What I’m Watching: Supergirl

Supergirl: Season 3, Episode 2 “Triggers” (B+)

It’s nice to see that the CW is a friendly network where even the stars of its non-superhero shows still get gigs on other shows. Yael Grobglas, a regular on “Jane the Virgin” and guest last year on “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” had a fun role here as Psi, the villain who used fears to paralyze those she was robbing. It’s jarring to see Kara frozen as she remembers her childhood trip since it somehow does more damage to her than something typical like Kryptonite or a strong alien. Fortunately, Alex knows exactly how to help her sister out, which proved to be a helpful discretion from the newly-emerged disagreements in her relationship with Maggie. Arguing about whether to have a band or a DJ in one thing, a subject that Hank hilariously weighed in on, but not knowing whether you want to have kids is a topic that requires considerably more conversation than just a dismissive, “that’s okay with you, right?” We’re seeing some issues at the workplace between Lena and James, and while Lena’s tough love gave Kara the quick-start she needed to get her head back in the game, the professional relationship between the guy who’s been in charge and the woman who now is remains very rocky. We’re just getting to know Samantha, and while she’s insistent that she doesn’t have powers, her daughter Ruby was eager enough to push her to reveal them that she punched someone in the face and nearly got herself killed. It’s interesting to see where Samantha fits in to the regular plotline and I’m curious how that will play out. And, in other news, Hank is headed to Mars to help Megan, a character I always thought contributed pretty well to this show.

What I’m Watching: Married

Married: Season 2, Episode 11 “Triggers” (C)

It’s almost like this show is determined to turn viewers against every one of its supporting characters, one at a time. The problem is that while Jenny Slate is moving on to bigger and better things, Brett Gelman and A.J. are not going anywhere. Having Russ be annoyed and furious that A.J. would draw up a contract dissolving their friendship doesn’t help anyone’s case since all it does is to demonstrate how exaggerated and absurd a character A.J. is. I was enjoying his budding relationship with Abby, but now he’s taken things way too far by having no clue how to exist and operate as a human, showing up to Russ’ work and refusing to acknowledge the presence of his boss, insistent that he has to spend all of his time illustrating the Farmer Todd books that he was never he even asked to collaborate on. His buddy Lincoln didn’t help matters at all, and was just an awkward extra person in the room to just make things worse. That they ended in a good place that involved ranking Russ’ imaginary grill over this friendship with A.J. was a minor saving grace that came far too late. At the same time, Lina was similarly the one to point out the absurdity of Abby’s reliance on and continued bond with her manipulative ex, played by Rob Huebel, who is Len on “Transparent,” a plotline that worked a bit better but still was far from a home run. Lina trying to stifle her urge to give other people advice was entertaining, but that didn’t last too long because, naturally, she was right all along in this particular case.