides Now
Kathleen: Like Christine, I also don't expect both heroes and (reluctant) villains to escape unscathed. Here's to hoping that this all isn't a big set-up to kill Sam in some horrible tragic manner, because that would be altogether too predictable.
Jay: I hope so, but I don’t expect anyone to survive yet. I think, if any of the Worldkillers survive, it’ll be Julia, since she was able to fight off Purity so soon.
What was your favorite quote or scene?
Christine: I enjoyed J’onn giving Mon-El marriage advice and telling him, “You are not a criminal because you have complicated feelings.”
Also, Purity turned out to be much scarier than I expected, which made her all the more fun.
Kathleen: I'll second J'onn's conversation with Mon-El. He's a great space-dad for the team.
Jay: I liked the scene between Ruby and Lena. I can’t imagine what Ruby must have felt when Sam was just gone, but I like the relationship between all of these women and Ruby because Sam is their friend.
Your turn! Share your comments below and watch Supergirl online if you need to catch up during the hiatus!
This post appear first on Supergirl Round Table: What is Imra Hiding? by Stacy Glanzman