Supergirl Season 4, Episode 5: "Parasite Lost" (SPOILERS)

[LL2K2]

Official description released:

THE POWER OF THE PEN — Colonel Haley (April Parker Jones) makes a surprising decision regarding Supergirl (Melissa Benoist). Kara writes s series of articles highlighting aliens in National City in the hopes that humans will stop being so fearful of them. Unfortunately, the article puts some of the aliens in harm’s way. David Mcwhirter directed the episode written by Maria Maggenti & Aadrita Mukerji (#405).

 

[flickchick85]

If this is another "Man of Steel" situation in that this episode does not actually feature another appearance from Parasite, I shall be annoyed!

 

[vantheman77]

What is it with these deceptions they're putting out lately?

Man of Steel that doesn't feature Superman and now Parasite Lost that may not feature Parasite.

 

[Dark Raven]

We're going to get "The Dark Knight" and it's merely about a chess piece that Lillian Luthor is using.

And "The Big Blue Boy Scout" and it's about the Baden-Powell organisation.

 

[flickchick85]

Well it looks like ol' Jensen has at least been turned into some version of Parasite (and apparently there IS a version of Parasite in the comics whose real name is Jensen, which I was unfamiliar with), so I guess I'll forgive the title this time, lol.

 

[vantheman77]

Thank goodness they spared us from deception as we have a new Parasite. I think the writers want to correct the 2nd season’s use of Parasite.

 

[flickchick85]

Promo:

 

[Dark Raven]

Well it looks like ol' Jensen has at least been turned into some version of Parasite (and apparently there IS a version of Parasite in the comics whose real name is Jensen, which I was unfamiliar with), so I guess I'll forgive the title this time, lol.

Maybe they'll give us a title named "Suffering Sappho" and it's got nothing to do with Wonder Woman but is about Chyler Danvers having angst and writing about it.

 

[flickchick85]

Sneak Peek:

 

[NotNickFury]

Well, heck, James practically turned into Spider-Man when he saved those people with that jump and his shield.

 

[flickchick85]

I've had other stuff going on during this ep, but I've had it on in the background. Will have to go back and watch, but so far it seems like there wasn't enough Parasite.

 

[vantheman77]

This episode was mainly about James and Alex than anything else.

 

[NotNickFury]

I mean, you got Kara doing her reporter thing, so there's that at least.

Still, though, I don't remember the new CatCo girl's name, but bugs me that she just joined the show and she's already invited to the rooftop party.

 

[flickchick85]

Ok what WAS that rooftop party? Did I miss the purpose of that? it seemed so random.

 

[vantheman77]

If you put together this and last week, it was mainly about Alex handling the pressures of directing the DEO while having a superior officer like Colonel Haley watching over her.

 

[fan4stic]

Did Kara and Lockwood debate in this episode?

 

[flickchick85]

Nope, guess that happens at the beginning of the next ep afterall.

 

[SSAV]

I am not sure yet what to think of this episode.. I am withholding judgement until I see rest of the first half.

I sort of like the subtle storyline they seem to be having for Kara. But, Kara not having any pivotal moments and MB not getting any gut punching scenes is affecting the show (in my eyes). They should find a better balance.

I did like that Kara did have a character growth moment there which actually is in character for her yet pushes her forward: her realising that seeing the best in people doesn't mean turning a blind eye to the rest... And that she needs to look at all sides to get to a story. It was also subtle.

And..using that moment she also solved the detective case although J'onn seems to have gotten all the credit; at least at the bar (and with some viewers).

There is a symmetry to getting Alex solve her own problems.. and an irony to Alex's newfound optimism saving the day but being based on a false reading of colonel. There seems to be a lot of emphasis on not going by superficial characteristics this season. Kara was also talking about digging deeper as was James.

So.. Kara is going to cover more aliens: all sorts of them; while James is going to dig up one specific sort of humans--the anti-alien kind. I wonder where this is going. And just a thought. Could they be going for James becoming the villain rather than Lena? Lena seemed concerned at the end about his choices.

Yeah.. Lot of threads. Much will depend on how they will resolve all of it. I hope they will find stuff for Kara to do with Panache...through the season and not just at the end. (And Melissa to use her considerable talent; and not just as Kasnian Kara).

I loved seeing Kara, Alex and J'onn working together. I'd love to see more of it.. And, I liked the rooftop scene. At least the Brainy and Superfamily part of it.

 

[Frodo]

Well, heck, James practically turned into Spider-Man when he saved those people with that jump and his shield.

