Supergirl Episode 3.03 "Far From the Tree" (SPOILERS)

[Kelly]

Normally FC and I differ.....but we've only been what? a point different from each other every episode?

Scary....

 

[flickchick85]

Normally FC and I differ.....but we've only been what? a point different from each other every episode?

Scary....

So the real question is...which one of us is coming to her senses...?

 

[Kelly]

I lost my senses a looooooooooooooooooooooong time ago. They are not coming home.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Just finished the ep and it seems I enjoyed it more than most! I know it wasn't as Kara focused as some like but in a 22 ep season I don't mind some eps focusing on the supporting cast.

There were a few things that didn't quite ring true, like Maggie hadn't seen her father for over 20 years and yet one phonecall and he rocks back up despite the phonecall being to invite his bigoted ass to a lesbian wedding shower? Ok. I also thought Kara knowing how to use the staff and dusting White Martians left and right was a bit off.

Imagine my surprise when Tony from 24 rocks up as Maggie's pops! I didn't know he'd been cast, shame he was so unlikable, but I thought the scenes with him and Maggie were excellent and made some important points and played off each other really well, from her father's story of how he was persecuted and assaulted for being Mexican and yet wanted the respect of the bigots, to Maggie realizing that she can't live for her fathers approval and love because it's not real love as real love in unconditional.

I also loved the scenes on Mars with J'onn and his dad, the one where we saw their home life and J'onn daughters before the war got me right in the feels.

The Mars resistance stuff felt a bit like a means to an end rather than anything of substance, but I loved Kara rocking up in the 50's Chevy playing Britney. and I loved the whole concept of it as J'onn's shape shifted ship, I also loved J'onn taking out the last set of White Martians with it!

I wasn't sure if J'onn's dad was coming back with them immediately as it looked like he was getting cosy with the resistance, but I'm glad he did as I want to see more of that father/son dynamic as he acclimatizes to earth.

 

[Havok83]

Wow, Supergirl played a major backseat this episode. Odd that they'd do that so early in the season

Is there any reason why the green anr white martians all take the form of black human beings? I could get the disguise when Jon and Megan were in hiding on earth but doesnt seem to make sense in space, especially that it would be a specific race of an alien species

 

[Kelly]

Wow, Supergirl played a major backseat this episode. Odd that they'd do that so early in the season

Is there any reason why the green anr white martians all take the form of black human beings? I could get the disguise when Jon and Megan were in hiding on earth but doesnt seem to make sense in space, especially that it would be a specific race of an alien species

They explained it in the episode it is Martian culture to take on the persona of the guest in their home .

 

[Havok83]

They explained it in the episode it is Martian culture to take on the persona of the guest in their home .

Why would he be in disguise though? He wasnt on earth

 

[ARBH]

Why would he be in disguise though? He wasn't on earth

Its customary for martians to take on the form of their guests for budgetary reasons. Rendering martians for an entire episode is expensive. The excuse they gave was silly.

 

[mace1]

Is there any reason why the green anr white martians all take the form of black human beings?

All of them did not look black.

 

[Guard82]

It was cool to see a Martian-centric episode. Carl Lumbly did a wonderful job of playing J'onn's father, and David Harewood gave excellent performances as J'onn. Their emotional scenes were very nicely done.

And I loved it when Kara provided some comic relief by making her big entrance in the '50s Chevy! Lol

Maggie and Alex had a nice subplot of their own back on Earth. I'll miss Maggie when she's no longer on the show.

One small thing I found puzzling was that when Maggie's father was talking about anti-Hispanic prejudice, he referred to the building of a wall to keep out Mexicans. That was confusing because the last time I checked, in this world the president of the United States is Olivia Marsdin (Lynda Carter), who is an alien herself and has very pro-immigrant views. In that case, why is there a wall being built? Who's president in this world, Olivia Marsdin or Donald Trump?

 

[Havok83]

All of them did not look black.

You are right. Oversight on my part as I focused on the ones that were prominently featured

 

[Kelly]

It was cool to see a Martian-centric episode. Carl Lumbly did a wonderful job of playing J'onn's father, and David Harewood gave excellent performances as J'onn. Their emotional scenes were very nicely done.

And I loved it when Kara provided some comic relief by making her big entrance in the '50s Chevy! Lol

Maggie and Alex had a nice subplot of their own back on Earth. I'll miss Maggie when she's no longer on the show.

