TV Reviews: Supergirl (CBS) and The Flash (CW)

This week has been a good one for those who love superhero television. Supergirl takes a cue from the classic Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons story in 1985's Superman Annual #11 and The Flash from any of a number of Earth-1/Earth-2 crossovers from the 1960s, '70s, and '80s.

In the original Superman story, "For the Man Who Has Everything," Batman, Robin (Jason Todd) and Wonder Woman arrive at the Fortress of Solitude to celebrate Superman's birthday only to find him under the influence of the Black Mercy, a parasitic plant "presented" to Superman by the villainous Mongul. The Black Mercy gives its victim its heart's desire while feeding on the bio-aura. In the Supergirl episode, similarly titled as "For the Girl Who Has Everything," the Black Mercy is a gift to young Kara from Non, one of the Kryptonian criminals who escaped from Fort Rozz and is terrorizing National City.

I don't want to spoil the episode for anyone (if you haven't watched the episode, you can go to cbs.com and watch it for free for the next couple of weeks), but I do want to point out a couple of things that I particularly enjoyed and, unfortunately, one thing that I didn't.

The good:

Melissa Benoist continues to grow into the role of Kara/Supergirl. Hesitant at first and becoming more confident with each mission, glimpses of the superheroine she will eventually become are seen in each episode. In this episode in particular, viewers saw what Kara would be like had Krypton not exploded and also felt her anger toward Non for using the Black Mercy on her while he pursued his evil plans.

The idea of family between Kara/Supergirl, her adoptive sister Alex, DEO director Hank Henshaw, Winn Schott, and James Olsen. You get the feeling that these people would go to Hell and back for one another. But it's this same thing that brings me to . . .

The bad:

I get that those same characters I just mentioned see each other as extended family but it was mentioned ad nauseum in this episode. If viewers haven't caught on that Hank is the substitute dad, Alex the sometimes bossy sister, and James and Winn the two best friends/potential boyfriends/brothers, then they're not paying attention to the interaction between the characters.

Rating: 4.25 Stars


This week's episode of The Flash finds Barry Allen, Cisco Ramon, and Harrison Wells getting a "Welcome to Earth-2."

There are so many things to like about this episode, from the Easter eggs seen while traveling through the breach to Earth-2 (including Melissa Benoist as Supergirl and John Wesley Shipp as the Flash from the 1990 CBS series), the art deco/sepia-toned appearance of Earth-2, Joseph West being a lounge singer, Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker finally got to do something besides commiserate with Jay Garrick!!!), and -- my favorite -- Cisco's doppelganger, Reverb.

Every week Carlos Valdes (Cisco) manages to be a scene stealer, whether it's naming the villain of the episode or making some offhand comment about something, but when Earth-1 Cisco (aka Vibe) found himself face-to-face with Earth-2 Cisco (aka Reverb) . . . well, it was double the pleasure, double the fun (wait, that's Wrigley's Doublemint gum, isn't it?).

"Welcome to Earth-2" is the first of two parts, with the conclusion to air Tuesday, February 16, on the CW; 8:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 p.m. Central. Until then I still have some things to figure out, like who is the guy in the iron mask in Zoom's prison at the end of the episode. Maybe the Earth-2 Eddie Thawne?

Rating: 4.50 Stars


One last thing: With news of the forthcoming crossover of the Flash to Supergirl's show in late March, is it too late to ask that they fit in a mini Glee reunion and figure out a way to get Melissa Benoist, Blake Jenner (as Adam Foster) and Grant Gustin to sing together?