Martin Carr reviews the seventh episode of Supergirl season 4…
Beyond the Ellis Island references, vigilante tactics and ethical undercurrents around human experimentation Supergirl discusses something else this week. ‘Rather The Fallen Angel’ proposes that human duality and your ability to balance both sides of this equation are more ambiguous than others may think. Our choices, those actions and any subsequent repercussions are neither driven by our emotions nor ruled exclusively with stone cold logic. Our acceptance or rejection of other nationalities, divergent cultures and differing customs should also have the same approach applied if harmony is to be maintained. What this episode effectively does then is give us a reasoned dramatic exploration of both sides without making judgements.
It does so by establishing a tentative bond between Manchester Black and Supergirl in the opening minutes before seguing off into sub-plot with James Olsen and Lena Luthor. As much as the Children of Liberty storyline engages and discussions around ethical approaches to retaliation might be interesting, there is too much subject matter for such a small time slot. These issues are things best laid out over two hours through a feature format, rather than condensed into forty five minutes of television. Interactions between various factions deserve a broader canvas, in depth characterisation and detailed reasoning rather than truncated exposition.
However this is not a failure of the showrunners but rather a flaw in the format itself. These people should be applauded cast and crew alike for taking such a hot potato of topical importance and attempting an examination for entertainment purposes. Little technical tricks such as empathy enhancers, humanising test subjects as well as a judicious use of flashback to provide context for vigilante actions only adds further weight rather than detracting from proceedings.
As for the cast there they are as committed as ever showing versatility, nuanced emotional reactions and managing to avoid cliché or teen angst overload. This is helped immensely by David Ajala as Manchester Black and Sam Witwer as Agent Liberty. These anti-heroes are by turns sympathetic, emotionally blinkered and single minded in their actions. As this season goes on and we increasingly trade in shades of grey their contribution will prove more and more essential in keeping Supergirl fresh, relevant and challenging.
Martin Carr
Originally published November 29, 2018. Updated January 8, 2019.