One small thing I found puzzling was that when Maggie's father was talking about anti-Hispanic prejudice, he referred to the building of a wall to keep out Mexicans. That was confusing because the last time I checked, in this world the president of the United States is Olivia Marsdin (Lynda Carter), who is an alien herself and has very pro-immigrant views. In that case, why is there a wall being built? Who's president in this world, Olivia Marsdin or Donald Trump?

To me that was a big thing.....I sent the writers and producers a nice (and really it was not rude or mean) note pointing that out.

 

[Kelly]

Its customary for martians to take on the form of their guests for budgetary reasons. Rendering martians for an entire episode is expensive. The excuse they gave was silly.

I thought it was kind of cool. Many cultures do things like that....to show respect.

For instance the Afghan culture is to give the guest, the best the house offers. The best seat at the dinner table, the most comfortable seat in the living room, the most comfortable bed, etc....

Many cultures honor guests in one form or another. Was it for budgetary reasons? sure....but I don't think it was silly at all.

 

[metaphysician]

Why do all aliens in "traditional" science fiction look like white people? Answer: because those were the actors they cast.

Honestly, I don't mind them establishing that "martians are black". After all, J'onn J'onnz has "been black" for almost 20 years.

 

[Dr.]

One small thing I found puzzling was that when Maggie's father was talking about anti-Hispanic prejudice, he referred to the building of a wall to keep out Mexicans. ...Who's president in this world, Olivia Marsdin or Donald Trump?

Well, Dad didn’t say that Trump or any US president was building a wall. Indeed, the “wall” he mentions could - quite plausibly - be a metaphorical commentary on anti-Hispanic prejudice. And while Earth-38 Maggie would recognize the rhetorical embellishment, we take it more literally.

 

[terry78]

Well, we all knew what he was alluding to. The writers just felt the need to be political, continuity be damned.

 

[Robert_Anthony]

Well, we all knew what he was alluding to. The writers just felt the need to be political, continuity be damned.

Indeed Terry. They are like most of Hollywood still throwing a temper tantrum. Have they not learned the lessons of ESPN and the NFL? I don't think they will.

 

[Dr.]

Well, we all knew what he was alluding to. The writers just felt the need to be political, continuity be damned.

"Political" as in liberal? Unquestionably. It's Hollywood, Jake. But no continuity issue, per se.

 

[Kelly]

"Political" as in liberal? Unquestionably. It's Hollywood, Jake. But no continuity issue, per se.

I think there was, at least in their characterization of the President last season.

Doesn't matter who they "might" have been talking about, the fact is.....they have characterized the Earth 38 as a contrast to Trump. President to President....they messed up IMO, when they quoted something from Trump, and whether they meant to or not it is projected upon the Earth 38 President. Sloppy writing, and in a rush to slam Trump, they ended up slamming the President they believe is of the right persuasion.....

What is funny are those that are bellowing about another political slam on, I guess who they voted for because they seem very emotional when something he has said or did is used in the show.....and in actuality they screwed up and slammed the Earth 38 President. Pretty funny, sloppy writing, but pretty funny.

I just don't see what the big deal is, I put on my big girl pants when I watch AND STILL WATCH THE RERUNS OF "Last Man Standing" which has far more political bombs being thrown than Supergirl ever has....and they were being thrown at people I admire and respect.....so? I loved the family dynamics of the show, which is why I watched it...the political leanings of the main character never bothered me, I a family full of people like that. Nor did I ever go on social media and cry about it....*shrugs* just not a big deal. People need to grow thicker skin. People really need to get out of that echo chamber and breath some fresh air.

 

[Lencho01]

I liked this episode the most so far this season. Either I didn't know or I forgot, but seeing Lumbly in there was great. Had me humming the JL theme songs.

 

[Dr.]

Doesn't matter who they "might" have been talking about, the fact is.....they have characterized the Earth 38 as a contrast to Trump. President to President....they messed up IMO, when they quoted something from Trump, and whether they meant to or not it is projected upon the Earth 38 President. Sloppy writing, and in a rush to slam Trump, they ended up slamming the President they believe is of the right persuasion.....

What is funny are those that are bellowing about another political slam on, I guess who they voted for because they seem very emotional when something he has said or did is used in the show.....and in actuality they screwed up and slammed the Earth 38 President. Pretty funny, sloppy writing, but pretty funny.

