Supergirl

ep 4.12 was a bit of a filler, with a plodding Valentines theme (even more boring than an Easter theme), and a new recurring baddie, it seems. It seems curious that the CoL are so much more effective than the DEO. And Lockwood is magically free because..? Nia's rather sudden debut in her clobber was a little random, too. The stress on Alex's personal life was always boring, so a return for it is hardly excitements-ville. The break-up of James and Lena was too cold-blooded to be serious. Why could he not argue in defence of Superman and Supergirl, who are meant to be close friends! Just some waffle about militarising of science. Is he an editor or a punchbag?

Ep 4.13 was an oddball one, with the formation of a new team of alien baddies ultimately taking a back seat to a groovy new satellite. One thing they're not short of this year is new menaces, from Haley to Lockwood to Manny Black to the President (and still the big 2 to come). Fun to see Nia's progress as Dreamer too.

4.14, and a rather more action-packed effort that even found time for a barney at the Fortress, as Manny and the equally mysterious Hat rob some superweapons. The heavy-handed real-world metaphor-signalling reached a new apex here, but there was some nice last minute drama with a shock cliff-hanger.

I see Lex is back next time, so that should help.

Ep 4.15 and we're into the main event really, with Jon Cryer as Lex Luthor, from a weird flashback opening, to his contrasting condition with James' near-death battle. The return (and exit again?) of Manny Black seemed another waffling waste of a sub-plot, but maybe it'll pay off yet. I was waiting for James' sister to accidentally let secrets slip, but maybe that's to come too. Alex blatantly pushing for Lena's miracle cure was a weird bit of desperation, and I doubt it's going to have come without drawbacks. Still, things might pick up speed now.

Supergirl in the States returns the 6th of October along side Batwoman

Oh, I ought to be able to finish 7 episodes before then...

4.16 was yet another filler episode, with the story of Lex, and Kaznia's lucky arrival. As I might possibly have mentioned once or twice I was a big fan of the Reign stuff last year, so apart from wondering why Lex apparently had no interest in that (or Morgan Edge, Max Lord or whoever mattered in S2), it just makes me feel the writers wanted to do the same sort of story but a bit better (the whole Selena & evil Kryptonian bit was a dreadful letdown given the set-up). Of course, there's still 6 weeks left to screw this up as well.

4.17 and I've often whined that characters could be brought back. Wouldn't you know, they go and do it with someone I didn't much care to see back. But it's a nice reflection for Jonn, leading to the amusing end where he's off world on his own quest when the gang could use his help (or so he can ride in to save the day later).
Otherwise slow burn on Eve's treachery. I love the scene where Lena, Alex & Supergirl are linking the "cure" serum to Lex having powers, and Eve's relative clearly having some too, but none of them go "der... maybe James has too?" Journalists indeed.
Dumbness reaches new depths with the final "fake Supergirl attack" which is taken at face value to the nth degree. Also no Dreamer this week. Plus, what happened to Hat? No wonder the DEO can't solve anything...

Filming on season 5 has started.

4.18 And still Lena, Alex & Kara have no clue about James' problems. Let alone his recovery - the guy got shot in the back, and they're like "eh, who cares?" The prison stuff was a bit silly, bringing Otis back is pretty dull, and Supergirl changing into Kara wasn't really much of a help. Still, Dreamer was back, and we had a naff bit of stuff between Alex and Haley. No Lex either. They don't half take it in turns to skip a week.