Martin Carr reviews the season 4 finale of Supergirl…
This closer is one hefty double edged finale sword which is savagely effective at name checking the ill-fated Christopher Reeve outing, whilst embracing irony on a global annihilation level. In a seven minute window there is Kaznian decimation, back handed betrayal and an Iron Man homage which gives us Sinatra with AC/DC theatrics. As a concise modus operandi there have been few to rival the economic story telling this year apart from American Gods. By turns flamboyant, emotionally compromising yet effective in recapping on past events, Supergirl compromises little and offers lots in return.
What we get then is a finale orchestrated by our conspicuously absent master villain who manipulates politicians like so many marionettes. Playing Lockwood like a cheap fiddle whilst every military advantage afforded the American government makes up those remaining members of his orchestra. There are Luthor family reunions which come with their own quota of snide remarks, familial squabbling and Shakespearian revenge drama. Not to mention psychological barbs embedded early for maximum pay off later.
Elsewhere so-called illegals are harvested to bring about a global economic shift, while comparisons with Nazi Germany and an Aryan ethos is undeniable. Jon Cryer gives this Lex Luthor the skewed reasoning and infallible conviction which dictators require and geniuses inherit. As the three way battles kick off on screen and all of those threads are pulled together time flies, while characters visibly progress and coalesce into a tangible fighting force.
Watching death rays being manipulated while Krytonians stand by their human allies against enemy forces soon turns Supergirl into one giant set piece. Casualties are inevitable, set ups for season five expected but rifts with emotional resonance are rarer animals. If Cryer has proven effective until now then those final five minutes of season four take that influence and cause seismic shockwaves with it. Beyond the pyrotechnics, reconciliations and narrative neatness that betrayal is guaranteed to see relationships turn bitter and revenge plots run rampant. Something which not only takes the edge off any happy ever after resolution but pushes a little darkness into frame.
As dimensional portals open up, mysterious beings step out into National City and our heroes are toasting their victory, there is a certain comfort knowing these writers are still challenging convention.
Martin Carr