I just don't see what the big deal is, I put on my big girl pants when I watch AND STILL WATCH THE RERUNS OF "Last Man Standing" which has far more political bombs being thrown than Supergirl ever has....and they were being thrown at people I admire and respect.....so? I loved the family dynamics of the show, which is why I watched it...the political leanings of the main character never bothered me, I a family full of people like that. Nor did I ever go on social media and cry about it....*shrugs* just not a big deal. People need to grow thicker skin. People really need to get out of that echo chamber and breath some fresh air.

Nice post (some of which I agree with ).

Just so you know (or in case you care ), I’m about as liberal as you can get. So the “politics” on Supergirl (or the Berlanti shows, more generally) bothers me not one iota. Actually, I find it curious (humorous?) that some would express offense at the Trump/wall line of dialogue and yet have nothing to say about the main plot: lesbians planning their entirely legal gay wedding! Talk about an in-your-face liberal agenda!

But onto more geeky concerns: My idea of a “continuity” problem/plot hole is that you could - hypothetically - confront the fictional character with said problem and they’d have to agree with it. E.g.: “Dude! In an early chapter, you were introduced as an only child. So how come, now, you’ve suddenly got an older brother?” That’s bad continuity. But in the Supergirl case, there’s no “gotcha!” that could be used towards Maggie’s dad’s passionate speech. Allusions to a “wall” or the “murderer/rapist” accusation aren’t sufficiently specific to our reality such that they couldn’t also apply to Earth-38. (In no way, shape or form has Earth-38 ever been represented as a social utopia. We are not at all surprised to learn that anti-Hispanic prejudice exists there; and we’re not surprised that Maggie’s dad has an opinion about that prejudice.) So given the “strategic ambiguity” word of the words used: no technical violation of continuity. IMO.

 

[Dark Raven]

Well, Dad didn’t say that Trump or any US president was building a wall. Indeed, the “wall” he mentions could - quite plausibly - be a metaphorical commentary on anti-Hispanic prejudice. And while Earth-38 Maggie would recognize the rhetorical embellishment, we take it more literally.

Could it be Cadmus or some other organisation who is building the wall here?

 

[ZIPBAGS]

To me that was a big thing.....I sent the writers and producers a nice (and really it was not rude or mean) note pointing that out.

Also, Cat Grant is now press secretary and the scene showing her press conference...she was spouting some left policies. I just wish this stuff would be left out of these shows. I don't care what side of the issue you are. I just want to enjoy the show without being preached. It's the same with the NFL...I don't want either side of the issue brought up...Just want to see the game.

 

[mace1]

Originally Posted by Dr. Well, Dad didn’t say that Trump or any US president was building a wall. Indeed, the “wall” he mentions could - quite plausibly - be a metaphorical commentary on anti-Hispanic prejudice. And while Earth-38 Maggie would recognize the rhetorical embellishment, we take it more literally.

Could it be Cadmus or some other organisation who is building the wall here?

Here some comments that i found.

by tconlon251
The wall could be the brain child of the Speaker of the House. From what Cat Grant said in the first episode he seems to be the stand in for a certain real life “political” figure.?

by Prince Devitt44
I think the whole building a wall thing transcends presidencies. They’ve been talking about building a wall for decades. It was something coming from both parties. The reason why it’s an issue now is because of the narrative Trump pushed.?

by tconlon251
Plus, Cat Grant establishes that the Speaker of the House is the Trump stand in. So he’s probably pushing for the wall.?

by Mark Hayden
The political bs is destroying this show,i expext a ratings plumet next week,its like the writers are going all out to get it cancelled and its working?

by tconlon251
Mark Hayden I’d say the opposite?

by Eliagh Rivera
A little nitpick here when Maggie's father says they're building a wall to keep us out shouldn't that not exist because in Supergirl the president is a woman.?

by joeychiba22
Eliagh Rivera good point. Didn't think of that during the episode, and apparently neither did the writers.?


by DaBaba85
Doesn’t have to be the president who came up with that in this world. There are still people who think like that in this world I bet.?

by Ráguila16
Maybe she is also building a wall?

by ScarlettMi
It's probably the rhetoric/agenda of the right-wing Speaker of the House Trump-like character that Cat referenced in her press conference. Whether it's something being pushed, just talked about, or actually built, the reference still works in that context.?

 

[Dark Raven]

How would the Speaker of the House manage to get a wall built if it isn't approved by the President or her staff (unless her staff are for it and don't necessarily want the same things as the President).