Lol. Yeah . I still think Guardian is a pretty lame hero, but I like the position Jimmy's been put in with the Human and Alien conflict.

 

[BH/HHH]

This wasn't the best episode, it was decent enough don't get me wrong. Sam Witwer continues to excel, he's easily the best thing about this show right now. I am really enjoying this Children of Liberty storyline so much, I think already Agent Liberty is easily this shows greatest villain yet.

 

[flickchick85]

Ok, finally got to watch the full episode. Overall, this just felt like one of those "set up" episodes, where they're planting a lot of seeds and giving us some big ideas for the directions they're going it. Which made the episode itself a bit "meh" for me, but left me interested to see these things play out.

Stuff I liked:

-They used more Parasite more than I had thought on my distracted first viewing, and I generally liked the use of him and his powers. Really changed it up from last time while still being consistent about what he does.
-LOVED the focus on Reporter!Kara.
-I hate that they can't let go of Guardian and would rather he be gone, BUT...I think what they're doing with him here has potential to be interesting.
-Drunk Brainy using "Little Boxes!" as his own little inside joke with Lena.
-The mystery surrounding Amadei actually contained some surprises for me in the way it played out, so kudos to the writers there.
-So apparently Kara just remodeled and landscaped a rooftop in a day just for the heck of it and decided to throw a get-together to celebrate? Ok! Guess we have a new set we'll be seeing more of. Not the smoothest introduction of it they could've done, but I'll take it, lol.
-Colonel Haley NOT being a mustache-twirling villain a la General Lane. Alex was liking her right up until her spiel about J'onn in the end. Much more interested in seeing their dynamic play out now, as I'm genuinely not sure which side Haley will land on. She almost seems like she could be possibly be brought around to their side, but also seems on track to turn out as an antagonist. Intrigued to see which way they go there.
-The setting up of J'onn J'onzz: Private Investigator.

Not so much:

-Kara using her real name and credentials right before forcing her way into someone's home with J'onn to interrogate someone. Way to invite lawsuits to Catco, Kara!
-James' decision-making. This is a recurring complaint for me, I realize. And something tells me Lena won't be too happy to be his "co-pilot," lol.
-Disappointed they had Jensen so quick to want to kill Supergirl himself. Especially since they had him "see the light" at the end, it seems like he should've felt more conflicted about that.

I think that's about it. I had very low expectations for this ep because I was dreading that "televised debate" mentioned at the beginning of the next episode's description and I had initially expected this title to be another misdirection and not actually involve Parasite the villain, and both those concerns were unfounded. So in that sense, I was pleasantly surprised, but there also wasn't much here I loved or hated. It was just an ok ep, imo. The previous Thanksgiving episodes of this show (the first Livewire one and "Medusa") have so far been upticks in quality from their previous eps, so hopefully next week's ep follows that trend.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Watching the episode now:

Did Kara talk openly about her superspeed when Lena is like right around the corner? Literally?

Brainy continues to be adorable with his little "you told me to find you not call you"

Why isnt this DEO woman Amanda Waller? Everything about her screams Amanda Waller! Just do it!

I do love (well hate) that Supergirls Earth is all aliens when it comes to being super powered while they just completely ignore meta-humans while E1 is the basically the opposite. Ive been hoping that Supergirl would be the best of both worlds.

While Kara cant go hand to hand combat with Parasite, she still has plenty of moves that can take him on from the long range. Why they didnt they just put Kara in the new super suit that she wore last episode?

Agent Liberty just spending most of his time in his lair with his mask on talking to his people is just boring. He is a boring big bad.

Once Alex took over control of the DEO as director they really lost any effective field agents didnt they? Now why did they have to go make Amanda Waller lite be anti J'onn and practically anti alien in the DEO? I was LOVING HER! But if this leads to Kara and Alex leaving the DEO.....I welcome her thoughts whole heartedly.

They made James suit up for no good reason, all he did was save a couple from being hit by rocks. I was at least expecting him to go up against Parasite 2.0.

 

[vantheman77]

I wonder if Melissa did the crossover during this episode.

 

[flickchick85]

I wonder if Melissa did the crossover during this episode.

Why would you think that? She was very present this episode, just as Kara instead of Supergirl. At any rate, the crossover didn't start filming 'til mid-last month, so I highly doubt it.

 

[Sithborg]

Naming Lockwood's site "The People's Veritas"? Subtle writers, real subtle.

Good episode though. I am really enjoying the storyline.

And Witwer continues to be amazing. Great choice for the villain.