In Review: Supergirl – Changing

Synopsis: The Guardian debuts to lend a hand after a parasite alien drains Supergirl of her power. Mon-El considers a less than desirable new career which then leads him to contemplate his motives. Alex struggles with a new reality.

Review: In ‘Changing’ we have three story threads going on simultaneously, which was a bit to much in my opinion because what should have been the main story. The parasite that had infected Dr. Jones wound up kind of on the back seat and played second fiddle to Alex coming to terms with her sexuality and Jimmy Olsen’s coming out party as The Guardian.

Add to that pot the ongoing drama with Mon-El and you have an episode that tries to do far more than is needed.

The story thread with regard to Alex got really meaty in this episode in that all that has been teased over the last few weeks came together and although the writers tried to handle the subject sensitively. It felt a little forced to me. Not to mention dated. Not dated insofar as not relevant, but dated insofar as they made to much of a big deal about something that just is.  If honest had Alex kissed Detective Sawyer much earlier in the storyline and forgone the coming out storyline. I think that would have just worked better and we could have just moved on. Though like most viewers. I did feel a few pangs of sympathy for Alex when Sawyer revealed that she did not feel the same way, but would be happy to continue the friendship.

In terms of the parasite. We got a really solid performance from William Mapother as Dr. Jones and it was a really nicely layered performance. But unfortunately what could have been a fairly cool recurring villain got relegated to monster of the week. 

Admittedly. I did find Jimmy’s entrance as the Guardian really cool and a lot of fun and I loved the exuberance with which Winn and Jimmy went about the task of dealing with the threat.  And taking Supergirl and Martian Manhunter out of the game to allow room for The Guardian and Mon-El room to step up was a good move.

Though at what cost. We now have Cadmus that has kidnapped Mon-El and Martian Manhunter has had a transfusion of  M’gann’s blood, which ultimately saved his life. But what are the consequences of that. Are they now married or something because of a Martian blood bond? Will we see Miss Martian stepping up to the plate for the DEO now?

Over all this was a fun episode. But it was a little all over the place and a blown opportunity in terms of the villain getting relegated to just another monster of the week.