Rachel Bellwoar reviews the seventh episode of Powerless…
Like Superman appearing on Supergirl, could a series regular who’s a superhero usurp Powerless from the powerless? The show has been pretty consistent each week about leaving Crimson Fox and Jack O’Lantern in the background for guest appearances. Maybe Crimson Fox has spoken to Emily twice (plus saved her life from the train in the pilot) but she’s not somebody we know much about. It’s strange. Second tier hero or not, the local pride of having a local hero is missing, and last week’s announced departure of Crimson Fox was almost not a big deal. There are two possible explanations. One, a hero ditching your city for the bigger stage might not be someone you miss. Two, we’re used to shows that come from the point of view of heroes—maybe they’re a little out of touch on their PR.
Certainly, this episode knows a thing or two about egos, as Van and Emily compete with Green Arrow darts to see who is the worse sore loser. Watching two people, who don’t think they’re self-absorbed, try and outdo each other isn’t the best way to make viewers emphasize but it does make one important acknowledgement: Emily and Van are made of the same cloth. Emily may be the main character, the ‘underdog’ we’re supposed to root for, but that doesn’t mean her actions are in the right and, as much as her VP title denotes the need for an office (the prize Van and her are fighting over), this workplace comedy hasn’t shown her doing too much work lately to earn one. The sympathetic music when she makes Van feel bad is a little much (because he’s not a poor baby either) but she’s got flaws and Powerless isn’t ignoring them.
Could these flaws, however, undermine her position as lead if Crimson Fox’s replacement, Green Fury, becomes a main character? Her two brief scenes this episode might not say new direction but the casting of Natalie Morales should, as her previous stints on The Grinder and Parks and Recreation have made her one of TV’s ‘most in need of her own show* because she’s being completely underutilized’ actors. Mostly we get to admire Fury’s cool costume and green hair this episode but you know she’s going to be sarcastically cool and super, and how is that going to reflect on the others? From Teddy shrugging off his girlfriend the moment Green Fury saves him on the balcony, they’re not exactly going to look better having her around.
* own show that isn’t indefensibly canceled (The Middleman)
Rachel Bellwoar
Originally published April 7, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
