What I’m Watching: Supergirl

Supergirl: Season 4, Episode 13 “What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?” (B+)

Out of all the shows that I watch, I really wouldn’t have expected this one to so directly tackle social and political issues that are currently playing out in our society, but this show continues to do just that. President Baker trying to appoint unapologetic xenophobe Ben to an official post both to quietly support his message and simultaneously try to dampen it feels a whole lot like the elevation of people on “both sides,” and it didn’t take very long at all for Ben to make it known to his rebellious followers that he hadn’t been tempered by this, brutally beating one mutineer to demonstrate just how little he has changed. Manchester Black enlisting his fellow wronged aliens to break out of prison and execute some vengeful justice on the humans who repressed them shows just how quickly things are devolving, and all it really does it helps Ben and the Children of Liberty build a stronger case that they need to exist to help with the growing alien threat. Fortunately, our friends are working to combat that as Brainy helps to train Nia to become Dreamer, who actually does pretty great in the heat of the moment. Alex showed her true colors a lot in this episode in a good way, and she and Supergirl got back to a good place, in addition to an apparent opening in the armor of Haley, who realizes that the president is heading down a dangerous path. Lena is also having a change of heart, which makes James’ decision to have his reporter look into problematic reports about her particularly ill-timed.